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Festivali i Këngës 2020
Dates
Semi-final 1	21 December 2020
Semi-final 2	22 December 2020
Final	23 December 2020
Host
Venue	Sheshi Italia, Tirana
Presenter(s)	Blendi Salaj Jonida Vokshi
Host broadcaster	Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH)
Participants
Number of entries	26
Vote
Voting system	Jury
Winning song	"Karma" by Anxhela Peristeri
2019 ← Festivali i Këngës → 2021

The Festivali i Këngës 59 was the 59th edition of the annual Albanian music competition Festivali i Këngës. It was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in an open-air venue at the Sheshi Italia in Tirana, Albania, and consisted of two semi-finals on 21 and 22 December, respectively, and the final on 23 December 2020. The three live shows were hosted by Jonida Vokshi and Blendi Salaj. Due to the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the competition did not use the traditional symphonic orchestra and was not held as in the traditional location of the Pallati i Kongreseve but at the Sheshi Italia instead. Anxhela Peristeri with "Karma" emerged as the winner of the contest and represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Background and format

The 59th edition of Festivali i Këngës was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in order to determine Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. The former consisted of two semi-finals on 21 and 22 December, respectively, and the final on 23 December 2020. The three live shows were hosted by Albanian actress Jonida Vokshi and host Blendi Salaj.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

For the first time, due to the ongoing pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the competition did not involve the usual symphonic orchestra and was not held per tradition at the Pallati i Kongreseve but rather in an open-air location at the Sheshi Italia. As a result of the aforementioned, the performances of the semi-final and final were pre-recorded prior to the scheduled dates.

Contestants

Prior to the scheduled event, RTSH opened a submission period for artists and composers to participate in Festivali i Këngës between August and October 2020. On 28 October, it published a provisory list of 26 artists and songs shortlisted by a jury panel, consisting of Agim Doçi, Alma Bektashi, Eugent Bushpepa, Jonida Maliqi and Klodian Qafoku, to compete in the semi-final of the contest. On 16 November 2020, the broadcaster ultimately released all of the competing songs on its official YouTube channel.

Semi-finals

Semi-final 1

The first semi-final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 21 December 2020 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET). During the show, the competing participants performed the official studio versions of their respective entries. Prior to the second semi-final, the selected 18 songs to advance to the final were announced.

Semi-final 2

The second semi-final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 22 December 2020 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET). During the show, the competing participants performed the acoustic versions of their respective entries.

Final

The grand final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 23 December 2020 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET). 18 songs competed and the winner was determined by the combination of the votes from a seven-member jury panel, consisting of Andri Xhahu, Kastriot Çaushi, Prec Zogaj, Rame Lahaj, Robert Radoja, Vasil Tole and Zana Shuteriqi. Before the end of the competition, Anxhela Peristeri with "Karma" emerged as the winner and was simultaneously announced as Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.

Key:   Winner   Second place   Third place

Broadcasters

RTSH provided international live streaming of the two semi-finals and the grand final of Festivali i Këngës through their official YouTube channel with no commentary.

Broadcasting
Country	Show(s)	Broadcaster	Ref
Albania	All shows	Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH)
Kosovo	All shows	Radio Televizioni i Kosovës (RTK)

See also

• Eurovision Song Contest 2021
• Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021

Notes

1. Prior to the first semi-final, Manjola Nallbani announced that she has tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and she has not withdrawn from the competition. However, during the scheduled rehearsals of the competition, she was ultimately forced to withdraw.

References

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11. ^ Granger, Anthony (28 October 2020). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 59 Participants Revealed". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 7 January 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
12. Smith, David (28 October 2020). "Albania: 26 artists confirmed for Festivali i Këngës 59…including Orgesa Zaimi, Inis Neziri and Era Rusi". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
13. Jumawan, Tim (28 October 2020). "Participants for Festivali i Këngës 59 is confirmed". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
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15. "Fest' 59, produksionet muzikore mund t'i dëgjoni në YouTube" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 16 November 2020. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
16. Smith, David (16 November 2020). "Listen: Albania's RTSH reveals all 26 competing songs of Festivali i Këngës 59". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
17. Jumawan, Tim (16 November 2020). "🇦🇱 Entries for Festivali i Këngës 59 are released". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
18. Tejeci, Erdi (1 December 2020). "Albania: FiK 59 contestant Manjola Nallbani tests positive for Covid-19". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
19. Christou, Costa (16 December 2020). "First two nights of Festivali i Këngës 59 to be pre-recorded?". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
20. ^ Muldoon, Padraig (21 December 2020). "Festivali i Këngës 59: How to watch Albania's Eurovision 2021 selection online". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
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• Festivali i Këngës by year
• 2020 in Albanian music
• 2020 in Albanian television
• 2020 song contests
• December 2020 events in Europe
• Eurovision Song Contest 2021