With just a couple of weeks to go until Albania is set to select its Junior Eurovision 2023 representative, RTSH has now revealed the participants vying to be the country’s representative in Nice.
16 finalists competing to be Albania’s representative
The competing artists and their entry for the competition are as follows:
| Artist | Entry (Translation) |
| Marianxhela Rodakaj | “Afrika” (Africa) |
| Viola Gjyzeli | “Bota Ime” (My World) |
| Irisa Haxhillari | “Melodinë E Saj” (Her Melody) |
| Nikol Cabeli | “Vetëm Unë” (Only Me) |
| Tea Metohu | “Smile” |
| Amra Madani | “Rock Star” |
| Rei Bardhollari | “Hasta Manaña” (Until Tomorrow) |
| Keita Hitaj | “Eja” (Come) |
| Franceska Kasa | “Perfekte Jam” (I’m Perfect) |
| Ajshel Zykollari | “Pas Endrrës Time Eja” (Follow My Dream) |
| Elisa Skarra | “Një Përqafim” (A Hug) |
| Ea Zoga | “Lule N’zemer Tuaj” (Flowers In Your Heart) |
| Fiona Resuli | “Londroj Me Yjet” (London With The Stars) |
| Era Hasanaj | “Bisedë Me Një Yll” (Chat With A Star) |
| Biorin Maxhaxhallaku & Keira Baku | “Violin Apo Kanarin” (Violin Or Canary) |
| Anja Canaj | “E Dua Erën” (I Love The Wind) |
Speaking about Junior Fest 2023, Bojken Lako; the director of this year’s competition has mentioned the following:
Junior Fest this year is conceived as a celebration not only of young singers who have just been selected by the music selection committee in the Junior Fest competition and 16 singers have been selected and the songs that will be finalists will be followed on stage with their songs original and in addition to the selected small singers, there will also be new singers such as Arsi Bako, Niki Zaimi & Band, Melodajn Mancaku, Luna Çausholli
Junior Fest 2023 is set to take place on September 22 at the Pyramid of Tirana (two days later than we earlier reported), where there will be special guests and a night of full surprises.
Albania’s Junior Eurovision Journey
Albania first made its debut to Junior Eurovision in 2012, represented by Igzidora Gjeta, singing her song “Kam një këngë vetëm për ju”. Their first participation was not initially successful, as Albania finished 12th of 12, receiving 35 points. Albania then withdrew for two years, before returning in 2015, achieving their current best result to date. In 2015, Albania finished in fifth place with “Dambaje” by Mishela Rapo.
Albania’s most recent participation came in 2022, when the Balkan nation was represented by Kejtlin Gjata. Her song “Pakëz Diell” was performed in Yerevan, as part of the 20th edition of the Contest. At the close of voting, Kejtlin finished in 12th place in a field of 16. In total, Albania finished with 94 points, of which 43 points came from the online vote. The remaining 51 points came from professional juries.
Are you happy that Albania will be participating at this year’s Junior Eurovision? Who Would you like to see them represent in Nice? Let us know in the comments or on social media! Be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tik-Tok for the latest Eurovision news.
News Source: RTSH
Photo Credit: RTSH
