Nishliu’s winning song produced mixed feelings with the public divided into extreme love and hatred for the song, a ballad of sorrow and weep, beautifully sung by the talented singer who lives and works in Prishtina
TIRANA, Dec. 29 – Kosovo’s emerging talent Rona Nishliu has been selected as Albania’s representative for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest after winning the national song festival, Festivali i Kenges, serving as Albania’s national selection for Eurovision. Born in Mitrovica, Kosovo, Nishliu, 25, will represent Albania in Azerbaijan with her Suus ballad, becoming the first Kosovar singer to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Nishliu’s winning song produced mixed feelings with the public divided into extreme love and hatred for the Suus song, a ballad of sorrow and weep, beautifully sung by the talented singer who lives and works in Prishtina.
The Festivali i Kenges (FiK), which this year marked its golden jubilee, brought on stage the best songs of its 50-year history on its third night, many of them performed by young artists. Held annually since 1962, FiK was chosen as the official competition selecting Albania’s Eurovision representative in 2004.
In the 2011 edition, two semi-finals were held on December 26th and 27th, with 10 out of 14 songs qualifying for the final from each respective show.
The four-day event was broadcast live by public broadcaster TVSH. It was hosted by actor Nik Xhelilaj, and TVSH hosts Hygerta Sako and Enkeleida Zeko.
Some 28 songs were shot-listed to participate in this 50th anniversary of the Festivali i Kenges held for four consecutive nights from December 26 to 29.
Several big names such as Frederik Ndoci, Elton Deda, Bojken Lako, Mariza Ikonomi, the Prifti brothers competed along with other young successful artists in the festival.
Albania joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004 and achieved its only top ten placing in a final to date that year. The country was less successful since finishing 16th in 2005 and being eliminated in the 2006 and 2007 semi finals. Since then, Albania has always made it to the final finishing 16th twice and 17th once.
