Festivali i Këngës 2023
Dates
Semi-final 119 December 2023
Semi-final 220 December 2023
Semi-final 321 December 2023 (Nostalgia night)
Final22 December 2023
Host
VenuePalace of Congresses
Tirana, Albania
Presenter(s)
Musical directorElton Deda
Artistic directorBojken Lako
Directed byPali Kuke
Executive supervisorAlfred Peza
Host broadcasterRadio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH)
Participants
Number of entries31
Number of finalists22
Vote
Voting systemJury selected the overall winner and assigned five prizes; public selected the Albanian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024
Festival selection
Winner"Çmendur" by Mal Retkoceri
Eurovision selection
Winner"Zemrën n'dorë" by Besa Kokëdhima

Festivali i Këngës 2023 was the 62nd edition of the annual Albanian music competition Festivali i Këngës, organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). It was held between 19 and 22 December 2023 at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, and it was hosted by Adriana Matoshi and Kledi Kadiu with Xhuliano Dule and Krisa Çaushi.[1][2][3][4][5][6] The winner was Mal Retkoceri with "Çmendur". For the second year in a row, a separate televoting determined which contestant would represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, whereby Besa Kokëdhima with "Zemrën n'dorë" emerged as the winner.[7][8][9]

Format

The 62nd edition of Festivali i Këngës consisted of two semi-finals on 19 and 20 December 2023, a "nostalgia night" on 21 December 2023 and a final on 22 December 2023. Details on the format were revealed at a press conference on 1 November 2023.[3]

Voting structure

An 11-member jury voted to determine the eight newcomers advancing to the final from the qualifying phase, announced at the end of the third night, as well as the winner of the final; established artists automatically qualified for the final, but still performed in the semi-finals. The televote, introduced in the previous edition, again constituted a separate selection dedicated to the Albanian representative in the Eurovision Song Contest, and was open after the second night until the final.[8][10] The two votings were originally devised to be combined in a 50/50 or 60/40 ratio to determine a single winner.[11][12]

The members of the jury were Aleksandër Gjoka, Indrit Mesiti, Adelina Ismaili, Fitnete Tuda, Elena Kadare, Natasha Lako, Anila Aliu, Shpëtim Kushta, Victor Van Vugt, Zana Shuteriqi and Shkumbin Ahmetxhekaj.[13]

Contestants

RTSH opened an application period for artists and composers interested in participating in the 62nd Festivali i Këngës on 1 September 2023,[7][14] later setting a deadline of 10 October 2023.[15][16] At the closing of the submission period, over 80 entries had been received.[17][18] Despite the initial plan to select 14 established artists and 13 newcomers,[11] a total of 31 artists appeared on the list of selected competing acts, which was published on 17 October.[19][20] However, after the press conference on 1 November 2023, Kejsi Tola and Samanta Karavella, who had appeared on the participants list, announced their withdrawal from the competition;[3][8][21] they were replaced by Irma Lepuri and PeterPan Quartet.[3] On 1 December 2023, Sardi Strugaj also announced his withdrawal;[22] he was replaced by Eden Baja.[23] Among the selected contestants, which ultimately included 14 established artists and 17 newcomers, was Elsa Lila, who won the 1996, 1997 and 2022 festivals.

For the first time, the selection panel was only informed of the identities of the applicants after the process, in order to secure a fairer outcome; it was also the first time that two poets formed part of the panel.[24]

Key:   Withdrawn   Replacement entry

Artist(s) Category Song Songwriter(s)
Andi Tanko Established artist "Herë pas here" Andi Tanko
Anduel Kovaçi Established artist "Nan'" Anduel Kovaçi
Arsi Bako Established artist "Zgjohu"
  • Arsi Bako
  • Denis Hima
Besa Kokëdhima Established artist "Zemrën n'dorë"
Besa Krasniqi Established artist "Esenciale" Besa Krasniqi
Big Basta and Vesa Luma Established artist "Mbinatyrale"
  • Alban Kondi
  • Fabian Basha
  • Gerald Xhari
Bledi Kaso Newcomer "Çdo gjë mbaroi"
Eden Baja Newcomer "Ajër" Anxhela Llaha
Eldis Arrnjeti Established artist "Një kujtim"
  • Bujar Daci
  • Eldis Arrnjeti
Elsa Lila Established artist "Mars" Elsa Lila
Erina and the Elementals Newcomer "Jetën n'skaj"
  • Altin Gjoni
  • Arvit Banishta
Festina Mejzini Established artist "Melos" Sokol Marsi
Irma Lepuri Newcomer "Më prit"
  • Irma Lepuri
Jasmina Hako Newcomer "Ti"
  • Artemis Veizaj
  • Florian Zyka
Jehona Ponari Newcomer "Evol" Jehona Ponari
Kastro Zizo Established artist "2073"
  • Klevis Bega
  • Timo Flloko
Kejsi Tola Established artist "Vallëzoj me dritën"
  • Kejsi Tola
  • Olti Curri
Kleansa Susaj Newcomer "Pikturë"
  • Florian Zyka
  • Jeris Kaso
Luan Durmishi Newcomer "Përsëritja"
  • Luan Durmishi
  • Tomor Kuci
Mal Retkoceri Newcomer "Çmendur" Mal Retkoceri
Martina Serreqi Newcomer "Vetëm ty"
  • A. Krroqi
  • Markelian Kapidani
Melodajn Mancaku Established artist "Nuk jemi më"
  • Melodajn Mancaku
  • Wendi Mancaku
Michela Paluca Newcomer "Për veten"
  • Enis Mullaj
  • Eriona Rushiti
Olimpia Smajlaj Established artist "Asaj"
  • Briz Musaraj
  • Olimpia Smajlaj
Olsi Ballta Newcomer "Unë" Bledar Gramo
PeterPan Quartet Newcomer "Edhe një herë"
  • PeterPan Quartet
  • Rael Hoxha
Samanta Karavella Established artist "N'majë"
  • Liridon Berisha
  • Samanta Karavella
Santino De Bartolo Newcomer "Dua të rri me ty" Santino De Bartolo
Sardi Strugaj Established artist "Boshatisur" Sardi Strugaj
Sergio Hajdini Established artist "Uragan" Sergio Hajdini
Shpat Deda Newcomer "S'mund t'fitoj pa ty" Shpat Deda
Stivi Ushe Newcomer "Askush si ty"
  • Aleks Gjonpalaj
  • Stivi Ushe
Tiri Gjoci Established artist "Në ëndërr"
  • Neda Balluku
  • Romeo Veshaj
  • Tiri Gjoci
Troy Band Newcomer "Horizonti i ëndrrave"
  • Alda Çuka
  • Anton Lakuriqi

Shows

Semi-finals

The semi-finals of Festivali i Këngës took place on 19 December and 20 December 2023 at 21:00 CET.[25] The running order for both semi-finals was drawn during a press conference held on 1 November.[3]

Umberto Tozzi and Viola Gjyzeli featured as special guests on semi-final 1;[26][27] Aleksandër Gjoka, Indrit Mesiti and Rachelle Andrioti were the guest performers of semi-final 2.[28][29]


Key:   Did not qualify   Qualified   Automatic qualifier

Nostalgia night

The "nostalgia night" of Festivali i Këngës took place on 21 December 2023 at 21:00 CET. Contestants performed songs from the history of Festivali i Këngës and Eurovision in duet with other contestants or guest performers.[31]

Adelina Ismaili featured as a special guest.[32]

Nostalgia night – 21 December 2023[33]
Draw Artist(s) Guest artist Song
1 Eldis Arrnjeti Myfarete Laze "Pragu i vegjëlisë"
2 Besa Krasniqi Irma and Eranda Libohova "Nuk e harroj"
3 Kleansa Susaj and Michela Paluca — "Voilà"
4 Sergio Hajdini Eneda Tarifa "Mesnatë"
5 Arsi Bako Eugent Bushpepa "S'mund t'jetoj pa ty"
6 Olimpia Smajlaj Fitnete Tuda "Shi bie në Tiranë"
7 Jasmina Hako and Mal Retkoceri — "Fairytale"
8 PeterPan Quartet and Troy Band "Zitti e buoni"
9 Festina Mejzini Florent Abrashi "Mes nesh është dashuria"
10 Tiri Gjoci Sidrit Bejleri "Erdh pranvera"
11 Andi Tanko Angus Dei "Ku është dashuria"
12 Erina Seitllari (Erina and the Elementals) and Olsi Ballta — "Hard Rock Hallelujah"
13 Irma Lepuri and Shpat Deda "Nel blu, dipinto di blu"
14 Jehona Ponari and Martina Serreqi "Wild Dances"
15 Melodajn Mancaku Edmond Mancaku "Telefonatë zemrash"
16 Big Basta and Vesa Luma Elton Deda "Qyteti i vjetër"
17 Eden Baja Anxhela Llaha "Satellite"
18 Anduel Kovaçi Ilir Shaqiri "Udhët e mia"
19 Kastro Zizo Rea Nuhu "Sagapo, të dua"
20 Besa Kokëdhima Jehona Sopi "Rrjedh në këngë e ligjërime"
21 Elsa Lila Enrico Melozzi "Një serenatë për dy"
22 Luan Durmishi and Santino De Bartolo — "Insieme: 1992"
23 Bledi Kaso and Stivi Ushe "Arcade"

Final

The final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 22 December 2023 at 21:00 CET. 22 acts performed and competed for the win, whilst all 31 acts (both qualifiers and non-qualifiers) were eligible to win the right to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

The guest performers of the final were Aurela Gaçe (winner of Festivali i Këngës 38, 40 and 49), Nik Xhelilaj and La Fazani (winner of the first edition of Festivali i Këngës në RTK in Kosovo).[34][35][36]

The winner was the song "Çmendur" performed by Mal Retkoceri. The televote winner was the song "Zemrën n'dorë" performed by Besa Kokëdhima. She will represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.[9]

Key:   Winner   Second place   Third place   Televote winner/Eurovision entry

Final – 22 December 2023[37]
Draw Artist Song Result
1 Kastro Zizo "2073" —
2 Mal Retkoceri "Çmendur" First place
3 Erina and the Elementals "Jetën n'skaj" —
4 Melodajn Mancaku "Nuk jemi më"
5 Tiri Gjoci "Në ëndërr" Second place
6 Kleansa Susaj "Pikturë" —
7 Irma Lepuri "Më prit"
8 Festina Mejzini "Melos"
9 Eldis Arrnjeti "Një kujtim"
10 Martina Serreqi "Vetëm ty" Critics' Prize
11 Besa Krasniqi "Esenciale" —
12 Sergio Hajdini "Uragan"
13 Olimpia Smajlaj "Asaj"
14 Anduel Kovaçi "Nan'"
15 Michela Paluca "Për veten"
16 PeterPan Quartet "Edhe një herë" Best Newcomer
17 Besa Kokëdhima "Zemrën n'dorë" Televote winner
18 Arsi Bako "Zgjohu" —
19 Elsa Lila "Mars"
20 Andi Tanko "Herë pas here"
21 Shpat Deda "S'mund t'fitoj pa ty" Third place
22 Big Basta and Vesa Luma "Mbinatyrale" —
— Bledi Kaso "Çdo gjë mbaroi"
Eden Baja "Ajër"
Jasmina Hako "Ti"
Jehona Ponari "Evol"
Luan Durmishi "Përsëritja"
Olsi Ballta "Unë"
Santino De Bartolo "Dua të rri me ty"
Stivi Ushe "Askush si ty"
Troy Band "Horizonti i ëndrrave"

Broadcasts

The four shows of Festivali i Këngës were broadcast live on RTSH in Albania, on RTK in Kosovo, on MRT in North Macedonia and on RTCG in Montenegro. RTSH further provided international live streaming of the shows through their official website and YouTube channel.[38][39]

Country Broadcaster Channel(s) Show(s) Refs
 Albania RTSH RTSH 1 All shows
RTSH Muzikë
RTSH Sat
Radio Tirana
 Kosovo RTK RTK 4 Semi-finals and nostalgia night
RTK 1 Final
Radio Kosova 2 All shows
 Montenegro RTCG Radio Crne Gore All shows
 North Macedonia MRT MRT 2 All shows

References

  1. ↑ "Albania: 'Festivali i Këngës 62' lineup is announced". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  2. ↑ Festivali i Këngës në RTSH [@festivali_kenges_rtsh] (4 November 2023). "Njihuni me Stafin Realizues dhe Artistik të #FEST62" [Meet the Production and Artistic Staff of #FEST62] (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 November 2023 – via Instagram.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Bijuvignesh, Darshan (1 November 2023). "Albania: More Details of Festivali i Këngës 62 Announced Including Line-up Change". Eurovoix. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  4. ↑ Festivali i Këngës në RTSH [@festivali_kenges_rtsh] (8 November 2023). "Kemi kënaqësine t'ju paraqesim: KLEDI KADIU Prezantues #FEST62" [We are pleased to present to you: KLEDI KADIU Presenter of #FEST62] (in Albanian). Retrieved 8 November 2023 – via Instagram.
  5. ↑ Festivali i Këngës në RTSH [@festivali_kenges_rtsh] (22 November 2023). "#FEST62 ju prezanton me: Xhuliano Dule - Bashkë-Prezantues" [#FEST62 introduces you to: Xhuliano Dule - Co-Presenter] (in Albanian). Retrieved 22 November 2023 – via Instagram.
  6. ↑ Festivali i Këngës në RTSH [@festivali_kenges_rtsh] (30 November 2023). "#FEST62 ju prezanton me Krisa Çaushi @krisacaushii : Bashkë-Prezantuese" [#FEST62 introduces you to Krisa Çaushi @krisacaushii : Co-Presenter.] (in Albanian). Retrieved 1 December 2023 – via Instagram.
  7. 1 2 Ibrayeva, Laura (1 September 2023). "Albania: RTSH Opens Submissions for Festivali i Këngës 62". Eurovoix. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 Argyropoulos, Dimitris (1 November 2023). "Albania: The public will choose the 2024 Eurovision representative, while the jury the winner of Festivali i Këngës 62!". Eurovisionfun. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Albania: Besa wins ticket to Eurovision 2024". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 23 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  10. ↑ Si të votoni këngën e preferuar - Votimi fillon pas natës së dytë, fituesi shkon në Eurovizion [How to vote for your favorite song - Voting starts after the second night, the winner goes to Eurovision] (in Albanian). RTSH. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023 – via YouTube.
  11. 1 2 Ntinos, Fotios (9 October 2023). "Albania: A 50/50 combination of jury and public vote will decide the winner of Festivali i Këngës 62!". Eurovisionfun. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  12. ↑ "Fest' 62 në RTSH, drejtori artistik Bojken Lako: Përzgjedhja ishte e drejtë, s'mbajtëm anë" [Fest 62 on RTSH, artistic director Bojken Lako: The selection was fair, we did not take sides]. RTSH Lajme (in Albanian). RTSH. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  13. ↑ Festivali i Këngës në RTSH [@festivali_kenges_rtsh] (19 December 2023). "Njihuni me anëtarët e jurisë së Fest 62" [Meet the jury members of Fest 62] (in Albanian). Retrieved 19 November 2023 – via Instagram.
  14. ↑ Festivali i Këngës në RTSH [@festivali_kenges_rtsh] (1 September 2023). "Filluan aplikimet për FESTIVALIN E KËNGËS NË RTSH" [Applications for the FESTIVALI I KËNGËS of RTSH have begun] (in Albanian). Retrieved 1 September 2023 – via Instagram.
  15. ↑ Festivali i Këngës në RTSH [@festivali_kenges_rtsh] (18 September 2023). "Afati i fundit për dorëzimin e këngëve në Festivalin e Këngës në Radio Televizionin Shqiptar, EDICIONI 62, është data: 10 TETOR 2023" [The deadline for submitting songs to the Festivali i Këngës on Radio Televizioni Shqiptar, EDITION 62, is the date: 10 OCTOBER] (in Albanian). Retrieved 19 September 2023 – via Instagram.
  16. ↑ Van Dijk, Sem Anne (19 September 2023). "Albania: RTSH Announces Submissions Deadline for Festivali i Këngës 62". Eurovoix. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  17. ↑ Farren, Neil (12 October 2023). "Albania: More Than 80 Submissions for Festivali i Këngës 62". Eurovoix. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  18. ↑ Toroveci, Keti (12 October 2023). "Festivali i këngës në RTSH/ Mbyllen aplikimet, mbi 80 krijime nga të gjith" [Festivali i Këngës në RTSH/ Applications are closed, over 80 entries in total]. Festivali i Këngës (in Albanian). RTSH. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  19. ↑ "Festivali 62 i Këngës në RTSH, shpallen artistët pjesëmarrës në ngjarjen" [Festivali 62 i Këngës në RTSH, the artists participating in the event have bene announced]. RTSH Lajme (in Albanian). RTSH. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  20. ↑ Juhász, Ervin (17 October 2023). "Meet all the participants of the 62nd Festivali i Këngës!". ESCBubble. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  21. ↑ Tejeci, Erdi (1 November 2023). "Albania: Kejsi Tola and Samanta have withdrawn from Festivali i Këngës 62". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  22. ↑ Papadopoulos, Giorgos (2 December 2023). "Albania: Another performer drops out of Festivali i Këngës 62!". Eurovisionfun. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  23. ↑ Van Dijk, Sem Anne (11 December 2023). "Albania: Eden Baja Replaces Sardi Strugaj in Festivali i Këngës". Eurovoix. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  24. ↑ Granger, Anthony (26 October 2023). "Albania: Song Selection Process Was Revamped For Festivali i Këngës 62". Eurovoix. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  25. ↑ Granger, Anthony (15 October 2023). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 62 to be Held December 19 to 22". Eurovoix. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  26. ↑ Festivali i Këngës në RTSH [@festivali_kenges_rtsh] (17 December 2023). "#FEST62 ju prezanton:" [#FEST62 presents you:] (in Albanian). Retrieved 17 November 2023 – via Instagram.
  27. ↑ E ftuar në Fest 62, Viola Gjyzeli performon këngën "Bota ime" [Viola Gjyzeli, a guest of Fest 62, performs the song "Bota ime"] (in Albanian). RTSH. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023 – via YouTube.
  28. ↑ Davies, Megan (18 December 2023). "Albania: More Guests Announced For Festivali i Këngës 62". Eurovoix. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  29. ↑ Balomatini, Ioanna (21 December 2023). "Albania: Watch the performances of the Second night of FiK 62!". Eurovisionfun. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  30. 1 2 Mancheño, José Miguel (22 December 2023). "Desvelados los finalistas del Festivali i Këngës 62" [The finalists of Festivali i Këngës 62 have been revealed]. ESCplus España (in European Spanish). Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  31. ↑ "Festivali i 62-të, 'Natën e Nostalgjisë' artistët pjesëmarrës performojnë këngët që kanë bërë histori" [62nd Festival, 'Nostalgia Night' participating artists perform the songs that made history]. Festivali i Këngës (in Albanian). RTSH. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  32. ↑ "Fest 62/ Sonte nata e tretë, ngjiten në skenë ikona të muzikës shqiptare. Zgjidhen edhe finalistët" [Fest 62/ Tonight, the third night, icons of Albanian music take the stage. The finalists are also selected]. RTSH Lajme (in Albanian). RTSH. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  33. ↑ Festivali i Këngës 62 (Albania) | Third Night | RECAP. Misja Eurowizja. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023 – via YouTube.
  34. ↑ Festivali i Këngës në RTSH [@festivali_kenges_rtsh] (22 December 2023). "Sonte është nata e shumëpritur!" [Tonight is the long-awaited night!] (in Albanian). Retrieved 22 December 2023 – via Instagram.
  35. ↑ Festivali i Këngës në RTSH [@festivali_kenges_rtsh] (22 December 2023). "Sonte është nata e shumëpritur!" [Tonight is the long-awaited night!] (in Albanian). Retrieved 22 December 2023 – via Instagram.
  36. ↑ Radio Tirana [@radiotirana_] (22 December 2023). "Fitues i Festivalit të parë të Këngës në Kosovës, La Fazani ndez skenën e Fest 62" [The winner of the First Festival i Këngës in Kosovo, La Fazani, lights up the Fest 62 stage] (in Albanian). Retrieved 22 December 2023 – via Instagram.
  37. ↑ Granger, Anthony (22 December 2023). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 62 Final Running Order Announced". Eurovoix. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  38. 1 2 "Fest 62 për gjithë shqiptarët, do të transmetohet edhe në Kosovë dhe Maqedoninë e Veriut" [For all Albanians, Fest 62 will also be broadcast in Kosovo and North Macedonia]. Festivali i Këngës (in Albanian). RTSH. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  39. 1 2 @teiraaaaaaa (20 December 2023). "Live thread: Festivali i Këngës — Night Two @ 21:00 CET". Reddit. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
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