Albania: Eleven jurors will determine the winner of Festivali i Këngës 62!

The artistic director of Festivali i Këngës 62, Bojken Lako, Krisa Çaushi, the host of Festivali i Këngës and Gridi Kraja, the dirctor of the symphonic orchestra of the festival, all appeared in the TV show “E diela jonë”, with Ermal Peçit, and revealed new information on the upcoming Albanian music festival.

They promised the public, a Festival with songs that will not be forgotten by the public and TV elements that will make the four magical nights in December, even more favourable.

They also spoke on Kejsi Tola’s, Samanta Karavella’s and Sardi Strugaj’s withdrawal. Ermal Peçitasked whether there is a rule that forbids the staging as Samanta Karavella said, and Bojken Lako answered:

“Attracting artists is something personal. The regulations have been even stricter this year. Unlike other years, this year we have allowed up to 2 performers on stage. The other reasons are completely personal. This year we will have 6 awards. I do not give importance to the show, but to the music and the orchestra. We want to give importance to the text and the music. “

Ermal Peçit also asked them on the online rumours that want Elsa Lila as the winner of the festival. Gridi Kraja and Bojken Lako stated the following:

“The singers themselves release the rumours.”

“The jury has 11 members. How can all the jury members agree in advance on the winner? The rumors are just news for portals to click on.“

After the above interview, we can say, as we’ve previously mentioned in an article, that Albania wants to return to Eurovision with strong ballad, giving more attention to the voice and the feelings, unlike their two previous entries.

Festivali i Këngës 62

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 there was no announcement made regarding a possible replacement of another artist that withdrew, namely Sardi Strugaj.

Excluding Sardi Strugaj, the following thirty artists will compete:

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
17. Big Basta and Vesa Luma – Mbinatyrale
18. Elsa Lila – Mars
19. Jasmina Hako – Ti
20. Michela Paluca – Për veten
21. Anduel Kovaçi – Nan’
22. Irma Lepori
23. Erina and the Elementals – Jetën n’skaj
24. Kleansa Susaj – Pikturë
25. Arsi Bako – Zgjohu
26. Tiri Gjoci – Në ëndërr
27. Besa Krasniqi – Esenciale
28. Bledi Kaso – Çdo gjë mbaroi
29. Troy – Horizonti i ëndrrave
30. 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.