Albania: The 26 contestants of Festivali i Këngës 61 unveiled

• RTSH, the Albanian national broadcaster, has unveiled the 26 acts that will be taking part in the 61st edition of Festivali i Këngës 61, the show that selects the country's Eurovision hopefuls.

  The twenty six artists that will be taking the staging in Festivali i Këngës 61 have gone public. 22 solo acts and 4 groups have been shorlisted by a special jury and ambition now to win the right to represent Albania at Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool. 

   

   

  RTSH has released the names of the competing acts and the titles of their repsective entries. Namely, here is the full list of the entrants: 

   

  • 2 Farm – “Atomike” (Atomic)
  • Alban Kondi & Lorela Karoshi – “Melodi” (Melody)
  • Albina Kelmendi – “Duje” (Love it)
  • Anduel Kovaçi – “Malli” (Yearning)
  • Aris Bako – “Sonte dua të jem me ty” (Tonight I want to be with you)
  • Melodajna Mancaku – “Gjysma e zemrës sime” (Half of my heart)
  • Elisa Lila – “Evita”
  • Enxhi Nasufi – “Burrë” (Man)
  • Erma Mici – “Kozmosi i dashurisë” (The cosmos of love)
  • Evi Reçi – “Ma kthe” (Give me back)
  • Fabian Basha – “Një gotë” (A glass)
  • Fifi (Filloreta Raçi) – “Stop”
  • Franc Koruni – “Në pritje” (Pending)
  • Genti Hoxha – “Ajër” (Air)
  • Gjergj Kaçinari – “Dje” (Yesterday)
  • Luna Causholli – “Jetën ta fal” (I give you my life)
  • LYNX – “Nëse ke besim” (If you have faith)
  • Manjola Nallbani – “Dua” (Love)
  • Permit of Stay – “Fobia” (Phobias)
  • Petrit Çarkaxhiu – “Emri yt mirësi” (Your name is good)
  • Rezearta Smaja – “N’Eden” (In Eden)
  • Rovena Dilo – “Motit” (Weather)
  • Sara Kapo – “Para teje” (Before you)
  • Serxhio Hajdini – “Vështirë” (Tough)
  • Urban Band – “Në çdo hap” (At every step)
  • Vanesa Soni – “Aroma jonë” (Our fragrence)

   

  While usually the Albanian national selection takes place in late December, RTSH has not yet confirmed the dates of the this year's Festivali i Këngës.

   

  Albania in Eurovision 

  In 2004 Albania participated for the first time in the contest  with Anjeza Shahini and the entry “The Image of You”, which came 7th . The country hasn’t scored a victory yet in its 16 participations up to date. Its best result was achieved in 2012 with Rona Nishliu and her 5th placing in Baku with her song “Suus”. 

  In 2019 Jonida Maliqi won the Festivali i Kenges 2018   and became the 16th Albanian representative in Eurovision. Her song Ktheju Tokes ended in the 17th place of the Grand final. In 2020 Arilena Ara won the national final and was set to perform her song Fall From Sky on the Eurovision stage in Rotterdam, but saw her journey end early, due to the coronavirus outbreak as the contest was cancelled . Last year, Anxhela Peristeri, won the 59th edition of Festivali i Kenges with her song "Karma" and went on representing the nation in Rotterdam, where after qualifying to the final she finished 21st with a total of 57 points. 

  This year the winner of thw 60th Festivl i Kenges, Ronela Hayati, represented the country in Turin singing 'Sekret' which depsite Ronela's dynamic staging didn't manage to reach the Grand final. 

   

  News Source/Image: RTSH
  

   

   

   

   

AUTHORS

Angelos D.
Loyal follower of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1987, I've made the competition one of the stories of my life. After attending as accredited press the event for 13 consecutive years along with the 2017-2024 JESC editions, I also enjoy the last three years sharing more Eurovision music through the Eurofans radio's project.