Last month, RTSH announced the artists who will compete in the upcoming edition of Festivali i Këngës (FiK). The broadcaster also announced the voting details regarding how Albania’s representative will be selected.
This week, Director of the Contest Arbana Osmani announced that Festivali i Këngës will be held across four days from December 19 to 22. This is the first time since 2009 that the festival has taken place over the course of four days.
This is one of a series of changes that are being introduced for the 61st edition – including the introduction of 100% public voting for the first time.
Eurovision? Albania decides!
Unlike previous years, the 61st Song Festival at RTSH comes with a change related to the song that will represent Albania in Eurovision, the winner of which will be chosen by the public’s votes via SMS. This is the first time a televote has been used in FiK since 2016, when public voting only contributed 7.7% of the overall vote.
There will be a jury but they will award separate awards for Third, Second and First. They will also award one prize for young artists and alternative groups and one prize for established artists.
Competing artists
Here are the artists and songs who will be competing in FiK 61.
- 2 Farm – “Atomike”
- Alban Kondi & Lorela Karoshi – “Melodi”
- Albina Kelmendi – “Duje”
- Anduel Kovaçi -“Malli”
- Arsi Bako – “ Sonte dua të jem me ty”
- Melodajna Mancaku – “Gjysma e zemrës sime”
- Elsa Lila – “Evita”
- Enxhi Nasufi – “Burrë”
- Erma Mici – “Kozmosi i dashurisë”
- Evi Reçi – “Ma kthe”
- Fabian Basha – “Një gotë”
- Fifi – “Stop”
- Franc Koruni – “Në pritje”
- Genti Hoxha – “Ajër”
- Gjergj Kaçinari – “Dje”
- Luna Causholli – “Jetën ta fal”
- LYNX – “Nëse ke besim”
- Manjola Nallbani – “Dua”
- Permit of Stay – “Fobia”
- Petrit Çarkaxhiu – “Emri yt mirësi”
- Rezearta Smaja – “N’Eden”
- Rovena Dilo – “Motit”
- Sara Kapo – “Para teje”
- Serxhio Hajdini – “Vështirë”
- Urban Band – “Në çdo hap”
- Vanesa Sono – “Aroma jonë
Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest
Since their debut at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul, Turkey, Albania has participated at the contest a total of 18 times. Their highest placement was in 2012 when Rona Nishliu placed 5th in the Grand Final with her song “Suus”.
In Turin earlier this year, Ronela Hajati represented Albania with her up-tempo banger ‘Sekret ‘.The song quickly became a fan-favourite among Eurovision fans worldwide, but failed to qualify to the Grand Final. She placed 12th in the first Semi-Final with a total of 58 points.
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