Albania at Eurovision 2026: Alis confirms he will perform “Nân” without changes, preserving its original Albanian language and authentic emotional delivery on the Eurovision stage
Albanian singer Alis, who will represent Albania at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th, has revealed that he will perform the song “Nân” (in English: “Mother”) in its original version, without significant changes. In an interview with the website ESCBubble, given immediately after winning the national selection competition “Festivali i Këngës”, Alis was asked whether he intended to keep the song in Albanian and replied:
“Yes, I will keep it in Albanian”.
The song was written by Desara Gjini and composed by the performer himself, Alis. This marks the first Eurovision entry for both the singer and the songwriter. Albania has often achieved stronger results at Eurovision when competing with songs in the Albanian language, while English-language entries have historically struggled to reach the final. The current version of the song runs for 3 minutes and 47 seconds, which exceeds Eurovision regulations, indicating that some adjustments to the song’s length will be required.
Alis begins his performance at the front of the stage, wearing black sunglasses and a stylish black suit. The stage around him is darkened, lit only by a few spotlights, while the camera circles him. During the song’s climaxes, red, white, and blue lights flash behind him like bolts of lightning. The performance footage includes shots of the backing vocalists and the orchestra. Toward the end of the performance, he holds a pocket watch dangling from its chain before dropping it to the floor. As the song mellows and becomes more emotional at the finish, the screens behind him display blue and white imagery with natural shapes resembling coral and water.
The song is a heartbreaking ballad that gives voice to the Albanian (and universal) mother dealing with her children leaving in search of a “better life” – a painful and familiar theme in Balkan culture (emigration). The lyrics fluctuate between cruel reality and sweet memory: the mother is left alone in a house that was once filled with “warm noise”, books scattered on the floor, and children running through the halls, but has now become empty, cold, and silent. The song chillingly describes the trickery of longing and loneliness – the mother imagines she sees running shadows and hears laughter in the yard, but when she opens the window, no one is there. Out of habit, she finds herself making the beds for sleep, but her call remains unanswered. The chorus emphasizes the mother’s infinite loyalty and sacrifice: she remains almost frozen in time at the doorstep, counting the passing weeks and years (“This summer has already passed”), promising her children that even if the longing withers her soul, they should not feel sorry or worry – because Mother will always be there, waiting for their return.
Alis Kallaçi – Who Are You?
Alis Kallaçi is a 22-year-old Albanian singer and songwriter who rose to public prominence in 2024 when he was crowned the winner of the Albanian version of the reality show “X Factor Albania”. During the competition, Alis was part of the team coached by singer Arilena Ara, who was set to represent Albania in Eurovision 2020. The professional bond between the two led to the successful duet “Se të dua,” released after his victory. For Alis, this is not his first experience in the national selection. He made his debut at “Festivali i Këngës” last year, where he achieved a respectable third place with the song “Mjegull” (in English: “Mist”). This year, he returned to the competition and secured the win with the song “Nân” (in English: “Mother”), on an evening where his mentor served as the host – closing an emotional circle.
Lyrics – “Nân”
(Ta dish se nana po ju pret)
(E nana ju po ju përcjell)
(Nana në prag aty ngel në derë)
(Dy javë, dy vjet, iku kjo verë)
Zemra po dhemb
E lotin mezi po e mban
Ju tash po ikni
Do qani pak
Do harroheni
Për jetë ma t’mirë e di
E ne na duket, shohim hijet
Në korridor ecin me vrap
Dëgjojmë zërat, hala n’oborr
E qeshun me t’madhe
Hap dritaren, e askush
Nuk asht aty
Marr t’shtroj për t’fjet
N’divana e n’tok
Baj za, askush s’përgjigjet
Ta dish se nana po ju pret
E nana ju po ju përcjell
Nana në prag aty ngel në derë
Dy javë, dy vjet, iku kjo verë
Rri e kujtoj
Kyt vend që dikur s’pat qetësi
Rrëmujë e ngrohtë
Gjithë librat n’tok
Shpejt u ba ftohtë
Shkretinë e plot
Ta dish se nana po ju pret
E nana ju po ju përcjell
Nana në prag aty ngel në derë
Dy javë, dy vjet, iku kjo verë
Ta dish se nana po ju pret
E nana ju po ju përcjell
Nana në prag aty ngel në derë
Dy javë, dy vjet, iku kjo verë
Ta dish se nana po ju pret
E nana ju po ju përcjell
Nana në prag aty ngel në derë
Dy javë, dy vjet, iku kjo verë
Kur po vjen, moj nan
Se malli m’than
Po moѕ u mërzit
Nana kа me të prit
Albania at Eurovision 2026
“Nân” (in English: “Mother”) is the song that will be performed by the singer Alis, who will represent Albania at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, on May 12, 14, and 16. The song was written by Desara Gjini and composed by the singer himself. This is the creators’ first entry in the competition, and it is performed in the Albanian language.
The song “Nân” is a moving ballad portraying an Albanian mother parting from her children as they leave in search of better lives a painful and widely recognized theme across Balkan societies. The lyrics hauntingly describe the illusions of longing and loneliness: the mother imagines shadows running and hears laughter in the yard, but when she opens the window, no one is there
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.”
