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Albania

Fashion show in EuroVillage

We had a chance today to see the opening ceremony of the Eurovision Village at the City Hall Square with a unique show idea FASHION FOR EUROPE. The idea is about designers and brands from many different participating countries building bridges through fashion.

In total it took 1.5 hours to present 14 brand: Agnesa Vuyhaj (Albania), Sinoian (Armenia), Lena Hoschek (Austria), Fakhriya Khalafova (Azerbaijan), Bernard Depoorrter (Belgium), Ivana Helsinki (Finland), Atelier Michalsky (Germany), Galia Lahav (Israel), Calzedonia (Italy), Daili (Lithuania), Sanja Matijevic (Montenegro), Blessus by Michael Hekmat (Poland), Adelina Ivan (Romania), Julian Zigerli (Switzerland).

Albania Second Rehearsal: Elhaida Dani - I'm Alive

Elhaida Dani from Albania has just finished her first run and she's easily one of the best vocalists this year's contest has to offer.

The staging has remained pretty much the same, although there are different angles being used, which give a better overall performance.

Elhaida looks the absolute part in her black catsuit and cape. We're also seeing a lot more white and golden beams during the first verse of the chorus.

Easily one of the best Albanian Eurovision entries we've ever had. For that reason, Albania should easily qualify.

Jam night at Albertina Passage

Samira and I just returned from the Eurovision jam night – tired and satisfied. The party took place in Albertina Passage in the city centre just next to the Opera. We met a lot of people without accreditation badges, and it’s not a surprise – fans are allowed to these parties the first week.

It’s a very nice place, beautifully decorated with lots of dining tables. On a usual night I would have liked this restaurant but at party with 300 guests….I doubt it. Many tables were empty but in other areas it was fully packed and not enough air-conditioned.

Well, it all started with Maimuna (Belarus) “inviting” Uzari with her violin to come on the stage. They performed their remix very good and today you could see there was a great improvement with their eye contact. Now they look like atrue duo.

Second came Nina (Georgia) singing two songs. Her performance was impressive, full of emotions and pain.
Elhaida Dani was given a turn to perform – it was a big change comparing with the previous singer. She was very open to public, singing her favorite Eurovision song – 2012 Spain’s entry and later, her Eurovision song.
Then we got to hear from Czech Republic – two very cheerful singers who managed to make all people dance. They have a special energy coming out and spreading it to everyone.

The last performers were the two backing vocalists from Slovenia. They sang a couple of songs for us and the dj continued to play the music. When we were leaving, at about 12.30, there were still a lot of people in the club, including boys from Anti Social Media, dancing and enjoying themselves.

Albania First rehearsal: Elhaida Dani - I'm Alive

From all the songs in the competition, Albania has possibly grown the most on me, over time.

Elhaida has a great voice, and she's really showing it off during her rehearsal. Again it's really important to stress that this is a first rehearsal and things in its first run through weren't quite as fluent as they would normally be.

But as the performance went on Elhaida clearly felt more confident.

she's dressed in a black catsuit that comes with a black cape, with sets diamonds. The overall backdrops is a metallic bronze colour, which is quite a warm colour that suits elhaida's voice and overall feel.

Still some work to do for Albania, but not a bad start.

Albania Sept Points!