Festivali I Këngës
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Festivali I Këngës (FIK) is one of the main musical events in Albania. Up until 1999 it used to be the biggest musical activity in the country, however its popularity decreased as other competitors like Top Fest and Kënga Magjike started to produce more viewers and a higher quality of songs. The competition was again the center of attention when Albanian Idol winner and crowd favorite Anjeza Shahini won Festivali I Këngës 42, landing herself a ticket to the Eurovision Song Contest. This was Albania's first participation in this event. Ever since, FIK has been shadowed by many controversial debates regarding the strategies behind the song selections and the lack of transparence concerning the winner. Such allegations are not new to this contest, however they intensified as the Eurovision participation became a factor.
It is important to note that after the decision to make Festivali I Këngës the National Pre-Selection round for Albania's representative to Eurovision, the traditional point award ceremony was eliminated and replaced by the announcement of only the Top 3 places. Some claim this was a sneaky move to facilitate any underground deals between the festival authorities. This claim was prompted by the fact that neither the points of the jury nor the televoting results are made public.
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[edit] History
Festivali I Këngës, also known as Festivali I Muzikës Së Lehtë Në Radio Televizionin Shqiptar, began in December 21, 1962 in the ILA Venue in Tirana, Albania. 20 songs competed in its semifinal round, but only 12 made it through to the final. The first winner of Festivali I Këngës was the legendary Vaçe Zela with her famous song "Fëmija I Parë" (The First Child). Vaçe Zela is the singer with the most victories in FIK history to date, an impressive 12 times, 7 of which were consecutive wins.
Singers with consecutive wins include:
- 1. Vaçe Zela (1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 duet, 1966, 1967, 1968 duet; 1976 & 1977)
- 2. Alida Hisku (1974 & 1975)
- 3. Manjola Nallbani (1992 trio & 1993 solo)
- 4. Elsa Lila (1996 & 1997)
Festivali I Këngës is a long standing tradition in the Albanian music industry. It has been through a lot of difficult stages as well as many glorious moments. Throughout its history, many wonderful creations have been presented, which have lead to some timeless melodies. The singers have always been required to sing live. There have also been many disappointments and sometimes even outrage at some of the results. During the time of dictatorship in Albania (before 1990), the government had a lot of power on the creativity of FIK. Censorship was very strict, and many songs have been disqualified if they have been deemed inappropriate by the government's standards. The government also had absolute power on the outcome of the results and the winners, therefore some of the victories have been "politically" arranged, rather than decided by the jury.
Before 1972, the songs had a neutral nature, covering many topics of life. However, after Festivali I Këngës 11, dictator Enver Hoxha intervened by murdering many organisers of the show and unjustly accused them of consipiring against the country and corrupting its youth. The contest dwelled in a period of extreme pressure and censorship. The songs were highly monitored and the topics were generally related to the country's development and even the government. This oppression continued all the way until 1984 when the dictator died. The following year, the change in lyrics was very abrupt, and censorship was not as strict.
With the fall of dictatorship during the 1990s, Festivali I Këngës had a temporary boost in both quality and diversity. The winning songs reflected the status of the country at the time. The 1991 winner "Ardit Gjebrea - Jon" and the 1992 winner "Aleksandër Gjoka, Manjola Nallbani & Viktor Tahiraj - Pesha E Fatit" were both songs with an "immigration/freedom" theme, which was the reality at the time in Albania as well. During this period, the contest was also introduced to the word God for the first time. Prior to that, religion was illegal in Albania and the word God was not allowed to be pronounced in public. The participation of Albanian singers from outside the borders was also an addition to the history of the festival in this decade. Before that, the country was in a period of isolation.
In 1996, the stage of Festivali I Këngës welcomed newcomer Elsa Lila, a sweet and innocent girl that stole the hearts of everyone with her wonderful voice. She won the contest with "Pyes Lotin" in 1996, and she pulled off another victory the following year with "Larg Urrejtjes" in 1997. These songs were also a mirror to the country's difficult state of being in those years after the collapse of the pyramid schemes, an event which wreaked havoc all throughout Albania. Despite the difficult times, Festivali I Këngës never stopped its broadcast and went ahead as scheduled in the final weeks of December every year since its start.
By the year 2000, Festivali I Këngës had lost a lot of its admirers to the competition of Kënga Magjike, a similar song contest taking place in the Fall, as well as Top Fest, which started a few years later as a reality series on Top Channel leading to a big Spring finale. However, another talented newcomer graced the stage of FIK in 2003, idol winner Anjeza Shahini. She had just won the "Ethet E Se Premtes Mbrema" talent show a few months before competing in FIK and the public was madly in love with her voice, her beautiful stage presence and her charming ways.
Anjeza Shahini won the 42nd edition of Festivali I Këngës as everyone expected, putting hopeful professional singer Mariza Ikonomi in second place. Mariza ended up leaving the stage when the results were announced, and no one could blame her, afterall, the winner of this year's edition would be the first ever representative of Albania in Eurovision. Anjeza went on to sing in ESC landing herself in a respectable 7th place with the song "The Image Of You".
In December 2004, Ledina Çelo won the 43rd edition of FIK with an ethnic ballad but failed to create the same success as Anjeza Shahini, and in December 2005 Luiz Ejlli won the 44th edition of FIK, but he also failed to impress in ESC by not being able qualify in the semi-final. Luiz Ejlli's win was very controversial and sparked an outrage throughout the internet community, as for the first time in FIK history a petition was held to protest the victory of a song. The petition gained fame in the Albanian media, however it didn't stop Luiz from his goal to represent his country in ESC, despite the negative feedback and the lack of funds for his promotional tour.
[edit] Hosts
| Year | Edition | Hosts | Venue | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Festivali I Këngës 01 | Margarita Xhepa & Luigj Gurakuqi Jr. | ILA Venue | Luigj Gurakuqi Jr. |
| 1963 | Festivali I Këngës 02 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1964 | Festivali I Këngës 03 | Vera Zhej & Skifter Këlliçi | ? | ? |
| 1965 | Festivali I Këngës 04 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1966 | Festivali I Këngës 05 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1967 | Festivali I Këngës 06 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1968 | Festivali I Këngës 07 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1969 | Festivali I Këngës 08 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1970 | Festivali I Këngës 09 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1971 | Festivali I Këngës 10 | Edi Luarasi & Viktor Zhusti | ? | ? |
| 1972 | Festivali I Këngës 11 | Edi Luarasi & Bujar Kapexhiu | Theater Of Opera & Ballet | Mihallaq Luarasi |
| 1973 | Festivali I Këngës 12 | Flutura Çangu | ? | ? |
| 1974 | Festivali I Këngës 13 | Rezana Çeliku | ? | ? |
| 1975 | Festivali I Këngës 14 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1976 | Festivali I Këngës 15 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1977 | Festivali I Këngës 16 | Zerina Kuke | ? | ? |
| 1978 | Festivali I Këngës 17 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1979 | Festivali I Këngës 18 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1980 | Festivali I Këngës 19 | Silvana Braçe & Dhimitër Gjoka | ? | ? |
| 1981 | Festivali I Këngës 20 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1982 | Festivali I Këngës 21 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1983 | Festivali I Këngës 22 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1984 | Festivali I Këngës 23 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1985 | Festivali I Këngës 24 | Yllka Mujo | ? | ? |
| 1986 | Festivali I Këngës 25 | Ema Ndoja | ? | ? |
| 1987 | Festivali I Këngës 26 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1988 | Festivali I Këngës 27 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1989 | Festivali I Këngës 28 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1990 | Festivali I Këngës 29 | Leon Menkshi | ? | ? |
| 1991 | Festivali I Këngës 30 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1992 | Festivali I Këngës 31 | ? | ? | ? |
| 1993 | Festivali I Këngës 32 | ? | Palace Of Congresses | ? |
| 1994 | Festivali I Këngës 33 | ? | Palace Of Congresses | ? |
| 1995 | Festivali I Këngës 34 | ? | Palace Of Congresses | ? |
| 1996 | Festivali I Këngës 35 | Ardit Gjebrea | Palace Of Congresses | ? |
| 1997 | Festivali I Këngës 36 | ? | Palace Of Congresses | ? |
| 1998 | Festivali I Këngës 37 | ? | Palace Of Congresses | ? |
| 1999 | Festivali I Këngës 38 | ? | Palace Of Congresses | ? |
| 2000 | Festivali I Këngës 39 | ? | Palace Of Congresses | ? |
| 2001 | Festivali I Këngës 40 | ? | Palace Of Congresses | ? |
| 2002 | Festivali I Këngës 41 | Adi Krasta & Ann Francis Vata | Palace Of Congresses | Pali Kuke |
| 2003 | Festivali I Këngës 42 | Adi Krasta & Ledina Çelo | Palace Of Congresses | Pali Kuke |
| 2004 | Festivali I Këngës 43 | Huejda El Sayed & Leon Menkshi | Palace Of Congresses | ? |
| 2005 | Festivali I Këngës 44 | Soni Malaj & Drini Zeqo | Palace Of Congresses | Leonard Gjata |
| 2006 | Festivali I Këngës 45 | Adi Krasta, Vesa Luma & Ermela Teli | Palace Of Congresses | Pali Kuke |
[edit] Winners
| Year | Edition | Artist | Song | Composer | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Festivali I Këngës 01 | Vaçe Zela | Fëmija I Parë | Abdulla Grimci | ? |
| 1963 | Festivali I Këngës 02 | Vaçe Zela | Valsi I Lumturisë | Avni Mula | ? |
| 1963 | Festivali I Këngës 02 | Nikoleta Shoshi | Flakë E Borë | Pjeter Gaçi | ? |
| 1964 | Festivali I Këngës 03 | Vaçe Zela | Sot Jam 20 Vjeç | ? | ? |
| 1965 | Festivali I Këngës 04 | Vaçe Zela & Tonin Tërshana | Të Dua O Det | Tonin Harapi | Mark Gurakuqi |
| 1966 | Festivali I Këngës 05 | Vaçe Zela | Shqiponja E Lirë | Pjetër Gaçi | Ismail Kadare |
| 1967 | Festivali I Këngës 06 | Vaçe Zela | Këngë Për Shkurte Vatën | Ferdinand Deda | Zhuliana Jorganxhi |
| 1968 | Festivali I Këngës 07 | Vaçe Zela & Ramiz Kovaçi | Mësuesit Hero | Limos Dizdari | Dritero Agolli |
| 1969 | Festivali I Këngës 08 | David Tukiçi | Dhuratë Për Ditëlindje | Nikolla Zoraqi | ? |
| 1970 | Festivali I Këngës 09 | Vaçe Zela | Mesnatë | Shpëtim Kushta | ? |
| 1971 | Festivali I Këngës 10 | Sherif Merdani | Kënga E Nënës | Agim Prodani | Agim Shehu |
| 1972 | Festivali I Këngës 11 | Tonin Tërshana | Erdhi Pranvera | Pjetër Gaçi | Fatos Arapi |
| 1973 | Festivali I Këngës 12 | Vaçe Zela | Gjurmët E Arta | Kujtim Laro | Lirim Dede |
| 1974 | Festivali I Këngës 13 | Alida Hisku | Vajzat E Fshatit Tim | Enver Shëngjergji | Zhuliana Jorganxhi |
| 1975 | Festivali I Këngës 14 | Alida Hisku | Buka E Duarve Tona | Kujtim Laro | Xhevahir Spahiu |
| 1976 | Festivali I Këngës 15 | Vaçe Zela | Nënë Moj Do Pres Gërshetin | Avni Mula | Hysni Milloshi |
| 1977 | Festivali I Këngës 16 | Vaçe Zela | Gonxhe Në Pemën E Lirisë | Limoz Dizdari | Robert Shvarc & Zhuliana Jorganxhi |
| 1978 | Festivali I Këngës 17 | Gaqo Çako | Këputa Një Gjethe Dafine | Limoz Dizdari | Xhevahir Spahiu |
| 1979 | Festivali I Këngës 18 | Zeliha Sina, Liljana Kondakci & Aferdita Zonja | Festë Ka Sot Shqipëria | Agim Prodani | Zhuliana Jorganxhi |
| 1980 | Festivali I Këngës 19 | Vaçe Zela | Shoqet Tona Ilegale | Agim Prodani | Zhuliana Jorganxhi |
| 1981 | Festivali I Këngës 20 | Ema Qazimi | Krenari E Brezave | Feim Ibrahimi | Gjoke Beci |
| 1982 | Festivali I Këngës 21 | Marina Grabovari | Një Djep Në Barrikadë | Avni Mula | Hysni Milloshi |
| 1983 | Festivali I Këngës 22 | Tonin Tërshana | Vajzë Moj, Lule Moj | Luan Zhegu | Adelina Balashi |
| 1984 | Festivali I Këngës 23 | Gëzim Çela & Nertila Koka | Çel Si Gonxhe Dashuria | Vladimir Kotani | Arben Duka |
| 1985 | Festivali I Këngës 24 | Parashqevi Simaku | Në Moshën E Rinisë | Vladimir Kotani | Arben Duka |
| 1986 | Festivali I Këngës 25 | Nertila Koka | Dy Gëzime Në Një Ditë | David Tukiqi | ? |
| 1987 | Festivali I Këngës 26 | Irma Libohova & Eranda Libohova | Nuk E Harroj | Agim Krajka | Arben Duka |
| 1988 | Festivali I Këngës 27 | Parashqevi Simaku | E Duam Lumturinë | Pirro Çako | Agim Doçi |
| 1989 | Festivali I Këngës 28 | Frederik Ndoci, Manjola Nallbani & Julia Ndoci | Toka E Diellit | Aleksander Peçi | Xhevahir Spahiu |
| 1990 | Festivali I Këngës 29 | Anita Bitri | Askush S’do T'a Besojë | Flamur Shehu | Jorgo Papingji |
| 1991 | Festivali I Këngës 30 | Ardit Gjebrea | Jon | Ardit Gjebrea | Zhuliana Jorganxhi |
| 1992 | Festivali I Këngës 31 | Aleksandër Gjoka, Manjola Nallbani & Viktor Tahiraj | Pesha E Fatit | Osman Mula | Alqi Boshnjaku |
| 1993 | Festivali I Këngës 32 | Manjola Nallbani | Kur E Humba Një Dashuri | Valdimir Kotani | Jorgo Papingji |
| 1994 | Festivali I Këngës 33 | Mira Konçi | Të Sotmen Jeto | Shpëtim Saraçi | Alqi Boshnjaku |
| 1995 | Festivali I Këngës 34 | Ardit Gjebrea | Eja | Ardit Gjebrea | Xhevahir Spahiu |
| 1996 | Festivali I Këngës 35 | Elsa Lila | Pyes Lotin | Valentin Veizi | Enrjeta Sina |
| 1997 | Festivali I Këngës 36 | Elsa Lila | Larg Urrejtjes | Valentin Veizi | Alqi Boshnjaku |
| 1998 | Festivali I Këngës 37 | Arbërie Hadërgjonaj | Mirësia Dhe E Vërteta | Luan Zhegu | Arben Duka |
| 1999 | Festivali I Këngës 38 | Aurela Gaçe | S’jam Tribu | Vladimir Kotani | Jorgo Papingji |
| 2000 | Festivali I Këngës 39 | Rovena Dilo | Ante I Tokës Sime | Ardit Gjebrea & Alfred Kaçinari | Rovena Dilo |
| 2001 | Festivali I Këngës 40 | Aurela Gaçe | Ndjej | Adrian Hila | Jorgo Papingji |
| 2002 | Festivali I Këngës 41 | Mira Konçi | Brënda Vetes Më Merr | Shpëtim Saraçi | Pandi Laço |
| 2003 | Festivali I Këngës 42 | Anjeza Shahini | Imazhi Yt (Dua Të Bëhem) | Edmond Zhulali | Agim Doçi |
| 2004 | Festivali I Këngës 43 | Ledina Çelo | Nesër Shkoj | Adrian Hila | Pandi Laço |
| 2005 | Festivali I Këngës 44 | Luiz Ejlli | Zjarr E Ftohtë | Klodian Qafoku | Floran Kondi (Dr. Flori) |
| 2006 | Festivali I Këngës 45 | To Be Announced | To Be Announced | To Be Announced | To Be Announced |
[edit] Eurovision Results
| ESC Edition | FIK Edition | Artist | Song | Language | Semi Final | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESC 2004 | Festivali I Këngës 42 | Anjeza Shahini | The Image Of You | English | 4 / 22 | 7 / 24 |
| ESC 2005 | Festivali I Këngës 43 | Ledina Çelo | Tomorrow I Go | English | Not Required | 16 / 24 |
| ESC 2006 | Festivali I Këngës 44 | Luiz Ejlli | Zjarr E Ftohtë | Albanian | 14 / 23 | DNQ |
| ESC 2007 | Festivali I Këngës 45 | To Be Announced | To Be Announced | Unknown | - | - |
[edit] Trivia
- Some artists have won Festivali I Këngës more than once:
-
- 1. Vaçe Zela: 12 times (1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1980)
- 2. Tonin Tërshana: 3 times (1965, 1972, 1983)
- 3. Manjola Nallbani: 3 times (1989, 1992, 1993)
- 4. Alida Hisku: 2 times (1974, 1975)
- 5. Nertila Koka: 2 times (1984, 1986)
- 6. Parashqevi Simaku: 2 times (1985, 1988)
- 7. Ardit Gjebrea: 2 times (1991, 1995)
- 8. Mira Konçi: 2 times (1994, 2002)
- 9. Elsa Lila: 2 times (1996, 1997)
- 10. Aurela Gaçe: 2 times (1999, 2001)
That means that 32 editions have been won by just 10 singers.
- In 1963, even though the official winner is listed as "Vaçe Zela - Valsi I Lumturisë", the first place was never announced! The jury had trouble deciding between two songs: "Vaçe Zela - Valsi I Lumturisë" & "Nikoleta Shoshi - Flakë E Borë"
- In the early editions of Festivali I Këngës, some singers would interpret more than one song.
- It was said that "Kozma Dushi - Lot Me Ty O Djalë" was set to win one of the editions of Festivali I Këngës, however minutes before the jury made that decision, the dictator's wife Nexhmije Hoxha did not want the song to win, so another song was chosen.
- In 1980, rumor has it that the government intervened in the winner selection process, giving the victory to "Vaçe Zela - Shoqet Tona Ilegale". The winner would have been "Alida Hisku - Njerëzit E Agimeve".
- In 1995, the song "E Doni Dashurinë" by Luan Zhegu & Ledina Çelo was reported to be the most applauded song in Festivali I Këngës history to date (2006), a total applause time of 7 minutes and 11 seconds.
- In 1997, singer Alma Bektashi had a wardrobe malfunction on stage and her dress fell off on the side, revealing her breast. The cameras managed to avoid the incident, however the public received a good view.
- In 1998, it was claimed that the wrong song won due to a jury miscalculation. The winner would have been "Françesk Radi - Humba Pranverën".
- In 1999, the song Apokalipsi by Irma & Eranda Libohova was the real winner instead of "Aurela Gaçe - S'jam Tribu".
- In 2004, winner Ledina Çelo was the center of attention when it was rumored that she had not done any stage practice before her presentation in Kyev, Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest.
[edit] Scandals
- In 1972, paranoid Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha deemed the organisers of Festivali I Këngës 11 to be "Enemies Of The Public", a name given to all the subjects who he considered a danger to the country. Unluckily, many of them were murdered after being accused of endangering the country's mentality by introducing an immoral aspect to the show, and plotting against the government by influencing the Albanian youth at the time. The claims were out of context and these murders were used as an example and a statement for future organisers. There is a whole book dedicated to this event: "Skifter Këlliçi - Festivali I Njëmbëdhjetë (The 11th Festival.)"
- In 1999, Irma & Eranda Libohova protested against the jury by leaving the Palace Of Congresses when it was announced that their song had come in 2nd place.
- In 2003, the same scenario happened, this time with singer Mariza Ikonomi, who was eager to represent Albania for the first time in the Eurovision Song Contest. She lost to Anjeza Shahini.
- In 2004, the producers of the song "Nesër Shkoj" filed a law-suit against Ledina Çelo because she had signed contracts with a phone company without previously consulting them. She was also accused of not attending the conferences set up the producers and that she had not rehearsed the song enough. The suit was dropped within the week that it was filed.
[edit] Links
[edit] Sources
- RTSH
- Gossip section by FIK fans of all generations
| Festivali I Këngës |
| 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
| Eurovision Song Contest |
| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
