Albania: Eden Baja will replace Sardi Strugaj in Festivali i Këngës 62!

A bit more than a week seperates us from the final of Festivali i Këngës 62. RTSH, the public broadcaster of Albania, is going to broadcast the most impostant musical event in the country for four consecutive nights.

After Sardi Strugaj announced his withdrawal from the festival, the public broadcaster just confirmed that Eden Baja, with her song “Ajër”, will take his place in the second night of the festival. The song is taking the seventh spot in the running order of the second semi-final of the festival in December 20.

This is not the only change in the competitors of this year’s festival. A few days ago, Kejsi Tola, the winner of 2008 festival and Albania’s representative in Eurovision 2009, who was about to perform “Vallëzoj Me Dritën“ in FiK 62, announced her withdrawal as well. We also read about the withdrawal of Samanta Karavella and her song “N’majë”. The two singers were replaced by Irma Lepuri and PeterPan Quartet.

Festivali i Këngës 62 will take place with 31 artists

A total of 31 artists were shortlisted for FiK 62. Samanta’s and Kejsi Tola’s acts were replaced by the newcomers Irma Lepuri and PeterPan Quartet, while Sardi Strugaj’s replacement was just found.

First Night (December 19)

1. Stivi Ushe – Askush si ty
2. Besa Kokëdhima – Zemën n’Dorë
3. Mal Retkoceri – Çmendur
4. Eldis Arrnjeti – Një kujtim
5. Shpat Deda – S’mund t’jetoj pa ty
6. Jehona Ponari – Evol
7. PeterPan Quartet
8. Festina Mejzini – Melos
9. Kastro Zizo – 2073
10. Luan Durmishi – Përsëritja
11. Melodajn Mancaku – Nuk jemi ne
12. Olsi Ballta – Unë
13. Andi Tanko – Herë pas herë
14. Sergio Hajdini – Uragan
15. Santino De Bartolo – Dua të rri me ty
16. Olimpia Smajlaj – Asaj

Second Night (December 20)

1. Big Basta and Vesa Luma – Mbinatyrale
2. Elsa Lila – Mars
3. Jasmina Hako – Ti
4. Michela Paluca – Për veten
5. Anduel Kovaçi – Nan’
6. Irma Lepori
7. Erina and the Elementals – Jetën n’skaj
8. Kleansa Susaj – Pikturë
9. Arsi Bako – Zgjohu
10. Tiri Gjoci – Në ëndërr
11. Besa Krasniqi – Esenciale
12. Bledi Kaso – Çdo gjë mbaroi
13. Troy – Horizonti i ëndrrave
14. Martina Serreqi – Vetëm ty

Just like last year, FiK 62 will have two separate winners. The winner of the jury voting will be crowned as the winner of the festival and the winner of the public vote will be the chosen one for the Albanian representation in the Eurovision Song Contest.

The 62nd edition of FiK will take place from December 19 to December 22, 2023 at Pallati i Kongresseve in Tirana. Last year’s winners of the public vote were Albina & Familja Kelmendi with their song “Duje”, gaining the right to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool. Albina & Familja Kelmendi brought their country back to the Grand Final, finishing tenth in the public vote and twenty-second overall.