There has been significant news over the past few days surrounding Albania’s Festivali i Këngës 62. The competition, scheduled for December 19th to 22nd, will select the country’s Eurovision 2024 representative.
The team behind Festivali i Këngës 62:
After confirming its participation in August, Albanian broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) has revealed the team that will lead the festival. This includes Bojken Lako (artistic director), Enkel Demi (screenwriter), Elton Deda (singer-songwriter), Adriana Matoshi (presenter) and Pali Kuke (director). Alfred Peza, the general director of RTSH, will direct the shows themselves.
The Running Order:
The running order for nights one and two of Festivali i Këngës 62 was revealed in a press conference Wednesday. 31 acts will take to the stage over the first two nights, 16 on night one (19th December) and 15 on night two (20th December). The running order for both nights are as follows:
Running Order – Night One (December 19)
| Order | Artist | Entry (Translation) |
| 1 | Stivi Ushe | “Askush Si Ty” (Nobody Like You) |
| 2 | Besa Kokëdhima | “Zemrën n’dorë” (Heart In Hand) |
| 3 | Mal Retkoceri | “Çmendur” (Crazy) |
| 4 | Eldis Arnjeti | “Një Kujtim” (A Memory) |
| 5 | Shpat Deda | “S’mund Të Fitoj Pa Ty” (I Can’t Win Without You) |
| 6 | Jehona Ponari | “Evol” (Evolve) |
| 7 | PeterPan Quartet | “Edhe Një Herë” (One More Time) |
| 8 | Festina Mejzini | “Melos” (Lying) |
| 9 | Kastro Zizo | “2073” |
| 10 | Luan Durmishi | “Përsëritja” (Repetition) |
| 11 | Melodajn Mancaku | “Nuk Jemi Ne” (It’s Not Us) |
| 12 | Olsi Ballta | “Unë” (I) |
| 13 | Andi Tanko | “Herë Pas Here” (From Time to Time) |
| 14 | Sergio Hajdini | “Uragan” (Hurrricane) |
| 15 | Santino De Bartolo | “Dua Të Rri Me Ty” (I Want To Stay With You) |
| 16 | Olimpia Smajlaj | “Asaj” (Her) |
Running Order – Night Two (December 20)
| Order | Artist | Entry (Translation) |
| 1 | Big Basta & Vesa Lum | “Mbinatyrale” (Supernatural) |
| 2 | Elsa Lila | “Mars” |
| 3 | Jasmina Hako | “Ti” (You) |
| 4 | Michela Paluca | “Për Veten” (For Myself) |
| 5 | Anduel Kovaci | “Nane” |
| 6 | Irma Lepori | “Më prit” (Wait For Me) |
| 7 | Sardi Struga | “Boshatisur” (Empty) |
| 8 | Erina & The Elementals | “Jetën n’Ska” (Life On The Edge) |
| 9 | Kleansa Susaj | “Pikturë” (Painting) |
| 10 | Arsi Bako | “Zgjohu” (Wake Up) |
| 11 | Tiri Gjoci | “Në ëndërr” (In A Dream) |
| 12 | Besa Krasniqi | “Esenciale” (Essential) |
| 13 | Bledi Kaso | “Çdo Gjë Mbaroi” (Everything Is Over) |
| 14 | Troy Band | “Horizonti i ëndrrave” (The Horizon of Dreams) |
| 15 | Martina Serreqi | “Vetëm Ty” (Only You) |
The running order confirms the withdrawal of Kejsi Tola and Samanta Karavella from the festival. PeterPan Quartet and Irma Lepori have replaced them.
Albania’s Eurovision History:
In 2004, Albania debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest with Anjeza Shahini with “Image of You”, which placed 7th in the final. Since their debut, Albania has participated 19 times, and made the final 10 times, with their best result in 2012 where Rona Nishliu placed 5th with “Suus”.
In 2023, Albina Kelmendi and her family represented Albania at the Contest in Liverpool with their song “Duje”. Performing in the second semi-final, the six-piece group qualified for the final. At the close of the voting in the final, Albania finished in 22nd place with a total of 76 points. Of these, 16 points came from the juries, whilst 59 came from the televote.
Are you excited about Festivali i Këngës 62? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all things Albania at Eurovision 2024!
News Source: RTSH
Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
