Albania: Watch the performances of the Second night of FiK 62!

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The second night of the 62nd Festivali i Këngës, where Albania’s representative for Eurovision 2024in Malmö, will be chosen. A total of 31 artists will participate in the competition. The second night was held at Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana, where we heard the rest 15 songs for the first time with a live orchestra. FiK 62 was hosted by Adriana Matoshi, Kledi Kadiu, Xhuliano Dule and Krisa Çaushi

You can watch the second night appearances on the following links:

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

Like last year, the winner  of Festivali i Këngës will be determined by the professional jury, while the song representing Albania at Eurovision 2024 will be chosen by voting the TV audience through SMS.

Also, the presenters revealed the members of the professional jury of the Festival.The jury consists of 11 members and will give 6 different awards for their music lyrics and the winner of the festival.

The Jury is:

  • Aleksandër Djoka
  • Indrit Mesiti
  • Adelina Ismajli
  • Fitnete Tuda
  • Elena Kadare
  • Natasha Lako
  • Anila Aliu
  • Shpëtim Kushta
  • Victor Van Vought
  • Zana Shuteriqi
  • Shkumbin Ahmetxheka

 

 

Jury member Indrit Mesiti took to the big stage of the Palace of Congresses with his band and gave the audience a magical performance with the song “word of change”.

Tonight’s guests were two well-known names in the world of music, representing two generations of artists, Aleksandër Gjoka and Bojken Lako.

Special guest of the evening was Rachelle Andrioti, who sang a very popular song in a very interesting version “Bien fielli d çiftelia”.

The final of the 62nd Festivali i Këngës will take place on Friday, December 22 at 21:30 where we will know the next representative of Albania.

See you tomorrow at the Festivali i Këngës nostalgia night where the contestants will perform songs from the history of Festivali i Këngës and Eurovision.

 Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Albanian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Albania: Tonight the second night of Festivali i Këngës 62!

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December cannot be December without Festivali i Këngës and so, tonight, the 62nd edition of the celebration of Albanian music continues in Tirana. Festivali i Këngës 62 resumes in a few hours from now, being the means to determine Albania’s representative at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Malmö in May. You can read what happened on last night’s first day of the Festival by clicking HERE.

Format

Festivali i Këngës 62 will last four days, with the 31 participants competing over the next four nights for six prizes, one of which is directly related to Albania’s representation at Eurovision in Malmö a few months from now.

On the first (Tuesday) and second (Wednesday) nights will feature the semi-finals of the festival, on the third night (Thursday) the so-called “Nostalgia Night” will take place, while the festival will culminate on Friday with the Grand Final.

Like last year, FiK 62 will have two separate winners. The winner of the jury vote will be crowned as the winner of the festival and the winner of the public vote will be chosen as the country’s representative in Malmö.

The jury will consist of 11 members who will award 6 different prizes based on artistic criteria and the winner of the festival.

First Semi-Final

As mentioned above, the second semi-final of the 62nd great celebration of Albanian music will take place tonight. The artists who will perform tonight on the stage of Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana are:

  1. Big Basta dhe Vesa Luma – «Mbinatyrale»
  2. Elsa Lila – «Mars»
  3. Jasmina Hako – «Ti»
  4. Michela Paluca – «Për Veten»
  5. Anduel Kovaci – «Nane’»
  6. Kleansa Susaj – «Pikturë»
  7. Eden Baja – «Ajër»
  8. Erina dhe The Elementals – «Jetën N’skaj»
  9. Irma Lepuri – «Më Prit»
  10. Arsi Bako – «Zgjohu»
  11. Tiri Gjoci – «Në Ëndërr»
  12. Besa Krasniqi – «Esenciale»
  13. Bledi Kaso – «Çdo Gjë Mbaroi»
  14. Troy Band – «Horizonti I Ëndrrave»
  15. Martina Serreqi – «Vetëm Ty»

The presenters of FiK 62 are Adriana Matoshi, Kledi Kadiu, Xhuliano Dule and Krisa Çaushi.

The second night of Festivali i Këngës 62 starts at 20:30 (CET) and you can watch it by clicking HERE.

Last year’s winners of the public vote were Albina & Familja Kelmendi with their song “Duje“, earning the right to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool. Albina & Familja Kelmendi again brought their country to the Grand Final, finishing in tenth place in the public vote and in twenty-second place overall.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Albania: Watch the performances of the first night of FiK 62!

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The first night of the 62nd Festivali i Këngës, where Albania’s representative for  Eurovision 2024 in Malmö, will be chosen. A total of 31 artists will participate in the competition. The first night was held at Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana, where we heard the first 16 songs for the first time with a live orchestra. FIK 62 was hosted by Adriana Matoshi, Kledi Kadiu, Xhuliano Dule and Krisa Çaushi

You can watch the first night appearances on the following links:

  1. Stivi Ushe – “Askush si ty”
  2. Besa Kokëdhima – “Zemrën n’dorë”
  3. Mal Retkoceri – “Çmendur“
  4. Eldis Arrnjeti – “Një kujtim”
  5. Shpat Deda – “S’mund t’fitoj pa ty”
  6. Jehona Ponari – “Evol”
  7. Peter Pan Quartet – “Edhe nje here”
  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 here”
  14. Sergio Hajdini – “Uragan”
  15. Santino De Bartolo – “Dua të rri me ty”
  16. Olimpia Smajlaj – “Asaj”

Like last year, the first prize of Festivali i Këngës will be determined by the professional jury, while the song representing Albania at Eurovision 2024 will be chosen by voting the TV audience through SMS.

Also, the presenters revealed the members of the professional jury of the Festival.The jury consists of 11 members and will give 6 different awards for their music lyrics and the winner of the festival.

The Jury is:

  • Aleksandër Djoka
  • Indrit Mesiti
  • Adelina Ismajli
  • Fitnete Tuda
  • Elena Kadare
  • Natasha Lako
  • Anila Aliu
  • Shpëtim Kushta
  • Victor Van Vought
  • Zana Shuteriqi
  • Shkumbin Ahmetxheka

The guest was Umberto Tozzi, a representative of Italy at Eurovision in 1987 with the song “Gente Di Mare”

Initially, Umberto Tozzi presented to the public, comedian and presenter Xhuliano Dule, while he expressed his desire to perform a live concert in Albania

Then Umberto Tozzi sang some of his most important songs such as “Ti Amo” and “Gloria”.

Of course, FIK 62 could not miss Albania’s representative in Junior Eurovision 2023, Viola Djyzeli with the song “Bota Ime”, where he ended up in eighth place.

We remind you that the artists we will see tomorrow on the second night are:

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

The final of the 62nd Festivali i Këngës will take place on Thursday 22 December at 21:30, where we will know the next representative of Albania.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all developments regarding Albania’s participation in Eurovision 2024!

Albania: Watch snippets from the rehearsals for the first night of FiK 62!

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A preview of the 16 competing songs that will perform on the opening night of Festivali i Këngës 62, the Albanian national selection, have just been released. The clips are, in fact, snippets from yesterday’s rehearsals.

Check out, the snippets from yesterday’s rehearsal of the sixteen artists who will participate in the first night of FIK 62 (links are attached to the song titles):

  1. Stivi Ushe – “Askush Si Ty”
  2. Besa Kokëdhima – “Zemrën N’dorë”
  3. Mal Retkoceri – “Çmendur»
  4. Eldis Arnjeti – «Një Kujtim» a>
  5. Shpat Deda – «S’mund T’fitoj Pa Ty»
  6. Jehona Ponari – «Evol»
  7. Peter Pan Quartet – «Edhe Një Herë»
  8. Festina Mejzini – «Melos»
  9. Kastro Zizo – «2073»
  10. Luan Durmishi – «Përsëritja»
  11. Melodajn Mancaku – «Nuk Jemi Ne»< /span>
  12. Olsi Ballta – “Unh“
  13. Andi Tanko – «Herë Pas Here»
  14. Sergio Hajdinifdq – «Uragan»
  15. Santino de Bartolo – «Dua Të Rri Me Ty»
  16. Olimpia Smajlaj – «Asaj»

Festivali i Këngës 62 commences tonight at 20:30 (CET) and you can watch it via this link.

FIK 62 will be hosted by Adriana Matoshi, Kledi Kadiu, Xhuliano Dule and Krisa Çaushi .

Like last year, FiK 62 will have two separate winners. The winner of the jury vote will be crowned as the winner of the festival and the winner of the public vote will be chosen as the country’s representative in Malmö.

Stay tuned to Eurovision Fun for all developments regarding Albania’s participation in Eurovision 2024!

Source: Eurovision National Finals 2

Albania: Festivali i Këngës 62 begins tonight!

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December cannot be December without Festivali i Këngës and so, tonight, the 62nd edition of the celebration of Albanian music begins in Tirana. Festivali i Këngës 62 kicks off in a few hours from now, being the means to determine Albania’s representative at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Malmö in May.

Format

Festivali i Këngës 62 will last four days, with the 31 participants competing over the next four nights for six prizes, one of which is directly related to Albania’s representation at Eurovision in Malmö a few months from now.

On the first (Tuesday) and second (Wednesday) nights will feature the semi-finals of the festival, on the third night (Thursday) the so-called “Nostalgia Night” will take place, while the festival will culminate on Friday with the Grand Final.

Like last year, FiK 62 will have two separate winners. The winner of the jury vote will be crowned as the winner of the festival and the winner of the public vote will be chosen as the country’s representative in Malmö.

The jury will consist of 11 members who will award 6 different prizes based on artistic criteria and the winner of the festival.

First Semi-Final

As mentioned above, the first semi-final of the 62nd great celebration of Albanian music will take place tonight. The artists who will perform tonight on the stage of Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana are:

  1. Stivi Ushe – «Askush Si Ty»
  2. Besa Kokëdhima – «Zemrën N’dorë»
  3. Mal Retkoceri – «Çmendur»
  4. Eldis Arnjeti – «Një Kujtim»
  5. Shpat Deda – «S’mund T’fitoj Pa Ty»
  6. Jehona Ponari – «Evol»
  7. Peter Pan Quartet – «Edhe Një Herë»
  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 Here»
  14. Sergio Hajdinifdq – «Uragan»
  15. Santino de Bartolo – «Dua Të Rri Me Ty»
  16. Olimpia Smajlaj – «Asaj»

The presenters of FiK 62 will be Adriana Matoshi, Kledi Kadiu, Xhuliano Dule and Krisa Çaushi.

The first night of Festivali i Këngës 62 starts at 20:30 (CET) and you can watch it by clicking HERE.

Last year’s winners of the public vote were Albina & Familja Kelmendi with their song “Duje“, earning the right to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool. Albina & Familja Kelmendi again brought their country to the Grand Final, finishing in tenth place in the public vote and in twenty-second place overall.

https://youtu.be/TI9rSDhXwyc

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

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

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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.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Albanian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Source: escplus.es

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

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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.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Albanian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!
Source: lajme.rtsh.al

Eurovision 2024: 37 countries will join the 68th contest in Malmö!

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The Eurovision season has officially started! Just moments ago, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced the participants’ list of Eurovision 2024 in Malmö. In total, 37 countries will participate in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest.

In detail, the following countries will take part in Malmö:

 Albania – RTSH

 Australia – SBS

 Armenia – AMPTV

 Austria – ORF

 Azerbaijan – İctimai

Belgium – RTBF

Croatia – HRT

 Cyprus – CyBC

Czech Republic – ČT

 Denmark – DR

 Estonia – ERR

 Finland – YLE

 France – FT

 Georgia – GPB

 Germany – ARD/NDR

 Greece – ERT

 Iceland – RÚV

 Ireland – RTÉ

 Israel – IPBC/Kan

Italy – RAI

 Latvia – LTV

 Lithuania – LRT

Luxembourg – RTL

 Malta – PBS

 Moldova – TRM

Netherlands – AVROTROS

 Norway – NRK

 Poland – TVP

 Portugal – RTP

 San Marino – SMRTV

 Serbia – RTS

 Slovenia – RTVSLO

 Spain – TVE

 Sweden – SVT

 Switzerland – SRG / SSR

 Ukraine – UA:PBC

 United Kingdom – BBC

Whilst Romania is currently not confirmed to compete next year, talks are continuing with TVR on their potential participation as well. That means we might have 38 nations competing in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

Luxembourg, one of the founding members of Eurovision as well as successful, having won the contest five times, will return after three decades long absence. In fact, Luxembourg’s return was known to public since May and it was even announced during the Grand Final of Eurovision 2023.

North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Montenegro still remain out, claiming financial reasons.

The 68th Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Malmö, Sweden during 7-11 of May 2024, following Loreen’s second win in Liverpool.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Albania: The reason behind Samanta Karavella’s withdrawal from FiK 62!

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In just two weeks from now, the second national selection of this Eurovision season will take place. As usual, Festivali i Këngës, will serve as the selection method for the Albanian act in Eurovision 2024, for the 20th edition in a row. While the preparations for the big, for the Albanian music and culture scene, festival are on fire, we had some quite interesting news regarding the withdrawals from the festival that we saw last month, which also indicate Albania’s direction for Eurovision 2024.

As we have previously informed you, following the announcement of the participants of the 62nd edition of Festivali i Këngës and during a press conference where the regulations were announced, two artists decided to withdraw. These two artists were Samanta Karavella, a five times participant in FiK, and Kejsi Tola, the winner of FiK 47 and the Albanian representative in Eurovision 2009.

The reasons behind Samanta’s withdrawal

During a interview on the Albanian TV show “Më lër të flas“, Samanta broke her silence about her decision to withdraw from this year’s FiK where she was due to participate with her song “N’majē“.

To begin with, Samanta mentions that even though she does not wish to elaborate more about FiK, she sees it as a duty to explain herself to her fans. Hence, she just gave a small explanation. According to Samanta, the reason behind her withdrawal was the organisers’ disapproval of her stage performance. The song with which she was to participate was supposed to be upbeat and rhythmical, necessitating a spectacular stage show. However, this did not meet FiK’s conservative standards.

Kejsi Tola

There was also a mystery behind the withdrawal of the former Eurovision participant, Kejsi Tola, bearing in mind the excitement of the Eurovision fandom on a possible return of hers.

Although Samanta speculated that the reasons behind Tola’s withdrawal might were the same as hers, it is now confirmed by the artist herself that “personal reasons” led her to this decision, reasons that remain unspecified.

Albania’s direction for Eurovision 2024

“My stage performance was disapproved by FiK’s organisers as it did not meet the festival’s criteria” mentions Samanta. The festival’s criteria need to be elaborated more.

As Samanta mentions, the organizing committee of FiK 62 orientates to a Sanremo-type of contest, which is more musical and lyrical and less a spectacular TV show with impressive stage shows, pyros etc.

The aforementioned indicate that Albania aims to return to its Eurovision “basics”, selecting a ballad with impressive vocals, following their two past entries which were more rhythmical and upbeat.

Unfortunately, this strategy has already begun and will continue to cause controversy inside Albania, while successful artists decide to step back from a musical competition and from the country’s representation at a worldwide event, such as Eurovision. As long as the Albanina delegation does get more modernized, more and more famous and beloved around Europe artists will continue not giving a shot for the Albanian representation. Moreover, bearing in mind the return of the three-times FiK winner, Elsa Lila, which has never stepped at the Eurovision stage regardless winning last year’s edition, may cause troubles to RTSH, as she has been the broadcaster’s favorite three times already.

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.

https://youtu.be/TI9rSDhXwyc?si=DUD5l-4Bm9UAWQG8

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all news!

Albania: Another performer drops out of Festivali i Këngës 62!

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Following Kejsi Tola and Samanta, one more performer withdrew from Festivali i Këngës 62.

More specifically, Sardi Strugaj, whose song “Boshatisur” was chosen to be performed at this year’s Festivali i Këngës, announced earlier today that he was pulling out of the popular Albanian competition. Presently, the singer is taking part in the Albanian version of “Dancing With The Stars,” wherein his withdrawal was announced.

Two emerging artists took the position of Kejsi Tola and Samanta. It is still unclear, though, if Sardi Strugaj will be replaced by a different performer.

Festivali i Këngës 62 is set to take place from 19 to 22 December. The country’s Eurovision representative will be chosen by the TV audience, and the festival winner will be chosen by the jury.

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