The first national final of the 2018 national final season will start with it’s first semi-final in 2 days time. The 56th edition of the Festival i Kenges. Today we had time to talk to one of the participants in this year’s competition, Lorela.
Hello Lorela
First of all How are you? Can you introduce yourself? What can you tell us about your selves?
Hello Escunited! Thanks for the interview!
Well, I am 21 years old and I was born and raised in Turin, Italy. I am of Albanian descent and even if I was raised abroad I never lost the connection with my origin country. Indeed I strengthened my bond with the culture where I come from.
That is thanks to my parents, who always tried to raise me appreciating the history of my ancestors. Most of all this fact made me have a level of openness and respect towards other cultures. In fact I do speak fluently 4 languages and I love to learn other ones.
I am a very eclectic person and I love to sing, compose my own songs, playing the piano, writing, painting, reading and practising yoga.
Apart from this I am an international law student at university, because I have a great sense of justice.
This is your first time at the Festivali i Kenges. How do you feel participating in such a big contest which massive in Albania?
It is a huge honour and emotion to be part of Festivali I Këngës, as you may know it is a very important national competition in my origin country. I always watched Festivali I Këngës since I was a little girl and so this is to me a childhood dream come true.
What can you tell us about your entry “Pritëm edhe pak”? Do you plan to release the English version of this entry?
‘Pritëm edhe pak’ is a pop song with soul elements. It talks about love but a sort of love game which is very beautiful to sing about. I interpret it in this way: the girl is the subject and sings to a boy, who is giving her a lot of attention but even if she likes him plays a bit to be sure he is the right one. I think the song is very catchy and rhythmic and I have lots of fun singing it.
I think the song should remain in Albanian language as the idea was born in Albania, but I’m open to hear new ideas for the song.
What is your impression of the Eurovision Song Contest in general? Do you watch it every year? What is your favourite entry?
I love Eurovision, I remember myself watching it since I was a little girl and my favourite entries are ‘Euphoria”’by Loreen (2012 ESC winner – Sweden) and ‘Every Way That I Can’ by Sertab Erener (2003 ESC winner – Turkey).
My favorite albanian entry is “Suus” by amazing Rona Nishliu (2012).
Apart from the Eurovision Song Contest , where would you dream to do a performance?
ESC has always been my dream contest, but I can say that one of my dream stages would be Sanremo’s stage.
Whom is your personal musical stars that follow a lot and why?
I love listening to Bjork, Loreen, and as for groups Radiohead, Muse and Depeche Mode. Loreen is amazing, her style and vocal are unique; Bjork because she’s very particular. As for the groups I like them because I love listening to rock-alternative stuff!
I love all kinds of music but I have a peculiar taste as well. The genre that I enjoy the most listening to is a mix of pop, alternative, soul and ethnic (all cultures, especially eastern). For me, ethnic music combined with other genres is perfection.
What is a typical day like for you?
What an interesting question! Well, I wake up very early, and my day is full of things to do: I read something (a book or an article)I love learning knew stuff and to know what happens around the world), I exercise and do my vocal warm up exercises and sing.I study and then i follow my law lessons at university. I like to take care of my instagram page and to take a lot of pictures.
After that I love to go out with my friends and then i come home and chill for a bit, as soon as I can I love to play the piano in the evening.
You can listen to Lorela’s entry Pritëm edhe pak in this link:
