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]
| Festivali i Këngës 2023 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Dates | |
| Semi-final 1 | 19 December 2023 |
| Semi-final 2 | 20 December 2023 |
| Semi-final 3 | 21 December 2023 (Nostalgia night) |
| Final | 22 December 2023 |
| Host | |
| Venue | Palace of Congresses Tirana, Albania |
| Presenter(s) |
|
| Musical director | Elton Deda |
| Artistic director | Bojken Lako |
| Directed by | Pali Kuke |
| Executive supervisor | Alfred Peza |
| Host broadcaster | Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |
| Participants | |
| Number of entries | 31 |
| Number of finalists | 22 |
| Vote | |
| Voting system | Jury 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 |
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.[10][11] The two votings were originally devised to be combined in a 50/50 or 60/40 ratio to determine a single winner.[12][13]
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.[14]
Contestants
RTSH opened an application period for artists and composers interested in participating in the 62nd Festivali i Këngës on 1 September 2023,[7][15] later setting a deadline of 10 October 2023.[16][17] At the closing of the submission period, over 80 entries had been received.[18][19] Despite the initial plan to select 14 established artists and 13 newcomers,[20] a total of 31 artists appeared on the list of selected competing acts, which was published on 17 October.[21][22] 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][23] they were replaced by Irma Lepuri and PeterPan Quartet.[3] On 1 December 2023, Sardi Strugaj also announced his withdrawal;[24] he was replaced by Eden Baja.[25] 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.[26]
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" |
|
| Besa Kokëdhima | Established artist | "Zemrën n'dorë" |
|
| Besa Krasniqi | Established artist | "Esenciale" | Besa Krasniqi |
| Big Basta and Vesa Luma | Established artist | "Mbinatyrale" |
|
| Bledi Kaso | Newcomer | "Çdo gjë mbaroi" |
|
| Eden Baja | Newcomer | "Ajër" | Anxhela Llaha |
| Eldis Arrnjeti | Established artist | "Një kujtim" |
|
| Elsa Lila | Established artist | "Mars" | Elsa Lila |
| Erina and the Elementals | Newcomer | "Jetën n'skaj" |
|
| Festina Mejzini | Established artist | "Melos" | Sokol Marsi |
| Irma Lepuri | Newcomer | "Më prit" |
|
| Jasmina Hako | Newcomer | "Ti" |
|
| Jehona Ponari | Newcomer | "Evol" | Jehona Ponari |
| Kastro Zizo | Established artist | "2073" |
|
| Kejsi Tola | Established artist | "Vallëzoj me dritën" |
|
| Kleansa Susaj | Newcomer | "Pikturë" |
|
| Luan Durmishi | Newcomer | "Përsëritja" |
|
| Mal Retkoceri | Newcomer | "Çmendur" | Mal Retkoceri |
| Martina Serreqi | Newcomer | "Vetëm ty" |
|
| Melodajn Mancaku | Established artist | "Nuk jemi më" |
|
| Michela Paluca | Newcomer | "Për veten" |
|
| Olimpia Smajlaj | Established artist | "Asaj" |
|
| Olsi Ballta | Newcomer | "Unë" | Bledar Gramo |
| PeterPan Quartet | Newcomer | "Edhe një herë" |
|
| Samanta Karavella | Established artist | "N'majë" |
|
| 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" |
|
| Tiri Gjoci | Established artist | "Në ëndërr" |
|
| Troy Band | Newcomer | "Horizonti i ëndrrave" |
|
Shows
Semi-finals
The semi-finals of Festivali i Këngës took place on 19 December and 20 December 2023 at 21:00 CET.[27] 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;[28][29] Aleksandër Gjoka, Indrit Mesiti and Rachelle Andrioti were the guest performers of semi-final 2.[30][31]
Key: Did not qualify Qualified Automatic qualifier
| Draw | Artist | Song | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Basta and Vesa Luma | "Mbinatyrale" | Automatic qualifier |
| 2 | Elsa Lila | "Mars" | Automatic qualifier |
| 3 | Jasmina Hako | "Ti" | Did not qualify |
| 4 | Michela Paluca | "Për veten" | Qualified |
| 5 | Anduel Kovaçi | "Nan'" | Automatic qualifier |
| 6 | Kleansa Susaj | "Pikturë" | Qualified |
| 7 | Eden Baja | "Ajër" | Did not qualify |
| 8 | Erina and the Elementals | "Jetën n'skaj" | Qualified |
| 9 | Irma Lepuri | "Më prit" | Qualified |
| 10 | Arsi Bako | "Zgjohu" | Automatic qualifier |
| 11 | Tiri Gjoci | "Në ëndërr" | Automatic qualifier |
| 12 | Besa Krasniqi | "Esenciale" | Automatic qualifier |
| 13 | Bledi Kaso | "Çdo gjë mbaroi" | Did not qualify |
| 14 | Troy Band | "Horizonti i ëndrrave" | Did not qualify |
| 15 | Martina Serreqi | "Vetëm ty" | Qualified |
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.[33]
Adelina Ismaili featured as a special guest.[34]
| 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).[36][37][38]
The winner was the song "Çmendur" performed by Mal Retkoceri. The televote winner was the song "Zemrën n'dorë" performed by Besa Kokëdhima. She represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.[9] At the contest, the song was performed in an English version, titled "Titan".[39] Besa failed to qualify from the second semi-final, placing 15th out of 16 with 14 points.[40][41]
Key: Winner Second place Third place Televote winner/Eurovision entry
| 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.[43][44]
| 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 |