The artists and their song titles for Festivali i Këngës 62 have been revealed.
Albanian broadcaster RTSH has revealed the names of the singers who will be participating in this years edition of Festivali i Këngës, alongside their song titles. In contrast to previous years, the songs will not be released prior to the contest.
A total of 31 acts will be participating in Festivali i Këngës 62, which include some returning acts. Elsa Lila, who won Festivali i Këngës 61 last year will be returning alongside Festivali i Këngës 2008 winner Kesji Tola, who went on to represent Albania at Eurovision 2009 with her song “Carry Me In Your Dreams”. Kastro Zizi has also participated in Festivali i këngës on a many occassions in the past.
- Besa Krasniqi – “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 të fitoj pa ty”
- Tri Gjoci – “Në ëndërr”
- Martina Serreqi – “Vetëm ty”
- Big Basta & 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”
- Kejsi Tola – “Vallëzoj me Dritën”
- 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”
- Samanta Karavello – “N’majë”
- Luan Durmishi – “Përsëritja”
- Sardi Struga – “Boshatisur”
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Festivali i këngës 62 will be comprised of four nights, taking place from December 19th to 22nd. In a first for the festival, the winner will be decided by 50% televoting and 50% jury voting.
A total of 80 submissions were recorded for this years festival. The majority of the submissions were Albanian, but there were also some which came from countries such as Kosovo, North Macedonia, Germany, Sweden, Italy and the US.
Festivali i këngës (Festival of Song) is an annual music competition in Albania organised by broadcaster RTSH, that has been broadcast every year since 1962. Since Albania’s Eurovision debut in 2004, the country has used it to find their representative for the contest.
The most recent winner of Festivali i këngës is Elsa Lila, who won last years festival with “Evita”. Despite winning the festival, a new rule change meant that she wasn’t automatically Albania’s Eurovision 2024 representative. This was decided by a seperate public vote, which was won by Albina & Family Kelmendi and their song “Duje”.
What are your thoughts on the final line-up for Festivali i këngës 62? Which songs are you most looking forward to listening to? Let us know in the comments below!
Photo credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU