Eurovision 2012: Albania sends Rona Nishliu to Baku
Albania's 50th Festival of Songs concluded Friday with Rona Nishliu's song "Suus" winning the right to represent the country at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Friday's Festivali i Këngës finale featured 20 songs selected from two semi-finals earlier in the week. The winner was determined by a jury of experts from the Albanian music industry. Each juror awarded points to ten songs with each juror's top pick earning 12 points. Nishliu received several 12-point awards, securing her victory. She also won the award for Best Performance prior to the score announcement.
Albania is the second country to make its song and artist selection known for the 2012 Contest. Switzerland selected the song "Unbreakable" by rock duo Sinplus earlier this month. Last year's Festivali i Kenges winner Aurela Gaçe did not qualify for the 2011 ESC Final, as her song "Feel the Passion" finished in 14th place in the first semi-final last May.
The final list of Eurovision 2012 participants is expected to be revealed in early January. According to multiple sites, at least 42 countries are expected to compete in Baku. Two semi-finals will be held to determine the 20 countries that will join Azerbaijan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom in the Grand Final on May 26.
Though the song in Friday's show was performed in Albanian, it is expected to receive an English translation for Eurovision. Here is Nishliu's performance from the Semi-Final:
Mike McComb – TVLatest.com
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