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Albania: Watch the performances of the Nostalgia Night of Festivali i Këngës 62!

The third night of the 62nd Festivali i Këngës,the Nostalgia night, where Albania’s representative for Eurovision 2024 in Malmö, will be chosen, took place tonight.

All 31 competing artists performed in pairs or with another guest artist, a song from the history of the Festival or Eurovision. The night was hosted by Adriana Matoshi, Kledi Kadiu, Xhuliano Dule and Krisa Çaushi. 

You can watch tonight’s performances in the following links:

  1. Eldis Arrnjeti & Myfarete Laze – “Pragu i vegjëlisë” (FiK 22, 1983)
  2. Besa Krasniqi & Irma & Eranda Libohova – “Nuk e harroj” (FiK 26, 1987)
  3. Michela Paluca & Kleansa Susaj — “Voilà” (France Eurovision 2021)
  4. Sergio Hajdini & Eneda Tarifa – “Mesnatë” (FiK 9, 1970)
  5. Arsi Bako & Eugent Bushpepa – S’mund të jetoj pa ty” (FIK 34 1995)
  6. Olimpia Smajlaj & Fitnete Tuda –  “Shi bie në Tiranë” (FIK 35 1996)
  7. Mal Retkoceri & Jasmina Hako – “Fairytale” (Norway Eurovision 2009)
  8. Peter Pan Quartet & Troy Band – “Zitti e buoni” (Italy Eurovision 2021)
  9. Festina Mejzini & Florent Abrashi – “Mes nesh është dashuria” (FIK 25 1986)
  10. Tiri Gjoci & Sidrit Bejleri – “Erdh pranvera” (FiK 11 1972)
  11. Andi Tanko & Angus Dei – “Ku është dashuria” (FIK 45 2006)
  12. Olsi Ballta & Erina and the Elementals – “Hard Rock Hallelujah” (Finland Eurovision 2006)
  13. Shpat Deda & Irma Lepuri – “Nel blu, dipinto di blu” (Italy Eurovision 1958)
  14. Jehona Ponari & Martina Serreqi – “Wild Dances”(Ukraine Eurovision 2004)
  15. Melodajn Mancaku & Edmond Mancaku – “Telefonatë zemrash” (FIK 33 1994) 
  16. Big Basta & Vesa Luma & Elton Deda – Qyteti i vjetër” (FIK 36 1997)
  17. Eden Baja & Anxhela Llaha — “Satellite” (Germany Eurovision 2010)
  18. Anduel Kovaçi & Ilir Shaqiri – “Udhët e mia
  19. Kastro Zizo – “Sagapo të dua” (FIK 29 1990)
  20. Besa Kokëdhima & Jehona Sopi – Rrjedh në këngë e ligjërime” (FIK 19 1980)
  21. Elsa Lila Enrico Melozzi“Një serenatë për dy”
  22. Luan Durmishi & Santino De Bartolo — “Insieme: 1992” (Italy Eurovision 1990)
  23. Stivi Ushe & Bledi Kaso – Arcade (The Netherlands Eurovision 2019)

The member of the jury, Adelina Ismaili, standed on the stage of the Palace of Congresses and gave the audience a magical performance, with the song “Zemrën nuk ta fal” from FiK 36.

Also, the presenters greeted once again the members of the professional jury of the Festival.The jury consists of eleven members that will give six 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

Unfortunately from the third night only 8 of the ten new artists made it to the final and they were the following:

  1. Mal Retkoceri – “Çmendur
  2. Shpat Deda – “S’mund t’fitoj pa ty”
  3. Peter Pan Quartet – “Edhe nje here”
  4. Michela Paluca – “Për veten”
  5. Kleansa Susaj – “Pikturë”
  6. Erina and the Elementals – “Jetën n’skaj”
  7. Irma Lepuri – “Me prit”
  8. Martina Serreqi – Vetëm ty”

We remind you that the 22 artists who continue and we will see tomorrow in the grand final are:

  1. Besa Kokëdhima – “Zemrën n’dorë”
  2. Mal Retkoceri – “Çmendur
  3. Eldis Arrnjeti – “Një kujtim”
  4. Shpat Deda – “S’mund t’fitoj pa ty”
  5. Peter Pan Quartet – “Edhe nje here”
  6. Festina Mejzini – “Melos”
  7. Kastro Zizo – “2073”
  8. Melodajn Mancaku – “Nuk jemi ne”
  9. Andi Tanko – “Herë pas here”
  10. Sergio Hajdini – “Uragan”
  11. Olimpia Smajlaj – “Asaj”
  12. Big Basta and Vesa Luma – “Mbinatyrale”
  13. Elsa Lila – “Mars
  14. Michela Paluca – “Për veten”
  15. Anduel Kovaci – “Nan’”
  16. Irma Lepuri – “Me prit”
  17. Erina and the Elementals – “Jetën n’skaj”
  18. Kleansa Susaj – “Pikturë”
  19. Arsi Bako – Zgjohu
  20. Tiri Gjoci – Në ëndërr”
  21. Besa Krasniqi – Esenciale
  22. Martina Serreqi – Vetëm ty”

However, all 31 artists are still on the run to represent Albania because the decision will be made only by the public vote.

  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”
  17. Big Basta and Vesa Luma – “Mbinatyrale”
  18. Elsa Lila – “Mars
  19. Jasmina Hako – “Ti”
  20. Michela Paluca – “Për veten”
  21. Anduel Kovaci – “Nan’”
  22. Irma Lepuri – “Me prit”
  23. Eden Baja – Ajër
  24. Erina and the Elementals – “Jetën n’skaj”
  25. Kleansa Susaj – “Pikturë”
  26. Arsi Bako – Zgjohu
  27. Tiri Gjoci – Në ëndërr”
  28. Besa Krasniqi – Esenciale
  29. Bledi Kaso – “Çdo gjë mbaroi”
  30. Troy Band – “Horizonti i ëndrrave”
  31. Martina Serreqi – Vetëm ty”

 

Like last year, Festivali i Këngës 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 final of Festivali i Këngës 62, will take place tomorrow, December 22 at 21:00 CET, and we will finally learn the Albanian representative for Eurovision 2024.

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

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

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

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.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all news!

Albania: The candidate list of Festivali i Këngës 62!

Earlier today the names of the artists who will compete in the sixty-second Festivali i Këngës and will try to claim the ticket to Malmö were announced, as well as the titles of their songs!

The 31 entries that have been announced are:

  • Erina & The Elementals“Jetën n’Skaj”
  • Eldis Arrnjeti“Një Kujtim”
  • Arsi BakoZgjohu”
  • Olsi BalltaUnë”
  • Big Basta & Vesa LumaMbinatyrale”
  • Troy BandHorizonti i Ëndrrave”
  • Shpat DedaS’mund t’fitoj pa ty”
  • Luan DurmishiPërsëritja”
  • Santino De BartoloDua të rri me ty”
  • Tiri GjociNë Ëndërr”
  • Sergio HajdiniUragan”
  • Jasmina HakoTi”
  • Samanta KaravellaN’maje”
  • Bledi KasoÇdo gje mbaroi”
  • Besa KrasniqiEsenciale”
  • Besa KokedhimaZemrën n’Dorë”
  • Anduel KovaciNan”
  • Elsa LilaMars”
  • Melodajn MancakuNuk jemi ne”
  • Festina MejziniMelos”
  • Michela PalucaPër Veten”
  • Jehona PonariEvol”
  • Mal RetkoceriÇmendur”
  • Martina SerreqiVetëm Ty”
  • Olimpia SmajlajAsaj”
  • Sardi StrugajBoshatisur”
  • Kleansa SusajPikturë”
  • Andi TankoHerë pas Here”
  • Kejsi TolaVallëzoj me Dritën”
  • Stivi UsheAskush si ty”
  • Kastro Zizo2073″

We remind you that this year FIK will take place from Tuesday 19 December to Friday 22 December, when we will find out who will represent the Balkan country in Sweden!

Source: RTSH

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest news regarding Albania’s participation in Eurovision 2024!

Albania: The potential dates of Festivali i Këngës 62!

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.

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