Albania: The song selection procedure for FiK 62 has changed!

Bojken Lako, the creative director of the upcoming Festivali i Kenges, disclosed that the process for choosing the songs that will participate in the festival has changed.

It was revealed a few days after the 31 contender songs for FiK 62 were revealed that, for the first time in FiK’s history, the jury chose this year’s entries without being aware of the singers’ identities.

After conferring with the members of the selection committee, they listened to the songs, allowing the jurors to make their own decisions based on numbers rather than vocalist names. An other novelty was the inclusion of two poets on the committee to evaluate the lyrics. Our goal is to improve the musical quality.

Bojken Lako appeared satisfied with the high quality of the songs on FiK 62:

We have a lot of room for new bands, musicians, and musical trends. We also have a gorgeous array of Albanian music, which preserves heritage while introducing fresh sounds and elevating the scene.

The 31 entries of FiK 62 are the following:

• Besa Krasniqi – “Esenciale”
• Eldis Arnjeti – “Një kujtim”
• Elsa Lila – “Mars”
• Erina & The Elementals – “Jetën n’Skaj”
• Jasmina Hako – “Ti”
• Jehona Ponari – “Evol”
• Olimpia Smajlaj – “Asaj”
• Sergio Hajdini – “Uragan”
• Shpat Deda – “S’mund të fitoj pa ty”
• Tri Gjoci – “Në ëndërr”
• Martina Serreqi – “Vetëm ty”
• Big Basta & Vesa Luma – “Mbinatyrale”
• Festina Mejzini – “Melos”
• Mal Retkoceri – “Çmendur”
• Michela Paluca – “Për veten”
• Santino De Bartolo – “Dua të rri me ty”
• Stivi Ushe – “Askush si ty”
• Kleansa Susaj – “Pikturë”
• Kejsi Tola – “Vallëzoj me Dritën”
• Kastro Zizo – “2073”
• Andi Tanko – “Herë pas here”
• Anduel Kovaci – “Nane’”
• Arsi Bako – “Zgjohu”
• Besa Kokëdhima – “Zemrën n’dorë
• Bledi Kaso – “Çdo gjë mbaroi”
• Melodajn Mancaku – “Nuk jemi ne”
• Olsi Ballta – “Unë”
• Troy Band – “Horizonti i ëndrrave”
• Samanta Karavello – “N’majë”
• Luan Durmishi – “Përsëritja”
• Sardi Struga – “Boshatisur”

One of the contenders is Elsa Lila, the FiK winner from the previous year, who did not represent Albania in the Eurovision contest because the country’s representative was selected solely by televoting.

This year, the winner will be the one who will represent Albania in Malmö, utilizing a novel mixed system consisting of 50% jury and 50% televote.

FiK 62 will be held at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana from December 19 to December 22. The songs will be heard for the first time when they are performed—a technique that was also used in the Sanremo Festival—on the stage of FiK 62.

Albania was represented this year by Albina & Familja Kelmendi, who finished in the 22nd place in the final with 76 points.

Stay tuned on EurovisionFun to stay up to date on all the latest news about the world’s largest music competition!

Source: RTSH