Following the postponement of the original date, Albania’s national broadcaster RTSH announced the new date for revealing the songs competing to represent Albania at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria.
The 64th edition of Albania’s “Festivali i Këngës”, will take place from December 17th to 20th, 2025, featuring 28 participating artists. The first national final of the upcoming season has already sparked great interest among Eurovision fans, and earlier today (Saturday), the Albanian national broadcaster RTSH announced a new date for releasing the preselection songs after it was forced to postpone the original schedule. The postponement followed the announcement by singer Egzon Pireci that he was withdrawing from the competition.
So when will we finally hear the songs? See the answer in the article.
When Will the Songs Be Revealed?
RTSH announced today (Saturday) via its social media platforms that the new date for unveiling the preselection songs will be this coming Monday, December 1st.
The announcement of the new date comes, as noted, after the postponement of the publication of the songs on the original date set by the national broadcaster, following the withdrawal of singer Egzon Pireci. The band LYNX, which comes from Tirana in Albania and was chosen to replace Pireci with its song “Nuk kthehem pas” (in English: “I am not coming back”), is a rock band that enjoys wide recognition on the local music scene. The band consists of Renato Rexha as lead vocalist, Aurel Gjini on lead guitar, Eno Gjoni on drums and Geri Hasani on keyboard. LYNX has extensive experience in the national festival Festivali i Këngës, in which it has taken part several times in the past (2012, 2013, 2016, 2017). In this competition, which selects Albania’s entry for Eurovision, the band achieved its best placing in 2016, when it finished in tenth place.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
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 |
| LYNX | Nuk kthehem pas | LYNX | LYNX | Rock |
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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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
