Merry FiKmas! Night one of Albania’s Festivali i Këngës 62 is here. Once again, the show will be used to select the country’s entrant for Eurovision.
A total of 31 acts will be competing, but we’ll only hear 16 of them during night one of the festival. Finalists will be announced at the end of night two.
Everything kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT). The show is taking place at Pallati i Kongreseve (Palace of Congresses), and will be hosted by the quartet of Adriana Matoshi, Kledi Kadiu, Xhuliano Dule and Krisa Çaushi.
The overall winner of Festivali i Këngës 62 will be determined by an eleven-member jury panel. However, Albania’s act for Eurovision 2024 will be chosen from a separate public vote on night four.
With the show now over, vote in our poll below to share who stood out to you.
Festivali i Këngës 62: Night one running order
Click on the song title to watch each performance.
- Stivi Ushe – “Askush si ty”
- Besa Kokëdhima – “Zemrën n’dorë”
- Mal Retkoceri – “Çmendur”
- Eldis Arrnjeti – “Një kujtim”
- Shpat Deda – “S’mund t’fitoj pa ty”
- Jehona Ponari – “Evol”
- PeterPan Quartet – “Edhe nje here”
- Festina Mejzini – “Melos”
- Kastro Zizo – “2073”
- Luan Durmishi – “Përsëritja”
- Melodajn Mancaku – “Nuk jemi ne”
- Olsi Ballta – “Unë”
- Andi Tanko – “Herë pas here”
- Sergio Hajdini – “Uragan”
- Santino De Bartolo – “Dua të rri me ty”
- Olimpia Smajlaj – “Asaj”
Poll: Who had the best song during night one of FiK 62?
Which acts did you love? Do you think anyone from night one could go on to win Festivali i Këngës 62? Let us know in the comments below.
I was so pleasantly surprised listening to Stivi Ushe as the first entry of the night. And then i kept comparing all others songs to his and still he’s at the top of my list!
Besa the Best
Honestly, I don’t really care that much about any of the songs from the first night (it was lackluster, to say the least).
Currently I’m just anxiously waiting for Elsa Lila’s song. I hope she shakes things up and end up winning once more… TThe world needs her in Malmö!!!
Pretty much ok songs and very much aby smal fashion. My favourite part was when they swayed their left arm to invite the performers in on the stage.
Olimpia was the best.
Luan way overrated
Besa’s song is so good, Melodajn also so good and i also like Olsi
Luan Durmishi – “Përsëritja” Lyrics (Albanian, LATIN, English): (REPETITION IS THE MOTHER OF LEARNING) (REPETITION IS MY OWN MOTHER) Përsëritja është nana e dijes Përsëritja është nana jem Përsëritja është nana e dijes Përsëritja është nana jem Repeticio est madre studiorum Repeticio est madre studiorum Repeticio est madre studiorum Repeticio est madre studiorum (REPETITION IS THE MOTHER OF LEARNING) (REPETITION IS MY OWN MOTHER) Përsëritja është nana e dijes Përsëritja është nana jem Është nana jem Është nana jem Është nana jem Është nana jem Ne përsërisim kur qajmë e qeshim Kur dashurojmë e presim Kur ecim e ngecim Kur… Read more »
if he wins, i hope he will translate it to english lol then we definitely know he’ll flop hard at ESC, like Arilena would’ve either if 2020 had happened
hunky male = overhype by the fandom
lmao
Very bad Latin, but thank you!
Just looked at the Youtube views and Luan has just now OVERTAKEN the views for Besa’s song, who was the frontrunner of the night. He also appears to have a better like ratio.
Besa has the better song, Luan only has the looks haha
It’s about time they send a male artist and Luan would be a great choice. I wouldn’t mind Mal Retkoceri either, just to look at xD
Luan is great and this doesn´t need a big revamp. Quite good comprehensible in this way.
I like Sergio and Stivi, too.
Man, we are insanely lucky that FiK has added a televote since last edition. If the Eurovision representative of Albania was still depending on jury votes, an entry like Luan wouldn’t stand a chance.
I can definitely see Luan winning FiK. Unless Night 2 has an entry the televoters will prefer, of course.
Albania would had been top 5 easily if the televote hadn’t had ruined it.
The thing is, his song just stands out, since FiK is mostly ballads or orchestral songs! Finally Albania will be sending something modern with televote appeal if Luan goes through!
To be fair, I wasn’t impressed by the festival at all It seemed like the audience didn’t care at all, barely reacting to any performances except Luca which was easily the standout of the night, I was geniunely about to fall asleep but he woke me up for a few minutes Other songs weren’t bad, but most of them were very boring The comedian in red jacket barely got the audience to laugh a few times, some performers sang either looking on the floor or with their eyes closed, the hosts were reading their lines from somewhere else The running… Read more »
If Albania wants to take a risk and stand out, Luan is the choice. It’s the most striking song of the night. The man looks confidant in what he does and the song feels interesting and fresh. The hook is instant! I totally get the Konstrakta comparisons.
If they want to play it a bit safer and send something less risky, yet good, Eldis Arrnjeti would be my choice. A lovely ballad with a great chorus, elevated by a beautiful voice.
You can’t just expect people to fall again for the power of ‘In corpore sano’ – just in Albanian this time. The latin chorus and sitting position are just making it too much of a copycat in my opinion. It’s definitely not the song the jury is looking for and let’s not forget they have a say this year – like it was before 2022 edition (even if 50% of the ultimate decision only). Besa is probably topping the votes as far as the evening is concerned. Might not be an overall innovation, but the song is pretty and she… Read more »
The video links are all messed up
Are you guys serious, Luan? God, I knew fans would be hyping that lmao
Because Albania has only sent ethnic or ballad type entries lately and it’s very modern. Plus, there seems to be a secret message about brainwashing and the death of the artist. I reckon it’s also inspired by Konstrakta from 2022 whose song was pretty viral.
inspired by Konstrakta, no i don’t think so, albania and serbia dislike each other
Luan more reminds me kinda of a albanian Rayden (calle de la lloreria, also huge fanhype from benidorm fest) vocal wise not really my cup of tea and i doubt he’ll have a huge number of viewers voting for him, when there’s also Besa, and Elsa (hope Elsa has more televote appeal now with ”Mars”)
Can someone explain me why RTSH did decide to stop revealing FiK songs before the live shows ? The sound here is just terrible and some of the songs here won’t even have a studio version (which is quite bad for artists’ popularity I guess)
To be more like Sanremo.
Luan by landslide
Luan by landslide
Repeat that. Repetition is the mother of learning.
Overall review of the night: Yes, some of the songs were questionable but was it THAT bad? What I found was that the female singers didn’t seem so prepared and were hyped up, particularly Besa and Olimpia but they didnt deliver so well. That or their songs were promising but didnt quite hit so hard. Male singers like Stivi did much better with a better package. However, it was the alternate songs that really stood out for me. For so long, Albania has only sent certain kinds of entries. The two rock entries from Olsi and Andi were suprisingly good… Read more »
I thought it was nice. I’m still hoping for better stuff in semi 2, but Albania already has one good Eurovision entry in the bag with Luan. It’s weird that they don’t announce the qualifiers right away, though.
Yeah true…but you know what’s gonna happen if my boy Luan doesn’t even get to go to the final…Albania seriously has a chance for a top ten result with him at Eurovision if done right, I seriously think!
I was not digging this show at all in the first 7 songs or so and I started focusing my attention on Sanremo Giovani, and then it got good!
Okay, here me out. Maybe the audio is not the best, but I think this might just be the most interesting FiK in the last years, maybe since Rona Nishliu. The first night only had so many good ones. My top three by far: 1. Perseritja 2. Kastro Zizo – 2078 and 3. Shpat Deda.
I love that we have strong men this year
Albania normally sends a woman. Send a man this year and it better be Luan!
we already have too many men in this years ESC though?
A lot of good songs tonight, it feels like producers selected more sounds diversity compared to FiK standarts. Stivi Ushe was a great opener with interesting Balkan ballad. Besa’s song is catchy and elevated a lot by the orchestra. I also liked the song “Uragan” by Sergio Hajdini but Luan Durmishi’s performance is above them all tbh, this is Eurovision ready. Let’s see tomorrow how Elsa Lila can positione herself in the competition, but it’s really promising for Friday evening !
Would not send any of these songs to be fair 🙂
Uh-Oh! The sound guy turned down our livestream’s sound just before Santino De Bartolo started his performance! Good thing we didnt miss much since the song PALES in comparison to Përsëritja
Help me out, what is Luan’s song actually about? The “repetition” line is making my imagination go wild. It could be a message about Covid rules, right wing nuts, gender issues, religion… I have no idea. I want to like it.
I dont know a single shred of the language it’s in but my own interpretation is that it’s about brainwashing until the point that you lose your own creativity. Look at how he sits in a chair for most of the performance and repeats the same things like a robot! It’s about artist’s creativity being restricted and the death of the artist, kinda like Konstrakta’s song.It’s about the death of the artist.
“Creativity” could be replaced with “critical thinking”, which would make the song very relevant to today. Sad.
Yes, that’s EXACTLY what I was going for with that interpretation!
It’s philosophical: as a being, we are designed to repeat what we hear and see. We learn our parent’s language when we are babies, and repeat their words. We copy the way others celebrate, love, and even cry for the deceased.
“Practice makes perfect”? Or human nature.
The times he says it in Latin, his pronunciation is that of someone in the Catholic Church, instead of that of an ancient Roman. So there’s a religious aspect to it.
I’m practically BEGGING for Luan to landslide the competition at this point…
Hey, did you know that repetition is the mother of learning?
Some people actually think the 2020 US presidential election was actually stolen from Trump. This is because he has repeated it so many time. For example. I’m really hoping this issue is what the song is about, the utter and steep decline of the importance of actual FACT in today’s world.
On the contrary, many people believe it was NOT stolen because Joe Biden said so! It goes the other way!
The same situation in Mexico with AMLO, he still whines about “losing” the elections of 2006 despite winning in 2018
My favorite so far is the orchestra. But yes, Luan stood out. Generally, I liked the rockier guys in this semi.
Me two, we’ve got two good rock songs so far. Suprised Albania doesn’t send much rock – they quite literally ‘rock’ at it!
I think Luan practices Konstraktism.
Not a bad religion to be!
Christianity is brainwashing.
Yes. But don’t forget Islam. Let’s not be blind on one eye.
I’m not, I’m just puzzled as to how Voice of Reason can like this song about brainwashing while only yesterday identifying as a proud Christian.
We need an Albanian to explain this song to us. I have no clue what it’s about.
Me neither, perhaps the Konstrakta comparisons have made me just assume it is about some social issue. I could be wrong, that can occassionally happen.
I think we all can have our own interpretations of what different songs mean. I have my own for this one but you can have yours as well. A song doesnt always have to have one meaning.
True but someone who understands the lyrics will usually know better.
I frankly find the athiesm and political correctness of today brainwashing. The song represents a lot of Christians struggles in that regard. You can be Christian and have different levels of intensity in terms of belief just so you know.
GB News, Daily Mail, Tucker Carlson etc. etc. are all brainwashing, and wreaking havoc.
“Brainwashing” also known as “radicalizing”
Atheism technically existed before christianity, but it didn’t have a name. It needed to be given a name only after the rise of religion. Atheism is pretty much about nothing. If religion wasn’t invented, then atheism wouldn’t have a name because people wouldn’t have to think about believing or not believing in gods. So can it even be brainwashing?
Yawn……..
Brainwashing is bad, escfl. Do you think this is about Christianity, Fox News, Donald Trump… what? I don’t know if you are actually in Florida, but maybe that state could really do with this song.
I meant the song gives “In Corpore Sano” vibes. Where the choreography consists of sitting there for the majority of the song. I wasn’t alluding to any deep meaning lol. Though I could probably name a few denominations that would make you think Christianity was brainwashing (hint: not Catholicism—at least not if it’s done right, because our track record isn’t immaculate).
Oh, right, yeah, the staging does have that vibe.
Question, feel free not to answer, but do you still think that being gay is a sin?
That a person is not gay if they do not act on it? To me, this is absolute brainwashing at its worst, and I would hate for you to be a victim of it.
I’m so dissapointed … But I love Luan Durmishi, Festina Mejzini and Olsi Ballta for now !
I Hope for tomorrow !
These are my three favorites as well.
For the moment I have to say that I’m a bit confused. I like the songs that I usually hate. Kastro Zizo, Luan & Olsi have good ones…
Repeititon is the Mother of Learning: ALL ALBANIANS! You MUST vote Luan to get a good result! Repeition is the Mother of Learning!
Luan Durmishi is the male alter ego of Konstrakta !! Joke aside, I totally see him on the stage in Malmö, it’s just so great.
“Repetition is the mother of learning”
“Repeitition is my own mother”
LUAN 2024
Live orchestra elevates everything, as usual.
Guys! We found a new dark horse! Everyone is now talking about Luan Durmishi – “Përsëritja”! It starts with an electronic dance beat and the guy is sitting down with a hat on with glasses. It has an electronic beat with an orchestral vibe in the background, making it epic. Then in the background you hear ‘Repetition is the mother of learning’ as an english sample but the guy raps and sings in Albanian. He repeats the same things over and over again, giving the symbolism of being brainwashed…then he goes for a high note and he SLAYS and then… Read more »
Brainwashed by who? An important question, especially if it some sort of political message.
The broadcaster decided to drop a 20 minute ad break on the Youtube viewers and we’re not even half way through!
Managed to get through a 15 minute video on the Lithuanian acts in this time! It’s been 20 minutes!
Oh great! We’re not allowed to see the guest performers on stream!
They Banded Kejsi We Should Boycot This Broadcaster Due To Corupt Behawior
She withdrew. That’s totally different.
FiK Standup Comedian Host: “Here are some funnnnyyyy jokes”
Albanian live audience: “WE ARE NOT AMUSED.”
Barely any claps and a tiny violin for him!
Besa ain’t the one. I believe she had this wonderful song Ajer ages ago but this one is quite unimpressive. Darko Dimitrov usually does better.
Darko wrote it? It was a pretty good song. Not the best i’ve heard and her vocals were questionable.
What is Besa wearing ?
I vote for “my vulnerability is my armor”.
I hope the country that produced my favorite act this year gives me another treat. Go public vote!
Albania has a very good music industry so i’m hoping to see big things this year
Albania have the potential to do really well this year after having a good result for them last year! I expect great things from them!
When will the songs be released? Usually see them on YouTube a few days before.
Sometimes RTSH doesn’t publish them before and the live versions are the first ones we hear. It seems to be this kind of year…
This year the songs will not be published beforehand. Like last year