Albania: Televoting exclusively to determine the Eurovision 2023 representative

• The Albanian public's verdict exclusively will select the next Eurovision representative during  Festivali i Këngës 61.

  Change of direction for Festivali i Këngës as the outcome of this year's edition which will determine the Albanian Eurovision 2023 representative will not be determined by a jury panel or a combination of jury and public voting, but exclusively by the televoting verdict. 

  Thus, the public only will have a say on who will be flying to Liverpool next May to represent Albania. However, in addition the jury will award prizes in three categories: 

  • First, Second and Third in the jury vote
  • First for young artists and alternative groups
  • First for established artists

  A total of 26 acts will be taking the stage in the upcoming event in December, 16 of which are artists who have performed even before at the Festival and another 10 are young artists and alternative groups.

  • 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)

   

  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.