In an unexpected turn of events a month prior to Festivali i Këngës 63, Albania’s national selection for Eurovision 2025, RTSH announced that Olsi Bylyku, who was originally set to compete with his song “Tupanët”, has withdrawn from the competition for personal reasons.
As a result, Klea Dina will take his place and will now compete with her song “Dashuri ndiej”.
How was Klea Dina selected?
According to the competition rules, when an artist withdraws from Festivali i Këngës, they are replaced by another participant who was evaluated during the preliminary selection process. The artist who replaces the withdrawn act is selected based on their performance and ranking during the earlier evaluation of the contestants.
In this case, Klea Dina received higher marks in the preliminary rounds than the other eliminated participants, ultimately replacing Olsi Bylyku. As a result, she will now compete in Festivali i Këngës 63 and will perform “Dashuri ndiej” aiming to represent Albania in Eurovision 2025.
Music video filming is underway
This year’s edition of Festivali i Këngës promises to be full of surprises. Under the artistic direction of Elhaida Dani, the participants of FiK 63 have now begun filming music videos that will be released alongside their songs ahead of the competition.
Festivali i Këngës 63 participants’ list
These are the thirty participants of Festivali i Këngës 63:
- Algert Sala – “Bosh”
- Alis Kallacej – “Mjegull”
- Ardit Çuni – “Amane”
- Devis Xherahu – “Ka momente”
- Djemtë e Detit – “Larg”
- Elvana Gjata – “Karnaval”
- Endrik Beba – “Ishe ti”
- Epos – “Kurajo dhe Zjarr”
- Erma Mici – “Mbaje”
- Frensi Revania – “Rreziko”
- Gjergj Kaçinari – “Larg jetës pa ty”
- Gresa Gjocera – “E vërteta”
- Jet – “Gjallë”
- Kejsi Jazxhi – “Kur bota hesht”
- Klea Dina – “Dashuri ndiej“
- Kleansa Susaj – “Ta dija”
- Laurjan Ejlli & Adelina Corraj – “A thu”
- Lorenc Hasrama – “Frymë”
- Luna Çausholli – “Qiell apo ferr”
- Mal Retkoceri – “Antihero”
- Martina Serreqi – “Nese qaj”
- Mihallaq Andrea – “Porositë e babait”
- Nita Latifi – “Zemrës”
- Orgesa Zaimi – “I parë”
- Rea Nuhu – “Sot”
- Ronaldo Mesuli – “N’zemër”
- Santino De Bartolo – “Kur nata vjen si bora”
- Shkodra Elektronike – “Zjerm”
- Stine – “E kishim nis”
- Vesa Smolica – “Lutem”
A combination of jury and public vote will decide
This year, according to Euromix.il, Albania’s representative for Eurovision 2024 will be chosen through a combination of public and jury voting. The selection process will follow a 60/40 model, combining jury and audience input to determine the country’s next entry.
This change reflects Festivali i Këngës’ gradual shift toward incorporating more public input, especially in the context of Eurovision. For many years, the festival faced criticism regarding transparency and its failure to align with modern Eurovision standards.
The dates for FiK 63 have not yet been announced. However, renowned singer and Albania’s former Eurovision representative, Elhaida Dani, will serve as the festival’s artistic director this year.
The Albanian public’s pick for Eurovision 2024 was Besa with her song “Zemrën n’dorë“. Besa released a revamped version in English titled “Titan” for Eurovision, where she did not make it to the Grand Final, finishing fourteenth in the second semi-final.
Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!
