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Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024

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Eurovision Song Contest 2024
Participating broadcasterRadio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH)
Country Albania
National selection
Selection processFestivali i Këngës 62
Selection date(s)22 December 2023
Selected artist(s)Besa
Selected song"Titan"
Selected songwriter(s)
  • Besa Kokëdhima
  • Fabrice "Alias Lj." Grandjean
  • Gia Koka
  • Kledi Bahiti
Finals performance
Semi-final resultFailed to qualify (15th)
Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2023 • 2024 • 2025►

Albania was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song "Titan", written by Besa Kokëdhima, Fabrice Grandjean, Gia Koka, and Kledi Bahiti, and performed by Besa herself. The Albanian participating broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) selected its entry, originally titled "Zemrën n'dorë", by a separate voting during the traditional national selection competition Festivali i Këngës.

Albania was drawn to compete in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 9 May 2024 and was later selected to perform in position 2. At the end of the show, "Titan" was not announced among the top 10 entries of the second semi-final and hence failed to qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Albania placed fifteenth out of the sixteen participating countries in the semi-final with 14 points, Albania's worst result in the contest.

Background

[edit]
Main article: Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest

Prior to the 2024 contest, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Albania 19 times since its first entry in 2004. Its highest placing in the contest, to this point, had been the fifth place, which was achieved in 2012 with the song "Suus" performed by Rona Nishliu. It 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, it failed to qualify for the final eight times, with the 2022 entry being the most recent non-qualifier. In 2023, it qualified for the final, ultimately placing 22nd and scoring 76 points with the song "Duje" performed by Albina and Familja Kelmendi.[1]

As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, RTSH broadcasts the event in the country and organises Festivali i Këngës, an annual music competition which has been consistently used as its national selection format for the contest since its 2004 debut.[1] On 30 August 2023, RTSH confirmed its intention to participate in the 2024 contest, and released the trailer for Festivali i Këngës;[2][3] shortly after, it confirmed it would continue to use the festival as its selection method for the contest.[4]

Before Eurovision

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Besa, winner of Festivali i Këngës 62, at the PrePartyES event in Madrid

Festivali i Këngës

[edit]
Main article: Festivali i Këngës 62

The Albanian representative in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 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 [sq] 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 attended 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 performed at the Eurovision Village in Malmö on 7 May 2024.[24]

At Eurovision

[edit]
Besa during a dress rehearsal for the second semi-final on 8 May 2024.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 took place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, and consisted 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) were required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete in the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progressed 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 would 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.[27]

In Albania, all three shows of the contest were broadcast on RTSH 1, RTSH Muzikë and Radio Tirana, with commentary provided by Andri Xhahu.[28][29]

Performance

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Besa took part in technical rehearsals on 29 April and 2 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 8 and 9 May.[30] The staging of her performance of "Titan" at the contest was directed by Fredrik "Benke" Rydman (Sweden 2015 and Finland 2023) alongside Reija Wäre (Finland 2013 and 2019) and Melissa Thompson,[31][32] and saw two backing singers and three supporting dancers.[33]

Semi-final

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Albania performed in position 2, following the entry from Malta and before the entry from Greece.[27] The country was not announced among the top 10 entries in the semi-final and therefore failed to qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Albania placed fifteenth in the semi-final with 14 points.

Voting

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See also: Voting at the Eurovision Song Contest

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to and by Albania in the second semi-final and in the final. Voting during the three shows involved each country awarding sets of points from 1-8, 10 and 12: one from their professional jury and the other from televoting in the final vote, while the semi-final vote was based entirely on the vote of the public.[34] The Albanian jury consisted of Julian Bulku, Rael Hoxha, Zana Prela, Erina Seitllari, and Olimpia Smajlaj.[35] In the second semi-final, Albania placed 15th with 14 points. Over the course of the contest, Albania awarded its 12 points to Israel in the second semi-final, and to Switzerland (jury) and Croatia (televote) in the final.[36][37]

RTSH appointed Andri Xhahu as its spokesperson to announce the Albanian jury's votes in the final.[38]

Points awarded to Albania

[edit]
Points awarded to Albania (Semi-final 2)[36]
Score Televote
12 points
10 points
8 points
7 points
6 points
5 points  Greece
4 points  Italy
3 points   Switzerland
2 points  San Marino
1 point

Points awarded by Albania

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Detailed voting results

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Each participating broadcaster assembles a five-member jury panel consisting of music industry professionals who are citizens of the country they represent. Each jury, and individual jury member, is required to meet a strict set of criteria regarding professional background, as well as diversity in gender and age. No member of a national jury was permitted to be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently.[39] The individual rankings of each jury member as well as the nation's televoting results were released shortly after the grand final.

The following members comprised the Albanian jury:[35]

  • Julian Bulku
  • Rael Hoxha
  • Zana Prela
  • Erina Seitllari
  • Olimpia Smajlaj
Detailed voting results from Albania (Semi-final 2)[36]
Draw Country Televote
Rank Points
01  Malta 14
02  Albania
03  Greece 3 8
04   Switzerland 6 5
05  Czechia 11
06  Austria 7 4
07  Denmark 13
08  Armenia 5 6
09  Latvia 12
10  San Marino 15
11  Georgia 4 7
12  Belgium 9 2
13  Estonia 8 3
14  Israel 1 12
15  Norway 10 1
16  Netherlands 2 10
Detailed voting results from Albania (Final)[37]
Draw Country Jury Televote
Juror A Juror B Juror C Juror D Juror E Rank Points Rank Points
01  Sweden 12 14 23 12 26 19 12
02  Ukraine 17 11 22 16 9 14 4 7
03  Germany 18 17 15 13 10 16 16
04  Luxembourg 6 20 4 6 11 7 4 22
05  Netherlands ‡[a] 26 25 14 17 8 17 N/A
06  Israel 22 24 26 22 12 23 2 10
07  Lithuania 21 12 20 15 23 21 19
08  Spain 23 23 18 26 25 25 14
09  Estonia 7 22 19 19 16 15 23
10  Ireland 19 21 13 3 17 12 11
11  Latvia 16 13 21 23 18 22 24
12  Greece 5 2 12 8 3 4 7 7 4
13  United Kingdom 15 8 8 25 7 11 25
14  Norway 11 19 2 4 6 5 6 15
15  Italy 3 6 3 1 2 2 10 3 8
16  Serbia 8 7 9 9 14 10 1 9 2
17  Finland 20 18 11 21 15 20 21
18  Portugal 2 4 10 10 13 6 5 20
19  Armenia 4 3 5 5 1 3 8 10 1
20  Cyprus 24 16 24 20 19 24 6 5
21   Switzerland 1 1 1 2 5 1 12 8 3
22  Slovenia 10 5 7 11 20 9 2 17
23  Croatia 9 9 6 7 21 8 3 1 12
24  Georgia 14 10 16 18 22 18 13
25  France 13 15 17 14 4 13 5 6
26  Austria 25 26 25 24 24 26 18

Notes

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  1. ^ The Netherlands was disqualified prior to the final.[40][41]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Albania". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  2. ^ Bijuvignesh, Darshan (30 August 2023). "Albania: RTSH Confirms Eurovision 2024 Participation". Eurovoix. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  3. ^ @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.
  4. ^ a b Ibrayeva, Laura (1 September 2023). "Albania: RTSH Opens Submissions for Festivali i Këngës 62". Eurovoix. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  5. ^ Ntinos, Fotios (14 October 2023). "Albania: The potential dates of Festivali i Këngës 62!". Eurovisionfun. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Bijuvignesh, Darshan (1 November 2023). "Albania: More Details of Festivali i Këngës 62 Announced Including Line-up Change". Eurovoix. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Van Dijk, Sem Anne (19 September 2023). "Albania: RTSH Announces Submissions Deadline for Festivali i Këngës 62". Eurovoix. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  11. ^ Juhász, Ervin (17 October 2023). "Meet all the participants of the 62nd Festivali i Këngës!". ESCBubble. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  12. ^ Van Dijk, Sem Anne (11 December 2023). "Albania: Eden Baja Replaces Sardi Strugaj in Festivali i Këngës". Eurovoix. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Albania: Besa wins ticket to Eurovision 2024". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 23 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  14. ^ Adams, William Lee (2 January 2024). "Albania's Besa Kokëdhima confirms 'Zemrën n'dorë' revamp — what are your suggestions?". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  15. ^ Ntinos, Fotios (1 March 2024). "Albania: The revamp of 'Zemrën N'dorë' will be released on March 11th!". Eurovisionfun. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  16. ^ Granger, Anthony (5 March 2024). "Albania: Besa Announces 'Titan' Release on March 11". Eurovoix. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  17. ^ Grace, Emily (20 February 2024). "Spain: Several Artists Join The PrePartyES 2024 Line-Up". Eurovoix. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  18. ^ Granger, Anthony (5 March 2024). "Spain: Eleven 2024 Acts Confirmed For Barcelona Eurovision Party 2024 to Date". Eurovoix. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  19. ^ Bijuvignesh, Darshan (31 January 2024). "Besa Kokëdhima and STAND UNIQU3 Confirmed for London Eurovision Party 2024". Eurovoix. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  20. ^ @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.
  21. ^ @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.
  22. ^ @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.
  23. ^ Grace, Emily (24 March 2024). "Albania: Besa Performs 'Titan' at Albania v Chile Football Match". Eurovoix. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  24. ^ Andersson, Rafaell (26 April 2024). "Eurovision 2024: Competing Acts to Perform at the Eurovision Village". Eurovoix. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  25. ^ Van Dijk, Sem Anne (13 December 2023). "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Allocation Draw on January 30". Eurovoix. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  26. ^ "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Draw results". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  27. ^ a b "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Running Orders revealed!". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  28. ^ Granger, Anthony (2 May 2024). "Albania: Work on Festivali i Këngës 63 Underway". Eurovoix. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  29. ^ @eurovisionalbania (5 May 2024). "Eurovision 2024 drejtpërdrejt nga Malmo, Suedi nën komentin e Andri Xhahut më 7, 9 dhe 11 maj ora 21;00 në RTSH1HD , RTSH Muzikë dhe Radio Tirana 1" [Eurovision 2024 live from Malmo, Sweden under the commentary of Andri Xhahu on 7, 9 and 11 May at 21:00 on RTSH1 HD, RTSH Muzikë and Radio Tirana 1] (in Albanian). Retrieved 6 May 2024 – via Instagram.
  30. ^ "Eurovision 2024: Rehearsal Schedule". Eurovisionworld. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  31. ^ Granger, Anthony (12 March 2024). "Albania: Besa Reveals Team Behind Her Eurovision Staging". Eurovoix. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ Stephenson, James (29 April 2024). "Albania: All the Details from Besa's First Rehearsal". Eurovoix. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  34. ^ "Voting Procedures 2024". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Grand Final of Malmö 2024 – Jurors". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  36. ^ a b c "Results of the Second Semi-Final of Malmö 2024 – Albania". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  37. ^ a b c d "Results of the Final of Malmö 2024 – Albania". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  38. ^ Andersson, Rafaell (8 May 2024). "Albania: Andri Xhahu Announced as Spokesperson for Eurovision 2024". Eurovoix. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  39. ^ "How the Eurovision Song Contest works". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  40. ^ "Statement on Dutch participation in the Eurovision Song Contest". European Broadcasting Union. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  41. ^ "How do I vote for my favourite Eurovision song?". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
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