Merry FiKmas everyone! National final season is well and truly underway. Following this weekend’s Vidbir, where Ukraine chose their entry for Eurovision 2023, we now come together for Festivali i Këngës as Albania celebrate their music scene and select their artist and song for Liverpool.
Festivali I Këngës: Night 1
26 artists are competing both to win Festivali i Këngës, and to become Albania’s next Eurovision representative. This year, in a change to the competition, Albania’s Eurovision act will be chosen through a public SMS vote, rather than being jury-selected.
Tonight, we heard 13 songs for the first time. These were:
| Running Order | Artist | Song Title | Songwriters | Composers |
| 1 | Enxhi Nasufi | “Burrë” | Alandy (Andrew Vornicu) | Enxhi Nasufi, Alandy (Andrew Vornicu) |
| 2 | Erma Mici | “Kozmosi I Dashurisë” | Erma Mici | Erma Mici |
| 3 | Fabian Basha | “Një Gotë” | Alban Kondi, Fabian Basha | Alban Kondi |
| 4 | Anduel Kovaçi | “Malli” | Irkenc Hyka | Irkenc Hyka |
| 5 | Fifi (Filloreta Raçi) | “Stop” | Fifi (Filloreta Raçi) | Fifi (Filloreta Raçi) |
| 6 | Urban Band | “Në Çdo Hap” | Klodian Rexhepaj | Kelly (Florian Carkanji) |
| 7 | 2 Farm | “Atomike” | Klevis Bega, Renan Berati, Redvis Mazi | Klevis Bega, Renan Berati, Redvis Mazi |
| 8 | Sara Kapo | “Para Teje” | Sara Kapo | Sara Kapo |
| 9 | Rezearta Smaja | “N’Eden” | Eriona Rushiti | Eriona Rushiti |
| 10 | Albina & Familja Kelmendi | “Duje” | Enis Mulla | Enis Mulla |
| 11 | Serxhio Hajdini | “Vështirë” | Serxhio Hajdini | Serxhio Hajdini |
| 12 | Luna Causholli | “Jetën Ta Fal” | Endri Shani | Pandi Laço |
| 13 | Rovena Dilo | “Motit” | Aldo Shqalshi | Rovena Dilo |
What else happened tonight?
Festivali i Këngës 2022 is hosted by Arbana Osmani, who is presenting all four shows. She was joined tonight by actress Olta Daku. Veteran actress Margarita Xhepa also made an appearance, performing an emotional monologue to raise awareness about violence against women in Albania and sharing her own experiences.
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.
Who gave your favourite performances tonight? Could any of these songs get Albania back to the Eurovision final? 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 RTSH
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