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Eurovision 2023: Albania’s First Rehearsal!

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Next up on stage we will be seeing Albina & Familja Kelmendi on their first rehearsal as the representatives of Albania in this year’s competition with “Duje”.

Who are Albina & Familja Kelmendi?

Albina Kelmendi has energised the Albanian pop scene with her fierce vocal talent. At just 16, she reached the final of ‘The Voice of Albania’, after all 4 judges turned their chairs in her first audition. Since then, she’s smashed through various song contests across Europe.

The talented vocalist has always been surrounded by song, growing up in a house of professional musicians, and now two generations of the Kelmendi clan are joining voices to perform in Liverpool.

And music really is a family affair – Albina’s mother Albana and her father Bujar fell in love through music. Alongside her brother Albin and sisters Vesa and Sidorela, they will all be taking to the Eurovision stage.

The Rehearsal

Unfortunately this year, accredited journalists don’t get the chance to watch the first and second rehearsals, so we only get the information and content that the organizers officially release to the public.

Albina gives it all the vocals from the opening note. “Duje” is such a heartfelt and dramatic song of love and family togetherness, with the family providing beautiful harmonies and some great dance moves.

Like Switzerland on Sunday, the staging for this is the work of Sacha Jean-Baptiste, and the LED wall is all about the black and red of the Albanian flag. There is a lot of pyro, too.

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

Below you can watch a small clip from the Albanian first rehearsal on TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@eurovision/video/7228656496714829083?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7227755983479670299

The second rehearsal for Albania will be held on the 5th of May, when we will know how things will appear on screen for Albina & Familja Kelmendi.

Follow us on all social media, so you do not miss a moment of what will happen in Liverpool:

Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all the latest news regarding Albania’s entry in Eurovision 2023!

Source: eurovision.tv

Albania: More details for the Eurovision Staging of “Duje”!

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Albina shared more details about the staging of her song “Duje“, for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool.

Speaking on “Më prit në fundjave” on RTSH this past weekend the Albanian representative Albina has spoken about what viewers can expect from her and her families performance at Eurovision 2023.

She explained that Sacha Jean-Baptiste who is the Creative Director for Albania’s performance liked their performance from Festivali i Kenges in December.

For the Eurovision stage, the Albanian performance will feature pyrotechnic effects, lighting and graphics on the screens behind the performance. Albina added that she really wants the power of the song and her voice to be the focus of the performance.

Below you can watch the reaction video for Albania in Eurovision 2023:

Source: RTSH

Albina & Familja Kelmendi will perform in the 14th place of the second semi-final on May 11.

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun for all the updates regarding the Albanian entry in the upcoming 2023 Eurovision Song Contest!

Albania: Listen to the revamped version of “Duje” for Eurovision 2023!

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Albina & Familja Kelmendi, the Albanian entrants for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, have released the revamp of their Fik61 winning song and the official music video.

As for the revamp of “Duje”, this was done with the participation of live musical instruments including 60 strings in a studio in Istanbul. The song will be performed entirely in the Albanian language and does not differ much from the version heard at Festivali i Këngës.

Listen to “Duje” below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp8OG4ApocI

Albina & Familja Kelmendi will perform in the second half of the second semi-final on May 11.

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun for all the updates regarding the Albanian entry in the upcoming 2023 Eurovision Song Contest!

 

Albania: “Duje” to remain in Albanian for Eurovision 2023!

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A few days ago, Festivali i Këngës 61 ended with Albina & Familja Kelmendi being the ones who received the ticket to represent Albania in the Eurovision 2023 contest, with the song “Duje“.

Speaking to RTSH, Albina made revelations about the song “Duje” in Eurovision 2023. In an interview with Albania’s public broadcaster, Albina confirmed that “Duje” will remain in Albanian, meaning that Albania is one of the countries that chooses its own language in Eurovision every year since 2018.

However, one more tradition of the country that will continue in 2023 is that the song will be revamped ahead of the competition this May in Liverpool as she revealed.

Below, watch the winning performance of Albina & Familja Kelmendi, with the song “Duje” that will represent Albania at Eurovision 2023:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZxe3Ce6yEI

Watch the Eurovisionfun team react to Albina & Familja Kelmendi with the song  “Duje”, Albania’s entry for Eurovision 2023!

Source: Eurovision Albania

What do you think will be the fate of Albania in Eurovision 2023? Tell us in the comments below!

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all developments regarding Albania’s participation in Eurovision 2023!

Albania: Eurovisionfun Reacts to Eurovision 2023 Entry ”Duje” (video)

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For one more year, the Public Television of Albania (RTSH) chose to participate in Eurovision through FiK. The grand final took place at Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana, with Albina & Familja Kelmendi receiving at the end of the night the ticket to Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool!

The Eurovisionfun team couldn’t help but see and comment on “Duje”, the country’s entry for the upcoming Eurovision contest! Enjoy Bogiannos Apostolos, Matamis Apostolis and Gialetzi Stella in a delightful reaction video with detailed commentary for the second entry for the 2023 edition of Eurovision!

Below, watch the winning performance of Albina & Familja Kelmendi, with the song “Duje” that will represent Albania at Eurovision 2023:

What do you think will be the fate of Albania in Eurovision 2023? Tell us in the comments below!

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all developments regarding Albania’s participation in Eurovision 2023!

 

Albania: With Albina & Familja Kelmendi and “Duje” at Eurovision 2023!

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Festivali i Këngës 61 has just ended, having selected Albina & Familja Kelmendi with the song “Duje” as the big winners.

Once again the Albanian Public Television (RTSH) has chosen their participation in Eurovision through FiK. The grand final was held at Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana, with Arbana Osmani being the host. The 21 artists who made it to the final gave their best shot in order to claim the vote of the TV audience and the victory that would give them the ticket to Liverpool in May.

The 21 finalists were:

  1. 2 Farm –“Atomike”
  2. Sergio Hajdini – “Vështirë”
  3. Gjergj Kaçinari – “Dje”
  4. Alban Kondi & Lore – “Melodi”
  5. Vanesa Sono – “Aroma jonë”
  6. Elsa Lila – “Evita”
  7. Erma Mici – “Kozmosi i dashurisë”
  8. Franc Koruni – “Në pritje”
  9. Gent Hoxha – “Ajër”
  10. Petrit Çarkaxhiu – “Emri yt mirësi”
  11. Melodajn Mancaku – “Gjysma e zemrës sime”
  12. Manjola Nallbani – “Dua”
  13. Urban Band – “Në çdo hap”
  14. Enxhi Nasufi – “Burrë”
  15. Rovena Dilo – “Motit”
  16. Fifi – “Stop”
  17. Rezarta Smaja – “N’Eden”
  18. Evi Reçi – “Ma kthe”
  19. Fabian Basha – “Një gotë”
  20. Albina & Familja Kelmendi – “Duje”
  21. Lynx – “Nëse ke besim”

Results

Tonight on the last night of the Festival the first 3 prizes were awarded: first place, second place and third place. An award for young artists and alternative groups and a career award, were also awarded by the professional jury.

The professional jury was comprised of:

  • Genc Saliu
  • Alma Bektashi
  • Zhani Ciko
  • Rita Petro
  • Elton Deda

The Award for Young Artists and Alternative Groups was awarded to Erma Mici with the song “Kozmosi i dashurisë“.

The Career Award which was awarded by the professional jury was given to Rovena Dilo with the song “Motit“.

The 3rd place was won by 2 Farm with the song “Atomike“, the 2nd place by Albina & Familja Kelmendi with the song “Duje“ and the big winner of Festivali i Këngës 61 is Elsa Lila with the song “Evita“. Elsa Lila wins FiK for the third time, as she has also won both FiK 96 and FiK 97, and is one of the few artists having won the contest two years in a row.

After the Festivali i Këngës awards were given by the professional jury, the presenter announced the song that was exclusively selected by the TV audience’s vote via SMS and will represent Albania in Eurovision 2023. The winner that claimed the ticket to Liverpool is Albina & Familja Kelmendi with the song “Duje“.

Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest

In 2023 we will have Albania’s 20th participation in the competition, which debuted in 2004, with Anjeza Shahini and “The Image Of You” that reached the honorable seventh place! RTSH showed interest in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 as well. However, three other countries made their debut that year and Albania was not allowed to participate in the contest. In the following years, it managed to qualify ten times for the final and eight more times to stay in the semi-finals.

The best result Albania has ever achieved was in 2012 with Rona Nishliu and “Suus” finishing in fifth place.

Below is Albina & Familja Kelmendi‘s winning performance, with the song that will represent Albania at Eurovision 2023:

Watch the Eurovisionfun team react to Albina & Familja Kelmendi with the song  “Duje”, Albania’s entry for Eurovision 2023!

What do you think will be Albania’s fate at Eurovision 2023?

Albania: Tonight the grand final of Festivali i Këngës 61!

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The big day for the selection of Albania’s representative at Eurovision 2023 has arrived. Tonight concludes the four-day celebration of Albanian music, with the 21 artists taking to the stage again at Pallati i Kongreseve for the fourth and final night of Festivali i Këngës 61.

The participants

21 artists take part in the grand final of FiK 61, with the big winner getting the ticket to Liverpool.

The 21 participants that will perform at the grand final of Festivali i Këngës 61 are:

  1. Enxhi Nasufi – “Burrë”
  2. Erma Mici – “Kozmosi i dashurisë”
  3. Fabian Basha – “Një gotë”
  4. Fifi – “Stop”
  5. Urban Band – “Në çdo hap”
  6. 2 Farm – “Atomike”
  7. Rezarta Smaja – “N’Eden”
  8. Albina & Familja Kelmendi – “Duje”
  9. Sergio Hajdini – “Vështirë”
  10. Rovena Dilo – “Motit”
  11. Melodajn Mancaku – “Gjysma e zemrës sime”
  12. Gjergj Kaçinari – “Dje”
  13. Franc Koruni – “Në pritje”
  14. Petrit Çarkaxhiu – “Emri yt mirësi”
  15. Elsa Lila – “Evita”
  16. Gent Hoxha – “Ajër”
  17. Evi Reçi – “Ma kthe”
  18. Manjola Nallbani – “Dua”
  19. Lynx – “Nëse ke besim”
  20. Alban Kondi & Lore – “Melodi”
  21. Vanesa Sono – “Aroma jonë”

Unlike previous editions, at FiK 61 the first prize of Festivali i Këngës will be determined from the professional jury and from a special media jury seen for the first time, while the song that will represent Albania in Eurovision 2023 will be selected with the televoting through SMS.

The professional jury is comprised of:

  • Genc Saliu
  • Alma Bektashi
  • Zhani Ciko
  • Rita Petro
  • Elton Deda

Arbana Osmani is the presenter for FiK 61 and once again it will be held at the stage of Pallati i Kongreseve at Tirana.

The grand final of Festivali i Këngës 61 will be held today at 22:00 EET where we are going to meet the next Albanian representative. You can watch it live at the link below.

Tune in to our livestream at 23:15 EET for listening to our comments about the Festivali i Këngës 61 grand final and our opinion about the Albanian representative for Eurovision 2023! You can watch it here.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding Albania’s participation in Eurovision 2023!

Albania: FiK61 songs will be presented directly through the Live Shows!

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Through her personal account on Instagram, Arbana Osmani, presenter of Festivali i Këngës 61, confirmed that the songs competing in Festivali i Këngës 61 will not be revealed until the live shows in December.

This means that after many years, the songs of the artists at FiK61, will be presented directly through the show nights, just like in Sanremo.

FiK 61 will take place on 19,20,21,22 of December 2022. The Albanian Public Broadcaster RTSH, revealed that for the first time, the act which is going to represent Albania in Eurovision will be decided entirely by a public vote, while a jury will vote to determine the results of the festival, but its verdict will not be considered for the act which will represent Albania.

This replaces the previous methods used at Festivali i Këngës, where a jury alone or a jury in combination with a televote would select the winner of Festivali i Këngës, who would represent Albania at Eurovision. This year will also see three different prizes awarded by the jury:

  • First, Second and Third in the jury vote
  • First for young artists and alternative groups
  • First for established artists

Popular singer Flori Mumajesi will be the artistic director of the 61st version of the festival. The artists that will take part are:

  • 2 Farm – “Atomike” (Atomic)
  • Alban Kondi & Lorela Karoshi – “Melodi” (Melody)
  • Albina Kelmendi – “Duje” (Prayer)
  • Anduel Kovaçi – “Malli” (Merchandise)
  • Aris Bako – “Sonte dua të jem me ty” (Tonight I want to be with you)
  • Melodajna Mancaku – “Gjysma e zemrës sime” (Half of my heart)
  • Elisa Lila – “Evita”
  • Enxhi Nasufi – “Burrë” (Man)
  • Erma Mici – “Kozmosi i dashurisë” (The cosmos of love)
  • Evi Reçi – “Ma kthe” (Give me back)
  • Fabian Basha – “Një gotë” (A glass)
  • Fifi (Filloreta Raçi) – “Stop”
  • Franc Koruni – “Në pritje” (Pending)
  • Genti Hoxha – “Ajër” (Air)
  • Gjergj Kaçinari – “Dje” (Yesterday)
  • Luna Causholli – “Jetën ta fal” (I forgive life)
  • LYNX – “Nëse ke besim” (If you have faith)
  • Manjola Nallbani – “Dua” (Love)
  • Permit of Stay – “Fobia” (Phobias)
  • Petrit Çarkaxhiu – “Emri yt mirësi” (Your name is good)
  • Rezearta Smaja – “N’Eden” (In Eden)
  • Rovena Dilo – “Motit” (Weather)
  • Sara Kapo – “Para teje” (Before you)
  • Serxhio Hajdini – “Vështirë” (Tough)
  • Urban Band – “Në çdo hap” (At every step)
  • Vanesa Soni – “Aroma jonë” (Our fragrence)

The previous version of the festival was won by Ronela Hajati with the song “Secret” which despite being high in the betting odds, placed 12th in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=_jWXmo0-ZjI&feature=emb_title

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Albanian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool!

Albania: RTSH adds Televoting in Festivali i Këngës 61!

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The traditionally first Eurovision pre-selection national final of the season, is going to experience something no less than a revolution. The Albanian national broadcaster RTSH decided to add the possibility of televoting in Festivali i Këngës 61. This means that Albanian TV viewers will be able to have a word for who is going to represent them at Eurovision Song Contest 2023 that will take place at United Kingdom. However, the percentage that televoting points will hold for the final score of each participant is still unknown. Last time that televoting was used in FiK was at 2016 (for the selection of the Albanian representative for Eurovision 2017) and held 1/13 of the final result, while jury voting held 12/13. Televoting was used for the first time in FiK at 2005, for the selection of the Eurovision 2006 Albanian representative.

The news became known via the official Instagram account of OGAE member Eurovision Albania.

As announced earlier in August, Festivali i Këngës 61 will be presented by one of the most loved Albanian TV personalities, Arbana Osmani, while the art director will be Flori Mumajesi, one of the most successful songwriters of the new generation. RTSH has opened song submissions for FiK 61 since June 3rd, while the shows’ dates are yet to be announced. The submission window will be opened until September 30th.

Ronela Hajati won FiK 60 with the ethnic-pop song “Sekret”. It is quite rare for such a song to win FiK, that’s why it’s the first FiK winner of that kind for the first time in many years. She represented Albania in Eurovision 2022 and couldn’t manage to progress in the Grand Final, finishing 12th in the First Semi-Final.

Source: OGAE Albania

 

Albania: FiK 61 contributors announced!

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The first traditionally national final of the season (although the Czech Republic like to challenge this in recent years) is Albania’s FiK. The key contributors to the upcoming festival have been revealed today.
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