After a competitive Junior Fest 2023, RTSH has confirmed that Viola Gjyzeli will represent Albania at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023 to be held in Nice, France on November 26.
Viola Gjyzeli selected for JESC 2023
Overall, Junior Fest 2023 featured 15 young Albanian artists all competing for the ticket to represent the nation at Junior Eurovision 2023. During the show, the jury selected Viola Gjyzeli as its winner. Among the jury included last years’ JESC representative, Kejtlin Gjata and Albania’s Eurovision 2022 representative, Ronela Hajati.
The winning song, ‘Bota Ime’ was composed and written by Enis Mullaj, Eriona Rushiti and Viola Gjyzeli. The full participant and song list is as follows below:
| Ajshel Zykollari | ‘Pas endrrës time eja’ |
| Amra Madani | “Rock Star’ |
| Anja Canaj | ‘E dua erën’ |
| Ea Zoga | ‘Lule n’zemer tuaj’ |
| Elisa Skarra | ‘Një përqafim’ |
| Era Hasanaj | ‘Bisedë me një yll’ |
| Fiona Resuli | ‘Londroj me yjet’ |
| Françeska Kasa | ‘Perfekte jam’ |
| Irsa Haxhillari | ‘Melodinë e saj’ |
| Kejt Hitaj | ‘Eja’ |
| Marianxhela Rodakaj | ‘Afrika’ |
| Nikol Cabeli | ‘Vetëm unë’ |
| Rei Bardhollari | ‘Until tomorrow’ |
| Tea Metohu | ‘Smile’ |
| Viola Gjyzeli | ‘Bota ime‘ |
Albania in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
In their short Junior Eurovision history since 2012, Albania have only achieved one top 10 placing. Back in 2015, Mishela Rapo came fifth with ‘Dambaje’. Later this year, Albania will take part for the ninth time.
Last year, Albania selected the Junior Fest 2022 winner, Kejtlin Gjata to represent the country with ‘Pakëz diell’. During the Yerevan contest, Kejtlin achieved 12th place with 94 points.
Will Albania earn a first victory in JESC 2023? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2024 Eurovision season.
