RTSH have revealed the 26 acts that will be competing in Festivali i Këngës 61.
A total of 26 acts have been chosen by the Albanian broadcaster to compete in the upcoming Festivali i Këngës, which will take place this December. There will 22 soloists, and four groups, who have been chosen by a special committee.
- 2 Farm – “Atomike” (Atomic)
- Alban Kondi & Lorela Karoshi – “Melodi” (Melody)
- Albina Kelmendi – “Duje” (Prayer)
- Anduel Kovaçi – “Malli” (Merchandise)
- Aris Bako – “Sonte dua të jem me ty” (Tonight I want to be with you)
- Melodajna Mancaku – “Gjysma e zemrës sime” (Half of my heart)
- Elisa Lila – “Evita”
- Enxhi Nasufi – “Burrë” (Man)
- Erma Mici – “Kozmosi i dashurisë” (The cosmos of love)
- Evi Reçi – “Ma kthe” (Give me back)
- Fabian Basha – “Një gotë” (A glass)
- Fifi (Filloreta Raçi) – “Stop”
- Franc Koruni – “Në pritje” (Pending)
- Genti Hoxha – “Ajër” (Air)
- Gjergj Kaçinari – “Dje” (Yesterday)
- Luna Causholli – “Jetën ta fal” (I forgive life)
- LYNX – “Nëse ke besim” (If you have faith)
- Manjola Nallbani – “Dua” (Love)
- Permit of Stay – “Fobia” (Phobias)
- Petrit Çarkaxhiu – “Emri yt mirësi” (Your name is good)
- Rezearta Smaja – “N’Eden” (In Eden)
- Rovena Dilo – “Motit” (Weather)
- Sara Kapo – “Para teje” (Before you)
- Serxhio Hajdini – “Vështirë” (Sergio)
- Urban Band – “Në çdo hap” (At every step)
- Vanesa Soni – “Aroma jonë” (Our fragrence)
Your Face Sounds Familar
The list of Festivali i Këngës 61 participants includes some familiar names, including previous Festivali i Këngës winners.
Elsa Lila and Manjola Nallbani have both won Festivali i Këngës multiple times before. Elsa won back-to-back in 1996 and 1997, whilst Manjola won the contest in 1989, 1992 and 1993.
Rezearta Smaja is returning to the contest after finishing in third place last year, and LYNX, who has participated in Festivali i Këngës 51, 55 and 56 is also returning.
As reported in September 2022, OGAE Albania hinted at the return of televoting in Festivali i Këngës. If this is true, it would be the first time since 2016, and only the second time in the history of the contest, that televoting has been used.
Although no specific dates have been confirmed for this years contest, we can expect the shows to take place around mid-late December, as is usually the norm for Festivali i Këngës.
What are your thoughts on the official line-up for Festivali i Këngës 61? Which songs are you most looking forward to hearing? Let us know in the comments below!
