Albania: The public will decide the country’s representative for Eurovision 2023!

The Albanian public broadcaster, RTSH, made a considerable change in the selection process for their entry in Eurovision.

In a previous announcement, RTSH stated that Festivali i Këngës will include public vote once again, after many years. However, no one imagined how much the public vote will affect the final resutl. Today’s announcement states that Albania’s representative  in Eurovision 2023 will be chosen, for the first time only by public vote! On the same time, the jury will decide on the results for Festivali i Këngës.

This way, all the previous voting systems of Festivali i Këngës, where the jury or the jury along with public determined the final result, are negated. One more difference in this year’s festival is that the jury will give out three awards:

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

Below is a full list of participants and songs in Festivali i Këngës 61:

• 2 Farm – “Atomike” (Atomic)
• Alban Kondi & Lorela Karoshi – “Melodi” (Melody)
• Albina Kelmendi – “Duje” (Prayer)
• Anduel Kovaçi – “Malli” (Merchandise)
• 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 forgive 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)

As of now, RTSH has not revealed the dates for Festivali i Këngës 61 will be held. Traditionally the contest takes plce in mid-December.

The previous winner of Festivali i Këngës and Albania’s representative in Eurovision 2022 was Ronela Hajati with the song “Sekret“ but despite the big hype for her song by the fans, she didn’t manage to qualify for the Grand Final, ending up in 12th place in the first semi-final:

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Albanian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool!

Source: rtsh.al