Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
| Eurovision Song Contest 2009 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country |  Albania | |||
| National selection | ||||
| Selection process | Festivali i Këngës 47 | |||
| Selection date(s) | Semi-finals 19 December 2008 20 December 2008 Final 21 December 2008 | |||
| Selected artist(s) | Kejsi Tola | |||
| Selected song | "Më merr në ëndërr" | |||
| Finals performance | ||||
| Semi-final result | Qualified (7th, 73 points) | |||
| Final result | 17th, 48 points | |||
| Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest | ||||
| ||||
Albania and Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) were present at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, marking their sixth performance at the contest.[1] They used the Festivali i Këngës competition to select the Albanian entrant and this year's contest was fronted by a new artistic director, Albanian composer and singer Pirro Çako.[1] The winner of Festivali i Këngës 47 was Kejsi Tola, with the song "Më merr në ëndërr", which was performed at Eurovision in English as "Carry Me in Your Dreams".[2]
Festivali i Këngës 47
RTSH set the provisional dates for the final of the 47th Festivali i Këngës at 21 December 2008, again being the first country to select their entry for Eurovision. Two semi-finals were held before the final on 19 and 20 December 2008. The contest was hosted by Elsa Lila, Julian Deda and Gentian Zenelaj.[3]
Semi-finals
The two semi-finals of Festivali i Këngës 47 were held on 19 and 20 December 2008. Due to criticism of last year's contest, changes have been made to the format of Festivali i Këngës. Firstly, 20 artists performed their selected songs in the first semi-final on 19 December 2008. The songs were then repeated on 20 December, this time with other famous Albanian artists. All 20 songs were in the final on 21 December, performed by their original artists. The winner was again selected by the votes of seven jury members, as in last year.[3][4] The song titles and running order for both the semi-finals and final were released on 18 December 2008.[5][6]
Presentation Evening 1
All of the songs were presented on 19 December 2008 by their original artists in advance to the final of the contest on 21 December 2008.[7][8]
| Draw | Artist | Song | Composer - Lyricist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dorina Garuci | "Dite një jetë" | Dorian Nini, Pandi Laço |
| 2 | Endri & Stefi Prifti | "Ti bere faj" | Josif Minga, Skender Rusi |
| 3 | Evis Mula | "Unë jam dashuria" | Luan Zhegu, Agim Doçi |
| 4 | Juliana Pasha & Luiz Ejlli | "Nje jetë" | Shpetim Saraçi, Turian Hyskaj |
| 5 | West Side Family | "Jehonë" | Dr. Flori, Klodian Qafoku |
| 6 | Shpat Kasapi | "Aromë mediterane" | Gent Myftarai, Pandi Laço |
| 7 | Kejsi Tola | "Më merr në ëndërr" | Edmond Zhulali, Agim Doçi |
| 8 | Marjeta Billo | "Era e tokës" | Adrian Hila, Pandi Laço |
| 9 | Rovena Dilo & Eugent Bushpepa | "S'jam balade" | Armend Rexhepagiqi, Aida Baraku |
| 10 | Agim Poshka | "Fajtor për ngrohjen globale" | Agim Poshka, Olsen Maze |
| 11 | Julian Lekoçaj | "Nuk je ti" | Julian Lekoçaj |
| 12 | Burn | "Jam i pari i jettes sime" | Stivart Cela & Renis Gjoka, Big Basta |
| 13 | Erga Halilaj | "Dikush mungon" | Kristi Popa, Florion Zyko |
| 14 | Emi Bogdo | "Kur buzet henen e kafshojn" | Emi Bogdo, Klodian Qafoku |
| 15 | Kujtim Prodani | "Nostalgji" | Kujtim Prodani, Agim Doci |
| 16 | Adelina Thaci | "Oret e fundit" | Alfred Kacinari |
| 17 | Era Rusi | "Shpirt i humbur" | Arsen Nasi & Bledar Skenderi, Irma Libohova |
| 18 | Vedat Ademi | "Po me prite ti" | Kledi Bahiti, Alban Male |
| 19 | Besa Kokedhima | "Ajer" | Alban Male, Olti Curri |
| 20 | Soni Malaj | "Zona zero" | Florian Mumajesi |
Presentation Evening 2
The second presentation evening of Festivali i Këngës 47 was held on 20 December 2008. The same 20 songs that were presented on 19 December 2008, this time as duets with other famous Albanian artists.[9][10]
| Draw | Artist | Song | Composer - Lyricist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marjeta Billo & Olta Boka | "Era e tokës" | Adrian Hila, Pandi Laço |
| 2 | Besa Kokedhima & Jacky Dachum | "Ajer" | Alban Male, Olti Curri |
| 3 | Shpat Kasapi & Adelina Tahiri | "Aromë mediterane" | Gent Myftarai, Pandi Laço |
| 4 | Emi Bogdo & Xhoi | "Kur buzet henen e kafshojn" | Emi Bogdo, Klodian Qafoku |
| 5 | Evis Mula & Erti Hizmo | "Unë jam dashuria" | Luan Zhegu, Agim Doçi |
| 6 | Era Rusi & Irma Libohova | "Shpirt i humbur" | Arsen Nasi & Bledar Skenderi, Irma Libohova |
| 7 | Rovena Dilo, Eugent Bushpepa & Jonida Maliqi | "S'jam balade" | Armend Rexhepagiqi, Aida Baraku |
| 8 | Endri, Stefi & Maria Prifti | "Ti bere faj" | Josif Minga, Skender Rusi |
| 9 | Juliana Pasha, Luiz Ejlli & Produkt 28 | "Nje jetë" | Shpetim Saraçi, Turian Hyskaj |
| 10 | Erga Halilaj & Kristi Popa | "Dikush mungon" | Kristi Popa, Florion Zyko |
| 11 | Kejsi Tola & Flaka Krelani | "Më merr në ëndërr" | Edmond Zhulali, Agim Doçi |
| 12 | Kujtim Prodani & Jo Artid Fejzo | "Nostalgji" | Kujtim Prodani, Agim Doci |
| 13 | Dorina Garuci, Arber Arapi & Marsida Saraci | "Dite një jetë" | Dorian Nini, Pandi Laço |
| 14 | Burn & Aleksander Gjoka | "Jam i pari i jettes sime" | Stivart Cela & Renis Gjoka, Big Basta |
| 15 | Agim Poshka & Eranda Libohova | "Fajtor për ngrohjen globale" | Agim Poshka, Olsen Maze |
| 16 | West Side Family & Aurela Gaçe | "Jehonë" | Dr. Flori, Klodian Qafoku |
| 17 | Adelina Thaci & Teuta Kurti | "Oret e fundit" | Alfred Kacinari |
| 18 | Vedat Ademi & Samanta Karavello | "Po me prite ti" | Kledi Bahiti, Alban Male |
| 19 | Julian Lekoçaj & Kamela Islamaj | "Nuk je ti" | Julian Lekoçaj |
| 20 | Soni Malaj & Getoar Selimi | "Zona zero" | Florian Mumajesi |
Final
The final of Festivali i Këngës 47 was held on 21 December 2008 The winner was decided here, through the votes of seven jury members. Each jury member gave 1 to 20 points to each song, with 20 points for their favourite song and 1 point for their least favourite song.
Kejsi Tola was the winner of Festivali i Këngës 47, winning with 126 points. The runners-up were Juliana Pasha and Luiz Ejlli with 119 points, with West Side Family coming third with 118 points. Tola's song was "Më merr në ëndërr" (Take me in your dreams), composed by Edmond Zhulali and Agim Doçi, the composer's of Albania's first Eurovision entry, "The Image of You" by Anjeza Shahini, which came 7th at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004, Albania's best placing to date.[11]
| Draw | Artist | Song | Composer - Lyricist | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Side Family | "Jehonë" | Dr. Flori, Klodian Qafoku | 118 | 3 |
| 2 | Soni Malaj | "Zona zero" | Florian Mumajesi | 44 | 16 |
| 3 | Juliana Pasha & Luiz Ejlli | "Nje jetë" | Shpetim Saraçi, Turian Hyskaj | 119 | 2 |
| 4 | Kujtim Prodani | "Nostalgji" | Kujtim Prodani, Agim Doci | 24 | 18 |
| 5 | Emi Bogdo | "Kur buzet henen e kafshojn" | Emi Bogdo, Klodian Qafoku | 43 | 17 |
| 6 | Erga Halilaj | "Dikush mungon" | Kristi Popa, Florion Zyko | 63 | 11 |
| 7 | Marjeta Billo | "Era e tokës" | Adrian Hila, Pandi Laço | 106 | 5 |
| 8 | Adelina Thaci | "Oret e fundit" | Alfred Kacinari | 91 | 8 |
| 9 | Rovena Dilo & Eugent Bushpepa | "S'jam balade" | Armend Rexhepagiqi, Aida Baraku | 60 | 12 |
| 10 | Dorina Garuci | "Dite një jetë" | Dorian Nini, Pandi Laço | 92 | 7 |
| 11 | Endri & Stefi Prifti | "Ti bere faj" | Josif Minga, Skender Rusi | 91 | 8 |
| 12 | Kejsi Tola | "Më merr në ëndërr" | Edmond Zhulali, Agim Doçi | 126 | 1 |
| 13 | Era Rusi | "Shpirt i humbur" | Arsen Nasi & Bledar Skenderi, Irma Libohova | 50 | 15 |
| 14 | Julian Lekoçaj | "Nuk je ti" | Julian Lekoçaj | 17 | 20 |
| 15 | Shpat Kasapi | "Aromë mediterane" | Gent Myftarai, Pandi Laço | 22 | 19 |
| 16 | Evis Mula | "Unë jam dashuria" | Luan Zhegu, Agim Doçi | 91 | 8 |
| 17 | Burn | "Jam i pari i jettes sime" | Stivart Cela & Renis Gjoka, Big Basta | 96 | 6 |
| 18 | Vedat Ademi | "Po me prite ti" | Kledi Bahiti, Alban Male | 51 | 14 |
| 19 | Agim Poshka | "Fajtor për ngrohjen globale" | Agim Poshka, Olsen Maze | 56 | 13 |
| 20 | Besa Kokedhima | "Ajer" | Alban Male, Olti Curri | 109 | 4 |
Before Eurovision
Before her performance at Eurovision Kejsi Tola completed a promotional tour of a number of European countries, between daily work on her performance and vocals, with choreography planned by Greek choreographer Julian Bulku, known for planning the 2008 Greek entry, performed by Kalomoira, as well as collaborating with 2005 winner Elena Paparizou.[12]
In April Tola was invited by Greek broadcaster ANT1 to perform on their morning program, as well as performing in Montenegro, on RTCG. She also traveled to Macedonia, performing on national TV as well as in a concert organised by RTSH for her fans in Skopje. Finally she travelled to the Eurovision Promo Concert in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where she performed alongside over 20 other Eurovision contestants.[13][14]
At Eurovision
Since Albania was not one of the "Big Four" nor the host of the 2009 contest, it had to compete in one of the two semi-finals.The song competed in the second semi-final on 14 May, where it performed sixteenth in the running order, following Moldova and preceding Ukraine. It qualified to the final where it finished 17th.
"Më merr në ëndërr" was performed in English at Eurovision, under the title of "Carry Me in Your Dreams". The new, 3 minute version of the song, and its promotional video clip, was released on 15 March.[2]
Points Awarded by Albania[15]
Semi final
|
Final
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 points | 10 points | 8 points | 7 points | 6 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
| 12 points | 10 points | 8 points | 7 points | 6 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
| Televoting Points Awarded to Albania | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 points | 10 points | 8 points | 7 points | 6 points |
| 5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
| Jury Points Awarded to Albania | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 points | 10 points | 8 points | 7 points | 6 points |
| 5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
See also
References
- ^ a b Romkes, René (22 July 2008). "Albania: First country to pick song for ESC again". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Hondal, Victor (8 March 2009). "Albania: Kejsi Tola to sing Carry me in your dreams". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 9 March 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Gafurr Sahiti; Gil Laufer (4 December 2008). "Albania: Complete line-up revealed". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Konstantopoulos, Fotis (4 December 2008). "Albania: Festivali i Kenges dates and participants announced". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Wells, Simon (18 December 2008). "Albania: Running order for Festivali i Kenges announced". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 24 December 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Laufer, Gil (18 December 2008). "Albania: FiK song titles and running order known". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Laufer, Gil (19 December 2008). "Live: first presentation show in Albania". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 20 December 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Wells, Simon (19 December 2008). "Albania: Festivali i Kenges 1st semifinal live from Tirana". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Wells, Simon (20 December 2008). "Festivali i Kenges 2nd semifinal live from Tirana". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Laufer, Gil (20 December 2008). "Live: Second presentation show in Albania". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 21 December 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Klier, Marcus (21 December 2008). "Albania decided: Kejsi Tola to Eurovision!". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Anadioti, Eva (17 March 2009). "Julian Bulku takes over Kejsi Tola". Oikotimes. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Romkes, Rene (17 March 2009). "April 18 - Eurovision Promo Concert". ESCToday. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Floras, Stella; Hazizaj, Altin (28 April 2009). "Albania: Kejsi Tola's promo tour". ESCToday. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Eurovision Song Contest 2008
