Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011

Prior to the 2011 contest, (RTSH) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Albania seven times since its first entry . Its highest placing in the contest, to this point, had been seventh place, achieved in 2004 with the song "The Image of You" performed by Anjeza Shahini. Since 2003, the winner of the competition has simultaneously won the right to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest. == Before Eurovision ==

Festivali i Këngës RTSH organised the 49th edition of Festivali i Këngës to determine its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. The competition consisted of two semi-finals on 23 and 24 December, respectively, and the grand final on 25 December 2010. The three live shows were hosted by Albanian singer Jonida Maliqi, presenter Josif Gjinpali and actress Mirela Naska. The contest featured two categories, one dedicated to established artists and the other to newcomer artists. The two semi-finals each featured 16 competing entries performed by established artists and three competing entries performed by newcomers. The votes of a jury panel selected 11 entries from the established artists in each semi-final to advance to the final, while the votes of an alternate jury panel selected one entry from the newcomer artists in each semi-final to advance to the final. Competing entries RTSH invited interested artists and composers to submit their entries between 12 September and 20 October 2010. The deadline was later extended to 6 November 2010 in order to give more time for the artists participating in Kënga Magjike to work on their entries. Final The grand final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 25 December 2010 and was broadcast live at 20:30 (CET). Determined by the combination of the votes from a seven-member jury, Aurela Gaçe with "Kënga ime" emerged as the winner and was thus announced as Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. Promotion A music video for "Feel the Passion" premiered via the Eurovision Song Contest's official YouTube channel on 16 March 2011. For promotional purposes, Gaçe embarked on a small tour with live performances at various events related to the contest, including in Belarus, Greece, Turkey and the Netherlands. == At Eurovision ==

took place at Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany in May 2011. The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 took place at Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany, and consisted of two semi-finals held on 10 and 12 May, respectively, and the grand final on 14 May 2011. According to the Eurovision rules, all participating countries, except the host nation and the "Big Four", consisting of , , and the , were required to qualify from one of the two semi-finals to compete for the grand final. The top 10 countries from the respective semi-final progress to the grand final. Albania was placed into the first semi-final, to be held on 10 May, and was scheduled to perform in the first half of the show. Albania was set to perform in position 3, following and preceding . In the final, Albania awarded its 12 points to Turkey in the first semi-final, and to in the final of the contest. Points awarded to Albania Points awarded by Albania == Notes ==