Festivali i Këngës is due to kick off on 19 December to choose which artist among 30 acts will go on to represent Albania in Eurovision 2025, taking place in Basel, Switzerland. Broadcasting one of the most treasured and oldest national finals, Albania opens each Eurovision season by being one of the first countries to host their selection, giving many fans of Eurovision an uninterrupted look into Albania’s authentic and experimental music culture.
The 30 artists below are set to begin competing on 19 December, ultimately selecting their song on the 4th night of the show, which will be 22 December. These broadcasts will all be hosted by Enkel Demi, Ornela Bregu, and Dalina Buzi.
Semifinal 1
Orgesa Zaimi – I parë
Erma Mici – Mbaje
Luna Çausholli – Qiell apo ferr
Ronaldo Mesuli – N’zemër
Mihallaq Andrea – Porositë e babait
Kejsi Jazxhi – Kur bota hesht
Lorenc Hasrama – Frymë
Jet – Gjallë
Djemtë e Detit – Larg
Nita Latifi – Zemrës
Martina Serreqi – Nëse qaj
Alis Kallacej – Mjegull
Kleansa Susaj – Ta dija
Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm
Ardit Çuni – Amane
Semifinal 2
Mal Retkoceri – Antihero
Klea Dina – Dashuni ndiej
Devis Xherahu – Ka momente
Vesa Smolica – Lutem
Algert Sala – Bosh
Gresa Gjocera – E vërteta
Frensi Revania – Rreziko
Endrik Beba – Ishe ti
Epos – Kurajo dhe Zjarr
Laorjan Ejlli and Adelina Corraj – A thu
Santino de Bartolo – Kur nata vjen si bora
Rea Nuhu – Sot
Elvana Gjata – Karnaval
Stine – E kishim nis
Gjergj Kaçinari – Larg jetës pa ty
Included in the lineup this year is Mal Retkoceri, who had won the contest last year with the song Çmendur. He unfortunately did not go to Eurovision with this entry, rather it was the artist Besa Kokëdhima, who won the Eurovision spot with the song Zemrën n’dorë, which was revamped for the show in English as Titan.
Nights 1 and 2 consist of 15 acts competing in each semi final, among whom, 9 will be selected to move onto Sunday’s final. Saturday night, these qualifiers will be announced. A professional jury and the Albanian public will decide which of the songs will go to the final.
Speaking of Saturday, the 3rd night of the show will be “Nostalgia Night” where all 30 competitors will sing covers of old and gold Albanian popular songs, joined by select special guests and experienced performers in the Albanian music scene. This show will be unlike the semifinals in that there is no voting segment, rather, we find out the 18 finalists determined by the sum of votes between the public and professional juries from the previous two nights at the very end.
After the 18 prospective acts compete at Sunday’s show, a combined televote and jury will decide who will hoist the Albanian flag in Basel this year. In the past, FiK winners were given a separate category from their Eurovision ticket winner counterparts, but this year, whoever earns one takes home both wins. They don’t just want to win FiK, they want to win Eurovision!
Who are you most excited for in Festivali I Këngës? Let us know in the comments!