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.
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