Eneda Tarifa to represent Albania in 2016 Eurovison song contest

Tirana Times
By Tirana Times December 28, 2015 10:41

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  • “I feel like in a fairy tale. I will do my best to adapt it for Eurovision," Tarifa said after being announced a winner

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tarifaTIRANA, Dec. 28 - Favorite Eneda Tarifa will represent Albania in the 2016 Eurovision in Sweden after winning the national competition serving as the selection for the Eurovision song contest.

Tarifa, 33, beat 21 other finalists in the three-day event which closed on Sunday night with a powerful ballad called "Perralle" (Fairy tale), becoming the first singer to have been officially selected for the 2016 Eurovision.

This year's 54th edition of the song competition, which has served as the national Eurovision selection since 2004 when Albania made its debut, featured no big names and Tarifa, also a host in a popular variety show had already been rumored as a winner.

“I feel like in a fairy tale. I will do my best to adapt it for Eurovision," Tarifa said after being announced a winner.

The Eurovision website described Albania's entry as a powerful ballad with ethnic and alternative guitar influences. "The backing vocals in the second part of the song are almost Gothic-like. In the current version, the song is still roughly half a minute too long for Eurovision regulations," it said.

Internationally renowned Albanian violin virtuoso Shkelzen Doli who performed at the 2015 New Year Vienna Philharmonic concert was the special guest of the final night on Dec. 26 broadcast by public broadcaster, RTSH.

Back in May 2015, Albania's Voice of Italy winner Elhaida Dani failed to meet expectations after changing her original winning song from the year-end festival for the Vienna Eurovision.

In 2012, Rona Nishliu became the most successful Albanian Eurovision representative after ranking fifth among 26 finalists in the song contest held in Azerbaijan. Nishliu collected 146 points to see herself rank 5th, the best result since 2004 when Albania made its Eurovision debut with Anjeza Shahini who came sixth.

Last November, Albania’s Mishela Rapo finished fifth in  the 2015  Junior Eurovision song contest in Bulgaria, registering the country’s best ever result in this junior competition.

Tirana Times
By Tirana Times December 28, 2015 10:41