Albina & Familja Kelmendi will represent Albania at Eurovision this year with the song, ‘Duje’. Festivali i Këngës 61 took place over four nights, with 26 artists competing in the prestigious song festival.
This year’s format for Festivali i Këngës differed from previous years, with televoting used to determine the Albanian Eurovision act. This meant that the winner of the selection was not guaranteed the ticket to Eurovision.
The full list of participants is below:
- 2 Farm – “Atomike” (Atomic)
- Alban Kondi & Lorela Karoshi – “Melodi” (Melody)
- Albina Kelmendi & Familja Kelmendi – “Duje” (Love it)
- Anduel Kovaçi – “Malli” (Yearning)
- Arsi Bako – “Sonte dua të jem me ty” (Tonight I want to be with you)
- Melodajna Mancaku – “Gjysma e zemrës sime” (Half of my heart)
- Elisa Lila – “Evita”
- Enxhi Nasufi – “Burrë” (Man)
- Erma Mici – “Kozmosi i dashurisë” (The cosmos of love)
- Evi Reçi – “Ma kthe” (Give me back)
- Fabian Basha – “Një gotë” (A glass)
- Fifi (Filloreta Raçi) – “Stop”
- Franc Koruni – “Në pritje” (Pending)
- Genti Hoxha – “Ajër” (Air)
- Gjergj Kaçinari – “Dje” (Yesterday)
- Luna Causholli – “Jetën ta fal” (I give you my life)
- LYNX – “Nëse ke besim” (If you have faith)
- Manjola Nallbani – “Dua” (Love)
- Permit of Stay – “Fobia” (Phobias)
- Petrit Çarkaxhiu – “Emri yt mirësi” (Your name is good)
- Rezearta Smaja – “N’Eden” (In Eden)
- Rovena Dilo – “Motit” (Weather)
- Sara Kapo – “Para teje” (Before you)
- Serxhio Hajdini – “Vështirë” (Tough)
- Urban Band – “Në çdo hap” (At every step)
- Vanesa Soni – “Aroma jonë” (Our fragrance)
During the first two semi-finals, the following acts were eliminated:
- Anduel Kovaçi – “Malli” (Yearning)
- Arsi Bako – “Sonte dua të jem me ty” (Tonight I want to be with you)
- Luna Causholli – “Jetën ta fal” (I give you my life)
- Permit of Stay – “Fobia” (Phobias)
- Sara Kapo – “Para teje” (Before you)
The final took place on the 22nd of December, with the festival results determined by the jury. The jury awarded the top 3 places as follows:
- Elisa Lila – “Evita”
- Albina Kelmendi & Familja Kelmendi – “Duje” (Love it)
- 2 Farm – “Atomike” (Atomic)
The winner of the televote and representing Albania at Eurovision is Albina Kelmendi & Familja Kelmendi. Listen to ‘Duje’ below: