Who is Eslin Kurti? Meet Albania’s representative at Junior Eurovision 2026

There is very little time left until the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026! This time, the 24th edition of the children’s contest will take place at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali (Malta) on Saturday, 24 October. The small Maltese village is preparing to host one of the most exciting editions in recent years, where young talents from across Europe will compete to take home the coveted crystal microphone.

Among the 16 participating countries, Albania will be represented by young artist Eslin Kurti, who will perform the song «Kërce Me Mua», an entry that encourages people to disconnect from the digital world and get moving, whose title translates into English as “Dance With Me.” Eslin, who comes from Durrës (Albania), has shown her passion for music and the stage from a young age and promises to captivate both the audience and the jury with her boundless energy.

This time, it is time to discover the biography and professional career of Eslin Kurti, Albania’s representative at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The young artist secured her ticket to Ta’ Qali after being crowned the winner of the 64th edition of the Festivali Mbarëkombëtar i Këngës për Fëmijë on 1 June.

How did her journey towards Junior Eurovision begin? What made her fall in love with music? What are her biggest dreams? And what is the meaning behind the song she will perform on the Ta’ Qali stage? Through her story, we get to know young Eslin Kurti, who is taking part in this 24th edition, more closely.

This is Eslin Kurti: talent and freshness on stage

Eslin Kurti is a 12-year-old singer from the coastal city of Durrës (Albania). She is in the 7th grade of basic education and simultaneously studies at the prestigious “Jan Kukuzeli” music school in Durrës. She stands out for her great stage maturity, a sweet yet firm voice and a versatile artistic profile encompassing singing, piano, guitar and acting. Despite her young age, her artistic career already includes several achievements both nationally and internationally.

Childhood and first steps in music

Music has been part of Eslin’s life from a very early age. Her passion for music began at the age of 4, when her father discovered her musical ear while she was singing songs by Ermal Meta (Italy’s representative at Eurovision 2018) in the car.

Debut and career in national festivals

Eslin first began gaining recognition by sharing covers on YouTube of international songs such as «Golden Hour» by JVKE and «Wildflower» by Billie Eilish. Later, Eslin built a strong track record in children’s music competitions in Albania, winning several awards:

In December 2024, Eslin Kurti took part in the 37th edition of Festivali “Tingujt e Adriatikut”, performing the song «Tingujt na bashkojnë», composed by Ermal Laho with lyrics by Amariliz Percakaj, where she won 2nd prize. In addition, with that song, she was selected to represent Albania at the 32nd “Zlatna Pahulja” International Children’s Song Festival, held in Rožaje, Montenegro, where she also received the jury’s 3rd prize.

In January 2025, she performed the song «Vika deti» at the 5th National Festival of Performers and Creators of Folk Songs for Children (Festivali i 5-të mbarëkombëtar i interpretuesve dhe krijuesve të këngës popullore për fëmijë), where she won 3rd prize.

In May of that same year, she won first prize at the Pop Talent Fest competition with her performance of «Maman», the song by Louane that represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. She later took part in the 63rd edition of the National Children’s Song Festival (Festivali i 63-të mbarëkombëtar i këngës për fëmijë), held in Shkodër from 30 May to 1 June, with the song «Me fat unë jam», which was composed and orchestrated by Enis Mullaj and written by Eriona Rushiti. That performance earned her the Best Performer Award in the Junior category (ages 9 to 14).

Also in 2025, Eslin competed in the 38th edition of Festivali “Tingujt e Adriatikut” with the song «Diell», a track created by the same composers and lyricists who would later be behind her future Eurovision entry, also achieving victory in this music competition.

The decisive moment in Eslin Kurti’s career came in June 2026, when she competed in the 64th edition of the Festivali Mbarëkombëtar i Këngës për Fëmijë. The event, held at the historic Migjeni Theatre in Shkodër, brought together young talents from across Albania and the diaspora. Eslin competed in the “Junior” category (for young people aged 9 to 14) against 18 other young artists.

This prestigious festival, broadcast live by Albanian Radio Television (RTSH), is Albania’s most important music competition for child artists and the official selection platform for Junior Eurovision. She was crowned the winner with «Kërce Me Mua», a song written by local composers that combines cheerful pop rhythms with inspiring lyrics about the need to disconnect from the digital environment in order to live in the present moment.

Selection for Junior Eurovision 2026

Her unanimous victory in Shkodër made her Albania’s official representative at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026, a dream come true for the young artist. After receiving the highest score from both the professional and children’s juries, Eslin burst into tears of emotion backstage. When she returned to her music school in Durrës, her classmates and teachers welcomed her with a surprise celebration.

The final result was determined through a 50/50 combination of both juries. The children’s jury was chaired by Nikol Çabeli (Albania’s representative at Junior Eurovision 2024) and also included Eden Dani, Dean Hoxhaj and Viola Gjyzeli (the country’s representative in 2023).

Eslin Kurti finished in first place, ahead of Aria Kolaveri, who came second with «Dua ta marr globin në krahë», and Laura Spahiu, who placed third with «Nëse beson». Eslin’s entry succeeds that of Kroni Pula, who finished 6th with 145 points at the 2025 edition in Tbilisi. Following her victory, in July 2026, Eslin gave an interview to the Albanian television programme “Rudina” to describe her emotions after winning the demanding national competition.

Personal anecdotes and family life

Outside the strictly vocal and piano-related aspects of her career, Eslin Kurti is a multi-talented young artist: she enjoys playing the guitar, dancing, painting, reading books at the library and playing volleyball. She herself believes that these activities help her express her creativity and maintain the dynamism and positive energy she projects in her stage performances. At school, her favourite subject is Geography because she loves imagining trips around the world.

Eslin comes from a family with artistic roots:

• Family background: Her father studied at an Arts High School and led a music band in Greece. On her mother’s side, she is related to musician Luan Borova.
• Eurovision connection: She is the second cousin of renowned singer-songwriter Ermal Meta. After she won the Albanian selection, Ermal himself contacted her to congratulate her and express his pride.
• Technical training: In addition to her piano studies at the “Jan Kukuzeli” school, since 2023 she has been receiving vocal training from renowned coach Olta Juba (who also prepared Viola Gjyzeli for Junior Eurovision 2023).

Her parents work as a coordinated team to manage her career. Her father is very selective about her repertoire and her mother is actively involved in her image. For the Shkodër competition, she wore a design by the local atelier Irida Atelje.

Eslin Kurti stands out for a delicate and precise vocal technique, accompanied by a remarkable ability to improvise. In addition to admiring her cousin Ermal Meta, one of her greatest international musical influences is Adele, with «Skyfall» being her favourite song to perform outside her own repertoire.

This is «Kërce Me Mua», Eslin Kurti’s entry to represent Albania at Junior Eurovision 2026

The winning song of the 64th edition of the Festivali Mbarëkombëtar i Këngës për Fëmijë, performed by Eslin Kurti, is titled «Kërce Me Mua» (“Dance With Me” in English). The music was composed by Rei Bezhani, the lyrics were written by Eriona Rushiti, and the final orchestration was handled by Enis Mullaj. The idea for the song came from Eslin’s father, who suggested creating a modern entry with a “Eurovision flavour.”

The team behind the entry combines fresh talent with extensive experience on European stages:

• Eriona Rushiti (Lyricist): She is one of the most prolific and recurring songwriters in Albania’s recent history at the contest. She wrote the lyrics for Albania’s entries in the adult Eurovision Song Contest in 2019 («Ktheju tokës», performed by Jonida Maliqi) and 2023 («Duje» by Albina & Familja Kelmendi). At Junior Eurovision, she wrote the lyrics for the country’s entries in 2023 («Bota ime» by Viola Gjyzeli) and 2024 («Vallëzoj» by Nikol Çabeli) and collaborated in the creative process in 2025. At this year’s Festivali Mbarëkombëtar i Këngës për Fëmijë, she also wrote the lyrics to «Vetëm» for Amina Zegullaj and composed «Hello» for Emili Dervishi.
• Enis Mullaj (Arranger): He is a close collaborator of Rushiti. He provided the arrangements and composition for the aforementioned Albanian entry for Eurovision 2023 («Duje») and the Junior Eurovision 2023 entry («Bota ime»). In Shkodër this year, he also composed «Fjala» for Ameis Demiraj, wrote the lyrics to «Hello» for Emili Dervishi and arranged the orchestration of «Jug-Veri» by Grupi Pentagram, all of whom took part in the Junior category of the competition.
• Rei Bezhani (Composer): In contrast to Rushiti and Mullaj’s extensive Eurovision experience, Bezhani makes his debut in a European competition with this song, marking his first participation as a composer within the Eurovision or Junior Eurovision sphere.

The lyrics of «Kërce Me Mua» by Eslin Kurti convey an energetic and contemporary message about the need to disconnect from the digital environment in order to live in the present moment. They make a direct appeal to young people to put screens aside (explicitly mentioning the need to be “pa smartphone”) and go out and enjoy their surroundings, nature and real-life company through dance. In addition, the lyrics underline the unifying power of rhythm, presenting music as something that lifts the spirit («sa lart na çon») and helps make dreams come true.

This optimistic approach, which combines a constant invitation to movement with an assertion of physical rather than virtual socialisation, fits Eslin Kurti’s profile perfectly, providing an ideal foundation for a lively staging particularly well suited to a children’s festival such as Junior Eurovision.

In preparation for her participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, Eslin Kurti and her team have been working on a revamped version of «Kërce Me Mua» in Sweden. In July 2026, Eslin posted images on her social media from the Grammofon Studion recording studio in Gothenburg, where she can be seen working alongside composer Erion Rushiti and her vocal coach Olta Juba on this new version of the song. This practice is common at Junior Eurovision, where artists often polish and improve their songs between the national selection and the international competition.

Ahead of her participation in Malta, the team has worked on an improved version that retains the essence of the Albanian language while including some phrases in English, as well as revamped outfits and specially designed choreography. The RTSH production team has prepared a dynamic staging for Ta’ Qali (Malta), with the intention of incorporating visual elements that reinforce the song’s message.

Lyrics of «Kërce Me Mua» by Eslin Kurti, Albania’s entry for Junior Eurovision 2026

Enjoy all the songs from Junior Eurovision 2026 in ESCplus’ Spotify playlist:

Albania at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest

Albania took part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in Amsterdam 2012, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the European competition. Igzidora Gjeta with her «Kam Një Këngë Vetëm Për Ju» gave Albania a very modest debut. The singer finished in last place with just 35 points. This remains the country’s lowest placing and ranking to date.

Following this result, Albanian broadcaster RTSH was not satisfied with the outcome and took a two-edition break from the contest. In Bulgaria 2015, they returned with Mishela Rapo and her song «Dambaje». The entry achieved a respectable 5th place with 93 points, its best result in history up to that point.

Albania is among the group of countries that currently hold national selections to choose their entries for the contest. Until 2024, the Albanian public broadcaster organised Junior Fest, a children’s competition where the country’s young artists have a major musical platform.

However, between 2015 and 2016, RTSH opted for an established format such as the Festivali Mbarëkombëtar i Këngës për Fëmijë, the national children’s song festival, which has now reached its 64th edition. This format was revived in 2025 and has become established as a youth space for musical creation and performance in order to strengthen its presence at Junior Eurovision and improve the country’s results.

In its more recent track record, the country’s progressive improvement in results stands out. In Yerevan 2022, Kejtlin Gjata with her song «Pakëz Diell» scored 94 points, resulting in a 12th-place finish. Meanwhile, in Nice 2023, Viola Gjyzeli with «Bota Ime» received 115 points, reaching 8th place. In Madrid 2024, Nikol Çabeli with «Vallëzoj» managed to improve on that result with a 7th-place finish, thanks to the 126 points received.

In the most recent edition, Tbilisi 2025, the artist chosen to represent Albania was Kroni Pula with the song «Fruta Perime». She reached 6th place with 145 points. So far, this is the highest score achieved by Albania at Junior Eurovision and its second-best placing.