The 63rd edition of Festivali i Këngës concluded on Sunday, 22 December, crowning Shkodra Elektronike as Albania’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, set to take place in Basel, Switzerland. Their entry, “Zjerm,” composed by Beatriçe Gjergji and Lekë Gjeloshi, captivated audiences with its blend of modern and traditional elements, securing a decisive victory.
A Night of Music, Culture, and Tradition
The grand final of Festivali i Këngës 63 aired live from the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, with presenters Enkel Demi and Ornela Bregu hosting the event. Fifteen finalists, previously selected during the festival’s earlier stages, performed for a chance to represent Albania on the Eurovision stage.
The results were determined by a combination of votes: 50% from a professional jury, 25% from the Albanian diaspora through an online platform, and 25% from the televoting public via SMS.
Final Results of Festivali i Këngës 63
| Rank | Artist | Song | Total | Televote SMS | Online Diaspora Vote | Professional Jury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1º | Shkodra Elektronike ¹ | «Zjerm» | 143 | 42 | 23 | 78 |
| 2º | Elvana Gjata | «Karnaval» | 135 | 19 | 42 | 74 |
| 3º | Alis Kallacej | «Mjegull» | 59 | 6 | 1 | 52 |
| 4º | Vesa Smolica ² | «Lutem» | 54 | 3 | 0 | 51 |
| 5º | Lorenc Hasrama | «Frymë» | 41 | 4 | 1 | 36 |
| 6º | Djemtë E Detit | «Larg» | 37 | 2 | 0 | 35 |
| 7º | Ardit Çuni | «Amane» | 26 | 2 | 2 | 22 |
| 8º | Orgesa Zaimi | «I Parë» | 21 | 1 | 0 | 20 |
| 9º | Jet | «Gjallë» | 11 | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| 9º | Gjergj Kaçinari | «Larg Jetës Pa Ty» | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 11º | Algert Sala | «Bosh» | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 12º | Mal Retkoceri | «Antihero» | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 12º | Kejsi Jazxhi | «Kur Bota Hesht» | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 14º | Nita Latifi | «Zemrës» | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 15º | Stine | «E Kishim Nis» | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
In addition to winning the main competition, “Zjerm” also received the Critics’ Award, while the prize for the best lyrics went to Vesa Smolica for her song “Lutem.”
A Return to Festivali i Këngës’ Roots
This year’s festival embraced a return to its roots, merging the best of Albania’s rich musical tradition with contemporary sounds. The inclusion of the diaspora in the voting process was a first for the festival, reflecting RTSH’s commitment to uniting Albanians worldwide through music.
Under the artistic direction of Elhaida Dani, Albania’s 2015 Eurovision representative, the festival showcased an impressive array of talent. Thirty participants vied for the title over four nights, with the final 15 selected during the nostalgic third evening, a celebration of Albania’s 20-year journey in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Behind the Scenes of Festivali i Këngës 63
Director Redi Treni highlighted the cutting-edge technology used to elevate the festival’s production quality. The event combined innovative stage design and advanced visual effects, setting a new benchmark for Albania’s flagship music competition.
Producer Alfred Kačinari underscored the dedication involved in crafting the festival’s live performances. The RTSH Symphony Orchestra provided live music, enhancing the emotional impact of more than 50 performances across the festival’s four nights.