🇦🇱 Festivali i Këngës 65 participants revealed

RTSH has announced the 28 artists competing at Festivali i Këngës 65, with the festival expected to select Albania’s representative for Eurovision 2027. Among the names confirmed is former Albanian Eurovision representative Kejsi Tola.

The artists competing at Fest 65

The list was published following an application period that ran from 22 to 27 September, with submissions reviewed by a selection committee. Here are all 28 artists who will take part in the December festival:

Several artists on this year’s list have competed at Festivali i Këngës before, including Adhurim Demiri, Algert Sala, Ardit Çuni, Arsi Bako, Djemtë e Detit, Eldis Arrnjeti, Gigliola Haveriku, Gjergj Jorgaqi, Kejsi Jazxhi, Kejsi Tola, Martina Serreqi, Michela Paluca, Orgesa Zaimi, Sara Bajraktari, Sigi Bastri and Vanesa Sono.

Kejsi Tola will be one of the most familiar names to Eurofans. She represented Albania at the 2009 Contest with ‘Carry Me in Your Dreams’, finishing 17th in the Grand Final with 48 points. She has also competed at FiK on several occasions, most recently in 2013.

Arsi Bako, who competed at FiK in 2023 and 2024, earned her place in this year’s competition by winning Festivali i Pranverës 2026 with ‘Humb’.

As previously reported, Alfred Kaçinari and Shpëtim Saraçi have been appointed as the new artistic directors of Festivali i Këngës 65, taking over from Elhaida Dani.

Both bring plenty of experience to the festival as they previously worked together on FiK in 1999 and 2016, while Kaçinari also served as artistic director in 2001 and 2003, and Saraçi in 2011 and 2014.

What do we know about this year’s festival?

RTSH has confirmed that all 28 competing songs must be performed entirely in Albanian, must not exceed four minutes and must be original, previously unpublished works. The rules also prohibit the use of artificial intelligence at every stage of the creative process, with the broadcaster placing an emphasis on human-created music. All participating artists must be over 18, and each will compete with one song.

The festival will take place in December, although the broadcaster has not yet announced the full schedule or confirmed whether the previous format of two semi-finals will return. The songs and their release dates are also still to be announced.

Albania’s Eurovision journey

In 2004, Albania made their debut into the Eurovision Song Contest with Anjeza Shahini with “Image of You”, which placed 7th in the final. Since their debut, Albania has participated 20 times, and made the final 10 times. They achieved their best result in 2012, where Rona Nishliu placed 5th with “Suus”.

Alis debuted in Festivali i Këngës 63 in December 2024, placing third with his song “Mjegull”. The singer returned to FiK in December of 2025, and won with his song “Nân”. Alis represented Albania in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna with “Nân”. He made it to the Grand Final, where he ultimately finished in 13th place with 145 points. A total of 60 of these came from the jury, while the remaining 85 points came from the televote.

Which of the 28 artists are you most looking forward to hearing? And who would you like to see represent Albania at Eurovision 2027? 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, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, Bluesky, and ZOOP for more information about Eurovision 2027!

News source: RTSH

Image credits: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU