Albania: Australian connection among artists announced for Festivali i Këngës 65
An Adelaide-based musician is among the familiar faces returning to what is expected to be Albania's Eurovision national selection, Festivali i Këngës 65 (FiK65).
Albanian broadcaster RTSH has announced the 28 artists competing in the 65th edition of the festival, which will take place in December.
Among them are rock band Djemtë e Detit, whose frontman Valentin Markvukaj has lived in Adelaide for several decades.
The band competed at FiK 63 in December 2024 with Larg, composed by Valentin, finishing sixth in the final.
The group has a long history in Albanian music, dating back to the 1990s, and will be returning for another attempt at Eurovision.
The Australian connection follows Sydney singer Sihana Haxhnikaj competing at FiK 64 last year, continuing a history of Australian-based artists taking part in Eurovision national selections across Europe.
Eurovision stars return
One of the biggest names in the lineup is Kejsi Tola, who represented Albania at Eurovision 2009 in Moscow.
Kejsi performed Carry Me in Your Dreams, finishing 17th in the grand final.
She won FiK 47 in 2008 to secure her Eurovision appearance and has subsequently returned to the festival on several occasions.
Also returning is Orgesa Zaimi, who performed alongside Kejsi as a backing vocalist at Eurovision 2009.
Orgesa is a familiar face at FiK, having competed five times as a solo artist, most recently in 2024 with I parë.
The pair will now be competing against each other for the opportunity to represent Albania at Eurovision 2027.
Other familiar faces
Eldis Arrnjeti returns for his third appearance, having previously competed in 2021 with Refuzoj and 2023 with Një kujtim.
Sara Bajraktari is another returning artist, having finished third at FiK 58 in 2019 with Ajër.
Ardit Çuni will also make another appearance after competing at FiK 63 with Amane. Ardit has a Eurovision connection of his own, having served as Albania's Head of Press at Eurovision 2022.
Martina Serreqi returns for a third consecutive edition, having competed with Vetëm ty at FiK 62 and Nëse qaj at FiK 63.
Other returning artists include Arsi Bako, Michela Paluca, Kejsi Jazxhi and Sigi Bastri, who has previously competed at FiK twice.
Veteran performer Gjergj Jorgaqi is also back, more than two decades after his previous appearance at FiK in 2003.
Full list of Festivali i Këngës 65 artists:
Adhurim Demiri
Alegra Jaho
Algert Sala
Ana Bushgjokaj
Ardit Çuni
Arsi Bako
Auron Deva & DJ Sardi
Chip Deva
Djemtë e Detit
Eldis Arrnjeti
Erinda Agolli
Gigliola Haveriku
Gjergj Jorgaqi
Herva Novaku
Josif Gjipali & Ardita Meni
Kejsi Jazxhi
Kejsi Tola
Khuba-Shkelzen Rexhaj
Leandra Godaj
Martina Serreqi
Michela Paluca
Orgesa Zaimi
Petro Fejza & Antonio Papa
Rei Bezhani
Sara Bajraktari
Sigi Bastri
Vanesa Sono
Xhoni Jesku
The competing song titles and exact dates for FiK 65 have yet to be announced.
The festival will take place in December 2026, where Albania's representative for Eurovision 2027 in Burgas, Bulgaria, is expected to be chosen.
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