Albania Confirm 2018 Participation

RTSH have confirmed today that Albania will continue on in the contest and will be competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018.

2018 will mark Albania's fifteenth participation in the contest, and they have been ever present since their debut back in 2004, when then 17 year old Anjeza Shahini placed a very impressive seventh place in the grand final with 106 points with the song "The Image Of You" the only entry which has surpassed Anjeza's success was Rona Nishliu with her powerful and emotionally driven ballad "Suus" which placed fifth in the grand final in 2012. We recently had the chance to meet Anjeza back in August to discuss her entry amongst other things - such as the use of Festivali I Kenges (or FIK to most) to select their entry, you can see what she had to say to us down below.

Speaking of FIK, RTSH also confirmed that the contest, which will be returning for its 56th edition will once again be used as the selection method for Albania's entry for Lisbon. Albania's fortunes in the contest have been somewhat hit and miss, qualifying for the final seven times in their fourteen attempts, their last qualification came in 2015, when Elhaida Dani represented with the song "I'm Alive" that also scrapped into the final, placing 10th in the first semi final, but still a comfortable 21 points ahead of 11th placed Moldova. Albania were represented by Lindita Halimi in Kyiv, despite some dramatic musicality and impressive vocals on display, her entry "World" didn't connect with Europe and finished a disappointing 14th in her semi final.

So what do you think on Albania coming back? can FIK find a song to get them back into the Grand Final? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!