The First Night of the 63rd edition of Festivali i Këngës is over. Live from Tirana, Albania, RTSH, the national broadcaster, held a special show inside the Palace of Congresses, hosted by Enkel Demi and Omela Bregu. The show started at 21:10 CET and lasted for 3 hours.
Elhaida Dani (Eurovision 2015) who is also serving as the artistic director of the contest performed as the opening act of the show alongside a kid choir. Dressed in a total white gown, Dani performed a new version of Vaçe Zela’s “Fëmija erîn”, the winning song of the very first Festivali i Këngës back in 1962.
Fifteen acts performed live on stage tonight. A seven-member jury evaluated all the performances and was in charge of selecting the qualifiers for the Grand Final of the festival. But no results announcement tonight; The fifteen songs of the Grand Final will be announced on Saturday, at the end of the Third Night. The jury members were: Merita Rexha Tërshana (Musician, Pianist), Alma Bektashi (Singer, Musician), Zana Çela (Director of National Agency of Tourism & Ex-Director of Theatre of Opera and Ballet), Florent Boshnjaku (Composer), Ylljet Aliçka (Writer), Jonida Maliqi (Singer and Representative of Albania at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest) and Ramona Tullumani (Opera Soloist Singer Artist).
In running order, the fifteen acts of the tonight’s show were:
01. “I parë” – Orgesa Zaimi (Music/Lyrics: Enis Mullaj, Eriona Rushiti)
02. “Mbaje” – Erma Mici (Music/Lyrics: Kledi Bahiti, Erma Mici, Rozana Radi)
03. ” Qiell apo ferr ” – Luna Çausholli (Music/Lyrics: Ermira Çausholli, Luna Çausholli)
04. “N’zemër” – Ronaldo Mesuli (Music/Lyrics: Ronaldo Mesuli)
05. “Porositë e babait” – Mihallaq Andrea (Music/Lyrics: Ardiana Dragoj, Mihallaq Andrea)
06. “Kur bota hesht” – Kejsi Jazxhi (Music/Lyrics: Sardi Strugaj, Briz Musaraj)
07. “Frymë” – Lorenc Hasrama (Music/Lyrics: Petro Xhori)
08. “Gjallë” – Jet (Music/Lyrics: Elios Shuli, Inis Neziri)
09. “Larg” – Djemtë e Detit (Music/Lyrics: Timo Flloko, Valentin Markvukaj)
10. “Zemrës” – Nita Latifi (Music/Lyrics: Nita Latifi, Lorenc Hasrama)
11. “Nëse qaj” – Martina Sereqi (Music/Lyrics: Sardi Strugaj)
12. “Mjegull” – Alis (Music/Lyrics: Alis Kallacej, Alban Kondi)
13. “Zjerm” – Shkodra Elektronike (Music/Lyrics: Beatriçe Gjergji, Lekë Gjeloshi)
14. “Ta dija” – Kleansa Susaj (Music/Lyrics: Pejana Elezi, Kledi Bahiti, Kleansa Susaj)
15. “Amane” – Ardit Çuni (Music/Lyrics: Ardit Çuni, Stivi Ushe)
Though Festivali i Këngës is not only for music and songs but also a stage for important messages. Throughout the show, personalities with strength and passion shared the stage shouting out their own stories and expressing how they became stronger and how they overcame the stereotypes of our society. In running order, those personalities were journalist and former director of Radio Tirana and mrs Zamira Koleci and lawyer and a human rights activist mrs Edlira Çepani.
The show closed with the live performances of the special guests! Albanian rapper NOIZY performed the soundtrack of the movie “Troubleshooters” and French superstar Slimane performed his Eurovision 2024 entry “Mon amour” as well as a special duet with Elhaida Dani.
Do not miss the Second Night of Festivali i Këngës 63 tomorrow!
Stay tuned to OGAE Greece, for the full results!
