Unlike usual, when it was announced that the artistic direction of the ART Festival at the ART would be entrusted to Vera Grabocka and Alketa Weysiu, people were interested . What began as attention to the doubles that has long produced or adapted successful formulas was followed by another interest, this time for the singers . Popular and active names in music right now - like Elvana Gjata, Arilena, Era Rusi, Olta Boka etc. - aroused interest in the public, certainly the controversy over the alleged winner . Rather than the Festival, there was talk of more singers, which was also evident from the competitors' introductory video, similar to the X Factor or "Dance with me". However, it must be said that for the first time in at least this decade, people have an interest in songs.
When referring to online clicks, for the first time a song by the ART Festival reaches nearly 1.5 million clicks, "With Tana" by Elvana Gjata. Other songs also feature record numbers for RTSH, such as Arilene's "Shaj", Era Russi's "Come on Receive" and more. But it's not just clicks.
Unlike previous editions, where for the sake of truth hardly any songs as good as the winning one were counted, this time around there are some interesting projects: Kanita, Albrei Hadergjonaj, Valon Shehu, Castro Zizo, Wendi Mancaku, Kamela Islamaj or Renis Gjoka they also have professional songs, in addition to those who are regarded as strong competitors.
In addition to the artistic direction of Grabocka and Vejsiu, who have learned from experience what to choose, it is worth noting the participation of Florent Bosniak as a music producer. The man who brought a composition like "Suus", masterfully sung by Rona Nishliu's fantastic vocals, which is by far the most successful Albanian song in Eurovision (in fifth place) will certainly set another standard in this edition of the Festival. song.
But such standards, whether in artists or songs, are rarely set and this is sad. Hopefully, in the future, the national festival will follow the same standards as this year's, which for the first time in a decade brought some successful songs, enough for a CD.
