"Zemrën e lamë peng" is a song by Albanian singer Olta Boka, written by Pandi Laço and composed by Adrian Hila. It was released as a CD single in 2008 through Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). Musically, it is an Albanian-language ballad, lyrically revolving around lovesickness and the pain of separation from a loved one. The song represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade, Serbia, after winning the country's pre-selection competition Festivali i Këngës 46. The country reached the 17th place in a field of 25, gathering a total of 55 points. During her dark-themed show, Boka was on stage accompanied by three instrumentalists, while the LED screens displayed various violet and yellow-coloured hearts.
Zemrën e lamë peng
Boka and her background instrumentalists during the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
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.