Tonight we saw the conclusion to the annual multi-night Albanian selection for Eurovision -Festival i Këngës 62.
Prior to tonight’s show nine acts from the “newcomers” category were eliminated from the semi-finals and would no longer be in contention for winning FiK 62. However, as was the case last year, the jury will decide the winner of the festival from the remaining 22 entries, but the Albanian public will decide their Eurovision artist from all 31 competing entries.
Tonight’s line-up consisted of the following artists and songs:
- Kastro Zizo – “2073”
- Mal Retkoceri – “Çmendur”
- Elrina and the Elementals – “Jetën n’skaj”
- Melodajn Mancaku – “Nuk jemi ne”
- Tiri Gjoci – “Në ëndërr”
- Kleansa Susaj – “Pikturë”
- Irma Lepuri – “Me prit”
- Festina Mejzini – “Melos”
- Eldis Arrnjeti – “Një Kujtim”
- Martina Serreqi – “Vetëm ty”
- Besa Krasniqi – “Essenciale”
- Sergio Hajdini – “Uragan”
- Olimpia Smajlaj – “Asaj”
- Anduel Kovaci – “Nan'”
- Michela Paluca – “Për veten”
- PeterPan Quartet – “Edhe Nje Here”
- Besa Kokëdhima – “Zemrën n’dorë”
- Arsi Bako – “Zgjohu”
- Elsa Lila – “Mars”
- Andi Tanko – “Herë pas here”
- Shpat Deda – “S’mund t’fitoj pa ty”
- Big Basta and Vesa Luma – “Mbinatyrale”
The nine eliminated acts still in contention for Eurovision were as follows in alphabetical order:
- Bledi Kaso – “Çdo gjë mbaroi”
- Eden Baja – “Ajër”
- Jasmina Hako – “Ti”
- Jehona Ponari – “Evoi”
- Luan Durmishi – “Përsëritija”
- Olsi Ballta – “Unë”
- Santino De Bartolo – “Dua të rri me ty”
- Troy Band – “Horizonti I ëndrrave”
You can watch all 31 entries for Festival i Këngës and some extra content on RTSH’s official playlist below.
Following the final performance of the night and interval acts from Aurela Gace, Nik Xhelilaj and La Fazani the results were calculated and awards were handed out by the jury. The jury then revealed that the selected winner of the festival was Mal Retkoceri.
The Albanian televote results were then announced, which once again would decide the next Albanian representative at Eurovision 2024. After a long and suspenseful reveal process, it was announced that Besa Kokëdhima would be heading to Malmo in May to represent their country with her song “Zemrën n’dorë”.
This will be the 20th Albanian entry in Eurovision, with their overall best result coming in 2012 with Rona Nishliu’s song “Suus” finishing in 5th place overall. Last year’s act Albina and Familija Kelmendi finished in 22nd place with the entry “Duje”.
What do #YOU think of Albania’s pick for Eurovision? Let us know on social media @ESCUnited, on our forum, or on Discord!
