Festivali i Këngës 58
Festivali i Këngës 58 was the 58th edition of the annual Albanian music competition Festivali i Këngës. The competition was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar and took place on 19, 20 and 22 December 2019 at the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana, Albania.
After the grand final, Arilena Ara and her song "Shaj" emerged as winner of the contest. She was then scheduled to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, before its cancellation due to the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 in China and its spread to other countries around Europe.
Format
The 58th edition of Festivali i Këngës was organised by the national broadcaster of Albania, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar, for determining their representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. The former consisted of two semi-finals on 19 and 20 December, and the grand final on 22 December 2019, and was held at the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana. The three live shows were hosted by Albanian television presenter Alketa Vejsiu.Interval acts
released the first details regarding the special guests prior to the first semi-final on 19 December 2019. The opening act of the first semi-final featured Albanian singer Jonida Maliqi performing "Ktheju tokës". The interval act in the first semi-final featured Italian singer Mahmood, performing "Barrio" and "Soldi". The interval act in the second semi-final included Agim Krajka and Lindita Theodhori with the song "Kafe Flora". During the final, Italian singer Giusy Ferreri and Albanian Greek singer Eleni Foureira performed.Contestants
In October 2019, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar published a provisory list of 20 artists shortlisted to compete in the two semi-finals of the contest, with the songs being revealed on 9 December 2019. Previously, the broadcaster had opened a submission period for artists and composers between May and September to participate in the competition.Semi-finals
Semi-final 1
The first semi-final took place on 19 December 2019 and was broadcast at 21:00. Ten contestants participated in the first semi-final. The highlighted contestants qualified for the final.| Draw | Artist | Song |
| 1 | Bojken Lako | "Malaseen" |
| 2 | Kanita Suma | "Ankth" |
| 3 | Devis Xherahu | "Bisedoj me serenatën" |
| 4 | Aldo Bardhi | "Melodi" |
| 5 | Kamela Islamaj | "Më ngjyros" |
| 6 | Genc Tukiçi and Nadia Tukiçi | "Ju flet Tirana" |
| 7 | Sara Bajraktari | "Ajër" |
| 8 | Elvana Gjata | "Me tana" |
| 9 | Renis Gjoka | "Loja" |
| 10 | Albërie Hadërgjonaj | "Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua" |
Semi-final 2
The second semi-final took place on 20 December 2019 and was broadcast at 21:00. Ten contestants participated in the second semi-final. The highlighted contestants qualified for the final.| Draw | Artist | Song |
| 1 | Robert Berisha | "Ajo nuk është unë" |
| 2 | Wendi Mancaku | "Ende" |
| 3 | Kastro Zizo | "Asaj" |
| 4 | Tiri Gjoci | "Me gotën bosh" |
| 5 | Era Rusi | "Eja merre" |
| 6 | Olta Boka | "Botë për dy" |
| 7 | Valon Shehu | "Kutia e Pandorës" |
| 8 | Arilena Ara | "Shaj" |
| 9 | Eli Fara and Stresi | "Bohemë" |
| 10 | Gena | "Shqiponja e lirë" |
Final
The grand final took place on 22 December 2019 and was broadcast at 21:00. The finalists were announced on 21 December 2019, and the winner was chosen by a jury consisting of two Albanian members and three international members with connections to the Eurovision Song Contest. The jury was composed of Christer Björkman, Dimitris Kontopoulos, Felix Bergsson, Mikaela Minga and Rita Petro. Arilena Ara emerged as the winner of the competition.| Draw | Artist | Song | Total | Result | |||||
| 1 | Valon Shehu | "Kutia e Pandorës" | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 23 | 8 |
| 2 | Sara Bajraktari | "Ajër" | 13 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 50 | 3 |
| 3 | Robert Berisha | "Ajo nuk është unë" | 9 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 10 |
| 4 | Tiri Gjoci | "Me gotën bosh" | 2 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 23 | 8 |
| 5 | Bojken Lako | "Malaseen" | 3 | 8 | 3 | 18 | 13 | 45 | 4 |
| 6 | Arilena Ara | "Shaj" | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 67 | 1 |
| 7 | Gena | "Shqiponja e lirë" | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 18 | 10 |
| 8 | Kamela Islamaj | "Më ngjyros" | 6 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 35 | 6 |
| 9 | Albërie Hadërgjonaj | "Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua" | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 27 | 7 |
| 10 | Elvana Gjata | "Me tana" | 18 | 18 | 18 | 2 | 8 | 64 | 2 |
| 11 | Olta Boka | "Botë për dy" | 5 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 12 |
| 12 | Era Rusi | "Eja merre" | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 43 | 5 |