Anjeza Shahini is best known for being the first representative of Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004, after winning the 42nd edition of Festivali i Kenges.
16 Facts About Anjeza Shahini
1.
2.
Anjeza Shahini was born on 4 May 1987 in the city of Tirana, then part of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, present Albania.
3.
In 2003, Shahini won the first edition of "Ethet e se premtes mbrema".
4.
Anjeza Shahini sang in the semi-final of ESC on 12 May 2004, and finished fourth out of twenty-two.
5.
In 2004, Anjeza Shahini recorded a song with Kosovo-Albanian band Marigona.
6.
Anjeza Shahini made it through the two semi-finals to the last twenty at the National Final and was one of the favourites to win.
7.
On 3 June 2006, Anjeza Shahini was a special guest performer at the Euro Video Grand Prix contest, which was held in Albania.
8.
Anjeza Shahini opened the contest with the song "Welcome to Europe".
9.
In 2007, Anjeza Shahini returned to Albania and signed a contract with the Albanian record label "Eurostar".
10.
Anjeza Shahini performed at Kenget e Shekullit 2, a successful series on TV Klan consisting of remakes of the best Albanian songs from the past century.
11.
Anjeza Shahini took part in Kenga Magjike 2007 with the song "Nxenesja me e mire", where the other singers' votes landed her in 4th place, but she did receive the critics' award.
12.
Anjeza Shahini took part in Festivali i Kenges 48 with the ballad "Ne pasqyre", placing second.
13.
In 2010, Anjeza Shahini finished her contract with Eurostar and became an independent artist.
14.
Anjeza Shahini was a guest in the new release of the German artist Martin Kilger in the song "Kastanien Lied" a song dedicated to Albania, she plays the role of Albanian girl, singing her part in the Albanian language.
15.
Anjeza Shahini appeared on the BBC Eurovision 2017 semi-final show with Scott Mills and Lucie Jones and performed at the second annual Eurostarz event in London, together with other Eurovision former acts, including Anne Marie David, Kurt Calleja, Mihai Traistariu, Karl William Lund and Salena Mastroianni.
16.
On 27 October 2023, Anjeza Shahini co-hosted, alongside Adi Krasta and Besim Dina, the second night of the Kosovan version of Festivali i Kenges, at its inaugural edition.