The Albanian national selection is called “Festivali i Këngës” and took place for the 52nd time. Since 2004 this festival determines the Albanian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest. Out of 16 final entries Hersiana has already been treated as the big favourite. At the end she could win with 69 points with a margin of 45 points. The song was written by Jorgo Papingji and composed by Genti Lako.

Hersiana Matmuja was born in Kukës (Northern Albania) in 1990. In the age of five her family moved to the capital Tirana. Since her early childhood Hersi was singing and performing in many festivals such as the talent show “Ethet e së premtes mbrëma”. Hersi studied both classical and modern music as well as lyric canto. She took part in concerts in the Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana like Carmina Burana or projects like “Let’s Britten” in Rome. With her great music talent Hersi has already participated five times in the Festivali i Këngës and became the great new hope for Albania in Eurovision.

The Albanian song “One Night’s Anger” has not been completely overworked like it the normal case in Albania. As the songs are normally longer than three minutes, the sound and arrangement is getting improved. This song has not become a total new song, but “One Night’s Anger” has been put to an international format which can compete with other entries. The song is a lovely ballad with a great optimism to encourage people to hope for the better. This kind of music has often been send from Balkan countries so it’s nothing really new. A solid song with potential. 

• Participations: 11
• Debut: 2004
• Biggest success: 5th place 2012 “Suus” by Rona Nishilu, 1x 7th place

It has been the 52nd time of the Festivali i Këngës - the Albanian music festival. This event is also taken as national pre selection for the Albanian songs for Eurovision since Albania joined the ESC in 2004 with a respectable 7th rank in Istanbul with “The image of you” by Anjeza Shahini. Last year in Malmö, Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko could not reach the Grand Final and made a 15th place in the Semi Final. So this year it’s the 11th time for Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen.

Albanian music is not that well known across the European continent, therefore the Eurovision Song Contest is a great opportunity to get a worldwide audience. The songs from Albania in the ESC have always preserved the traditional roots with folkloristic elements, even in modern songs there is a traditional part that gives the special Albanian touch. In the Albanian pre selection the songs are normally longer than three minutes, therefore they are shortened to suit the ESC standard.