As we all settle down to enjoy the seasonal splendours that Festivali i Këngës 58 is going to offer us tonight, let's spare a thought for the highly unlucky eight that didn't make it to the final. Because this is where the true showbiz has been cast aside to fester sadly around the back of the bins at the Pallati i Kongreseve.
Take pity on the poor father and daughter act Nadia and Genc Tukiçi. He might be one of the most recognisable faces in Albanian music, and their stirring double-piano act may have top three'd at any Eurovision between 1983 and 1996, but this quaint old fashionedness, coupled with Nadia's somewhat reedy vocals may have put paid to their chances - which is a shame, as it's one of those songs that us slightly older fans keep a massive corner in our hearts for.
And also feel sorry for Kastro Zizo, owner of perhaps the finest facial hair we'll see all season, mumbling his way through a character song the like of which we rarely see at this contest any more, made all the better when a trumpeter in an unfeasible wig ambles on and starts to blast away.
We'll link both of these at the bottom here, because they both absolute gems of Albaniana.
But our favourite of those who fell at the final hurdle was the little beauty we've chosen to highlight at the top here. Closely reminiscent of every Balkan wedding reception we've ever been to (which is just the one, to be fair, but stick with the analogy), this is the point at about 2:47am when the bride's slightly racy Auntie gets up to warble with the band, and the slightly spivvy lad at the bar, all wrapped up in his big winter coat who was just about to leave, decides to get up and join in with a most ill-considered rap bit.
But somehow they managed to charm everyone (except for the judges, obv) with their chalk and cheese presentation, and you kind of get the feeling that there may have been an awkward breakfast scene the following morning...
All three songs will be sad losses to a final that's just a bit generic, and one that could either end up as a predictable coronation of Princess Elvana - or a near riot when something else deigns to beat her.
But it's songs like these three that keep up going through the dark winter nights - Happy FiKmas to you all!
Nadia & Genc Tukiçi - Ju Flet Tirana
Kastro Zizo - Asaj
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