TIRANA, Jan. 7 – Elhaida Dani will represent Albania in the 2015 Eurovision contest in Austria after winning the national song competition in late December 2014.
Dani, who in 2013 made every Albanian proud by winning the Voice of Italy song contest, was this year’s favourite of the annual contest organized by the Albanian public broadcaster, RTSH.
She will represent Albania with a ballad called “Diell” (Sun).
Born in the northern town of Shkodra, Dani, 21, started her singing career 2008 when she participated in the Kënga Magjike festival. One year later she won the Star Akademi talent show, followed by her victory in Top Fest in 2012.
“This means a lot to me. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to represent Albania in an important festival such as Eurovision and making my dream come true,” Dani told the audience after she was announced the festival’s winner and asked to sing the winning song again.
Some 26 songs competed in this year’s edition held from 26 to 28 December at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana.
Back in 2012, Rona Nishliu became the most successful Albanian Eurovision representative after ranking fifth among 26 finalists in the 2012 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.
