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🇦🇱 🇮🇱 🇨🇭 Update on what happens in and around Europe

Albania has chosen, Israel continues and Switzerland teases. That is what happens in Europe on the field of Eurovision. Albania Albania has chosen. Not Mal Retkonceri, who won Festivali i Këngës goes to Eurovision. The favourite of the televote, Besa Kokëdhima, will do so. It is not known whether her song “Zemrën n’dorë” will be in Eurovision in the way it was presented last week. We will keep you updated. Note that you can find her biography, and all the others of the chosen artists so far, can be found on our website. Israel Israel continues to have auditions. Still, when a candidate gets 70% of the votes (50% of the audience, 50% of an expert jury) they are through to the next round. 17 december Noah Aharon, 94%Zohar Zacharov, 81%Or Giny, 55%Libi Natfali, 82% 18 december Mika Kertis, 87%Israel Levi, 70%Frida Uziel, 57%Eitan Jomo, 90%Romi Netz, 78% Note that Frida Uziel also took part in 2019. She was rejected, but saved by the hosts. This time, a saviour by the hosts is not possible. Frida didn’t make it to the next round 20 december Or Cohen, 83%Gal Kafri, 86%Shoval Mualem, 62%Tahel Perry, 79%Tamar Ben-Zvi, 77% Switzerland Swiss TV announced that they will not be represented by a man with a ballad. Still, everything is possible. A man, with an uptempo song? A woman, with a ballad? Or a woman, but uptempo? Or a group? We don’t know yet, but thanks for the teaser Switzerland!

🇦🇱 Besa Kokëdhima represents Albania

Besa Kokhëdima represents Albania with the song “Zemrën n’dorë “. The song was chosen by televoting out of all the participating songs from Festivali i Këngës, the national song contest in Albania. Besa wrote the song together with Kledi Bahiti and Rozana Radi. The winner of the contest itself was Mal Retkoceri. These are, as far as we know, the results of the contest: Mal Retkoceri, “Çmendur” Tiri Gjoci, “Në ënderr” Shpat Deda, “S’mund t’fitoj pa ty” other songs in the final: Kastro Zino, “2073” Erina & The Elementals, “Jeten n’skaj” Melodajn Mancaku, “Nuk jemi më” Kleansa Susaj, “Pikture” Irma Lepuri, “Me prit” Festina Mejzini, “Melos” Eldis Arrnjeti, “Nje kujtim” Martina Serreqi, “Vetem ty” Besa Krasniqi, “Esenciale” Sergio Hajdini, “Uragan” Olimpia Smajlaj, “Saj” Anduel Kovaci, “Nan” Michela Paluca, “Për veten” PeterPan Quartet, “Nje here” Besa Kokëdhima, “Zemrën n’dorë” Arsi Bako, “Sgjohu” Elsa Lila, “Mars” Andi Tanko, “Herë pas here” Big Basta & Vesa Luma, “Mbinatyrale”

🇦🇱 Tonight is the night for Albania

Happy FiKmas, that is what Eurovision fans wish eachother at the end of December. FiK stands for Festivali i Këngës. And tonight, the final will be held. Just as last year, the expert jury will decide who wins Festivali i Këngës 2023. However, a televoting jury will pick the Eurovision participant. The show starts at 21.00 CET and you can watch it here, here and on YouTube. These are the 22 participants, in alfabetical order: Andi Tanko Hëre pas here Anduel Kovaci Nan’ Arsi Bako Zgjohu Besa Kokëdhima Zemrën n’dorë Besa Krasniqi Esenciale Big Basta & Vesa Luma Mbinatyrale Eldis Arrnjeti Një kujtim Elsa Lila Mars Erina & The Elementals Jetën n’Skaj Festina Mejzini Melos Irma Lepuri Më prit Kastro Zizo 2073 Kleansa Susaj Pikturë Mal Retkoceri Çmendur Martina Serreqi Vetëm ty Melodajn Mancaku Nuk jemi ne Michela Paluca Për veten Olimpia Smajlaj Asaj PeterPan Quartet Edhe një hëre Sergio Hajdini Uragan Shpat Depa S’mund të fitoj pa ty Tiri Gjoci Në ëndërr Andi Tanko took part in the 2016 semifinal.Arsi Bako took part in the 2023 semifinal.Besa Kokëdhima already took part in 2009 (4th) and 2011 (8th).Besa Krasniqi took part in 2016 (final).Elsa Lila won Festivali i Këngës last year, but the choice of the televoters went to Eurovision.Festina Mejzini was present in 2017 (semifinal), 2018 (final) and 2021 (3rd).Kastro Zizo participated in 2020 (semifinal), 2021 (final) and 2022 (semifinal).Melodajn Mancaku and Sergio Hajdini both reached the final in 2023.Olimpia Smajlaj reached the final in 2022.Tiri Gjoci participated in 2018 (final) and 2020 (final).Vesa Luma took part in 2005 (final), 2008 (semifinal) and 2013 (15th).

🇦🇱 Albania: second night Festivali i Këngës

Tonight is the second night of Festivali i Këngës, the Albanian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. The second semifinal will be held tonight, 21.00 CET. You can watch it here and on YouTube. The show will be aired from the Palace of Congress in Tirana and will be hosted by Adriana Matoshi, Kledi Kadiu, Xhuliano Dule & Krisa Çaushi. Full results are not expected tonight. These are the songs: Big Basta & Vesa Luma sing “Mbinatyrale” Elsa Lila sings “Mars” Jasmina Hako sings “Ti” Michela Paluca sings “Për veten” Anduel Kovaci sings “Nan’” Irma Lepuri sings “Me prit” Eden Baja sings “Ajër” Erina & The Elementals sing “Jetën n’Skaj” Kleansa Susaj sings “Pikturë” Arsi Bako sings “Zgjohu” Tiri Gjoci sings “Në ëndërr” Besa Krasniqi sings “Esenciale” Bledi Kaso sings “Çdo gjë mbaroi” Troy Band sing “Horizonti i ëndrrave” Martina Serreqi sings “Vetëm ty” Vesa Luma took part in 2005 (final), 2008 (semifinal) and 2013 (15th).Elsa Lila won Festivali i Këngës last year, but the choice of the televoters went to Eurovision.Arsi Bako took part in the 2023 semifinal.Tiri Gjoci participated in 2018 (final) and 2020 (final).Besa Krasniqi took part in 2016 (final).

🇦🇱 Albania: Festivali i Këngës, first evening tonight

Tonight is the first night of Festivali i Këngës, the Albanian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. Normally, this marks the start of the national final season. However, this year everything is different. We already know two songs for Eurovision. The first semifinal will be held tonight, 20.00 CET. You can watch it here on YouTube and on Facebook. The show will be aired from the Palace of Congress in Tirana and will be hosted by Adriana Matoshi, Kledi Kadiu, Xhuliano Dule & Krisa Çaushi. Full results are not expected tonight. These are the songs: Stivi Ushe sings “Askush si ty” Besa Kokëdhima sings “Zemrën n’dorë” Mal Retkorceri sings “Çmendur” Eldis Arrnjeti sings “Nje kujtim” Shpat Deda sings “S’mund t’fitoj pa ty” Jehona Ponari sings “Evol” PeterPan Quartet sings “Edhe nje here” Festina Mejzini sings “Melos” Kastro Zizo sings “2073” Luan Durmishi sings “Përsëritja” Melodajn Mancaku sings “Nuk jemi ne” Olsi Ballta sings “Unë” Andi Tanko sings “Herë pas here” Sergio Hajdini sings “Uragan” Santino de Bartolo sings “Dua të rry me ty” Olimpia Smajlaj sings “Asaj” Besa Kokëdhima already took part in 2009 (4th) and 2011 (8th).Festina Mejzini was present in 2017 (semifinal), 2018 (final) and 2021 (3rd).Kastro Zizo participated in 2020 (semifinal), 2021 (final) and 2022 (semifinal).Melodajna Mancaku and Sergio Hajdini both reached the final in 2023.Andi Tanko took part in the 2016 semifinal.Olimpia Smajlaj reached the final in 2022.

🇨🇿 🇬🇧 🇮🇱 🇳🇱 🇸🇮 🇸🇪 Update after a turbulent week

It has been a turbulent week in the world of Eurovision. No less than four countries presented their participant, one of which also included a song. And as if that was not enough, the EBU also presented the theme art. Israel Let’s all start were it started. The 10th of december was the day of the next round in Israel. This was the result: Malki Lipsker, 95% Raz Levi, 53% Dor Shimon, 93% Yehuda Saado, 73% None of them took part before in Kokhav Nolad when it was the national final for Eurovision. However, Yehuda Saado won the contest in 2005, way before it became the Eurovision national final. The Netherlands Last Monday, it was announced that the Netherlands will be represented by Joost Klein. Joost is especially known for his international hit “Frieschenjung”. You can read everything about Joost here. The song will be presented in March. Slovenia Tuesday was the day of Slovenia. Rumour had it already, but now it was confirmed that Raiven will be the Slovenian representative. Raiven took part in the national selection EMA more than once. Read all about it here. Czechia Wednesday, the result of the Czech final was announced. Aiko is the happy one, her song “Pedestal” will be the Czech entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. You can also find out who Aiko is at her page on our site. Theme Art Thursday, the theme art was published. The theme art makes it possible to have a consistent experience regardless of platform or screen size. Also good to know: the allocation draw, in which it will be decided which country will perform in which semifinal, will be held on January 30. United Kingdom Surprise, surprise, Saturday evening Olly Alexander suddenly announced that he will be the 2024 UK representant. The song will be announced later, in 2024. But until then, you can find all the information about Olly here.

Olly Alexander represents the UK

Tonight, the BBC announced that Olly Alexander will represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest. It was said during the Grand final of Strictly Come Dance. Olly Alexander, born Oliver Alexander Thornton on July 15, 1990, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, is a celebrated British musician, actor, and LGBTQ advocate. He rose to fame as the lead singer of the synth-pop band Years & Years, which he joined in 2010. The band achieved significant success with hits like “King” and albums such as “Communion” (2015) and “Palo Santo” (2018). Their music, a blend of electropop and R&B, has topped charts and resonated with fans worldwide. In addition to his musical achievements, Alexander has also made a mark in acting. He debuted in the film “Summerhill” in 2008 and gained further recognition with roles in “Bright Star” (2009) and “God Help the Girl” (2014). His portrayal in the 2021 drama series “It’s a Sin” was critically acclaimed, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Beyond entertainment, Alexander is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and mental health awareness. He has openly discussed his experiences with depression and anxiety, and his activism extends to promoting safer sex and HIV screening. The song Olly will sing will be presented in 2024. The United Kingdom will be automatically added to the final. This is Years and Years’ biggest hit, “King”, from 2015: And this is a more recent one:

EBU and SVT reveal theme art

The theme art of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest is revealed. The theme art will be presented under the name “The Eurovision Lights”. The visual identity for Eurovision 2024, titled ‘The Eurovision Lights,’ merges the awe-inspiring northern lights with the rhythmic patterns of sound equalizers. This concept draws its inspiration from the parallel vertical lines that are characteristic of both the aurora borealis and sound equalizers. Utilizing simple linear gradients, this design has been crafted for adaptability and versatility, allowing it to be easily modified to suit various requirements and devices. SVT’s Christel Tholse Willers, Deputy Executive Producer of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, remarked: ‘We are so proud to present an identity that is designed to be ﬂexible and useful both on and off screen. It is inspired by the magnificent ‘northern lights’, the beauty and mystery of which has been transformed into ‘The Eurovision Lights’. It is a captivating and beautiful mix of the Eurovision Song Contest’s sparkling brand colours that will not only be seen across the three live shows but also in exciting variations in different contexts across the event’s digital platforms and gives a Eurovision feel in Malmö’s urban spaces.’ source: eurovision.tv

Czechia chose Aiko

The Czech national final for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest has been won by Aiko. With her song “Pedestal” she was selected by both Czech and international televoters. The full results are: Aiko, “Pedestal”, 1st Elly, “The angel’s share”, 2nd Gianna Lei, “Starlet” Lenny, “Good enough”, 4th Mydy, “Red Flag Parade”, 3rd Tom Sean, “Dopamine overdose”, 6th Tomas Robin, “Out of my mind”

Raiven sings for Slovenia

Raiven will represent Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest. That is what RTVSLO, the Slovenian broadcaster, announced today. The song she will sing is called “Veronika”. Raiven, a Slovenian singer, songwriter, and harpist, has emerged as a prominent figure in the contemporary music scene of Slovenia. Born Sara Briški Cirman, she adopted the stage name Raiven to encapsulate her unique artistic identity. Raiven’s musical journey began at a young age, leading to her formal education in classical music, with a special focus on the harp. This classical foundation is evident in her music, which seamlessly blends traditional elements with modern pop and electronic influences, creating a distinctive sound. Raiven first gained significant public attention in Slovenia when she competed in “EMA,” the country’s Eurovision Song Contest selection show. Her performances there showcased not only her vocal talent but also her charismatic stage presence, captivating audiences with her blend of avant-garde fashion and theatrical flair. Her music often contains introspective lyrics, exploring themes of emotion, personal growth, and the human experience, resonating with a wide range of listeners. About her participation she stated: Representing Slovenia at Eurovision is a stepping stone I envision for my career’s progression. When I told my mother I was going to Eurovision, she said she knew I would be standing on that stage one day. She knew it since the first time we were watching this music spectacle together – I was five years old.’ source: eurovision.tv