🇦🇱 Festivali i Këngës 2022 format confirmed

We’re just less than a week away from the opening night of Albania’s Festivali i Këngës. Today, presenter Arbana Osmani and RTSH have revealed more details about the format that this year’s competition will take.

Four nights of music

The first two nights on the 19th and 20th December will see all 26 acts perform their competing songs. This will likely include 13 artists on each night. On the 21st December, a gala night will be held, where all participants will perform songs from previous editions of the contest, with orchestrations from Shpëtim Saraçi. The final night on 22nd December will have all participants perform their competing entries again, and the winner will be chosen.

Osmani also revealed that the special guests over the course of each night will be Margarita Xhepa, Kledi Kadiu, Ambeta Toromany and Gala Aliaj (who is currently competing to represent Belgium as part of their 2023 national final). She added that RTSH were in talks with Kalush Orchestra, but they have not yet confirmed whether they will be able to attend.

Tickets for the first three nights of Festivali i Këngës are available to buy now.

About Festivali i Këngës 2022

Festivali i Këngës returns once again to select Albania’s representative for Eurovision 2023, but with some changes to the format this year! Most notably, the Eurovision representative will be chosen through a public SMS vote rather than a jury selection like in previous years.

Furthermore, an extra night has been added to the schedule this year. Albanian TV presenter Arbana Osmani will present all four shows.

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.

Will you be buying tickets to FiK this year? Who are you the most excited to see perform? 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/ESC Discord

Photo Credit: RTSH