The 54th Festivali i Kenges, the long-running Albanian music competition which has served as the country’s national selection method since their debut at Eurovision in 2004 will take place in late December. We can find many familiar names in the participant list who will fight for the opportunity to represent Albania in Stockholm next year. There are also a few newcomers to this festival, one of whom is Egert Pano who will perform the song titled “Mos ik” in first semifinal. Egert 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?

It was an immense happiness. I was teaching that day, and I stopped doing it. I hugged my student and we went for a coffee to celebrate. I then called all my friends and family to tell them the news. I was really overjoyed. All friends have told me that I had a smile on my face.

We already know your song “Mos ik” as it was published by RTSH on it’s website. Did you already received any comments about your entry?

On Youtube I saw only “Likes” on my song. This makes me very happy. I have many positive comments from my friends, from all the musicians who have worked with me for the success of the song, but especially by my producer, Mattozzi Emanuele, who is really excited about participating in this festival.

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

By vocally, I’m very careful not to take cold, especially in these days, where in Tirana it’s really cold. Every day I make a series of vocal exercises that help me keep my voice in shape. Who does this craft knows what I’m talking about. Many times step also 30 min in front of the mirror. From my point of view, the voice is the most beautiful that exists, but being inside the body, is subject to ongoing difficulties related to our body. For this I was also very attentive to food and physical activity. I will try to bring to the stage a performance linked to what I feel in my heart, that is a great love for my land. My strong point is that I believe the elegance.

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

Winning the festival would be a great joy for me. The choice whether to sing in Albanian or English it will be a rational choice by various factors. Surely it depends on the direction that we give this song. I personally think there should be two versions. In Albanian, certainly, but also in English, to meet all the European audience that will listen.

You are quite new on Albanian music scene. Can you tell us more about yor music and career?

I dare say that is absolutely new in the Albanian music scene, since I live in Italy since 1992. I can say that I made music my priority in life. At 9 years old I started to study music, but then towards the 12/13 I started studying modern singing. At age 19 I moved to Rome where I attended “The university of music”, of course in the faculty of modern singing, after this degree, three years later I joined the Conservatory of Frosinone, and even there I followed the course of “popular music” and I obtained my second degree in modern singing. Last year I joined the Master’s degree in jazz singing, and this year I hope to finish my studies, even if you never stop to study in life. At the first singin that was just a hobby has become the job for me. In the last 7 years I have worked as a teacher in a different schools in central Italy, and in the meantime I also worked as a backup singer with several big names of Italian music.

Are you the Eurovision fan? What’s your favorite Eurovision song and why?

I really like Eurovision, it is obvious that I have always voted for Albania. This year’s song Elhaida Dani was really fantastic, if I win I hope to have my own charge and energy.

What do you think about previous Albanian Eurovision participants?

I am very proud of them. They always brought on stage the energy of the Albanian music.

You are living and working in Italy, where Sanremo is the most popular festival. Do you think Festivali i Kenges has a chance to became as important as Sanremo?

The festival in Albania is growing year by year, has a really important story and in fact this year is the 54th edition. This means that there is an important past. The Albania historically is very tied to Italy, this means that whatever grows in Italy, will automatically grow in Albania. These days I have been rehearsing with the orchestra and I can assure you that the musical level of each element of the orchestra, but also every element of the electronic and rhythmic, has great professionalism. I believe that the Albanian festival has great prospects for the future.

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

Sure. I hope with all my heart that you will like my song, but I really hope you enjoy the whole event. If you want to follow me, you can do it on my fanpage. This is the LINK.

You can listen to Egert’s bid “Mos ik” below: