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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

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!

 

Albania: Kledi Kadiu will be the host of Festivali i Këngës 62!

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A little while ago RTSH, the public broadcaster of Albania, announced the name of the host of the 62nd Festivali i Këngës which will take place in about a month!

Dancer, choreographer and presenter Kledi Kadiu has been announced as the presenter of Festivali i Këngës 62. He is best known in Albania as well as in Italy for his career as a dancer. He was a dance teacher in the Italian talent show, “Amici di Maria De Filippi” from 2011 to 2017, while he was also a judge in the Albanian “Dancing with the Stars”.

Festivali i Këngës 62 is set to take place at Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana from December 19 to 22. A total of 37 artists will take part both to win the festival and to represent Albania at Eurovision 2024. We remind you that some time ago it was announced that the jury of the festival will determine the winner of Festivali i Këngës 62 and the audience the representative of the country. Below is the running order of the first two nights:

First Night
  1. Stivi Ushe – “Askush si ty” (Nobody like you)
  2. Besa Kokëdhima – “Zemrën n’dorë” (Heart in hand)
  3. Mal Retkoceri – “Çmendur” (Crazy)
  4. Eldis Arnjeti – “Një kujtim” (A memory)
  5. Shpat Deda – “S’mund të fitoj pa ty” (I can’t win without you)
  6. Jehona Ponari – “Evol” (Evolve)
  7. PeterPan Quartet
  8. Festina Mejzini – “Melos”
  9. Kastro Zizo – “2073”
  10. Luan Durmishi – “Përsëritja” (Repetition)
  11. Melodajn Mancaku – “Nuk jemi ne” (It’s not us)
  12. Olsi Ballta – “Unë” (I)
  13. Andi Tanko – “Herë pas here” (From time to time)
  14. Sergio Hajdini – “Uragan” (Hurricane)
  15. Santino De Bartolo – “Dua të rri me ty” (I want to stay with you)
  16. Olimpia Smajlaj – “Asaj” (Her)
Second Night
  1. Big Basta & Vesa Luma – “Mbinatyrale” (Supernatural)
  2. Elsa Lila – “Mars”
  3. Jasmina Hako – “Ti” (You)
  4. Michela Paluca – “Për veten” (For myself)
  5. Anduel Kovaci – “Nane’”
  6. Irma Lepori
  7. Sardi Struga – “Boshatisur” (Empty)
  8. Erina & The Elementals – “Jetën n’Skaj” (Life on the edge)
  9. Kleansa Susaj – “Pikturë” (Painting)
  10. Arsi Bako – “Zgjohu” (Wake up)
  11. Tiri Gjoci – “Në ëndërr” (In a dream)
  12. Besa Krasniqi – “Esenciale” (Essential)
  13. Bledi Kaso – “Çdo gjë mbaroi” (Everything is over)
  14. Troy Band – “Horizonti i ëndrrave” (The horizon of dreams)
  15. Martina Serreqi – “Vetëm ty” (Only you)
The previous winner of Festivali i Këngës and Albania’s representative in Eurovision 2023, were Albina & Familja Kelmendi with the song “Duje”, ending up in 22nd place, while also bringing their country back in the Grand Final:

https://youtu.be/TI9rSDhXwyc

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

Albania: The running order for the first two nights of Festivali i Këngës 62!

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Even at this early stage, the Albanian national selection is already underway. Festivali i Këngës 62, which will indicate the next Albanian representative in Malmö is scheduled to take place as usual in late December.

With the preparations of FiK 62 underway, RTSH held a press conference today, revealing, inter alia, the running order for the first two nights of the competition.

Specifically the running order for the first two nights of Festivali i Këngës 62 is the following:

Night 1
  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
Night 2
  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.   Sardi Strugaj – Boshastisur
  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 – Horizonti i ëndrrave
  15.     Martina Serreqi – Vetëm ty

 

On the aforementioned list, we can notice that the names of Samanta and Kejsi Tola are missing. Indeed, Samanta and Kejsi Tola were replaced by Irma Lepuri and the PeterPan Quartet respectively. The withdrawal of those two artists was revealed just after the announcement of FiK 62 regulations, which were probably the motive that gave them the rise of stepping out of the competition.

Which are FiK 62 regulations?

Although, it was announced that the winner of Festivali i Këngës 62 and hence the Albanian representative in Eurovision 2024 would be decided by both a jury committee and the audience on a 50/50 proportion, it turns out that this scenario is not true. At the press conference today, it was mentioned that the system will remain the same as last year. This means that the jury of the festival will choose the winner of Festivali i Këngës 62 and the TV audience the representative of the country.

The two winners may not be the same, as happened last year when the winner of Festivali i Këngës was Elsa Lila, while the representatives of the country were Albina & Familja Kelmendi.

More announcements regarding the competition

The running order has been decided for the first two nights of this year’s FiK. Moreover, it was mentioned that on the third night, the “big” artists will perform with singers who no longer participate, while the “new” artists will sing in a duet, a song from Eurovision.

Then, the finalists will be announced after the end of the third night.

Albania was represented in Liverpool by Albina & Familja Kelmendi with their song “Duje“. Albania managed to return to the Grand Final, finishing 10th in the public voting and 22nd overall.

https://youtu.be/TI9rSDhXwyc

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all news!

Albania: The potential dates of Festivali i Këngës 62!

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The submission window for the 62nd edition of Festivali i Këngës, the popular Albanian festival, which has also been used as the country’s national selection for Eurovision, closed on October 10.

According to an announcement made by RTSH, more than 80 songs have been submitted, signed by composers not only of Albanian origin, but also from countries such as Kosovo, North Macedonia, Germany, Sweden, Italy and the United States.

When will Festivali i Këngës 62 take place?

According to the OGAE Albania, FiK 62 will be held in four nights, at the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana, from Tuesday, December 19, until Friday, December 22, 2023, when we will find out who will represent Albania in Malmö.

 

Artists selection

The festival will include 27 artists, 14 in the “big” category and 13 newcomers. In fact, we may see the return of a FiK star, Elsa Lila. Elsa Lila has won FiK three times, in 1996, 1997 and 2022 and according to Vip Magazine, she’s planning a return after her success with “Evita” last year.

Changes in voting

Festivali i Këngës will see another change in its voting format in 2023. In last year’s edition, Festivali i Këngës had two separate winners. The winner of the jury voting was crowned as the winner of the festival and the winner of the public vote was the chosen one for the Albanian representation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Indicatively,

  • Elsa Lila with her song “Evita” won the jury voting and was crowned as the winner of Festivali i Këngës 61
  • Albina & Familja Kelmendi with “Duje” won the public vote, being the jury runner-up and won the ticket to Liverpool

This year and according to Bojken Lako, the artistic director of Festivali i Këngës 62, the winner and consecutively the Eurovision 2024 Albanian representative will be chosen accordingly through a combination of jury and public vote. Hence, a Eurovision-style 50/50 format will be used in order to select the next Albanian act.

Festivali i Këngës has now started to implement the public opinion more, especially when it comes to Eurovision. For many years it was accused of corruption and the country’s inability to respond to the modern-day Eurovision standards.

https://youtu.be/748J3WWznds

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all news about Albania’s participation in Eurovision 2024!

Albania: Elsa Lila returns to Festivali i Këngës 62!

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After last year’s triumph with the song “Evita”, Elsa Lila is reportedly returning to Festivali i Këngës 62, in order to claim her fourth win in the Festival! Read more

Albania: A 50/50 combination of jury and public vote will decide the winner of Festivali i Këngës 62!

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Albania will choose its Eurovision 2024 act, as usual, via Festivali i Këngës. Festivali i Këngës has been used as the Albania’s selection format since its inaugural participation in 2004, being a music festival of great significance for the country’s music scene with a history of more than five decades.

The submission window for Festivali i Këngës 62 remains open till tomorrow, October 10th and the artists interested in participating can still submit their entries to the national broadcaster.

Changes in voting format

While the submissions are still open, it was confirmed that Festivali i Këngës will see another change in its voting format in 2023. In last year’s edition, Festivali i Këngës had two separate winners. The winner of the jury voting was crowned as the winner of the festival and the winner of the public vote was the chosen one for the Albanian representation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Indicatively,

  • Elsa Lila with her song “Evita” won the jury voting and was crowned as the winner of Festivali i Këngës 61
  • Albina & Familja Kelmendi with “Duje” won the public vote, being the jury runner-up and won the ticket to Liverpool

This year and according to Bojken Lako, the artistic director of Festivali i Këngës 62, the winner and consecutively the Eurovision 2024 Albanian representative will be chosen accordingly through a combination of jury and public vote. Hence, a Eurovision-style 50/50 format will be used in order to select the next Albanian act.

 

This is another change that Festivali i Këngës sees in its voting format. Festivali i Këngës has now started to implement the public opinion more, especially when it comes to Eurovision. For many years it was accused of corruption and the country’s inability to respond to the modern-day Eurovision standards.

Festivali i Këngës 62 is expected to be hosted in late December and will include 27 artists, 14 in the category of “big” and 13 newcomers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=748J3WWznds

What do you think about the public’s involvement in Festivali i Këngës? Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all news!