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As usual in Albania can be found around the Christmas period the Festivali i Këngës competition (‘ The songs festival ‘), also the preliminary round for the Eurovision song contest.

Albania | 8:30 pm-? hours, livestream

The contest is to its 55th Edition far this year, and since the edition of 2003 service as national final for the ESF. Chances are that the winning song will undergo a thorough restyling, or even completely will be replaced. That happened last year: Eneda Tarifa Përrallëwon, but for the Eurovision song contest was a whole new song written. Without success however, because Fairytale got stuck in the semi-final.

There is still little is known about the broadcasts. Tonight and tomorrow night to find two semifinals place, and the final is Friday night. The intention is that of the 24 candidates 14 to the final evening put: eight chosen by a professional jury, three by a press jury and three other by a public jury. The latter gets in the final also 40% ownership of the eindordeel, the rest comes from a professional jury.

Now also became known that singer Stine Vatoci has withdrawn from the contest. That did not happen by choice: her song was leaked early, and the rules of FiK indicate that the songs just by the Organization of the preliminary round in advance may be released. Vatoci was replaced by Pramod Vaniyan Lito.

The full list of participants of the first semi final of Festivali i Këngës, on running order: