Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

This little butterfly left a mark on me in the first Albanian semi-final. She didn't pass. But she was one of my favourites with this pretty little song. And I remember liking her entry last year, too, when she qualified for the final with  Pikturë . I hope she tries again!

Albanian 63rd Festivali i Kenges was in the end the duel between fan favorite Evajan Gjata and surprise last minyte favorite Shkodra Elektronike with Zjerm (heart). Alis Kallaçi placed third. He was the one I thought could be a surprise winner when watching the first semi-final. There was a three way voting system: Jury, online aka diaspora and SMS  voting in Albania. The jury and the SMS placed the top three in the final order, while the online voting went almost all to Elvana and Shkodra, Elvana winning. I must say I'm not quite onboard this fan train yet. I kinda enjoyed Karnaval even if as a song it isn't much at all but the show on stage was likable and entertaining to watch and listen and it came across somehow likable in all its clichés of a girlypop Eurovision hybrid. I also like Alis, Ardit's boy pop version to Elvana's bop was hilarious  in all it's arrogance. I would also mention Vesa, Jet, Stine  and eliminated Kleansa Susaj's Ta dija.  Shkodra Elekt...

The 62nd Festivali i Këngës was held in December 2023 and Besa won the ticket to Eurovision song contest with her Zemrën n'dorë while the winner was Mal Retkoceri with Çmendur, but as for the second year there's the new separate voting (or public's vote) for the Eurovision entry she's the one. In true Albanian style her song was later revamped and translated in English and became TiTAN.  Besa Kokëdhima (37) is Albanian singer. She was born to a wealthy family, her father being a local politican, and at the age of 15 she moved to United Kingdom to finish her education. Her music career started back in 2003 with Më Beso and it was already an awarded song of the year. In 2006 she released her debut album. She's no stranger to festival and contests. She won Kënga Magjike 2013 with  Tatuazh në zemër , she also won Notafest with  Lëshoje Hapin . In 2010 she was awarded The Best female singer in Top Fest with  Kalorësi i Natës . In 2009 she even tried the Romania...