Christmas is fast approaching, which also means the return of Albanian music festival Festivali i Këngës! The festival will help select the Albanian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool. We have now learnt one of the hosts for the festival, as well as the dates it will take place.
What you need to know about Festivali i Kënges 2022!
It has been confirmed by Albanian broadcaster RTSH that one of the hosts for Festivali i Kënges will be Arbana Osmani. Arbana also confirmed on her Instagram post that the festival will take place over four days instead of three. The dates for Festivali i Këngës 61 are the 19th, 20th, 21st of December, with the final taking place on December 22nd.
Earlier 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 be the one heading to Liverpool, if not selected by the public.
Festivali i Këngës 61 participants
Earlier this month it was also confirmed which artists would be taking part in this edition of Festivali I Këngës. The participating artists, the name of their entries, as well as the composer and lyricists of their entry are as follows:
| Artist | Entry | Composer | Lyricist |
| 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 this news 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/Arbana Osmani
Photo Credit: EBU/Nathan Reinds
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