Festina Mejzini is a singer who first rose to fame among Albanian audience when she took part in the inaugural season of “X Factor Albania where she was mentored by Juliana Pasha. Later on she took part in many festivals including “Kënga Ime”, “Kënga Magjike” and this will be her fourth time competing at “Festivali i Kënges” where she will perform her entry “Melos” with which she’ll try to surpass her best result which was 3rd place, achieved with “Kush Je Ti Dashuri” at FiK 59.

Hello Festina, Albanian audience got familiar with you after your participation at the first edition of “X Factor Albania” back in 2012 where you’ve been mentored by Juliana Pasha. How did that experience change your life?

X – Factor for me remains one of the most beautiful experiences in my career, and will be remembered for the rest of my life.  It was my first appearance on a stage, in front of an audience, in front of all Albanians in the world.  My life simply changed from that moment, I was not an Festina anymore  but an artist towards on big stages.

Has your mentor in the show Juliana Pasha gave you some advice which helped you to become an artist you are today?

I think Juliana Pasha is the only Albanian artist who has an extraordinary discipline in music, I have learned a lot from her, I am always grateful to her for believing in my talent.

You already debuted at Festival i këngës 55 with “Atje lart”, then you took part the following year performing “Tjetërjetë” together with NA and last time you competed was at FiK 59 with “Kush je ti dashuri” when you ended the contest on 3rd place. What made you apply for this year’s edition of the festival and how does it feel to be back?

“Festival i Kenges” is a special feeling, it is a national festival that for me it is a privilege and pride to participate this year again, one of the other unique things is because everything is live and performing with an entire orchestra is an emotion in itself.

Can you tell us more about your entry “Melos” and what does it mean for you?

The title of the song is the fable of the song, Melos is the musical spirit that represents Albanian tradional songs, and we have tried to incorporate Albanian music into it.

Can you reveal us more about your performance?

The performance will have folk elements

With which other contestant of this year’s Festival i këngës would you like to record a song in a duet?

Maybe with Vesa Luma

What is your first memory related to Eurovision? Do you watch the show regularly and which song is your favourite?

I saw it regularly, my favorite song remains the winner of Eurovision 2017, Salvador Sobral – Amar Pelos Dois.

In case you win FiK 62 what would it mean for you to represent Albania at Eurovision Song Contest 2024?

A dream come true.

What do you do when you are not creating music and singing? Any hobbies?

I am an environmental engineer by profession and I try to balance music and my profession at the same time, music remains my biggest hobby and passion.

What are your plans after Festival i këngës?

I will have a duet soon and I am preparing my first album, which I think will be released in February

Thank you so much for your time Festina. We wish you the best of luck at Festivali i këngës.

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