Jonida Maliqi last night the 57th Festivali i këngës with her Ktheju tokës, a rather ethnic sounding entry that will stay in Albanian in Eurovision song contest 2019 in May - hooray for that! The topic of the song is coming back to a land, dealing with the hot issue of immigration.
Jonida (36) is a seasoned singer and television host and this was her third time in the festival: 1999 as 13 year old she dueted with Aleksandër Rrapi in Planeti i fëmijëve placing 2nd. She made her solo debut in 2004 with Frikem se më pëlqen placing 3rd. Now she got the main trophy with Ktheju tokës. (That makes a bit like Italian Giorgia in Sanremo having collected one of each top-3 trophies)
This blogger was rather confused after the list of finalist as most my favorites were out. I may have not paid much attention to Jonida as I thought it's a bit simil ethno, but she made the song alive on stage and it's a deserved win and something Albanians can be proud of come May.
Below are the full results with all female podium:
1. Jonida Maliqi - Ktheju tokës 228
2. Lidia Lufi - Rrëfehem 219
3. Eranda Libohova - 100 pyetje 181
4. Dilan Reka - Karma 169
5. Soni Malaj - Më e fortë 166
6. Klinti Çollaku - Me jetë 163
7. Elton Deda - Qetësisht 156
8. Marko Strazimiri & Imbro - Leyla 142
9. Bojken Lako - Jeto jetën 138
10. Gjergj Leka- Një ditë tjetër 131
11. Eliza Hoxha - Peng 127
12. Alar Band - Dashuria nuk mjafton 124
13. Orgesa Zaimi - Hije 121
14. Artemisa Mithi & Febi Shkurti - Dua ta besoj 113
eliminated in semifinal:
Kujtim Prodani - Babela
Mirud - Nënë
Elona Islamaj - Në këtë botë kalimtarë
Klodiana Vata - Mbrëmje e pafund
Kelly - A më ndjen
Bruno Pollogati - Nuk ka stop
Lorela Sejdini - Vetmi
Aurel Thëllimi - Të dua ty
eliminated in semifinal:
Kujtim Prodani - Babela
Mirud - Nënë
Elona Islamaj - Në këtë botë kalimtarë
Klodiana Vata - Mbrëmje e pafund
Kelly - A më ndjen
Bruno Pollogati - Nuk ka stop
Lorela Sejdini - Vetmi
Aurel Thëllimi - Të dua ty
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