The 2024 Junior Eurovision Song Contest is drawing closer, and Albania will choose their singer and song on September 27th. Earlier this month, RTSH released the names of the 18 contestants vying for the chance to represent their country in Madrid.
Junior Fest 2024 participants
According to the Junior Eurovision rules, the contestants are between the ages of 9 and 14. Participants may come from Albania or Kosovo and the winner was chosen by a jury panel. The 18 contestants competing this year are an increase from the 15 competitors in 2023; two performers, Nikol Çabeli and Kejt Hitaj, are returning from the 2023 edition.
The participants and preview of their entries (which you can listen to by clicking the title of their entries) are as follows:
| Artist | Entry |
| Ami Kokurti | “Reale” |
| Arbëri Dajko | “Ëndrra Në Detin Blu” |
| Armina Kajnozi | “Mama” |
| Boris Metaj | “Se Jemi Ne” |
| David Kerri | “Thirrja E Tokës” |
| Doris Canaj | “Jemi Njësoj” |
| Eden Dami | “Ti Më Sjell Fat” |
| Elora Tahitri | “Me Lajka” |
| Ema Deda | “Hapat” |
| Gedis Germani | “Flutura Prej Letre” |
| Gjon Gjipali | “S’ka Problem” |
| Hana Lamaj | “Medaljon” |
| Kejsi Xheladini | “Dua Të Këndoj” |
| Kejt Hitaj | “Mama” |
| Klejda Bashota | “Një Këngë Për Ty” |
| Kristel Xhafka | “Party” |
| Marina Daka | “Nuk Do Ndalem” |
| Nikol Çabeli | “Vallëzoj” |
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 best result to date: fifth place with “Dambaje” by Mishela Rapo.
In 2023, Viola Gjyzeli performed “Bota ime” in Nice as part of the 21st edition of the Contest. At the close of voting, Viola finished in 8th place in a field of 16. In total, Albania finished with 94 points, of which 43 points came from the online vote and 51 points from the juries.
Are you excited for Albania’s Junior Eurovision 2024 participation? Who would you like to see go to Madrid? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok for more information about Junior Eurovision!
News Source: RTSH
Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU
Tim J