Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 explained

Year:2023
Country:Albania
Preselection:Albanian: [[Festivali i Këngës 61]]|i=no
Preselection Date:22 December 2022
Entrant:Albina and Familja Kelmendi
Song:Albanian: [[Duje (song)|Duje]]|i=no
Sf Result:Qualified (9th, 83 points)
Final Result:22nd, 76 points

participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, the United Kingdom, with the song "Albanian: [[Duje (song)|Duje]]|i=no" performed by Albina and Familja Kelmendi. Its entry was selected through a dedicated televoting process during the national selection competition Albanian: [[Festivali i Këngës]]|italics=no organised by Albanian: [[RTSH|Radio Televizioni Shqiptar]]|italics=no (RTSH) in December 2022. Up until point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 18 times since its debut in .

Assigned to the second semi-final on 10 May 2023, Albania placed 9th with a total of 83 points and qualified for the final. At the conclusion of the final on 13 May, the nation placed 22nd with a total of 76 points. This was the 11th occasion that Albania qualified for the final out of the 19 times it had participated in Eurovision.

Background

See main article: Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest.

The Eurovision Song Contest is broadcast in Albania by the national broadcaster, Albanian: [[RTSH|Radio Televizioni Shqiptar]]|italics=no (RTSH), which also organises Albanian: [[Festivali i Këngës]]|i=unset as the national selection contest for Eurovision.[1] Prior to the 2023 contest, the nation had participated in the contest 18 times since its first entry in . It achieved its highest placement in the in 2012, securing the fifth place with the song "Suus" performed by Rona Nishliu. The second-highest finish was seventh place in 2004, with the song "The Image of You" by Anjeza Shahini. Albania had previously failed to qualify for the final on nine occasions, most recently in 2022.[2] On 3 June 2022, RTSH announced the nation's participation in the 2023 contest and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed its intent to participate on 20 October. Once again, the nation announced the use of Albanian: [[Festivali i Këngës]]|italics=no to help select its entry.[3] [4] [5]

Before Eurovision

Festivali i Këngës

See main article: Festivali i Këngës 61.

The representative for Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 was chosen during the 61st edition of Albanian: Festivali i Këngës|italics=no.[6] [7] [8] The festival was organised by the national broadcaster RTSH in December 2022 and was hosted by Albanian presenter Arbana Osmani.[9] [10] The event was held at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, Albania and consisted of three semi-finals on the respective dates of 19, 20 and 21 December and a final round on 22 December 2022.[9] Following an application process, 26 participants were selected by RTSH to compete.[11]

The selection process underwent a significant transformation, shifting from an exclusive jury voting to a system involving both public and jury voting. While the jury retained the authority to choose the top three, the overall winner no longer received an automatic Eurovision invitation.[6] Instead, the Albanian representative was selected through a dedicated televoting process.[6] [12]

Final

The final of Albanian: Festivali i Këngës|i=no was held on 22 December 2022.[13] Despite Elsa Lila's win in the jury vote with "Evita", Albina and Familja Kelmendi with the song "Albanian: Duje|i=no" won the public vote and were chosen as Albanian representatives for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.[7] [8]

Key: Winner Second place Third place

+ Final22 December 2022
DrawArtistSong
2 Farm"Albanian: Atomike|i=no"
Sergio Hajdini"Albanian: Vështirë|i=no"
Gjergj Kaçinari"Albanian: Dje|i=no"
Alban Kondi and Lore"Albanian: Melodi|i=no"
Vanesa Sono"Albanian: Aroma jonë|i=no"
Elsa Lila"Evita"
Erma Mici"Albanian: Kozmosi i dashurisë|i=no"
Franc Koruni"Albanian: Në pritje|i=no"
Gent Hoxha"Albanian: Ajër|i=no"
Petrit Çarkaxhiu"Albanian: Emri yt mirësi|i=no"
Melodajna Mancaku"Albanian: Gjysma e zemrës sime|i=no"
Manjola Nallbani"Albanian: Duaj|i=no"
Urban Band"Albanian: Në çdo hap|i=no"
Enxhi Nasufi"Albanian: Burrë|i=no"
Rovena Dilo"Albanian: Motit|i=no"
Fifi"Stop"
Rezarta Smaja"Albanian: N'Eden|i=no"
Evi Reçi"Albanian: Ma kthe|i=no"
Fabian Basha"Albanian: Një gotë|i=no"
Albina and Familja Kelmendi"Albanian: Duje|i=no"
Lynx"Albanian: Nëse ke besim|i=no"

Preparation and promotion

On 10 March 2023, a revamped version of "Albanian: Duje|i=no" was released alongside the premiere of a music video on the official YouTube channel of the Eurovision Song Contest.[14] [15] Changes to the song pertained to its orchestration, while the bulk of the song remained the same as had been previously performed.[16] Ahead of the contest, Albina and Familja Kelmendi conducted promotional activities in April 2023. This included appearing as one of 14 contest participants on 1 April at the Polish Eurovision Party in Warsaw,[17] followed on 8 April by an appearance as one of 18 contest participants at the fifth annual Israel Calling event in Tel Aviv.[18] The next weekend saw the group at the Eurovision in Concert series in Amsterdam, Netherlands on 15 April.[19]

At Eurovision

The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 was hosted at the Liverpool Arena in Liverpool, United Kingdom; it comprised two semi-finals held on 9 and 11 May, respectively, and a final on 13 May 2023.[20] According to the Eurovision regulations, all participating countries, except for the host nation and the "Big Five" of,,,, and the, were required to qualify from one of the two semi-finals to participate in the final.[21] The top 10 countries from each semi-final proceeded to the final.[21]

Prior to the allocation draw, the EBU categorised the participating countries into six pots based on previous voting patterns to minimise the chance of neighborly voting.[22] [23] On 31 January 2023, the allocation draw at St George's Hall in Liverpool determined each nation's semi-final and which half of the semi-final they would compete in.[23] Therein, Albania was scheduled for the second half of the second semi-final.[23] Following the release of all entries, the producers of the contest on 22 March arranged the semi-final running order to avoid grouping similar songs; Albania was given 14th in the running order, following and preceding .[24]

Performances

Albania's participation in the 2023 contest encompassed a series of rehearsals, beginning with the first rehearsal on 2 May and following by the second rehearsal on 5 May.[25] [26] [27] Furthermore, the dress rehearsals for the second semi-final occurred on 8 and 9 May that provided a comprehensive preview of their stage performance in preparation for the live broadcast.[25] The Albanian performance was directed by Swedish artistic director Sacha Jean-Baptiste, who had previously directed the staging for Albania in the 2021 contest.[28] The stage presentation showcased a dark color scheme, integrating black and red reminiscent of the Albanian flag on LED screens.[29] Dynamic elements, including flames and pyrotechnics, were also incorporated into the staging.[30] The introductory postcards for the contest comprised three distinct international locations selected to convey a connecting theme.[31] Filmed at the Arboretum Sofiyivka in Uman, Ukraine, Sefton Park in Liverpool, UK, and Grand Park of Tirana, Albania, the postcard with Albina and Familja Kelmendi showed a family sharing a traditional Albanian meal in the Grand Park.[32] [33]

Soon after securing a place in the final following its ninth place finish in the semi-final, a winners' press conference convened for the 10 qualifying nations. During this event, the qualifying artists participated in a draw to determine their placement in the final.[34] The draw followed the order of appearance in the semi-final running order, with Albania being drawn to perform in the first half.[35] Subsequently, the show's producers established the running order for the final, assigning Albania the 10th position, succeeding and preceding .[36] In the final, Albania placed 22nd of the 26 finalists.[37]

Voting

See also: Voting at the Eurovision Song Contest.

The voting system during the shows of the contest encompassed the allocation of points by countries on a scale of 1–8, 10 and 12, with one set of points determined by their professional jury and another from televoting.[21] [38] However, in the semi-final, the results relied exclusively on the televoting, aligning with the format between and .[39] The jury of each nation comprised five music industry professionals, all of whom held citizenship in the respective country they represented.[21] These jurors assessed each entry based on criteria such as vocal capacity, stage performance, and song composition and originality, as well as the overall impression left by the act.[21] For the voting portion of the final, Andri Xhahu served as the Albanian spokesperson announcing the country's jury voting results.[40]

In the 2023 contest, Albania participated in the second semi-final and finished in 9th position with a total of 83 points.[41] This was the 11th time that Albania had qualified for the final, out of the 19 times it had participated in Eurovision. and the Rest of the World each awarded 12 points to the nation, followed by with 10 points and and with 8 points each.[41] In the final, Albania finished in the 22nd position with a total of 76 points.[42] 's televoting granted 12 points to the nation, while 's jury and 's televoting both awarded 8 points.[42] Albania's televoting granted 12 points to in the second semi-final; in the final, the nation's jury awarded 12 points to and its televoting 12 points to .[41] [42] Below is a breakdown that provides a detailed overview of the points awarded to Albania in both the second semi-final and final of the 2023 contest, along with the corresponding allocations by Albania on both occasions. Furthermore, it includes a breakdown of the jury voting and televoting conducted during the two live shows.

Detailed voting results

The following members comprised the Albanian jury:[43]

+
DrawCountryTelevote
RankPoints
0112
023 8
0314
049 2
058 3
065 6
0710 1
0811
094 7
107 4
1113
1215
132 10
14
156 5
161 12
+

Notes and References

  1. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Countries: Albania . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201026144748/https://eurovision.tv/country/albania . 26 October 2020 . live.
  2. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Countries: Albania . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201026144748/https://eurovision.tv/country/albania . 26 October 2020 . live.
  3. Web site: Jiandani . Sanjay (Sergio) . ESCToday . Albania: RTSH confirms participation at Eurovision 2023: FiK 61 preparations kick off . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118131423/https://esctoday.com/187096/albania-rtsh-confirms-participation-at-eurovision-2023-fik-61-preparations-kick-off/ . 18 November 2023 . 3 June 2022 . live.
  4. Web site: Santos . Pedro . Eurovision World . Albania 2023: Submissions open for Festivali i Këngës 61 . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118131138/https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/albania-2023-submissions-open-for-festivali-i-kenges-61 . 18 November 2023 . 3 June 2022 . live.
  5. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv. Eurovision 2023: Here are the 37 countries competing in Liverpool . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118131250/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2023-here-are-37-countries-competing-liverpool . 18 November 2023 . 20 October 2022 . live.
  6. Web site: Granger . Anthony . Eurovoix . Albania: Public Will Select Entry for Eurovision 2023 . 14 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114215824/https://eurovoix.com/2022/10/28/%F0%9F%87%A6%F0%9F%87%B1-albania-public-will-select-entry-for-eurovision-2023/ . 14 November 2023 . 28 October 2022 . live.
  7. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv. 'Festivali i Këngës' chooses Albina & Familja Kelmendi for Albania . 4 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230117234838/https://eurovision.tv/story/festivali-i-kenges-chooses-albina-albania . 17 January 2023 . 23 December 2022 . live.
  8. Web site: Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). Albina dhe Familja Kelmendi çon Shqipërinë në Eurovision, merr votat maksimale të publikut. Albina and the Kelmendi Family lead Albania to Eurovision, receive the maximum votes of the public . 4 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204200711/https://festivali.rtsh.al/artikull/albina-dhe-familja-kelmendi-con-shqiperine-ne-eurovision-merr-votat-maksimale-te-publikut . 4 February 2023 . sq . 23 December 2023 . live.
  9. Web site: Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) . Arbana Osmani drejton Festivalin e Këngës, prezanton bashkëpunëtorët . Arbana Osmani directs the Song Festival, introduces the collaborators. 18 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218153240/https://lajme.rtsh.al/artikull/arbana-osmani-drejton-festivalin-e-kenges-prezanton-bashkepunetoret . 18 December 2022 . sq . 12 November 2022 . live.
  10. Web site: Adams . William Lee . Wiwibloggs . Festivali i Këngës 61: How to watch Albania's Eurovision 2023 selection online . 19 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219164754/https://wiwibloggs.com/2022/12/19/festivali-i-kenges-61-how-to-watch-albanias-eurovision-2023-selection-online/274238/ . 19 December 2022 . 19 December 2022 . live.
  11. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Eurovision.tv. Albania's 'Festivali i Këngës' will have 26 participants . 5 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221105155059/https://eurovision.tv/country-updates-eurovision-2023/albanias-festivali-i-kenges-will-have-26-participants . 5 November 2022 . 27 October 2022 . live.
  12. Web site: Adams . William Lee . Wiwibloggs . Albania: Report says RTSH will add televote to Festivali i Këngës 61 . 4 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204163221/https://wiwibloggs.com/2022/09/11/albania-rtsh-televote-festivali-i-kenges-61/273334/ . 4 February 2023 . 11 September 2022 . live.
  13. Web site: Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) . Sot nata finale e FEST 61, lista me këngët dhe kodet e votimit për secilin nga pjesëmarrësit . Today is the final night of FEST 61, the list of songs and voting codes for each of the participants. 14 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114230431/https://festivali.rtsh.al/artikull/sot-nata-finale-e-fest-61-lista-me-kenget-dhe-kodet-e-votimit-per-secilin-nga-pjesemarresit . 14 November 2023 . sq . 22 December 2022 . live.
  14. Eurovision Song Contest . . Albina & Familja KelmendiDujeAlbaniaOfficial Music VideoEurovision 2023 . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117174223/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp8OG4ApocI . 17 November 2023 . 10 March 2023 . live.
  15. Web site: Albania: Official music video of 'Duje' released. 11 March 2023. 27 March 2024. ESCToday. Sanjay. Jiandani.
  16. Web site: Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi release 'Duje' revamp and music video for Eurovision 2023. 10 March 2023. 27 March 2024. Wiwibloggs. Erdi. Tejeci.
  17. Web site: Van Leijden . Bo . ESCXtra . Vesna, Albina & Familja Kelmendi and more join the line-up for the Polish Eurovision Party . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117174733/https://escxtra.com/2023/03/27/vesna-albina-familja-kelmendi-and-more-join-the-line-up-for-the-polish-eurovision-party/ . 17 November 2023 . 27 March 2023 . live.
  18. Web site: Grace. Emily. Eurovoix . Israel: Over Fifteen Artists Now Confirmed for Israel Calling 2023 . 27 March 2024 . 3 April 2023.
  19. Web site: Van Leijden . Bente . ESCXtra . Sweden, Denmark, and Albania have been added to the Eurovision in Concert line-up! . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117175111/https://escxtra.com/2023/04/01/sweden-denmark-and-albania-eurovision-in-concert/ . 17 November 2023 . 1 April 2023 . live.
  20. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv. Eurovision Song ContestLiverpool 2023 . 15 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115151415/https://eurovision.tv/event/liverpool-2023 . 15 November 2023 . live.
  21. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv. The Rules of the Contest 2023 . 15 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230501215443/https://eurovision.tv/about/rules . 1 May 2023 . dead.
  22. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv . How to watch the Eurovision 2023 Semi-Final Allocation Draw . 15 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115152536/https://eurovision.tv/story/how-watch-eurovision-2023-semi-final-allocation-draw . 15 November 2023 . 31 January 2023 . live.
  23. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv. Eurovision 2023: Allocation Draw results . 15 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115152245/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2023-allocation-draw-results . 15 November 2023 . 31 January 2023 . live.
  24. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv . Eurovision 2023: Semi-Final running orders revealed! . 15 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115154219/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2023-semi-final-running-orders-revealed . 15 November 2023 . 22 March 2023 . live.
  25. Web site: Eurovision World . Eurovision 2023: Rehearsal Schedule . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117160320/https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/eurovision-2023-rehearsal-schedule . 17 November 2023 . 30 April 2023 . live.
  26. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv . Live Blog: Tuesday 2 May . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117160614/https://eurovision.tv/live-blog-tuesday-2-may . 17 November 2023 . 2 May 2023 . live.
  27. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv . Live Blog: Friday 5 May . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117160738/https://eurovision.tv/live-blog-friday-5-may . 17 November 2023 . 5 May 2023 . live.
  28. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv . Albania takes to the stage... . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117162318/https://eurovision.tv/live-blog-tuesday-2-may/albania-takes-stage . 17 November 2023 . 2 May 2023 . live.
  29. Web site: Granger . Anthony . Eurovoix . Albania: All The Details About Albina & Familija Kelmendi's First Rehearsal . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117162432/https://eurovoix.com/2023/05/02/albania-albina-familija-kelmendi-first-rehearsal/ . 17 November 2023 . 2 May 2023 . live.
  30. Web site: Mitika . Katerina . Eurovision Fun . Eurovision 2023: Albania's First Rehearsal! . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117162652/https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2023/05/eurovision-2023-albanias-first-rehearsal/ . 17 November 2023 . 2 May 2023 . live.
  31. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv . Eurovision 2023 Postcards: 37 artists across 111 locations . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117165548/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2023-postcards-37-artists-across-111-locations . 17 November 2023 . 11 April 2023 . live.
  32. Web site: Farren . Neil . Eurovoix . Live From Liverpool: Eurovision 2023 Grand Final Dress Rehearsal . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117165042/https://eurovoix.com/2023/05/12/live-from-liverpool-eurovision-2023-grand-final-dress-rehearsal/ . 17 November 2023 . 12 May 2023 . live.
  33. Web site: Eurovoix . Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi Film Eurovision 2023 Postcard . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117165332/https://eurovoix.com/2023/03/31/albania-eurovision-2023-postcard/ . 17 November 2023 . 31 March 2023 . live.
  34. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv. Second Semi-Final: Qualifiers' press conference . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117172142/https://eurovision.tv/story/second-semi-final-qualifiers-conference . 17 November 2023 . 12 May 2023 . live.
  35. Web site: Holdiness . Timothy . ESCXtra . Semi-final two qualifiers draw their halves for the Grand Final . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117173052/https://escxtra.com/2023/05/11/semi-final-two-qualifiers-draw-their-halves-for-the-grand-final-2023/ . 17 November 2023 . 12 May 2023 . live.
  36. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv . Eurovision 2023: The Grand Final running order . 17 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117172449/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2023-grand-final-running-order . 17 November 2023 . 12 May 2023 . live.
  37. Web site: Grand Final of Liverpool 2023. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114231805/https://eurovision.tv/event/liverpool-2023/grand-final/ . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv.
  38. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv. How can I vote for my favourite Eurovision song? . 16 May 2019 . 15 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115134226/https://eurovision.tv/about/voting . 15 November 2023 . live.
  39. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv . Voting changes announced for Eurovision Song Contest 2023 . 22 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221122131325/https://eurovision.tv/story/voting-changes-announced-eurovision-song-contest-2023 . 22 November 2022 . 22 November 2022 . live.
  40. Web site: Granger . Anthony . 30 April 2023 . Albania: Andri Xhahu Spokesperson For Eurovision 2023 . Eurovoix.
  41. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv. Liverpool 2023Second Semi-Final: Detailed voting results: Albania . 14 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114231440/https://eurovision.tv/event/liverpool-2023/second-semi-final/results/albania . 14 November 2023 . live.
  42. Web site: Liverpool 2023Final: Detailed voting results: Albania . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114231805/https://eurovision.tv/event/liverpool-2023/grand-final/results/albania . 14 November 2023 . 14 November 2023 . European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv.
  43. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision.tv . Liverpool 2023Grand Final: Jurors . 14 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231114232302/https://eurovision.tv/event/liverpool-2023/grand-final/jury . 14 November 2023 . live.

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