Albania: Festivali i Këngës 60 preview and details

The first live national final of the 2022 season takes place this week with Albania's Festivali i Këngës 60.

Below you'll find out all you need to know about the festival.

When is it on?

Festivali i Këngës goes for three nights from Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 (European time).

Details of each night below:

Contestants night

• This includes an introduction of the artists and their songs

• Time Europe: Monday 27 December - 21:00 CET

• Time Australia: Tuesday 28 December - 07:00 AEDT

Nostalgia night

• A tribute to the best of Albanian music including the stars and songs that have left their mark on the festival

• Time Europe: Tuesday 28 December - 21:00 CET

• Time Australia: Wednesday 29 December - 07:00 AEDT

Eurovision night

• The Grand Final where the artists perform their songs again and a winner will be crowned

• Time Europe: Wednesday 29 December - 21:00 CET

• Time Australia: Thursday 30 December - 07:00 AEDT

Where can I watch it?

You can watch it on the Albanian broadcaster RTSH's website: https://tv.rtsh.al/kanalet/rtsh-1

Also follow Aussievision for details of alternative streams on social media.

Who is in the running?

A number of front runners have emerged from the 20 artists and songs competing.

Ronela Hajat - 'Sekret'

Ronela is one of Albania's biggest pop stars and was the Aussievision team's favourite in our rankings of the songs.

Alban Ramosaj - 'Theje'

Alban won another major singing contest last year in Albania, Kenga Magjike, and has competed on The Voice of Albania. He is leading the 'My Eurovision Scoreboard' fan vote.

Mirud - 'Për dreq'

Mirud has competed twice before at Festivali i Këngës and is a fan favourite. We interviewed him ahead of his appearance this week.

You can listen to all songs (listed below) competing on the RTSH YouTube playlist.

• Alban Ramosaj - 'Theje'

• Denis Skura - 'Pse nuk flet, mama?'

• Eldis Arrnjeti - 'Refuzoj'

• Evi Reci - 'Me duaj'

• Endri & Stefi - 'Triumfi i jetës'

• Ester Zahiri - 'Hiena'

• Gjergj Kacinari - 'Në ëndërr mbete ti'

• Janex - 'Deluzional'

• Kastro Zizo - 'Kujë'

• Kelly - 'Meteor'

• Kejsi Rustja - 'Vallëzoj me ty'

• Mirud - 'Për dreq'

• Olimpia Smajlaj - 'Dua'

• Rezarta Smaja - 'E jemja nuse'

• Ronela Hajati - 'Sekret'

• Sajmir Çili - 'Nën maskë'

• Shega - 'Një'

• Urban Band - 'Padrejtësi'

• Viola Xhemali - Eja si erë'

• Xhuliana Pjetra - 'Baladë'

Albania has competed at the Eurovision Song Contest since 2004 with their best finish a fifth place in 2012 with 'Suus'. They have qualified for the last three Grand Finals.