Albania is set to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden, with "Titan" performed by Besa. The entry, originally titled "Zemrën n'dorë", was selected by a separate voting during the traditional national selection competition Festivali i Këngës, organised by Albanian broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH).
| Eurovision Song Contest 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country |  Albania | |||
| National selection | ||||
| Selection process | Festivali i Këngës 62 | |||
| Selection date(s) | 22 December 2023 | |||
| Selected entrant | Besa | |||
| Selected song | "Titan" | |||
| Selected songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest | ||||
| ||||
Background edit
Prior to the 2024 contest, Albania has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 19 times since its first entry in 2004. The nation's highest placing in the contest, to this point, has been the fifth place, which was achieved in 2012 with the song "Suus" performed by Rona Nishliu. Albania accomplished its second-highest placing when first participating in 2004, with the song "The Image of You" performed by Anjeza Shahini, finishing in seventh place. During its tenure in the contest, the nation failed to qualify for the final eight times, with the 2022 entry being the most recent non-qualifier. In 2023, the nation qualified for the final, ultimately placing 22nd and scoring 76 points with the song "Duje" performed by Albina and Familja Kelmendi.[1]
The Albanian national broadcaster, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH), broadcasts the contest within Albania and organises Festivali i Këngës, an annual music competition which has been consistently used as the Albanian national selection format for the contest since the country's 2004 debut.[1] On 30 August 2023, the broadcaster confirmed Albania's intention to participate in the 2024 contest, and released the trailer for Festivali i Këngës;[2][3] shortly after, RTSH confirmed it would continue to use the festival as the Albanian selection method for the contest.[4]
Before Eurovision edit
Festivali i Këngës edit
The Albanian representative in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 was selected during the 62nd edition of Festivali i Këngës, an annual music competition in Albania organised by RTSH at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. The event took place between 19 and 22 December 2023 and was hosted by Adriana Matoshi and Kledi Kadiu.[5][6][7][8] The winner of the festival was selected by a jury, while a separate televoting selected Albania's entry for Eurovision.[9] The broadcaster opened an application period for interested artists and composers to submit their applications on 1 September 2023, lasting until 10 October 2023,[4][10] and ultimately selected 31 contestants.[11] After the entries were announced, three artists withdrew, but were all replaced by other entrants.[12]
Final edit
The grand final of Festivali i Këngës was held on 22 December 2023. Besa with "Zemrën n'dorë" emerged as the winner of the public vote and was thus chosen as the Albanian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.[13]
| Code | Artist | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stivi Ushe | "Askush si ty" |
| 2 | Besa | "Zemrën n'dorë" |
| 3 | Mal Retkoceri | "Çmendur" |
| 4 | Eldis Arrnjeti | "Një kujtim" |
| 5 | Shpat Deda | "S'mund t'fitoj pa ty" |
| 6 | Jehona Ponari | "Evol" |
| 7 | PeterPan Quartet | "Edhe një herë" |
| 8 | Festina Mejzini | "Melos" |
| 9 | Kastro Zizo | "2073" |
| 10 | Luan Durmishi | "Përsëritja" |
| 11 | Melodajn Mancaku | "Nuk jemi më" |
| 12 | Olsi Ballta | "Unë" |
| 13 | Andi Tanko | "Herë pas here" |
| 14 | Sergio Hajdini | "Uragan" |
| 15 | Santino De Bartolo | "Dua të rri me ty" |
| 16 | Olimpia Smajlaj | "Asaj" |
| 17 | Big Basta and Vesa Luma | "Mbinatyrale" |
| 18 | Elsa Lila | "Mars" |
| 19 | Jasmina Hako | "Ti" |
| 20 | Michela Paluca | "Për veten" |
| 21 | Anduel Kovaçi | "Nan'" |
| 22 | Kleansa Susaj | "Pikturë" |
| 23 | Eden Baja | "Ajër" |
| 24 | Erina and the Elementals | "Jetën n'skaj" |
| 25 | Irma Lepuri | "Më prit" |
| 26 | Arsi Bako | "Zgjohu" |
| 27 | Tiri Gjoci | "Në ëndërr" |
| 28 | Besa Krasniqi | "Esenciale" |
| 29 | Bledi Kaso | "Çdo gjë mbaroi" |
| 30 | Troy Band | "Horizonti i ëndrrave" |
| 31 | Martina Serreqi | "Vetëm ty" |
Preparation and promotion edit
In early January 2024, Besa confirmed that "Zemrën n'dorë" would undergo a revamp ahead of the contest,[14] set to be released on 11 March.[15] She later confirmed that the new version would be sung in English under the title "Titan".[16]
As part of the promotion of her participation in the contest, Besa confirmed her presence at the PrePartyES event in Madrid on 30 March 2024,[17] the Barcelona Eurovision Party on 6 April 2024,[18] the London Eurovision Party on 7 April 2024,[19] the Eurovision in Concert event in Amsterdam on 13 April 2024,[20] the Nordic Eurovision Party in Stockholm on 14 April 2024[21] and the Copenhagen Eurovision Party (Malmöhagen) on 4 May 2024.[22] In addition, she performed "Titan" during a friendly football match between Albania and Chile, held on 22 March 2024 in Parma, Italy,[23] and she will perform at the Eurovision Village in Malmö on 7 May 2024.[24]
At Eurovision edit
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will take place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, and consist of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. All nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final will progress to the final. On 30 January 2024, an allocation draw was held to determine which of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show, each country will perform in; the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot.[25] Albania was scheduled for the first half of the second semi-final.[26] The shows' producers then decided the running order for the semi-finals; Albania was set to perform in position 2, following the entry from Malta and before the entry from Greece.[27]
Performance edit
Besa will take part in technical rehearsals on 29 April and 2 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 8 and 9 May.[28] The staging of her performance of "Titan" at the contest is directed by Fredrik "Benke" Rydman (Sweden 2015 and Finland 2023) alongside Reija Wäre (Finland 2013 and 2019) and Melissa Thompson.[29][30]
References edit
- ^ a b "Albania". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Retrieved 30 August 2023.
- ^ Bijuvignesh, Darshan (30 August 2023). "Albania: RTSH Confirms Eurovision 2024 Participation". Eurovoix. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
- ^ @festivali_kenges_rtsh (30 August 2023). "Festivali i Këngës në Radio Televizionin Shqiptar – Edicioni 62 – PO VJEN!" [Festivali i Këngës on Radio Televisioni Shqiptar – Edition 62 – IT'S COMING!] (in Albanian). Retrieved 31 August 2023 – via Instagram.
- ^ a b Ibrayeva, Laura (1 September 2023). "Albania: RTSH Opens Submissions for Festivali i Këngës 62". Eurovoix. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ Ntinos, Fotios (14 October 2023). "Albania: The potential dates of Festivali i Këngës 62!". Eurovisionfun. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ Festivali i Këngës në RTSH [@festivali_kenges_rtsh] (19 December 2023). "Pritjes i erdhi fundi..." [The wait is over...] (in Albanian). Retrieved 19 November 2023 – via Instagram.
- ^ Bijuvignesh, Darshan (1 November 2023). "Albania: More Details of Festivali i Këngës 62 Announced Including Line-up Change". Eurovoix. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Van Dijk, Sem Anne (19 September 2023). "Albania: RTSH Announces Submissions Deadline for Festivali i Këngës 62". Eurovoix. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ Juhász, Ervin (17 October 2023). "Meet all the participants of the 62nd Festivali i Këngës!". ESCBubble. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ Van Dijk, Sem Anne (11 December 2023). "Albania: Eden Baja Replaces Sardi Strugaj in Festivali i Këngës". Eurovoix. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ "Albania: Besa wins ticket to Eurovision 2024". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 23 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ^ Adams, William Lee (2 January 2024). "Albania's Besa Kokëdhima confirms 'Zemrën n'dorë' revamp — what are your suggestions?". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ Ntinos, Fotios (1 March 2024). "Albania: The revamp of 'Zemrën N'dorë' will be released on March 11th!". Eurovisionfun. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (5 March 2024). "Albania: Besa Announces 'Titan' Release on March 11". Eurovoix. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ Grace, Emily (20 February 2024). "Spain: Several Artists Join The PrePartyES 2024 Line-Up". Eurovoix. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (5 March 2024). "Spain: Eleven 2024 Acts Confirmed For Barcelona Eurovision Party 2024 to Date". Eurovoix. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ Bijuvignesh, Darshan (31 January 2024). "Besa Kokëdhima and STAND UNIQU3 Confirmed for London Eurovision Party 2024". Eurovoix. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ @eurovisioninconcert (30 December 2023). "Albania has never missed out on Eurovision in Concert! We're delighted to confirm @besaofficial will be with us in Amsterdam on Saturday, 13 April!". Retrieved 21 January 2024 – via Instagram.
- ^ @nordiceurovision (20 February 2024). "From Albania to the Nordic Eurovision Party 2024! @besaofficial participant of @Eurovision 2024 joins the big celebration in Stockholm". Retrieved 5 March 2024 – via Instagram.
- ^ @malmohagen_eurovision_party (24 March 2024). "Reminder of Acts 1-16 in our line-up. Get ready to vote live on your top 10 songs in the MalmöHagen Grand Final Show and Concert: the only Pre-Party for Rest of World Eurovision Week visitors to unite with European based visitors in the same place!". Retrieved 25 March 2024 – via Instagram.
- ^ Grace, Emily (24 March 2024). "Albania: Besa Performs 'Titan' at Albania v Chile Football Match". Eurovoix. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
- ^ Andersson, Rafaell (26 April 2024). "Eurovision 2024: Competing Acts to Perform at the Eurovision Village". Eurovoix. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ Van Dijk, Sem Anne (13 December 2023). "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Allocation Draw on January 30". Eurovoix. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Draw results". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Running Orders revealed!". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Eurovision 2024: Rehearsal Schedule". Eurovisionworld. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (12 March 2024). "Albania: Besa Reveals Team Behind Her Eurovision Staging". Eurovoix. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Álvarez, Jesús (12 March 2024). "¿Cuáles son los equipos de trabajo de las diferentes candidaturas de Eurovisión 2024?" [What are the working teams behind the various entries for Eurovision 2024?]. ESCplus España (in European Spanish). Retrieved 12 March 2024.