The 61st edition of the Song Festival on Albanian Radio and Television has officially started work, with the completion of the selection of 26 participating songs, 16 of which are artists who have performed at the Festival before and 10 others are new artists and alternative groups.

The 61st Song Festival in RTSH will award 3 first prizes: first place, second place and third place; 1 prize for young artists and alternative groups and 1 prize for career. But unlike previous years, the 61st Song Festival at RTSH comes with an innovation related to the song that will represent Albania in Eurovision, the winner of which will be chosen by the public’s votes via SMS.

The director of the Festival, Arbana Osmani, said that the Song Festival is one of the events with the highest values of Albanian music over the years and the only event that has an extraordinary orchestra where every sound is live.

“The National Festival is bigger than the Eurovision Song Contest, the values of this festival are much higher than a very good festival like the European one. But we must preserve the values that this festival exalts and return the splendor it has had over the years, since if we did, no one else can preserve it. It’s the only festival that has an incredible orchestra and every sound is live. Meanwhile, in Eurosong, the music is playback”, said Osmani.

The surprises this year start from the songs, which have not been made public in advance, but will be presented for the first time to viewers on the first and second night of the Festival. Also, the names of the professional jury of the Festival will be presented on the first night of the music event.

This year, unlike other times, the first prize of the Song Festival will be determined by the professional jury, while the song that will represent Albania in Eurovision 2023 will be chosen by public votes. These changes come as a result of preserving the values of the festival, but also adapting to the specific requirements that the Eurovision Song Contest requires.

Another award to be given is the “Best New Artist” which will be chosen by a carefully selected media jury in collaboration with the professional jury. 

There will be surprises on all 4 nights of the festival, with special guests such as Margarita Xhepa or even participants and hit songs over the years of the Song Festival. Everything seems to be ready and the public only had to buy a ticket and enjoy live the beautiful sounds of  Albanian light music. This year, the 61st Song Festival at RTSH will take place for 4 consecutive nights on the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd,  the grand finale.

Citizens will be able to buy them online with one click at www.myticket.al or they can go to the Unionnet-WesternUnion agencies or the counter near the Palace of Congresses.

/A.S/