Blending classic folk songs with modern works, the repertoire highlighted Albanian musical heritage while bridging the gap between veteran performers and emerging artists.

Before Gjirokastra, the event took place in Elbasan, while it will continue in Maliq, Erseka, Durrës, Kavaja, Lushnja, Fier, Vlora and Shkodra. The organizers aim not only to provide entertainment for the public, but also to support the preservation and promotion of Albanian folk music, bringing it to public spaces and cities with rich cultural history and traditions. /j.p/p.s./

The singer was guest today to the “Flasim” (Let’s Talk) podcast with Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Alis reminded that when he won the talent show “X Factor” he realized that he had to continue his musical path.

“That was the confirmation that I should get seriously embark on music”, he said.

He also evaluated highly the other songs at the Song Festival.

Speaking about his song “Nan,” Alis indicated that he will go to the Eurovision appearing with fresh stage presentation.

“We are thinking of something more special,” Alis said.

“My wish has been to have a try beyond borders and the Eurovision is a dream come true”, he said.

The lyrics of the song “Nan,” Alis added, was written from his girlfriend.

“She was the impetus, she had a dream and told me she had written a poem. I was impressed and I sat at the piano and wrote the music and then went to the producer to realize it,” he said.

Alis also emphasized that his family was also an important support for him. Alis indicated that he is currently attending Music Pedagogy study course, adding that he likes teaching. /m.q/j.p/p.s./

Center for Studies and Publications on Arbëreshi people announced that the first place winner of the festival was Ernesto Iannuzzi, a singer-songwriter from Firmo. In front of a wonderful audience in Shën Adrian, the artist performed the song “Keep me inside”, with lyrics by Iannuzzi and musical arrangements by Alessandro Paloli, winning the grand prize and a reward of €3,000.

In second place was Francesca Manoccio from Acquaformosa, with her song “Come” (prize €2,000) and in third place, Clarissa De Santo from Caraffa, with her song “Tell me, you remember me”, written by Luigi Gregorio Comi with music by the singer herself (prize €1,000).

A technical jury also awarded the critics’ prize and the prize for best song, respectively to Giuseppe Basile di Plataci “Butterfly” and Marco Sabato with “Great joy”.

16 singers participated in the Festival organized as every year, in Shën Mitër. They came not only from the Arbëresh villages of Calabria, but also from other regions and from Albania. /a.f/p.s./

Attracted by Albanian tradition and culture, they have integrated well into Albanian society.

British Sara Payman is one of them; she is passionate about Albanian music.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media today the sounds of the “It flows into songs”, performed by Sara.

“With the emotions of Albanian music stirred up by British Sara Payman, who performs the song as if it was from a people of her own blood, reminding us that you also become Albanian at heart through love for this country, as Sara has chosen Albania”, said Rama.

Born in Cambridge and graduated in dentistry, Sara left Great Britain and settled in Albania. In previous television interviews she has spoken of her attraction to Albanian culture, especially for music, which she performs with passion. /m.m/r.e/p.s./

This year it is the 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It is set to take place in Basel, Switzerland, following the country’s victory at the 2024 contest.

The Albanian representatives will perform “Zjerm” in the first semi-final night.

Following its victory as the winning song in the 63^rd edition of the Song Festival in the Albanian Radio-Television, the “Zjerm” has become one of the most followed on the YouTube. While having recorded thousands of clicks and comments even by the international public, the song is gaining ground as one of the favorite songs to win this edition.

The “Zjerm” is an artistic mixture of Shkodra traditional music and modern electronic music. The musical critic has appreciated it as one of the greatest novelties of this season of the Eurovision.

Shkodra Elektronike with “Zjerm” enjoys the support of the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation as well as of the CultureALB platform, Albanian Days in the World. /j.p/p.s./

In the meeting with Beatrice and Kola, the two talented artists of “Shkodra Elektronike”, Gonxhja praised the unique style that combines traditional Albanian music with electronic rhythms.

“With a unique style that combines traditional Albanian music with electronic rhythms, “Shkodra Elektronike” has brought a completely original approach, performing even at the opening and closing evenings of the International Cultural Weeks,” he said.

The minister expressed support for their journey towards a dignified representation in Basel for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. /a.f/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama delivered a greeting message to the festival. Through a post in the social media, Instagram, he shared a summary of the most beautiful moments of the three nights of the Fest 63.

Tonight, 15 singers will compete on the final night. They carry the challenge of a strong competition between them to receive the trophy of the winner of Fest 63.

This year’s novelty is that the Diaspora, for the first time, will have its own voice in choosing the winning song. The organizers have created a dedicated page on which all Albanians living abroad can vote for the song they prefer.

Voting at the address festivali.rtsh.al. is only possible for Albanians abroad.

At the above address, Albanian citizens within the country, those in Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia cannot vote.

Voters from Albania and Kosovo vote by sending messages from Albania to the number 56789 and from Kosovo to the number 55789. Citizens have the right to vote 5 times only the code of their favorite artist from each number.

The votes of Albanians in the Diaspora will also be added to the votes of Albanian citizens within the country in calculating the total votes for the winning song. In order to announce the winning song of Fest 63, there will also be counted the vote of the professional jury of the Song Festival. /p.s./

The song entitled “For you”, performed by the young artist Iris Sula, was declared the winner of the festival.

The Center for Studies and Publications for Arbëresh people said that many Arbëresh artists participated in the competition, among them the well-known singer-songwriter Stefano de Bartolo, who was declared the winner of the “Pino Cacozza” award for the best song lyrics.

The Arbëresh Song Festival is among the first and most important initiatives organized by Italo-Albanian communities in Calabria to protect and promote their cultural heritage.

The festival was born as an idea in 1980 and as the creator of this event, the lawyer Giusseppe D’Amico has underlined, from the rich musical heritage of the Arbëresh people, which consisted of the traditional songs quite widespread among young people. In this way, the need and desire arose to produce new songs both in terms of theme and rhythms, enriching Arbëresh musicology.

This year, the festival came as a tribute to the poets Pino Cacozza and Alfio Mocha, who are no longer alive, but their texts and songs continue to keep the culture of Arbëresh people alive. /p.s./

She performed second, giving a lot of energy and adrenaline with her song “Titan”, which she sang in English, lighting up the stage at Malmo Arena.

The scenography and the singer’s stage clothes were a very special and perfectly combined to properly represent Albania at the biggest European festival Eurovision 2024, one of the most watched music events with millions of viewers all over Europe and beyond.

Her song “Zemrën n’dôre” (Heart in hand) triumphed at the year-end Festival on Albanian Radio-Television through public votes, while at Eurovision it is presented with the title “Titan”. /p.s./

Kokëdhima will perform on the second night of the semi-finals of Eurovision 2024 when, after the draw, it has been determined that she will be the 6th in a row, on Thursday, May 9.

Besa Kokëdhima gained the votes of the public at the 62nd Song Festival on Albanian Radio Television with the song “Titan”.

Eurovision 2024 will be broadcasted live by Albanian Radio Television. Only 20 countries will be selected from the two semi-finals to proceed to the grand final on May 11, which will be joined by the 5 permanent finalist countries and the host country Sweden./p.s./