Festivali I Këngës 61 kicks off in just under one week. As the festival draws closer we have received more and more information about it. It has now been confirmed that last year’s Eurovision Song Contest winners from Ukraine Kalush Orchestra will perform at the Festival next week. It has also been announced that, Eurosong 2023 participant Gala Dragot will also perform as an interval act in Albania next week.
What we know about Festivali I Këngës 61 so far!
Festivali i Këngës returns once again to select Albania’s representative for Eurovision 2023, the festival will take place benne December 19th and December 22nd. There will be 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.
Earlier this week the format of the contest was confirmed. Nights 1 and 2 artists will perform their songs, half the first and the other half the second. night 3 will be a covers night, with final taking place on night 4.
Furthermore, an extra night has been added to the schedule this year. Albanian TV presenter Arbana Osmani will present all four shows. 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)
Who is taking part in Festivali I Këngës 61?
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.
Are you excited for 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: Eurovision Albania
Photo Credit: (L-R) VRT, Maxim Fesenko
