The most striking looking singer has been chosen to represent Albania in Baku this year – Rona Nishliu. From all the other singers she had the most powerful voice and charisma. With the song “Suus” Albania might have the biggest chances ever to win the ESC.
It’s an extraordinary, beautiful and touching song with a sensational chorus, sung full of heart and commitment. The sound of the music with long notes and jarring is a mixture of Björk and Barbra Streisand’s “Yentle” and has its own atmosphere. The original version is longer than 4 minutes, due to the rules of the EBU a song should not be longer than 3 minutes, so it will be shortened and there will probably be the English version to be heard in Baku. Albania has to qualify in the semi final for the final on May 26th.
History
This year it has been the 50th anniversary of the Festivali i Këngës - the Albanian music festival. This event is also taken as national pre selection for the Albanian songs for Eurovision. Albania has joined the ESC in 2004 with a respectable 7th rank in Istanbul with “The image of you” by Anjeza Shahini. The festival has been broadcasted via internet and certainly has been a delight for the international watcher, due to the highlight of the show - a special live recap of all former Albanian representatives singing together accompanied by the RTSH orchestra.
Albanian music is not that well known across the European continent, therefore the Eurovision Song Contest is a great opportunity to get a worldwide audience. The songs from Albania in the ESC have always preserved the traditional roots with folkloristic elements, even in modern songs there is a traditional part that gives the special Albanian touch. This year in Baku it will be the 9th time in Eurovision history to enjoy an Albanian song.
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