🇦🇱 Albina & Familja Kelmendi to represent Albania in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest

After four nights of competition, Festivali i Këngës has come to an end. Albina & Familja Kelmendi has been selected to represent Albania at Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool with the song Duje!

Festivali I Këngës: Night 4

26 artists competed 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 was chosen through a public SMS vote, rather than being jury-selected.

Other awards in the festival were presented to:

• Best Newcomer/Alternative: Erma Mici – “Kozmosi I Dashurisë”
• Best Overall Career: Rovena Dilo – “Motit”
• 3rd Place: 2 Farm – “Atomike”
• 2nd Place: Albina & Familja Kelmendi – “Duje”
• 1st Place: Elsa Lila – “Evita”

Check out our previous nights’ recaps here!

• Night 1
• Night 2
• Night 3

For this year’s festival, five of the artists from the newcomer category, made the final. The 21 artists and songs competing in the final of this year’s Festivali i Këngës were:

Running Order	Artist	Entry	Songwriters	Composers
1	2 Farm	“Atomike”	Klevis Bega, Renan Berati, Redvis Mazi	Klevis Bega, Renan Berati, Redvis Mazi
2	Sergio Hajdini	“Vështirë”	Sergio Hajdini	Sergio Hajdini
3	Gjergj Kaçinari	“Dje”	Gjergj Kaçinari	Gjergj Kaçinari
4	Alban Kondi & Lorela Karoshi	“Melodi”	Alban Kondi	Alban Kondi
5	Vanesa Sono	“Aroma Jonë”	Vanesa Sono	Vanesa Sono
6	Elsa Lila	“Evita”	Elsa Lila	Elsa Lila
7	Franc Koruni	“Në pritje”	Franc Koruni	Franc Koruni
8	Genti Hoxha	“Ajër”	Jeris Kaso	Elio Shuli
9	Petrit Çarkaxhiu	“Emri Yt Mirësi”	Petrit Çarkaxhiu	Petrit Çarkaxhiu
10	Melodajna Mancaku	“Gjysma E Zemrës Sime”	Wendi Mancaku	Melodajna Mancaku
11	Manjola Nallbani	“Dua”	Kledi Bahiti	Manjola Nallbani
12	Urban Band	“Në Çdo Hap”	Klodian Rexhepaj	Kelly (Florian Carkanji)
13	Erma Mici	“Kozmosi I Dashurisë”	Erma Mici	Erma Mici
14	Enxhi Nasufi	“Burrë”	Alandy (Andrew Vornicu)	Enxhi Nasufi, Alandy (Andrew Vornicu)
15	Rovena Dilo	“Motit”	Aldo Shqalshi	Rovena Dilo
16	Fifi	“Stop”	Fifi	Fifi
17	Rezarta Smaja	“N’Eden”	Eriona Rushiti	Eriona Rushiti
18	Evi Reçi	“Ma Kthe”	Ervin Gonxhi	Ervin Gonxhi
19	Fabian Basha	“Një Gotë”	Alban Kondi, Fabian Basha	Alban Kondi
20	Albina & Familja Kelmendi	“Duje”	Enis Mulla	Enis Mulla
21	LYNX	“Nëse ke besim”	LYNX	LYNX

All of the 26 competing artists were in the running to represent Albania at Eurovision 2023, including those in the newcomers’ section who did not advance to the final.

What else happened tonight?

Festivali i Këngës 2022 was hosted by Arbana Osmani, who presented all four shows. She was joined tonight by Mirush Kabashi, one of Albania’s most famous actors, who performed a monologue poem about the importance of democracy, and a tribute to writers who were punished during Enver Hoxha’s rule. Actress and comedian Olta Daku also appeared throughout the proceedings.

Gala Dragot, an Albanian artist who will be competing as part of Belgium’s national final, provided her song “Contagious” as the votes were cast and jury decisions were made. Her father, singer Robert Aliaj, joined her on stage to perform. They were followed by a troupe of folk dancers led by Kledi Kadiu and Anbeta Toromany, who showcased dances from different regions across Albania.

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.

Did your favourite artist win? Will we see Albania in the Grand Final in Liverpool? 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