The grand final of Festivali i Këngës 62 has been and gone, and now we know who will be representing Albania at Eurovision 2024 — Besa Kokëdhima with the song “Zemrën n’dorë”.
Two votes took place during this final night of the festival. The overall winner of Festivali i Këngës 62 was determined by a jury panel — this was Mal Retkoceri.
However, Albania’s act for Eurovision 2024 was chosen from a separate public vote. In the end, it was Besa Kokëdhima who emerged victorious with the audience and secured the ticket to Malmö.
Festivali i Këngës 62 results
Eurovision vote winner: Besa Kokëdhima
First place: Mal Retkoceri
Second place: Tiri Gjoci
Third place: Shpat Deda
Best debut act: PeterPan Quartet
Critics choice: Martina Serreqi
Finalists
- Andi Tanko – “Herë pas here”
- Anduel Kovaci – “Nan’”
- Arsi Bako – “Zgjohu”
- Besa Kokëdhima – “Zemrën n’dorë”
- Besa Krasniqi – “Esenciale”
- Big Basta & Vesa Luma – “Mbinatyrale”
- Eldis Arrnjeti – “Një kujtim”
- Elsa Lila – “Mars”
- Erina and The Elementals – “Jetën n’Skaj”
- Festina Mejzini – “Melos”
- Irma Lepori – “Me prit”
- Kastro Zizo – “2073”
- Kleansa Susaj – “Pikturë”
- Mal Retkoceri – “Çmendur”
- Martina Serreqi – “Vetëm ty”
- Melodajn Mancaku – “Nuk jemi ne”
- Michela Paluca – “Për veten”
- PeterPan Quartet – “Edhe nje here”
- Olimpia Smajlaj – “Asaj”
- Sergio Hajdini – “Uragan”
- Shpat Deda – “S’mund t’fitoj pa ty”
- Tiri Gjoci – “Në ëndërr”
Non-qualifiers
- 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”
Poll results: Who should represent Albania at Eurovision 2024?
If our readers were choosing Albania’s Eurovision entry, then they would have selected Luan Durmishi. He sadly didn’t make it to the grand final, but Luan still left a lasting impression with the song “Përsëritja” and topped our poll.
- Luan Durmishi – “Përsëritja” – 19.06%, 747 votes
- Besa Kokëdhima – “Zemrën n’dorë” – 18.30%, 717 votes
- Elsa Lila – “Mars” – 13.91%, 545 votes
- Jehona Ponari – “Evol” – 13.17%, 516 votes
- Anduel Kovaci – “Nan'” – 5.28%, 207 votes
- Olimpia Smajlaj – “Asaj” – 4.52%, 177 votes
- Eldis Arrnjeti – “Një kujtim” – 3.62%, 142 votes
- Stivi Ushe – “Askush si ty” – 2.12%, 83 votes
- Irma Lepori – “Me prit” – 1.91%, 75 votes
- Arsi Bako – “Zgjohu” – 1.84%, 72 votes
- Mal Retkoceri – “Çmendur” – 1.38%, 54 votes
- Big Basta & Vesa Luma – “Mbinatyrale” – 1.33%, 52 votes
- Michela Paluca – “Për veten” – 1.28%, 50 votes
- Shpat Deda – “S’mund t’fitoj pa ty” – 1.25%, 49 votes
- Tiri Gjoci – “Në ëndërr” – 1.17%, 46 votes
- Kastro Zizo – “2073” – 1.17%, 46 votes
- Erina and The Elementals – “Jetën n’Skaj” – 0.94%, 37
- Sergio Hajdini – “Uragan” – 0.94%, 37 votes
- Besa Krasniqi – “Esenciale” – 0.84%, 33 votes
- Festina Mejzini – “Melos” – 0.69%, 27 votes
- PeterPan Quartet – “Edhe nje here” – 0.69%, 27 votes
- Troy Band – “Horizonti i ëndrrave” – 0.66%, 26 votes
- Martina Serreqi – “Vetëm ty” – 0.59%, 23 votes
- Olsi Ballta – “Unë” – 0.54%, 21 votes
- Eden Baja – “Ajër” – 0.51%, 20 votes
- Jasmina Hako – “Ti” – 0.46%, 18 votes
- Kleansa Susaj – “Pikturë” – 0.43%, 17 votes
- Andi Tanko – “Herë pas here” – 0.43%, 17 votes
- Bledi Kaso – “Çdo gjë mbaroi” – 0.38%, 15 votes
- Melodajn Mancaku – “Nuk jemi ne” – 0.38%, 15 votes
- Santino De Bartolo – “Dua të rri me ty”- 0.20%, 8 votes
Total Votes: 3,919
What do you make of the Festivali i Këngës 62 results? Did Albania choose wisely? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Hideous song Ghastly styling
When people said Albania always sent same ballad????
I guess karma, Sekret and Duje are all ballad and sounds same lol.
Shame that Besa, from her social media history, appears to be a far-right nutcase who repeatedly likes and shares neofascist crap from Trump and Musk.
Zemren n’dore has an official studio version already out and it’s 3.02 minutes long. Might this mean that it will be the first Albanian entry (at least since 2013) not to get any major revamp before Eurovision? I doubt it, because this is Albania and they always revamp, but even the possibility of not doing so feels like a novelty.
I feel like they will do a revamp and possibly have it sung fully in English
I know this will win when I first time heard this song. But live version is better tho maybe due to orchestra.
Albania sometimes end up doing well like “mall” never expect they will doing well with that song.
I must admit the live orchestra and live backing vocals had me engrossed in this performance. I really miss this at Eurovision particularly for the ballads. I think back to Poland 1994 and Spain 1995. If you watch these performances you can understand why with a live orchestra and live backing singers the songs did so well. Ahh well that’s progress
Elsa Lila is another level. She has a voice like Divas Celine Dion Wwhitney Huston. It will be honor to have her in Eurovision
After listening to the live performance again, I think this will be a grower…
Festival i Kenges needs to change a couple things as of next year i think they get back to their glory days of a prestigious music festival, rather than a joke act like Mal winning the festival and a rich far right woman winning the right for ESC
back in the good old days Elsa Lila was so successful in this festival, sad
Elsa literally won last year too, how is 2022 “good old days” by any means
I wouldn’t say she is ‘far right’ but yes, a change does need to happen!
i think she has narcissism
While the mold of the upper body may have been enough to win FIK, I think she would need a mold of the lower body to win ESC with this song.
This Is Going To Be Dangerous In May
Good luck, Albania!
It has an exYU vibes, Darko Dimitrov’s production is well written all over the song.
The issue is that, while melodic, if doesn’t be big live, it will sink.
Darko has way better work than this, if this was a song for example for Vlado Janevski it would have way more impact, someone who can sell that drama, like he did in ”ne zori zoro”
You are correct.
That breastplate on the picture above totally reminds me of the robots with the boob guns in Austin Powers xD
I believe you’re talking about the Fembots
Hope it’s a great song. I’m tired of ranking Albanian songs low on my lists in ESC and JESC.
To be fair, after listening to Besa’s song again, I feel like it could’ve been a rock song by Linkin Park or The Rasmus somewhere in 2000s
Albania should seriously consider revamping it into an absolute rock anthem, this would improve their chances a lot, I think
But we shall see what happens, I’m fine as long as they give us something memorable and surprise us like they did with Duje
Why is Albania so good at doing rock? We need more rock Eurovision entries from Albania.
I think this is a powerful ballad with a great melody in the chorus. Its emotional. Unfortunatly the song loses me during the “rap” part… it just feels weird to me. But overall a strong entry. Well done!
Man, I thought Elsa had this in the bag but life’s full of surprises, I guess :/
Dua Lipa remains unbothered with these fake albanian musicians lol
Dua keeps on slaying meanwhile with her global hits
ain’t gonna qualify
nope, waste of a space in this contest
thankfully we have norway, sweden to provide us with the ethnic bangers
rather than this dumb albanian language snoozefest (a language nobody understands anyway)
On the contrary, I think Albania will be playing safe with this. It sounds like an almost-certain qualifier, so the Semis are not really in question – in my opinion. The song is catchy and “tuny”, transmits feel-good vibes, and Besa has good vocals and interpretation. It would actually take a disastrous performance for it not to make it to the Final. The real issue is, will it be the usual 16+ placed entry, or make it to the top 15?
Not sure where the televote appeal is though. It feels more like a jury centric song.
It 100% will
Too early to predict. Wait until more songs are out/chosen and the countries sorted in their semi finals.
People said the same about Duje
There goes the your yearly dosis of Albanian diva.
Can’t believe they always go for the same kind of acts.
Luan was the most interesting way to go.
and they are allowed to get away with it by the EBU
As they sometimes say, “Repetitio est mater studiorum”
The song is solid and has some nice melodic parts but the second rap-like verse is completely out of place. I would drop it altogether in the revamp. Also her outfit was really kitch if you ask me. It feels like it can qualify but I can’t see it finish anywhere else than the lower right-hand side of the scoreboard in the final.
I would rather say they need to work the revamp around the rap verse, create something interesting
Hard to judge Albania as we know there will be a revamp but the song has potential.
It seems to me like Albania wants to celebrate its 20th anniversary in Eurovision with a disqualification. I hope that the revamp will be good enough and will give them a ticket to the final
I’m really surprised with the results of Albania’s national final. First of all, I was surprised with the outcome of he jury vote. I expected Elsa Lila to win, and was shocked to find out she didn’t even get second or third place. I felt that Eldis Arnjeti, who always delivers impeccable vocals, should have been awarded as well. I was also surprised that Elsa didn’t win the televote, because she had the most views on YouTube out of all artists. However, I think Besa has a nice and enjoyable song, but I can’t see people vote for this at… Read more »
I’m really sad about Elsa too! She was enthusiastic about going to ESC and now we won’t probably ever see her there 🙁
Interesting: Some artists did withdraw because the influence of Besa´s fathers and unfortunately they were right….
Besa has two fathers and both of them are men in power? Very progressive for Eastern Europe. 🙂
Now I´ve found my literal error. I apologise.
No need for aplogizing. I make plenty of spelling errors by accident. I just wanted to make a joke. You are fine. 🙂
Thank you !
It’s alright, but nothing special. That second rap is a bit out of place, but given the Albanian tradition of revamping, I’m not sure it’s going to stay in the song anyway. And at least she’s a very competent singer.
I love how predictable Albania is every single year – a screaming lady. No drama, no surprises. Straight to the point lol
But this time around, it’s not the traditional Albanian way of dramatic screaming.
I usually don’t gel well with Albania’s entries, though I do love and respect that they keep it to their culture when others don’t. This one felt like a demo, but there were a few okay moments. I will hold out for the inevitable revamp before I make a final judgement. So far it just seems Albania by numbers.
Nobody in Albania cares for this show, and the YouTube views for the performances demonstrate it. The song is fine but Albania can do so much better. I wish they’d go internal.
internal with Dua Lipa for once pls and ditch outdated dull albanian language
What happened to her face? She used to be a pretty women, now she looks scary!! #NOtoBotox&PlasticSurguries
At least Luan looks like an original gigachad man.
ike every year, a revamp will be carried out by Albania. Like last year, the extremely disappointed Eurofans (most of the time even though Besa was one of the favorites), the Kelmendi family qualified for the final while everyone said the opposite. Precisely because the revamp was great! Knowing Albania, I think the Besa revamp will also be great I’m sure!!! In any case I like this song but I’m especially waiting for the revamp (if it’s going to do one but there’s a good chance). PS: Congratulations to Drita Ziri, first Albanian woman to win an international beauty contest… Read more »
I felt like Luan’s song was PERFECT in its current form. No revamp needed. If your song NEEDS a revamp from the get-go, something is clearly wrong.
Eurofans last year : gnaggnanana Kelmendi NQ
Finally : Qualifierrrr XD.
What can I say? She had the family and world vote!
Congrats to all the winners, and welcome to ESC, Besa Kokedhima! 🙂 I have to put it out there – Neither of the winners would be my personal choice. I’m not into Mal’s singing techniques, and the song is not for me. I do appreciate that it’s different. I kinda like Besa’s song. It’s dramatic and has a hook that easily sticks. The verses / rap segement give it some variety, yet I feel like the flow could be smoother. This is a slightly more uptempo version of a belting ballad we have heard from Albania a lot of times.… Read more »
I love me my screaming Albanian ladies. This song is great! My #1 out of the three songs out so far. Good luck in Malmö, Albania!
The song is fine, it has staging potential.
There are so many hot Albanian men! I’d like to see Alban Ramosaj in ESC! Eyecandy!
And Sardis Strugaj!
I’ll keep it short: NOPE!!!
Despite not being my favourite entry, I am not disappointed by the public vote. The song grows, has composition, and I’d disagree with those claiming this to be the stereotypical screaming-lady ballad. This has Beyonce-ish vibes with Bohemian touches, but those are very thinly worn by the song’s fabric. A well-thought revamp could transform this song for the better.
At this point the screaming diva tradition is a safe way to come on the right hand side of the scoreboard. If they ever want to to do well, they need to change a lot of things.
Will they even qualify when there’s no influence from the juries? Plus the juries are bound to get bored of this trend eventually…
They did last year
Albanian diaspora will certainly help.
Elsa and Melodajn were robbed
meh choice for ESC and a crap FiK winner lol
I really like it. The revamp is always a wildcard with the Albanians, but the material is there and I hope the vibe is kept as untouched as possible.
Good song – looking forward to revamp. I hope they’ll go the ethnic vibes route.
Massive revamp potential. Let’s see. I’ve been enjoying Albanian entries for the past few years. 🙂
Omg I actually really like this song!! I just listened to it. Nice pick, Albania!!!
I can’t believe I’m saying this…but there’s actually a song that Aiko’s Pedestal is better than already?!
I think Albania will do waaaay better than Czechia. Besa is a great performer and her song has a good revamp potential. If Albania managed to go to the final last year, I can easily see this song making it too. On the other hand, Aiko will need a massive work to do something correct. The national selection performance was one of the worst I’ve ever heard.
I see more revamp potential with Aiko. I think she will look and sound totally different at Eurovision. It’s not a great song but it’s better when you consider what options Albania COULD have sent. Aiko has televoting appeal whilst Besa will have to earn it: there’s going to be poppy and colourful songs this year that will capture our attention way more. But here’s the problem with BOTH songs. If a song is really good…it shouldn’t require a revamp! A revamp indicates something is wrong!
I feel like in Albania, you have to be well known to do well. Both fan favourites Besa and Elsa were known in Albania before and Mal is the son of a well known performer. It’s tough for someone who is new and that’s a problem with the industry there in Albania. People will just vote the well known person. Even Kastro Zizo ended up doing well! People will just go for the well known names if the songs aren’t doing it for them. And unfortunately some of the best songs were left out of the final at this point.… Read more »
Look at Serbia, no one knew for Konstrakta and then she got 40k votes in 15 minutes. That’s why Serbia is gonna win again while Albania will keep sending their nepo divas that flop in the final.
Only problem this time around is are people gonna flock to Konstrakta again since she’s participating once more? I guess she may deserve it since she’s a good songwriter, but I’m waiting to see something else amazing from her. My eyes are actually on Fillip Balos. He was very much robbed last year and I’ve listened to a few of his songs and he has a LOT of potential, so he deserves the hype.
Filip Balos, Lena Kovacevic, Iva Lorens are who i’m excited for in PZE
btw why no news on moldova’s selection, 51 entries for the live auditions next month, and the live final is in february
LOL, as if Serbia is not known for sending famous names?
Zeljko Joksimovic twice. Hurricane and Sanja Vucic. Nevena Bozovic
All of those had good songs the second time they came around. You can’t rely on the name alone. Albeit, I think Loreen had some of that last year, which is why many fans were annoyed with her win and why the televote had her drop compared to Kaarija.
Zeljko Joksimovic was already famous though when he won in 2004. So was Hurricane. They were superstars. You can’t really den their fame was not the reason they won
The point of my comment is how much better Serbia handles their national final and ofc it was downvoted cause Albanian fans didn’t like I praised Serbia as another Balkan country lol
I’ll be honest, nothing really blew me away from this year’s FIK, not even the fan favorites. I listened to all the songs, and nothing really stuck with me. I could chalk it up to a language barrier, but I have better recall of some previous FIK entries from the past than this year’s batch. Other than the winning song for my Eurovision 2024 playlist, I can’t see myself putting anything from Albania in my national finals playlist.
I’m honestly neither excited nor disappointed with the choice to represent Albania at Eurovision 2024. That’s how apathetic I am.
I feel the song (I only listened to the winner) needs to make more impact – as it is it’s good, but forgetable. Something a revamp will help hopefully?
Very odd result. Was expecting Elsa or someone not even in the final! But yeah, the jury basically manipulated that one! Also, it looks like Besa changed her odd outfit. Not sure how this is doing at Eurovision…definitely worse than Luan could be that’s for sure.
Albania casually disproving that the 2nd position in running order is the death slot. For both Mal (performed 2nd tonight) and Besa (had voting number 02).
And the “huh?!” award goes to Albania
The televote winner was somewhat predictable, but the juries really went all out, didn’t they
Let’s wait for the revamp and Sacha’s staging, you can never judge Albania too early