The Eurovision Song Contest is heading toward its 70th edition, which will take place in Vienna (Austria) on May 12, 14, and 16 at the Wiener Stadthalle.
The Eurovision season of the European contest once again featured Festivali i Këngës as one of the most prominent national selections. Once again, on the eve of Christmas, Albania held its iconic music competition, reaching its 64th edition.
28 artists competed over four musical nights from December 17 to 20, 2025. Finally, Alis Kallaçi with “Nân” will represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 after receiving the majority support of the professional jury and televote.
How did he make it to Eurovision? What experience does he have in the music world? How is he preparing his entry with which he will compete in Vienna 2026?
On this occasion, we review the musical career of Alis Kallaçi, the context of his candidacy, and his song. Albania’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will try to take his country to the grand final with “Nân” in what will be Albania’s 23rd participation in the European contest.
This is Alis Kallaçi, an emerging talent with a distinctive personal style
Alis Kallaçi, artistically known as Alis, was born on June 29, 2002, in Shkodër. From a very young age, he showed a strong interest in music, taking part in competitions during his teenage years where he won awards in both singing and piano. His musical training includes studies at the ‘Prenk Jakova’ School of Arts in Pristina, where he graduated in piano, in addition to developing skills on the guitar.
Considered one of the emerging talents of the Albanian scene, Alis stands out for a style that combines contemporary pop with classical influences and elements of rhythm and blues. His songs are characterized by emotional performances and lyrics focused on themes such as love, family, and everyday experiences. At the same time, he studies music education, with the aim of also dedicating himself to teaching.
In 2024, he made the leap to television by participating in X Factor Albania, where he impressed from his audition with “Blue Suede Shoes.” He was part of Arilena Ara’s team and, after performing songs by international artists, managed to win the competition. This victory marked a decisive boost in his career, allowing him to overcome his shyness and consolidate his musical vocation.
After the show, he released his first single, “Se Të Dua,” together with Arilena Ara, which achieved great popularity in Albania. That same year, he made his debut at Festivali i Këngës with “Mjegull,” achieving third place. In 2025, he returned with “Nân,” an emotional ballad composed by himself together with lyricist Desara Gjini, inspired by the bond between mothers and children.
With this entry, he achieved a resounding victory in the contest, which allowed him to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. For Alis, this achievement represents the fulfillment of a dream and an opportunity to take his music beyond his borders. In addition to his career as a performer, he has also worked as a songwriter for other artists in contests such as Kënga Magjike.
This is “Nân”, Alis Kallaçi’s proposal to represent Albania at Eurovision 2026
Alis Kallaçi will represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with “Nân” (Mother), a song entirely in Albanian composed by the Albanian artist himself together with his partner Desara Gjini, who was responsible for the lyrics of the track. Erjet Barbullushi has been the producer under the record label Folé Publishing.
Based on an image as intimate and evocative as a dream in which a distant voice said: “Goodbye, mother,” the entry is built as a deeply emotional ballad that tells the story of mothers waiting, of children who leave, and of love that endures beyond time and distance. It not only narrates a farewell, but also captures the invisible and eternal connection that unites those who love each other, even when separated by the paths of life.
Lyrics
Albanian
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
Kur po vjen, moj nan,
Se malli m’than,
Po mos u mërzit,
Nana ka me t’prit
English
Know that mother waits for you,
She waves you down the road.
Still standing at the doorway,
As two weeks, two years,
This summer, too, is gone.
My heart is aching
I can barely hold the tears
Now you are leaving
You will cry a little
Then forget
For a better life, I know
We still see your shadows
Running down the hall,
And we hear your voices
Echo softly in the yard
A great big laugh I hear,
I open up the window
But no one’s there.
I make the beds
On sofas and the floor,
I call your names, no one answers.
Know that mother waits for you,
She waves you down the road.
Still standing at the doorway,
As two weeks, two years,
This summer, too, is gone.
I sit remembering this place
Once it never slept in peace
Warm messy living,
Books on the floor
Suddenly it turned cold, a desert remains
Know that mother waits for you,
She waves you down the road.
Still standing at the doorway,
As two weeks, two years,
This summer, too, is gone.
When are you coming my child?
This longing burns inside
But worry not,
Mother will be waiting for you
Albania at Eurovision: A Quick History
Albania has participated in Eurovision since 2004, when it debuted in Istanbul with Anjeza Shahini and “The Image Of You,” achieving a notable 7th place. Since then, it has competed continuously, qualifying for the final on 11 occasions, although it has only reached the Top 10 twice. Its best result was 5th place achieved by Rona Nishliu in 2012 with “Suus,” while its highest score was obtained by Eugent Bushpepa in 2018.
The country selects its representatives through Festivali i Këngës, a historic music competition. In recent years, results have been irregular: in 2024 it failed to reach the final, but in 2025 Albania resurged with Shkodra Elektronike and “Zjerm,” achieving 8th place.