Moments ago, the Albanian national broadcaster confirmed the names of the participants of the 62nd edition of their traditional “Festivali i Këngës” – the festival that they have been using to select their Eurovision entrants from their Eurovision debut in 2004. In this year’s edition a total of 31 acts have been selected to compete.
The full participant list, including the song titles is as follows:
- Besa Krasnici – Esenciale
- Eldis Arnjeti – Një kujtim
- Elsa Lila – Mars
- Erina & The Elementals – Jetën n’Skaj
- Jasmina Hako – Ti
- Jehona Ponari – Evol
- Olimpia Smajlaj – Asaj
- Sergio Hajdini – Uragan
- Shpat Deda – S’mund t’fitoj pa ty
- Tiri Gjoci – Në ëndërr
- Martina Serreqi – Vetëm ty
- Big Basta & Vesa Luma – Mbinatyrale
- Festina Mejzini – Melos
- Mal Retkoceri – Cmendur
- Michela Paluca – Për veten
- Santino De Bartolo – Dua të rri me ty
- Stivi Ushe – Askush si ty
- Kleansa Susaj – Pikturë
- Kejsi Tola – Vallëzoj me dritën
- Kastro Zizo – 2073
- Andi Tanko – Herë pas here
- Anduel Kovaci – Nan’
- Arsi Bako – Zgjohu
- Besa Kokedhima – Zemrën n’dorë
- Bledi Kaso – Cdo gjë mbaroi
- Melodajn Mancaku – Nuk jemi ne
- Olsi Ballta – Unë
- Troy Band – Horizonti i ëndrrave
- Samanta Karavella – N’Majë
- Luan Durmishi – Përsëritja
- Sardi Strugaj – Boshatisur
For big fans of Festivali i Këngës there are multiple well-known names in this list – starting from last year’s winner Elsa Lila who’s trying to do a double-victory, and make it to Eurovision this time, over to Kejsi Tola who represented Albania in Eurovision 2009, and multiple acts who are trying their luck in FiK once again – Besa Krasnici, Eldis Arnjeti, Olimpia Smajlaj, Tiri Gjoci, Festina Mejzini, Kastro Zizo, Besa Kokedhima, Melodajn Mancaku, Samanta Karavello, Sardi Strugaj.
RTSH will introduce changes in this year’s edition, as the winner of the Festival will once again automatically represent Albania in Eurovision, and the winner is going to be selected by a mix of 50% jury votes and 50% televoting, for the first time ever. Elsa Lila was the jury winner (and thus the winner of the Festival) last year with “Evita”, but the Eurovision act was selected by televoting only, and thus the second-placed Albina & Familja Kelmendi represented Albania in Liverpool with “Duje”.
The 31 songs are going to be released at a later date. In the meantime give another listen to last year’s winner of Festivali i Këngës – “Evita” by Elsa Lila:
