After revealing the participants of this year’s Festivali i Këngës, Albanian broadcaster has released further information about this year’s festival, as well as confirming how the festival will be used to select the Albanian representative for Turin.
SMS vote to select Albania’s Eurovision
With the earlier reports of televoting being introduced in this year’s festival, RTSH has now revealed how this will be implemented in this year’s competition. Usually, the winner of the competition will usually be selected to represent Albania in the contest.
However, RTSH has now confirmed that an SMS vote will now be used to select the Albanian representative for Liverpool, which would mean that the winner of the festival may not be the one heading to Liverpool, if not selected by the public.
26 artists competing to represent Albania in Liverpool
This year, 26 artists consisting of 22 singers and 4 groups will participate in this year’s competition. The participating artists, the name of their entries, as well as the composer and lyricsts of their entry are as follows:
| Artist | Entry | Composer | Lyricst |
| 2 Farm | “Atomike” | Klevis Bega, Renan Berati, Redvis Mazi | Klevis Bega, Renan Berati, Redvis Mazi |
| Alban Kondi & Lorela Karoshi | “Melodi” | Alban Kondi | Alban Kondi |
| Albina Kelmendi | “Duje” | Enis Mulla | Enis Mulla |
| Anduel Kovaçi | “Malli” | Irkenc Hyka | Irkenc Hyka |
| Arsi Bako | “Sonte Dua Të Tem Me Ty” | Osman Mula | Evis Mula |
| Melodajna Mancaku | “Gjysma E Zemrës Sime” | Wendi Mancaku | Melodajna Mancaku |
| Elsa Lila | “Evita” | Elsa Lila | Elsa Lila |
| Enxhi Nasufi | “Burrë” | Alandy (Andrew Vornicu) | Enxhi Nasufi, Alandy (Andrew Vornicu) |
| Erma Mici | “Kozmosi I Dashurisë” | Erma Mici | Erma Mici |
| Evi Reçi | “Ma Kthe” | Ervin Gonxhi | Ervin Gonxhi |
| Fabian Basha | “Një Gotë” | Alban Kondi, Fabian Basha | Alban Kondi |
| Fifi (Filloreta Raçi) | “Stop” | Fifi (Filloreta Raçi) | Fifi (Filloreta Raçi) |
| Franc Koruni | “Në pritje” | Franc Koruni | Franc Koruni |
| Genti Hoxha | “Ajër” | Jeris Kaso | Elio Shuli |
| Gjergj Kaçinari | “Dje” | Gjergj Kaçinari | Gjergj Kaçinari |
| Luna Causholli | “Jetën Ta Fal” | Endri Shani | Pandi Laço |
| LYNX | “Nëse ke besim” | LYNX | LYNX |
| Manjola Nallbani | “Dua” | Kledi Bahiti | Manjola Nallbani |
| Permit of Stay | “Fobia” | Ergys Meta | Ergys Meta |
| Petrit Çarkaxhiu | “Emri Yt Mirësi” | Petrit Çarkaxhiu | Petrit Çarkaxhiu |
| Rezearta Smaja | “N’Eden” | Eriona Rushiti | Eriona Rushiti |
| Rovena Dilo | “Motit” | Aldo Shqalshi | Rovena Dilo |
| Sara Kapo | “Para Teje” | Sara Kapo | Sara Kapo |
| Serxhio Hajdini | “Vështirë” | Serxhio Hajdini | Serxhio Hajdini |
| Urban Band | “Në Çdo Hap” | Klodian Rexhepaj | Kelly (Florian Carkanji) |
| Vanesa Sono | “Aroma Jonë” | Vanesa Sono | Vanesa Sono |
Albania’s Eurovision journey
In 2004, Albania made its debut into the Eurovision Song Contest with Anjeza Shahini with “Image of You” which managed to place 7th in the final. Since their debut, Albania has participated 18 times, and made the final 10 times, with their best result in 2012 where Rona Nishliu placed 5th with “Suus”. In 2022, Ronela Hajati represented Albania with “Sekret”. However, despite being a fan favorite, Albania did not manage to make the final, placing 12th with 58 points from both the juries and televoters.
What do you make of the announcement from Albania? Will you be watching FiK this year? Who would you like to see take part in the selection? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we prepare for Eurovision 2023!
News Source: RTSH
Photo Credit: EBU / Nathan Reinds
Rory Gannon
[…] this month, RTSH confirmed that an SMS vote will now be used to select the Albanian representative for Liverpool, which would mean that the winner of the festival may not […]