Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade, Serbia, with the song "Zemrën e lamë peng" performed by Olta Boka. Its selected entry was chosen through the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2007. To this point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest four times since its first entry in 2004. Due to the introduction of two semi-finals, Albania was drawn to compete in the second semi-final of the contest, which took place on 22 May 2008. Performing as number six, the nation was announced among the top 10 entries of the second semi-final and therefore qualified to compete in the grand final. In the final on 24 May 2008, it performed as number three and placed 17th out of the 25 participating countries, scoring 55 points.
Olta Boka performing during the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
Eurovision Song Contest 2008
The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was the 53rd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Belgrade, Serbia, following the country's victory at the 2007 contest with the song "Molitva" by Marija Šerifović. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), the contest was held at the Belgrade Arena, and consisted of two semi-finals on 20 and 22 May, and a final on 24 May 2008. The three live shows were presented by Serbian television presenter Jovana Janković and musician Željko Joksimović.
Belgrade Arena, Belgrade – host venue of the 2008 contest
Presenters Željko Joksimović and Jovana Janković during the first semi-final
The first logo, called "Mama 2008", was announced in October 2007. It was subsequently replaced in January 2008, after negative responses
Stage of the contest during the First Semi-final