In a message posted on social media, one of the contestants who was expected to take part in the Festivali i Këngës 64, announced unexpectedly that he is withdrawing from the competition. What lies behind the decision?
Back in October, RTSH published the list of participants in the 64th Festivali i Këngës, but last week (Friday), on the day the songs of FIK 64 were supposed to be revealed, the artist Egzon Pireci announced that his song, “Thirrëm” (Call Me), written by Armend Rexhepagiqi and Aida Baraku, would not compete in the festival. The singer explained the reasoning behind this on his Instagram page.
In the post, he wrote:
“I would like to inform you that my song that was selected by the professional judges to be performed at the 64th edition has been withdrawn from the competition. For personal reasons, I have decided to remove the song from the contest.”
He emphasized and added:
“This decision of mine is in no way related to the organization or the festival’s team. On the contrary, I thank them for their understanding and support.”
This clarification aims to dispel rumors about disagreements between the artists and the festival’s production team, as well as a possible connection between the withdrawal and the postponement of the song releases.
Firce conclueded:
“This song is very special to me, and the music video will be released very soon. We are eagerly waiting to hear the festival’s entries, especially Firce’s song, and hope for Albania’s sake that this wasn’t the one that could have achieved their first victory.
Updated Song List and Credits
| Artist(s) | Song Title | Lyrics | Composition | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fifi & Tiri Gjoci | Ri | Fifi | Fifi, Tiri Gjoci | Ethno rock ballad |
| Erand Sojli | Të kam në fron | Erand Sojli | Erand Sojli | Pop rock |
| Sihana Haxhnikaj | Horizont | Eriona Rushiti | Florent Boshnjaku | Ballad |
| Malvina Likajn | Përtej shpirti | Malvina Likaj | Klodian Qafoku | Ethno pop |
| Gresa Gjocera & Bledi Kaso | Busulla e zemrë | Pandi Laço | Jeris Kaso | Pop ballad |
| Kimi | Prap diell de | Kimi | Kimi | Pop ballad |
| Gerta Mahmutaj | Në krahët e tu | Petro Xhori | Kledi Bahiti, Gerta Mahmutaj | Ethno pop |
| Sara Kapo | Të dua shumë | Sara Kapo | Sara Kapo | Alternative |
| Inis Neziri | Ta kam fal | Inis Neziri, Ledio Dara | EngliVersal, Inis Neziri | Ethno pop/dance |
| Erik Lloshi | Dy pika dashuri | Erik Lloshi | Flamur Shehu | Albanian vintage rock ballad |
| Kamela Islamaj | Pa pretendime | Megi Hasani | Gjergj Kaçinari | Pop disco |
| Savjana Vjerdha | ID | Ilirian Zhupa | Ilir Dangellia | Ballad |
| Kleansa Susaj | Hije | Kleansa Susaj | Aldo Marku | Pop reggaeton |
| ThreeX | Vite | Threex, Endrit Mumajesi, Marsel Gunga | Marsel Gunga, Threex | Ethno pop/fusion/world music |
| Rigersa Loka | Albanian Heart | Aidan Baraku | Darko Dimitrov | Modern dance-pop |
| Enxhi Nasufi | Dritë | Enxhi Nasufi | Kledi Bahiti, Enxhi Nasufi | Experimental pop |
| Frensi | Tresh | PANDA | Inis Neziri | Pop/soul/R&B |
| Luna Çausholli | Pa kufij | Ermira Çausholli | Kledi Bahiti, Luna Çausholli | Traditional pop |
| Vedat Ademi | Kur fjala mbaron | Afërdita Saracini Klemendi | Xhevdet Gashi, Afërdita Saracini Klemendi | Pop-rock ballad |
| Lorenc Hasrama | Lamtumirë | Lorenc Hasrama | Lorenc Hasrama | Pop ballad |
| Rezarta Smaja | Balukeprera | Sokol Marsi | Sokol Marsi | Ethno pop ballad |
| Sheila | Zemra e tokës | Sheila | Sheila | Deep house |
| 2Farm | Valle mbi hi | 2Farm | 2Farm | Alternative |
| Alis | Nân | Desara Gjini | Alis | Ballad |
| Endri Kaçaçi | Si Unë | Endri Kaçaçi | Irkenc Hyka | Ballad |
| Evi Reçi | Code of Life | Eriona Rushiti | Enis Mullaj | Modern ethno-EDM |
| Ghiti | Okej | Beatriçe Gjergji | Beatriçe Gjergji, Marcello Maria Batelli | Alternative pop |
Returning Creators
Among this year’s notable contributors is Beatriçe Gjergji, writer and composer of “Okej”. She previously performed and wrote “Zjerm”, which represented Albania last year, finishing eighth in the Eurovision final — the country’s third-best result in history.
Florent Boshnjaku, composer of “Horizont”, also wrote the iconic Albanian entry “Suus” By Rona Nishliu, who represented Albania in Eurovision 2012 and secured fifth place — Albania’s best-ever Eurovision ranking.
Darko Dimitrov, who composed the song “Albanian Heart”, is among the most experienced songwriters in the festival when it comes to creating Eurovision entries. Originally from North Macedonia, Dimitrov has written around a dozen songs over the years that represented Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Georgia, and most recently Montenegro in 2025 (“Dobrodošli”, performed by Nina Žižić). He also composed “Proud”, North Macedonia’s entry for Eurovision 2019 in Tel Aviv, performed by Tamara Todevska. Todevska brought North Macedonia its best-ever Eurovision result, finishing seventh overall and first in the jury vote.
Pandi Laço, who wrote the lyrics for “Busulla e zemrës”, is behind three of Albania’s past Eurovision entries. These include “Tomorrow I Go”, which earned Albania 16th place in Eurovision 2005, “Hear My Plea”, which failed to qualify and finished 17th in 2007’s semi-final, and “Zemrën E Lamë Peng”, which brought Albania to 17th place in Eurovision 2008.
Eriona Rushiti, credited as one of the creators of the songs “Horizont” and “Kodi i jetës,” wrote the lyrics for “Duje“, which represented Albania at Eurovision 2023 and finished 22nd. Another song penned by Rushiti was “Ktheju tokës“, Albania’s entry in Eurovision 2019, held in Tel Aviv, which placed 17th.
Kledi Bahiti composed three of the 19 competing songs this year (“Në krahët e tu”, “Dritë”, and “Pa kufij”). He is also known for composing two previous Albanian Eurovision entries: “Karma” by Anxhela Peristeri, which placed 21st in 2021, and “Titan” by Besa Kokedhima, which finished 15th in the semi-final in 2024.
Klodian Qafoku, composer of the song “Përtej shpirtit”, was among the writers of “World“, which represented Albania at Eurovision 2017. The song finished 14th in the semi-final.
Gjergj Kaçinari, listed as the composer of “Pa pretendime”, is also known for performing as an artist in “Festivali i Këngës” four times: in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025.
Sokol Marsi served as a member of the Albanian jury in 2023 and helped write the song “Balukeprera” for the current festival. Marsi is also no stranger to Eurovision songwriting, having contributed to two Albanian entries in the contest: “I’m Alive” by Elhaida Dani, which placed 17th in Eurovision 2015, and “Feel The Passion” by Aurela Gaçe, which did not qualify for the final and finished 14th in 2011’s semi-final.
Flamur Shehu, who composed the song “Dy pika dashuri” for the current festival, was also part of the Albanian jury at Eurovision 2016.
Inis Neziri, who will perform the song “Ta kam fal” (which she wrote herself), is also credited as one of the creators of another song in the current list (“Tresh” by Frensi).
Among the Contestants As Well – Many Familiar Names:
Many of the contestants this year have competed in past editions, with only five exceptions.
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Alis – Participated last year with the song “Mjegull”, finishing in third place.
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2 Farm – Competed in the 2023 selection with “Atomike”, which was a fan favorite but failed to reach the final.
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Enxhi Nasufi – a well-known Albanian singer who took part in the 59th edition, serving as the 2021 national selection, with the song “Njesoj”.
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Fifi & Tiri Gjoci – A duo, each of whom has previously participated individually. Fifi competed in 2023 with “Stop”, and Tiri Gjoci in 2020 with “Me goten bosh”.
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Rezarta Smaja – Took part with “E jemja nuse“, composed by this year’s representatives Shkodra Elektronike, in the 2022 selection, placing third.
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Kamela Islamaj – A frequent participant, remembered most for “Me ngyros” in 2020.
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Lorenc Hasrama – Performed with the song “Fryme” last year, reached the final, and placed fifth.
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Inis Neziri – Competed several times, with “Pendese” in 2021 and “Piedestal” in 2018, the latter securing third place.
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Evi Reçi – A well-known festival participant who has entered numerous times.
Other past participants who placed lower include Sara Kapo, Erik Lloshi, Frensi, Greta Mahmutaji, Greta Gjocera & Bledi Kaso, Kleansa Susaj, and Luna Causholli.
“Festivali i Këngës 64” Dates:
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First Semi-Final – Wednesday, December 17th, 2025.
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Second Semi-Final – Thursday, December 18th, 2025.
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Nostalgia Night – Friday, December 19th, 2025.
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Grand Final – Saturday, December 20th, 2025.
Albania at Eurovision 2025
“Zjerm” (in English: “Fire”), performed by the duo Shkodra Elektronike, represented Albania at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. Albania qualified for the final from the first semi-final in second place with 122 points and finished eighth in the grand final with 218 points – 45 from the jury and 173 from the public.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Albania’s 22nd participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Albania joined the competition in 2004 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2012 when singer Rona Nishliu reached fifth place with the song “Suus”.
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A writer and content creator in the field of Eurovision, a commentator with extensive expertise in the modern era of the contest. Adiel’s vast knowledge and familiarity with Eurovision are reflected in every article, ensuring professional and up-to-date content. He closely follows song releases and various Eurovision pre-events. Adiel has a fondness for cultures and new languages, which he discovered through his love of Eurovision. In his writing, he places great emphasis on professional commentary and a diversity of opinions.
