1, 2, 3 Ta Marrsha! Albanian broadcaster RTSH have just opened the applications for the 61st editions of Festivali i Këngës! In the past years, the winner of the festival will also represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest, but doesn’t mention if it also will be used as their selection process for ESC in 2023. The announcement was accompanied with a video that was spread on the official social accounts of the broadcaster:
To participate in the 61st edition of Festivali i Këngës, you are required to submit:
– The final version of the song (no more than 4 minutes long);
– Final version of the instrumental, with and without accompanying voices;
– Full text of the song;
– The names of the authors of the song, the songwriter and the composer;
– Photo’s and a biography of the singer or group, including other activities, awards and special mentions.
Interested can submit their entry online by sending a mail with all of the above to festival@rtsh.al. You can check out the official website for more information.
About Festivali i Këngës
Festivali i Këngës is an annual music competition in Albania organised by the national broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). Broadcast every year since its inauguration in 1962, it has also determined the country’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest since 2004.
The first edition of Festivali i Këngës took place on 21 December 1962 at the High Institute of Arts in Tirana and was won by Vaçe Zela performing the song ”Fëmija i parë.” The 1972 edition was a turning point for the contest, in which dictator Enver Hoxha prosecuted the organisers of Festivali i Këngës 11 after declaring them “enemies of the public”. After the 1972 edition the contest dwelled in a period of extreme pressure and censorship.
With the fall of communism during the early 90s, Festivali i Këngës got a temporary boost in both quality and diversity. Up until 1999, Festivali i Këngës was the biggest music event in Albania. It was losing it’s popularity after the introduction of other competitions such as Top Fest and Kënga Magjike, However, with Albania’s introduction to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004, Festivali i Këngës quickly getting alot more national and international interest.
Vaçe Zela holds the record for most victories in the competition with eleven wins followed by Tonin Tërshana with four wins and Aurela Gaçe and Manjola Nallbani with three wins respectively.
Source: Wikipedia
Albania in Eurovision
Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2004 with Anjeza Shahini and her song “The Image of You.” Albania’s best place in the contest is 5th place with Rona Nishliu and her song “Suus”
Ronela Hajati represented Albania this year with the song “Sekret.” Despite being a fan-favourite before rehearsals started in Turin, she end up not qualifying for the Grand Final. She finished in 12th place with 58 points.
Is there anyone #YOU hope to see in Festivali i Këngës? Let us know on our social media @ESCUnited or on our forum page!
