Video of Ende Ka Shpresë

The video of the runner up in the last edition of Festivali i Këngës has been released. The duet Ende ka shpresë was sung by Alban Skënderaj and Miriam Cani. You can take a look at the full results here. Watch the video below!



Yesterday AlbaVision brought you the first snippets of the English lyrics. We'll keep following Aurela Gaçe's on her way to Düsseldorf; so remember to tune in March 12th when the English version will be released!

Xhejsi Jorgaqi - Rastësi (Lyrics+Translation)

 Xhejsi Jorgaqi had an imposing appearance at the Festivali i këngës 49 in December, finishing a sensational 4th place with the song "Rastësti", composed by Genti Lako. The lyricist is Jorgo Papingji, who also wrote the lyrics to Dorina Garuci's song for 2010 and Anjeza Shahini's "Në pasqyre", which came second in 2009. Below you can read the songtext and translation of the song. At this place a great thank you to Evelina, our newest AV-team member, for the great help.

The Lyrics and Translation below come entirely from our understanding and interpretations and are the result of a lot of hard work and effort. Sharing these is appreciated , but please make sure to credit us if you intend to post this elsewhere.

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Xhejsi Jorgaqi - Rastësi

Krejt nga rastësia, ndodhi mrekullia
zot, nuk e besoj as vet
ishte ëndërr apo e vërtetë
jo nuk mund ta dija
kur ndodh rastësia
ndoshta nuk besohet lehtë
nga një rastësi të ndryshojë një jetë

Por kur doli ëndrra, gati sa s'u çmënda
ti rastësi ndoshta emrin e ke
por nuk do takojmë kur do duam ne

Kurrë nuk e ke ditur
sa të kemi pritur
por si gjithëmonë ti vetëm luan dhe genjen
pse nuk vjen, pse nuk vjen

Nuk e di pse inat me ke marrë
Emrin si e ke? (Rastësia)
Ndryshe thua sot ndryshe më the dje
mos luaj me ne 2x

Zemërimi është një rastësi
dhe zbulimi është një rastësi
dhe zhgenjimi është një rastësi
dhe pendimi është një rastësi
simpatia është një rastësi
xhelozia është një rastësi
befasia është një rastësi
lumturia mbetet përgjithënjë

Rastësi është jeta
lum kush thotë e gjeta
vjen si bekim apo mallkim për ne
pa e ditur vjen pa pritur

Kurrë nuk e ke ditur
sa të kemi pritur
por si gjithëmonë ti vetëm luan dhe genjen
pse nuk vjen, pse nuk vjen

Nuk e di pse inat më ke marrë
Emrin si e ke? (Rastësia)
Ndryshe thua sot, ndryshe më the dje
mos luaj me ne (hou) 2x

(Rastësia)

Zemërimi është një rastësi
dhe zbulimi është një rastësi
dhe zhgenjimi është një rastësi
dhe pendimi është një rastësi
simpatia është një rastësi
xhelozia është një rastësi (rastësia)
befasia është një rastësi
lumturia mbetet përgjithënjë

Si gjithëmonë
vjen si bekim a mallkim për ne
pa e ditur vjen papritur (eehh)

Ëndrra, mendime, zhgënjime do kemi ne në jetë (në jetë)
Befasi, lumturi, rastësi jemi vetë!

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English translation by AlbaVision:
( * = info on bottom for better understanding)

Coincidence 

Completely by chance the miracle occured

God, I don't believe it myself

Was it a dream or reality?

No, one can't foresee

when the coincidence occurs.

Maybe it ain't easy to believe

That a coincidence can change a life.

But when the dream turned out* I almost went insane 

Your name may be coincidence

but we'll never meet when we want to.

You never knew

How much we've been waiting for you

But as usual you only play and lie

Why don't you come, why don't you come?

I don't know why you hold a grudge against me

What's your name? (Coincidence)

Today you say something different to what you said yesterday

Don't play with us (Coincidence)

I don't know why you hold a grudge against me

What's your name? (Coincidence)

Today you say something different to what you said yesterday

Don't play with us

Anger is a coincidence

And discovery is a coincidence

And dissapointment is a coincidence

And regret is a coincidence

Sympathy is a coincidence

Jealousy is a coincidence

Surprise is a coincidence,

Happiness remains forever!

Coincidence is the life

Blessed (the ones) who say: I found it.

Comes as a blessing or a curse to us

Without knowing, it comes unexpected.

You never knew

How much we've been waiting for you

But as usual you only play and lie

Why don't you come, why don't you come?

I don't know why you hold a grudge against me

What's your name? (Coincidence)

Today you say something different to what you said yesterday

Don't play with us (Coincidence)

I don't know why you hold a grudge against me

What's your name? (Coincidence)

Today you say something different to what you said yesterday

Don't play with us (hoh)

(Coincidence)

Anger is a coincidence

And discovery is a coincidence

And dissapointment is a coincidence

And regret is a coincidence

Sympathy is a coincidence

Jealousy is a coincidence (Coincidence)

Surprise is a coincidence

Happiness remains forever!

As always 

it comes as a blessing or a curse for us

Without knowing, it comes unexpected (eehh)

Dreams, thoughts, dissapointments we'll have in life (in life)

The surprises, happiness, coincidences we are ourselves!

*awakening from the dream/ dream became true
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Anything about the lyrics or translations you'd like to comment on (f.e. a better suggestion for translation)? Leave a comment :)

Ardhurim Demiri's song a plagiat?

Fans of Željko Joksimović’s (ESC Serbia&Montenegro '04) music have discovered an enormous similarity between one song competing at the Festivali i këngës 2010 and Joksimović’s single "Michelle" from his album.

Adhurim Demiri's song "24 orët" competed in the second semifinal and opened te show on that night.

However, the song did not make the final.

Listen to both songs below and compare yourself.

Adhurim Demiri - 24 Orët


Željko Joksimović - Michelle


Interesting: Ardhurim Demiri has registrated himself as composer and lyricist for the participation.

Linda Halimi after the Festivali 49

Many may still remember the Linda Halimi story. Withdrawing from the Festivali i këngës 49 in the belief the winner had been decided already. Now, after the Festivali spectacle with Aurela as the winner and not Alban Skënderaj and Miriam Cani, Linda talked to Zhurnal.mk to make her official statements:

Linda Halimi

According to their interview, her accusions were not directed to Alban and Miriam, but to the organization of the Festivali i kënges. She has already spoken to Alban and Miriam to smooth out misunderstandings.
"Last year you have already heard it would be Juliana Pasha's time to win the Festival, 3 months before the show kicked off, and it turned out to be true". This brought her to write her facebook statement with the great media respond.

She said to be realizing that making such a declaration in public has been a mistake and that this may have changed the results in the end. It was not her wish to stop Alban and Miriam from going to Düsseldorf. However she wishes good luck to Aurela Gaçe.
Everything had been one big misunderstanding.

Maria Prifti - Pasuri e pasurive

Maria Prifti has made her solo debut at the Festivali i këngës this year, singing in the "Newcomer" category with a song composed by Frederik Ndoci (ESC '07). She easily reached the final with this powerful ballad, ended on position 14 in the final though, unfortunately. Below you can read the lyrics and our translation to the song.

The Lyrics and Translation below come entirely from our understanding and interpretations and are the result of a lot of hard work and effort. Sharing these is appreciated , but please make sure to credit us if you intend to post this elsewhere.

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Maria Prifti - Pasuri e pasurive


Më dorë të mundja kohën t'ndal
bëj në çastin e madhë sa një jetë
Miliona puthje t'i fal, prap nuk ngopem
s'qenka e lehtë

Dashuroj, se unë me shpirt e ndjej
Po s'na del jeta, të gjithë e dimë.
E fal vet vetën, veç mos ta humb dashurinë
oh zot

Njëherë në jetë ajo troket në zemra
është më e bukur sesa vetë ëndrra
e flet me gjuhën e perëndive
mbetet pasuri e pasurive
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English translation by AlbaVision

(italics / * = infos for better understanding)

Wealth of all wealth

If I could stop the time with my hands
I would do it in a moment as great as a life.
I'd give you a million kisses and still not be satisfied
It's not that easy

I love, because I feel it with my soul
But life is not enough, we all know it.
I give myself up, just not to loose the love
oh god

Once in a lifetime it strikes the heart
It's even more beautiful than dreams*
And talks with the language of the Gods
it remains the wealthiest of all wealths.

*it says "it's more beautiful than even the dream", but the english plural "dreams" fits better to the feeling expressed with "ëndrra"

Withdrawn song online

Humus withdrawn from Festivali i Këngës this year, but the song that was suppose to take part, S`ka (There is no), is now online. You can listen to it below:



The song was withdrewn before the draw of the semi finals. Whether it would have reached the final or not, can be speculated. But the song would probably be far away from a place in the top in the final.

Marsida Saraçi - Vetëm s'jemi në botë

 It's the time after the Festivali i këngës, a peaceful time, enough time todeal a bit more with the songs of this edition. After Kamela Islami and Aurela Gaçe we would like to bring  you more lyrics plus translations of the Festivali i këngës songs. This time we present: Marsida Saraçi's song Vetëm s'jemi në botë (finished 16th in the final).

The studio version

The Festivali Live performance

The Lyrics and Translation below come entirely from our understanding and interpretations and are the result of a lot of hard work and effort. Sharing these is appreciated , but please make sure to credit us if you intend to post this elsewhere.

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Marsida Saraçi - Vetëm s'jemi në botë

Sa i madh është ky det
madhështinë e humbet
kur ti je aty
asnjeri s'e kupton
kush më shumë kalteron
deti apo ti

Çdo ditë zemra më thotë
sa e vogël kjo botë
do të ish pa ty
ndryshe muajt e stinë
ndryshe ditët që vijnë
pa ty ç'ta bëja unë rini

Refrain
Vetëm s'jemi në botë
Vetëm s'jemi, të plotë
Vetëm nuk rrojmë dot në këtë jetë
Ti më fal dashuri
Ti më fal lumturi
Ti më bën njeri të vertet

Festivali version:
po të mos jesh ti në këtë jetë
ëndrrat s'bëhën realitet
dashuria jo sot ishe e vertet.

Studio version:
Oh, të mos ishim ne të dy
ti tek unë e unë tek ty
dashuria jo sot ishte historia
article to be finished tmrw
__________________________________________________________ 

English translation by AlbaVision

(italics = studio version)

We're not alone in the world

How great the sea is
It looses it's magnificance
when you are there.
Nobody understands
who is bluer
the sea or you

Everyday my heart tells me
how small this world
would be without you.
different, he months and seasons,
different, the days to come
without you, what would I do in this young life 

Refrain
We're not alone in this world.
We're not alone, (but) so many.
We're not living alone in this life.
You give me love.
You give me joy.
You make me a real human .

Festivali version:
But if you were not in this life
dreams would not become true.
Love today would not have been real.

Studio version:
But if we two we're not here,
You with me and me with you,
Love would be history today.
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Anything about the lyrics or translations you'd like to comment on (f.e. a better suggestion for translation)? Leave a comment :)

AVs poll results!

AlbaVision has been running some polls concerning this years Festivali i Këngës. It's now time to take a look at what our readers answered:

Let's start with the most recent poll, which you can see at the left. What was your favourite song in the festivali i këngës 2010? Our readers favourite was by a clear margine (29%) Alban & Miriam's Ende ka shpresë, followed by the winner Kënga ime (19%). In an earlier poll, Whose artist's songs/performances are you awaiting the most?, Alban & Miriam got 47% of the votes, while Aurela Gaçe got 46%. This might indicate that some people were disappointed with the winner. Besa Kokëdhima got the third place in both polls, indicating that she lived up to the expectations by AVs readers. Dorina Garuci and Enkelejda entries also seems to have been as the readers expected. The only song that didn't live up to the expectations according to the polls, was Kamela Islami's Jetova për të dy. AVs readers also looked forward to hearing Kejsi Tola and Marjeta Billo, who didn't reach the final.

AlbaVisions readers were asked a while ago whether a female, male or duo/group would win FiK 2010. The voters were in this poll correct: 52% guessing a female to win, followed by 39% predicting a duo or group. Only 5% thought a male would be the lucky one. These results correlates very well with the actual results.

Finally: What do you think about Linda's statement? Has the prize already been promised to Alban and Miriam before the start of the festival? Most of the AVs readers did not believe in the rumours, and the rumour turned out not being right. Alban Skënderaj also hinted to this when receiving the second place in the festival. 46% of the voters answered They'll win, if they deserve to.

AlbaVision would like to thank all of you who have shared your opinion in our polls!

Studio version of "Kënga ime"

As earlier announced, the songs from this years will be released on CD. So it should be possible to find them all online in some time. Today we will present you the top 2 songs from this year, in studio versions:

1. Kënga ime:



2. Ende ka shpresë:



To the right: Aurela Gaçe after winning Festivali 49

Full results of Festivali 49

Festivali i Këngës is over for this year, and now it's time to take a look at the results of this year. Aurela Gaçe won the competition for the third time. Alban and Miriam was rumoured to have won it even before it started, which turned out to not be right. These two acts were the ones with clearly the most points. There is also a big margin between the songs above and below 7/8th place. The two "newcommers" did not do well, both placing in the bottom of the list. Which were the biggest surprises? That's up to you to discuss!

Placing, artist, song and points (100% jury vote):
1. Aurela Gaçe (Kënga ime) 82
2. Alban Skënderaj & Miriam Cani (Ende ka shpresë) 66
3. Saimir Braho (Shtegëtar i jetës time) 48
4. Xhejsi Jorgaqi (Rastësi) 44
5. Enkelejda Arifi (Një dashuri) 36
6. Dorina Garuci (Mirëmbrëma ëngjëlli im) 34
7. Dorian Nini (Mirësevini në Shqipëri) 29
8. Françesk Radi (Kemi dasëm'o)13
9. Besa Kokëdhima (E bukura dhe bisha) 13
10. Kamela Islami (Jetova për të dy) 12
11. Hersiana Matmuja (Me cilin rri ti dashuri) 7
12. Selami Kolonja (Ëndërr Kosovë) 6
13. Denis Hasa (Mbi xhaketën time) 6
14. Maria Prifti (Pasuri e pasurive) 5
15. Orges Toçe (Mari) 3
16. Marsida Saraçi (Vetëm s'jemi në botë) 2
17. Goldi Halili (Në krahët e tua) 0
18. Albi Xhepa & Semi Jaupaj (Dritë) 0

You can read the lyrics and the translation of the winning song HERE. AlbaVision will keep following Aurela Gaçe on her way to Düsseldorf in May, and more about Festivali 49; so stay tuned!

||Aurela Gaçe - Kënga ime|| ------------------ --------------------- ||Songtext + Translation||

Back from Tirana we start our usual blogging again, following Aurela Gaçe to Düsseldorf from now on.
Below you can read the lyrics and our translation into english. Everything written below is what we hear/understand from the live version, so the lyrics may be updated at an time later.

Listen to the studio version of 'kënga ime' in the player.
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AlbaVision version of the lyrics: 

Kënga ime

Zemër ti, mos më ler pa fjale
dua t'ia them e dua t'ia marrë
sa herë vij edhe shkoj
si frymë të kerkoj
në gjak më je futur, pa ty s'mund të rroj

Më bëhesh det e më bëhesh valë
Më tharë një lotë edhe më ndez një mall
sa herë vij edhe shkoj
si frymë të kerkoj
në gjak të kam, kënga ime, moj (eheheej)

E të pasur jam, se ty të kam
nuk jam në tokë e asgjë s'më ndal

Refrain
Zot, që këngën ma ke falë
Më lerë të ndarë
Nuk ka ngjyrë e nuk ka fjalë
Muret s'e mbajnë
Tokën e qiellin e bënë bashkë
Harron e fal
Oh se më theh e më bën gjall
Asgjë s'më ndal (eheheej)

Sa herë për ty etja të më marr
do vij, do të pi
e buzën do ta lag
sa herë vij edhe shkoj
si frymë të kerkoj
jeton ti edhe un jetoj (eheheheej)

E pasur jam, se ty të kam
nuk jam në tokë e asgjë s'më ndal

Refrain 2x

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English translation by AlbaVision

(italics = explanations for better understanding)

My song 

My heart, don't leave me without words
I want to tell them the words and take them their words (leave them [=people] speechless)
Everytime i come and go
I look out for you like for breath (gasp for breath)
You passed into my blood, without you I cannot live.

You become the sea and the waves for me
You dry me a tear and arouse a longing in me.
Everytime i come and go
I look out for you like for breath (gasp for breath)
I've got you in my blood, my song (eheheej)

And I'm rich, because I have you.
I'm not on earth (/on the ground) and nothing can stop me.

Refrain:
God, (you) who have given me the song
Let me share it
It has no colour and no word
Walls cannot hold it.
You make the earth and the sky one
You forgive and forget
Oh, because you me break and make me alive
Nothing stops me (eheheej)

Whenever the thirst for you overcomes me
I'll come, I'll drink you
and I will make wet your lips
Everytime i come and go
I look out for you like for breath (gasp for breath)
You live and I live, too. (eheheej)


And I'm rich, because I have you.
I'm not on earth (/on the ground) and nothing can stop me

Refrain 2x 
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Anything about the lyrics or translations you'd like to comment on (f.e. a better suggestion for translation)? Leave a comment :)

Aurela Gaçe for Albania 2011

The festivali këngës 2010 is over and the winner is Aurela Gaçe, who got the greatest applaude from the audience, aswell, as 6 sets of 12 points by 6 of the 7 juries and one set of 10 points. Just as much of a favourite were Alban and Miriam, who ended up second, commenting it with: "This to those who said our win is given". Surprisingly Saimir Braho finished third, marking his biggest FiK success until now.

AlbaVision met with Aurela right after the show and asked her whether she intends to sing in English in Germany. As expected she stated that this is not decided yet as she and her team just realized that they are going to Düsseldorf. As I may be volunteering in Düsseldorf this year for the Albanian Delegation, we told her about that and that we'll meet again in May. She's greeting you AlbaVision fans. She will be added to the new AlbaVision banner - edition 2011.

With Aurela Gaçe right after the show.

Full results and more tomorrow, back in our homes, this was AlbaVision Live - Tirana 2010

Tonight: The Albanian National Final 2011: The Festivali i kenges 49

Tonight we are going to know who will represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany.
From each semifinal 9 artists qualified for the final tonight and compete for the trophy.
The show will start approximately at 20:20 pm CET and be aired on RTSH and RTSH2. Whether webcasts or streams will be available is not sure at this moment.

The hosts

Jonida Maliqi, Josif Gjipali and Mirela Naska are going to host the third night again and Juliana Pasha is going to be the special guest tonight.

Below you can see the participants in the final:
 (click on artist for profile/ on song for songtext)
From semi 1
1. DORIAN NINI - Miresevini ne Shqiperi
2. MARSIDA SARACI - Vetem s'jemi ne bote
3. DORINA GARUCI - Mirembrema engjelli im
4. ORGES TOCE - Mari
5. KAMELA ISLAMAJ - Jetova per ty
6. A.SKENDERAJ&M.CANI - Ende ka shprese
7. HERSIANA MATMUJA - Me cilin rri ti dashuri
8. SELAMI KOLONJA - Enderr Kosove
9. MARIA PRIFTI - Pasuri e pasurive (Newcomer group) 

From semi  2
1. BESA KOKEDHIMA -E Bukura Dhe Bisha
2. DENIS HASA -  Mbi Xhaketën Time
3. GOLDI HALILI -Në Krahët E Tua
4. FRANCESK RADI  -  Kemi Dasëm'o
5. AURELA GACE -Kënga Ime
6. XHEJSI JORGAQI  -Rastësi
7. ENKELEJDA ARIFI  -  Një Dashuri
8. SAIMIR BRAHO  -Shtegëtar I Jetës Sime
9. A.XHEPA & S.JAUPAJ  -  Dritë  (Newcomer group) 
____________________________________________

Win: Top5-prediction competition

Now it's your turn: Send us your top 5 prediction to albavision@live.com and win one of our tickets for the Festivali i kenges as a souvenir, if you had the most precise prediction. The winner will be announced tomorrow along with our prediction and contacted afterwards. Email must be sent before the announcement of the jury votes in the final.

Win one festivali i kenges 49 invitation in red , blue or golden

Semi 2: disappointing results

The second semi final ended and we are satisfied with the songs in this semi, but not with all the qualifiers or better all non-qualifiers.
Marieta Billo, who had a great ballad, was not amongst the qualifiers, and also Kejsi Tola, who (to be fair) had a rather mediocore song, but still good enough for a second listen in this line up, did not make it into the final. So the audience needed some moments to realised that all quaslifiers were alreadz announced as they were awaited to make it.
Especially Marieta. She had the  audience on her side, which made us feel she would have actually chances of winning the whole thing, if there was televoting, so once again: Screw juries...

Nevertheless below are the 9 qualifiers. After listening to all the songs on youtube, please vote in our new poll for your favourite.

Besa Kokedhima- “E bukura dhe bisha”
Denis Hasa- “Mbi xhaketën time”
Goldi Halili- “Në krahët e tua”
Françesk Radi- “Kemi dasem`o”
Aurela Gaçe- “Kënga ime”
Xhejsi Jorgaqi- “Rastësi”
Enkelejda Arifi- “Nje Dashuri”
Saimir Braho- “Shtegëtar i jetës time"
Albi Xhepa & Sam Jaupaj - "Dritë"

Tonight: second semifinal of the festivali i këngës në RTSH

After the first 19 songs in the first semi final yesterday, tonights the second half is fighting for the 9 spots left in the final. The first semifinal started at 8:20 pm, so around that time you can expect the beginning of this semifinal, too. The participants tonight are:

Semi Final 2 – Friday, 24th December

(click on artist for profile - click on song for lyrics)

“VIP” Category
01. Adhurim Demiri – “24 Orët”
02. Besa Kokëdhima – “E bukura dhe bisha”
03. Emi Bodgo – “Letër për ty”
04. Denis Hasa – “Mbi xhaketën time”
05. Kujtim Prodani – “Ti Ishe Kryëveper”
06. Goldi Halili – “Në krahët e tua”
07. Marjeta Billo – “Përjetësi”
08. Francesk Radi – “Kemi dasem'o”
09. Aurela Gaçe – “Kënga ime”
10. Heldi Kraja – “E diela pa ty”
11. Sonila Mara – “Egoist”
12. Mateus Frroku – “Dimër në shpirt”
13. Xhejsi Jorgaqi – “Rastesi”
14. Enkelejda Arifi – “Një dashuri”
15. Kejsi Tola – “Prane”
16. Saimir Braho – “Shtegëtar i jetës time”

“Newcomers” Category
01. Albi Xhepa & Sam Jaupaj – “Dritë”
02. Bledi Polena – "Të jemi të dy"

03. Rudina Delija – “Tek ti gjeta dashurinë”



Tonight: First semifinal of the festivali i këngës në RTSH

Tonight's the night we have been waiting and blogging for. The festivali i këngës starts once again. Our invitations say to be present at 8, the first semifinal will begin at 8:30-9:00 pm CET. Below you can have a look at tonight's competiting singers:

(click on artist for profile - click on song for lyrics)

“VIP” category

01. Selami Kolonja – “Marmara”
02. Miriam Cani & Alban Skënderaj – “Ende ka shpresë”
03. Orges Toce – “Mari”
04. Kamela Islami – “Jetova për ty”
05. Blerina Shalari – “Lutjes apo dashurisë”
06. Ernis Cili – “Famë”
07. Dorian Nini – “Mirë se vini në Shqipëri”
08. Edmond Mancaku – “Dashuri pas emrit”
09. Ardita Tusha – "Dikur besoja"
10. Klajdi Musabelli – “Vetëm ti”
11. Evans Rama – "Sonte"
12. Dorina Garuci – “Mirëmbrëma ëngjëlli im”
13. Herciana Matmuja – “Me cilin rri ti dashuri”
14. Agim Poshka – "Bota.com.vetmi"
15. Marsida Saraçi – “Vetëm s'jemi në botë"
16. Entela Zhula – “Lojë në dashuri”

“Newcomers” category
01. Ilir Karaferi – “Nuk je këtu”
02. Maria Prifti – “Pasuri e pasurive”
03. Megi Laska – ” Ëndrrat ekzistojnë”'

8 from the VIP and 2 from the Newcomer section will pass to the final

Jury: According to esctoday.com the jury members in the VIP category are:
Aleksandër Peçi

Edison Miso
David Tukiçi
Manjola Nallbani
Robert Radoja
Artan Minarolli
Edmond Tullumani 
 
The jury to choose the Newcomer winner comsist of:
Gerta Heta
Jerida Sakaj
Andi Islami
Evis Trebicka
Suada Braho

Webstream: The usual links from the last years (which are also posted by the big ESC pages) are all not working at the moment, so we hope for you they will until tonight.
Our recommendation: Visit escdaily.com tonight, they said to be streaming live on their page tonight.

Guests: The Turkish group MaNga which finished second in Oslo in ESC is tonight's guest. Below you can see the trailer for tonight, brought to you by AlbaVision.

Daily report 4: Videos, videos, videos

Tomorrow is the first semifinal of the Albanian National Final and on TV the festivali i këngës is highly promoted. For you we have filmed as much as we could, all videos are uploaded onto our youtube channel:

Advertisement for the Festivali i këngës

Rehearsals for the festivali i këngës
In the following video you get to see some stars rehearsing, such as Aurela Gaçe and Kejsi Tola, have a view on the stage and even hear a little bit of some songs if you listen closely. The first woman interviewed is Ingrid Rugji, who works for the first time as a dirigent in this festival and says to be proud of being part of this spectacle now and to give her very best. Kejsi Tola, presented as a former winner of this festival, states that being a winner already does not mean that it's easier to win another time. Also, first she thinks about delivering a satisfying performance and afterwards about winning. See the clip below :D



English video
The following video is in English so no need to summarize and translate it. Enjoy.



Tomorrow it's going to be all about the first semi final.

Live: "Day 3 - Their faces everywhere"

Now that it's only two days to the first semifinal you can see them everywhere in Tirana, the participants of the

Television
Just turn on the TV and watch RTSH and you get tons of Festivali i kenges material worth recording. If I had known that before... Interviews with participants (from what I've seen: Francesk Radi, Marsida Saraci, Kujtim Prodani), and loads of advertising. I was able to film one with the cam (at least a long bit of it) and will upload it later onto our Youtube channel and then insert in the next article for you. Hope I get to film the other advertisement too.

Live
My intuition to just eat at the nearest restaurant located at the Pallati i Kongreseve paid off: I met Frederik Ndoci, the Albanian representative in Helsinki in 2007 and the Prifti brothers , who regularly take part in the Festivali i kenges. This year Ndoci is composing the song for Maria Prifti, who participates in the "Newcomer" category. They were kind enough for a photo with each of them :) (Photos on our facebook channel)

Internet
Also the internet had become a media of the FiK stars. So did Aurela Gace revamp her official website and gave an interview to vipat.info in which she states that she decided to take part in the FiK after 9 years because the song she got proposed by composer Shpetim Saraçi stuck in her head after she got to listen to the demo version. Actually she did not want to take part and take that Song for her next album, but Saraci told her: You will get the song only if you perform it at the FiK, otherwise not. This argument made Aurela take part again and now that she's in she has dreams of taking part at the ESC again, a dream that would have already become true in 2001 when she won the FiK, if Albania had debuted in that year.

Tomorrow more from Albania :D

Profile #7: Enkelejda Arifi

Only 2 days from now and the Festivali i këngës starts. 

Until then, we would like to present you the most interesting participants. Their careers, former participations and relations to the Festivali i këngës and the Eurovision Songcontest, their teams behind the song and our view on their chances of success in the National Final. We are reporting live from Tirana and the Pallati i kongreseve (More info here). 


Singer: Enkelejda Arifi
Composer: Adrian Hila
Text: Pandi Laço
Song: Nje dashuri (One love)
Draw: Semi final 2, number 14

Profile: Enkelejda is a known South Albanian singer, who sings mostly folk songs in the Tosk dialect of South Albania and the region çameria.

This year: Her participation at the festivali i kenges is a bit surprising, indeed. But what is more surprising is the the team that composed her song, which is no other than A.Hila and P.Laço, who composed the Albanian ESC songs in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

What is to be expected?: Enkelejda sings a song of the most successful composer team of the recent years. We know that Hila and Paço are able of creating wonderful songs and they know who they pick for their songs. Especially when deciding to let Enkelejda sing their newest composition, we can await a folk song that may touch many Albanians musical and lyrical wise. After the success with Olta Boka though, their compositions haven't placed that high in FiK anymore (I wouldn't say the songs have become worse). Juries seemed to take a little "time-out" of their songs. We believe that this year the Hila/Laço team has a real chance of placing high again, as enough time has passed now and they are not seen as the eternal winners of the FiK anymore, which may influence the jury's votes to the better again.

Songs:
One of her most famous songs - Mall per Camerine

Live: Day 2 in Tirana, 3 days to Semi 1

This is the second daily report from Tirana, FiK 2010 is even closer now.Read the first day's review here.

The RTSH building once again
After a little walk through the streets of Tirana, I've been heading to the RTSH building another time. Instead of a policeman there was the ticket sale right behind the entrance of the building this time. I asked for tickets for all three nights, but again I was informed that I could only buy tickets for the first two nights. To my question, why he does not sell tickets for the final he replied that these (tickets for Night 1&2) are the ones he was given to sell by RTSH and does not have more information. I should try and ask the secretary about that, he added.

Invitations: Tickets for Semifinal one and two

The seats
A look on the backside of the tickets told us about our sitting location. In both nights we (Ole and Arben) are going to be sitting on the ground floor, only some rows away from the stage, which is very satisfying. I was told that the seats we own are located central, too. I hope it turns out to be true. The better place we get, the better photos/videos will you get, obviously.

Tickets for the final?
Next to the RTSH (RadioTelevizioniSHqiptar) building, there is the TVSH (TeleVizionSHqiptar) building, which is nothing else than one sector of the RTSH. I asked for tickets for the final in this building, telling them I did not get them in the RTSH building. The reception seemed to be quite sure that tickets for the final are also being sold there. His advice: To just try again on 22nd December, they are probably selling only tickets to the semis first, to get them sold out. Meanwhile I have contacted someone on facebook about the final ticket story, who told me to help me out with it ;). Who it is I will tell you an other day :D

You also wish to see the FiK?
If you want to come to Tirana this year or whenever, I can tell you the prize for semi final tickets are 500 lek (=3,57Euro) each. The final tickets cost 2000 lek (14,29Euro) according to the TVSH reception.
If you wish to see the Festivali i kenges from your computer: We are going to serve with a stream on this page if things work out as planned. If not you will not find any link to other streams from us, as these links would be spread out too much and make the few servers who provide a stream at the moment crash and the REAL FiK fans who have found or will find a link on their own (if you don't find a link pm us for personal interest).