Country Albania Language Albanian Lyricist(s) Florian Kondi | Artist(s) Luiz Ejlli Composer(s) Klodian Qafoku Semi-final result 14th | |
"Zjarr e ftohtë" ("Fire and cold") was the Albanian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, performed in Albanian by Luiz Ejlli. This was the first time that the Albanian entry in the contest was sung in Albanian.
As Albanian had finished outside the top 10 in 2005, Ejlli had to perform in the semi-final of the 2006 contest. On the night of the semi-final he performed 6th in the running order, following Belarus' Polina Smolova singing "Mum" and preceding Belgium's Kate Ryan singing "Je t'adore". The song received 58 points, placing 14th in a field of 23, failing to qualify for the final.
The song is sung from the perspective of a man who can't forget his former lover. He likens his predicament to feeling "fire and cold" ("fire but still cold" is an alternative translation), while begging her to "open your heart". Despite the strength of the lyrics, the song was performed in a subdued fashion. Ejlli and three backing singers who barely moved from their positions, while two Albanian folk musicians provided accompaniment.
Many commentators had difficulty pronouncing the song title or the performer's name. The BBC commentator, Paddy O'Connell, for example, rendered the song as "Zlar E Flot".
It was succeeded as Albanian representative at the 2007 contest by Frederik Ndoci with "Hear My Plea".