In a few days, the 62nd Song Festival will be held at RTSH, an event teeming with challenges yet brimming with opportunities for ambitious artists. It serves as a platform not only for promotion within Albania but also as a gateway to the prestigious European Eurovision stage.

Juliana Pasha is renowned for her influential presence in both Albanian and European music scenes and a former representative of Albania in Eurovision. The singer expressed in an exclusive interview for RTSH on the eve of the Festival that the RTSH Festival has consistently been and will continue to be a platform for authentic Albanian music.

“This stage marked the beginning of my career and ultimately led to its pinnacle,” said Juliana Pasha.

Drawing from her experience, she also shared insights on participating in Eurovision and discussed the challenges that Albanian singers often encounter in these significant musical events.

She highlighted that participation in Eurovision comes with both advantages and disadvantages for an artist.

Interview

In the coming days, the 62nd Song Festival is set to unfold at RTSH—an event replete with challenges, yet offering abundant opportunities for ambitious artists seeking recognition not only within Albania but also on the broader European stage. How would you assess this distinctive event, and what advice would you offer to the participating artists?

The festival has consistently served as the platform for authentic Albanian music, marking the beginning and peak of my career. To young artists, I recommend daily dedication to maintaining vocal abilities and infusing their songs with personal essence. Additionally, I advise composers to approach song creation with earnestness and commitment.

Based on your experience, what does participating in a European festival entail, and what challenges do Albanian singers typically encounter in these prominent musical events?

Not only for me, but I believe for all artists who have graced the Eurovision stage, it entails a tremendous responsibility. Participation in Eurovision has its advantages and disadvantages for an artist. It’s akin to a race, where everyone aspires for victory. However, unlike a running race where the winner is visually evident, Eurovision is a competition where different circumstances lead others to decide the winners and losers. Hence, every artist must be mentally prepared for both positive and negative feedback, often coming from our own community.

Setting aside voting techniques, do you believe there should be a moment of contemplation for Albanian composers amidst the ongoing balance between tradition and cosmopolitanism affecting art, especially music, today? Are they primarily preserving tradition, or are they adapting to contemporary ‘fashion’?

Albanian music boasts numerous instances where composers successfully intertwined tradition with modernity, crafting timeless songs. Yet, I don’t attribute a song’s success solely to formulas; sometimes, luck also plays a significant role.

Does the Eurovision Song Contest represent the finest values of European music, and what impact does it have on the music world? Or is it simply an evening of music entertainment?

Every festival is a platform to showcase a nation’s musical values. Eurovision, in particular, unites countries, allowing each to showcase aspects of their artistic culture. While winning songs often enter global charts, exceptions exist, particularly for radio hits. Eurovision is more than just a musical evening. Fans passionately enjoy each country’s participation. Moreover, it offers a golden opportunity to enter the European market, especially with the right management and preparation.

In hindsight, reflecting on your Eurovision participation after a few years, what aspects would you have considered changing?

I wouldn’t change a thing. I believe we gave our best by presenting a song that remains a favorite among Eurovision fans. Additionally, it marked a significant achievement as one of the rare instances when Albania qualified for the finals three years consecutively. Despite concerns about potential penalties due to two prior qualifications, ‘It’s All About You’ secured its path to the finals, enabling Albania’s third consecutive qualification.

What message do you have for the artists taking part in the 62nd Song Festival at RTSH?

Enjoy your song, savor the Festival stage, and aim for victory, as each of you is in the race to win.

/m.ll/