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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: Albina & Familja Kelmendi have filmed their postcard for Eurovision 2023!

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The filming of the postcards of the 37 participants of Eurovision 2023 are now taking place throughout Europe. The next representatives to film their postacard are no others than, Albina & Familja Kelmendi from Albania!

After a few months of preparations and a revamped version of “Duje”, the family had to pause their rehearsals with Sacha Jean-Baptiste, in order to film their postcard for Eurovision 2023!

The filming of the postcard of the Albanian representatives, a short introduction video that will be shown just before their performance in the second Semi-Final, took place at the Grand Park in Tirana and as we can see in the backstage video that BBC posted, the whole family is present in an outdoor barbeque and there will also be some takes with a drone

The following acts have confirmed the filming of their postcards:

  • Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi – “Duje”
  • Austria: Teya & Salena – “Who The Hell Is Edgar”
  • Croatia: Let 3 – “Mama ŠČ”
  • Germany: Lord of the Lost – “Blood and Glitter”
  • Lithuania: Monika Linkytė – “Stay”
  • Moldova: Pasha Parfeni –“Soarele și Luna”
  • Poland: Blanka – “Solo”
  • Slovenia: Joker Out – “Carpe Diem”

Albania is set to perform 14th in the second semi-final which is going to take place on May 11 in Liverpool.

You can watch the reaction of the editors of Eurovisionfun, enjoying the Albanian entry for Eurovision 2023:

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

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: Details about Albina & Familja Kelmendi’s stage performance revealed!

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The composer of “Duje”, gave an interview to RTSH, the public broadcaster of Albania, and revealed some first details about the stafing of the Alba nnian entry for Eurovision 2023.

Eriona Rushiti, who is the composer behind the Albanian song, talking about “Duje” and its staging, explained that the live performance that we are going to see on Liverpool isbeing made with great interest:

“This year, they are working very well for the stage. Especially since there are six people on stage, everything must be correct, the message must be conveyed clearly. I hope that the live song will have a lot of impact.”

Also, talking about this year’s stage director, Sacha Jean-Baptiste, she stated that:

“Sacha has been with her group in Pristina for a week. They work with every frame … how we will move the cameras and the lights. She worked with the choreography for all six members. I believe it will be very nice.”

Eriona Rushiti, also talked a bit about the revamp of the song and the reason it took place in Istanbul:

“That particular studio was chosen due to the fact that it was possible to use the “live” string orchestra and many instruments that were needed for the song. Especially since they know our culture. We couldn’t choose a studio from another country that doesn’t know our beat and the culture we have. The song took on a more modern spirit. We stayed true to the version that was presented at the RTSH Festival, but some other elements were strengthened.”

Albina & Familja Kelmendi are going to perform in the seconf half of the second semi-final of Eurovision 2023 in May 11.

Below you can watch our reaction video to “Duje”:

Source: festivali.rtsh.al

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: Watch the performances from the first night of FiK 61!

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The first night of Festivali i Këngës 61 through which Albania’s representative for Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool will be selected, has been completed. Overall, 26 artists will compete in the contest. The first night was held in Pallati i Kongreseve at Tirana, where we heard the 13 first songs for the first time with a live orchestra and we watched the staging they suggest for the contest. Arbana Osmani is the presenter for FiK 61.

You can watch the performances of the first night at the links below:

  1. Enxhi Nasufi – “Burrë”
  2. Erma Mici – “Kozmosi i dashurisë”
  3. Fabian Basha – “Një gotë”
  4. Anduel Kovaçi – “Malli”
  5. Fifi – “Stop”
  6. Urban Band – “Në çdo hap”
  7. 2 Farm – “Atomike”
  8. Sara Kapo – “Para teje”
  9. Rezarta Smaja – “N’Eden”
  10. Albina & Familja Kelmendi – “Duje”
  11. Sergio Hajdini – “Vështirë”
  12. Luna Causholli – “Jetën ta fal”
  13. Rovena Dilo – “Motit”

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.

Also, Arbana Osmani has presented the professional jury members for the Festival.

The professional jury is comprised of:

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

We remind you that the artists we are going to see tomorrow are:

  1. Melodajn Mancaku
  2. Permit of stay
  3. Arsi Bako
  4. Gjergj Kaçinari
  5. Franc Koruni
  6. Petrit Çarkaxhiu
  7. Elsa Lila
  8. Gent Hoxha
  9. Evi Reçi
  10. Manjola Nallbani
  11. Lynx
  12. Alban & Lore
  13. Vanesa Sono

The final of Festivali i Këngës 61 will be held on Thursday, December 22nd at 22:00 EET where we are going to meet the next Albanian representative.

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