The 54th Festivali i Kenges, the long-running Albanian music competition which has serves as the country’s national selection method since their debut at Eurovision in 2004 will take place in late December. Last week, the participants were revealed and on the list we can find many familiar names who will fight for the opportunity to represent Albania in Stockholm next year. After finishing 9th two years ago, Renis Gjoka is back with the entry titled “Ato që s’ti them dot”.  Renis spoke to ESCBubble about his forthcoming participation.

What was your first reaction when you discovered that you will take part in the Festivali i Kenges once again? 

A good feeling to participate in this competition.

Can you tell us more about your career and music?

I started singing in public about 11 years ago. Pop-rock, alternative. I have written almost all my songs by myself. Even the last one, that is part of Rtsh Fest. 

As far as I know this is going to be your second participation in this festival as your song “Mjegulla” finished 9th at FiK52. Can you tell us more about new song “Ato që s’ti them dot”? What can we expect from your song?

Thank you for remembering my song and the place I got with “Mjegulla”. I had forgotten it 🙂 Ok. Let’s be serious now 🙂 It’s a song that talks about doubts and suspicions in the head of the main character, about his love. He asks her (in his head), would she stay with him, if he wouldn’t succeed any more? If he wouldn’t be what he is now. It’s a pop song. It’ a song that I wrote about 3 years ago, and now I decided to put it on a competition and in the face of the public. Of course, the song will be followed even with a videoclip that will be shown on TV, after the Festivali i Kenges.

How are the preparations for Festivali i Kenges going? Do you have any ideas about stage performance, outfits etc.?

Yes. I’m in the thinking process 🙂 And yet I haven’t decided what to bring on stage. But one thing is for sure, I will put all my efforts to bring something different on the moment of my song presentation.

If you win Festivali i Kenges, would you like to sing your song in Albanian or English during Eurovision Song Contest?

I think that the most important thing for an artist is that his art must be understood by as many people as possible. The best way to be understood by all the people here, is to sing in Albanian. If my song will be presented in Eurovision, I will sing it in English for the same reason.

Are you a Eurovision fan? What’s your favourite Eurovision song?

Yes I am of course. I also know the history of it. The artists that participated in the past etc. There are a lot of songs that are my favourites. I would like to mention Lordi – “Hard rock hallelujah”. And of course the last winner Mans Zelmerlow. All the components were great in his song.

What do you think about previous Albanian Eurovision participants?

I think that we have made performances to be admired. I hope one day, one of our artists will bring Eurovision here 🙂

Finally, do you have any message for Eurovision fans who will watch Festivali i Kenges online?

Enjoy all the show and let Festivali i Kenges be the first starting point to make you think about a trip here in Albania 🙂