Albania: 'Festivali i Këngës 62' lineup is announced
18 October 2023 at 12:45 CEST
Albina & Familja Kelmendi performing Duje for Albania at the Second Semi-Final at Liverpool Arena
Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
Albanian broadcaster RTSH has published the list of artists that will be competing at 'Festivali i Këngës' later this year, along with the titles of the songs they'll be competing with.
This article was updated on November 2.
It started in 1962 and in December it returns for edition number 62 - Albania's Festivali i Këngës is upon us once more, heralding the much-anticipated return of national final season.
Used as the format to select Albania's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest every year since the country's debut in 2004, Festivali i Këngës 62 will determine which artist and song gets to represent the nation at Malmö in 2024.
And as well as finding Albania's next Eurovision entry, the prestigious event - which will take place at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana - is also sure to be the usual treasure trove of musical delights and artistic gems we're treated to annually.
Flying that Albanian flag in Sweden will be one of these 31 participating songs:
Besa Krasniqi – Esenciale Eldis Arnjeti – Një kujtim Elsa Lila – Mars Erina dhe The Elementals – Jetën n'Skaj Jasmina Hako – Ti Jehona Ponari – Evol Olimpia Smajlaj – Asaj Sergio Hajdini – Uragan Shpat Deda – S'mund të fitoj pa ty Tri Gjoci – Në ëndërr Martina Serreqi – Vetëm ty Big Basta dhe Vesa Luma – Mbinatyrale Festina Mejzini – Melos Mal Retkoceri – Çmendur Michela Paluca – Për veten Santino De Bartolo – Dua të rri me ty Stivi Ushe – Askush si ty Kleansa Susaj – Pikturë Kastro Zizo – 2073 Andi Tanko – Herë pas here Anduel Kovaci – Nane' Arsi Bako – Zgjohu Besa Kokëdhima – Zemrën n'dorë Bledi Kaso – Çdo gjë mbaroi Melodajn Mancaku – Nuk jemi ne Olsi Ballta – Unë Troy Band – Horizonti i ëndrrave Luan Durmishi – Përsëritja Sardi Struga – Boshatisur PeterPan Quartet - TBC Irma Lepori - TBC
Festivali i Këngës 62 will take place from December 19 to 22.
Before Festivali i Këngës 62 finds Albania's Eurovision Song Contest entry in December, the country has its participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest to look forward to.
Viola Gjyzeli will represent Albania in Nice on 26 November with the song Bota Ime. Viola Gjyzeli competed in a field of 16 competitors at Junior Fest 2023 at the Pyramid of Tirana to win the ticket to France.
At the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, Albina and Familja Kelmendi represented Albania with the song Duje, progressing to the Grand Final and finishing in 22nd place.
