(; ), simply known as and informally as Fest, is an annual music competition in Kosovo organised by the national broadcaster Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) since 2023. It is broadcast on RTK 1, RTK 2 and Radio Kosova 1, as well as on RTSH in Albania and on MRT 2 in North Macedonia. It is currently set to be replaced by at an underspecified date, as a revival of the 1963-1989 contest of the same name.

History

The contest was modelled based on the festival of the same name held in Albania since 1962 and used as the Albanian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest since 2003. Kosovo, formerly part of , has never participated in the Eurovision Song Contest on its own, but the contest has been broadcast in the territory since 1961 and a number of Kosovan artists have represented or in the event.

Despite its inability to become a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in order to take part in the contest, in February 2023 Kosovan broadcaster RTK started to develop the format, with the long-term aim of using it as its national selection for Eurovision. The format was ultimately defined on 7 March 2023. In October 2023, shortly before the launch of its first edition, the festival's director Adi Krasta reported that he had been in contact with people at EBU who had expressed "extreme enthusiasm" regarding the event. Director-general of the EBU Noel Curran made a remote appearance during the first night of the festival to express his congratulations.

RTK stated it would apply for EBU membership in June 2024, having reaffirmed the intention to participate in Eurovision and use the next edition of the festival to select its entrant.

According to reports beginning in May 2026, the contest is set to be replaced by under a more ambitious format, as a revival of the 1963-1989 contest of the same name. This will occur alongside the first edition of a corresponding children's contest.

Editions 2023 The inaugural edition of was held at the Great Hall of the Palace of Youth and Sports in Pristina, directed by Adi Krasta and co-hosted by Krasta and Besim Dina (all shows) alongside Edona Kasapolli (first night), Anjeza Shahini (second night) and Edona Reshitaj (third night); it consisted of two qualification shows on 26 and 27 October 2023 and a final on 28 October 2023. The artistic director for this edition was , while performances were conducted by , Edon Ramadani and ; the four, as well as and , also served as orchestrators.

A submission period was open between 2 June and 9 September 2023 to select eighteen competing entries. At the festival, a 5-member jury – consisting of Adi Hila, , , Ulla Sjöström and chair – voted to determine ten qualifiers from the first phase and the first three places in the final. The winner was La Fazani (Arbër Salihu) with "".

A number of guest performers also made an appearance in this edition, namely Bektashi herself, , Dafina Zeqiri, Enver Petrovci, , , and her daughters, Irma Libohova, Kamela Islamaj and , , , and Xuxi.

+Qualifying phase Artist Song Songwriter(s) Result Show 1 Show 2 3 16 Albin Nikprelaj "" Qualified 4 15 Angus Dei "" Erjon Zaloshnja Qualified 5 14 Ariela Krasniqi "" Gjergj Jorgaqi 6 13 Auron Deva "" Korab Shaqiri Qualified 2 17 Bana Zahiti "" Arbana Zahiti 7 12 Ermal Demiri "" 15 4 Franc Koruni "" Franc Koruni 16 3 Hilmi Obertinca "" Hilmi Obertinca Qualified 1 18 InorgA "" Agron Hajdari 12 7 Klea Dina "" Qualified 8 11 La Fazani "" Arbër Salihu Qualified 13 6 Mentor Mripa "" 9 10 Neki Emra "" Neki Emra Qualified 17 2 "" Nita Latifi Qualified 14 5 Saranda Alija "" Arbër Krasniqi Qualified 11 8 Teuta Statovci "" 18 1 Urban Band "" Qualified 10 9 Vjosa Shehu ""

+Final Artist(s) Song Songwriter(s) Result & Awards 7 Albin Nikprelaj "" 3rd place 4 Angus Dei "" Erjon Zaloshnja 2nd place 1 Auron Deva "" Korab Shaqiri rowspan="3" 8 Hilmi Obertinca "" Hilmi Obertinca 5 Klea Dina "" 9 La Fazani "" Arbër Salihu1st placeMunicipality of Pristina Award 3 Neki Emra "" Neki Emra rowspan="2" 6 Nita Latifi "" Nita Latifi 10 Saranda Alija "" Arbër Krasniqi Orchestra Award 2 Urban Band ""

2024 The RTK Song Festival took place at the Palace of Youth in Pristina, and was broadcast live on RTK. In its second edition, the Kosovo Radio Television Song Festival featured 16 artists on October 24, 25, and 26, 2024.

The winner’s trophy for this edition was the 'Blue Diamond', symbolizing Kosovo, its flag, and its blue color. The festival jury consists of Minire Fetahu, the chairperson, Jane Sugarman, Ardiana Pajaziti, Valbona Selimllari, and Blerta Zeqiri.

Before the festival commenced, Festim Kabashi and Fëllënza Çitaku recited poems by Gjergj Fishta, Faik Konica, Fan Noli, Atë Zef Pllumi, and Ukshin Hoti.

+ Semi-Final Artist Song Songwriter(s) Result Show 1 Show 2 7 10 Ardita Begu "Fundosu në dritë" 3 14 Agim Poshka "Ndarja erdhi" Qualified 11 6 Ardit Stafaj “Faji”Ardit Stafaj Qualified 13 4 Arnitë Kastrati "Blla Blla" Qualified 16 1 Bruna Sata "Ti je i pa shpirt" 5 12 InorgA ”SEKS MASHINA NGA PRISHTINA” Inorga 4 13 Jehona Lumi "Shko" 8 9 Besmir Shishko "Unë Ajo" Qualified 9 8 Bledi Kaso "Një të vetme ka në jetë" Qualified 1 16 Dea Strica "N'Shqipni"Dea Strica Qualified 10 7 Endrit Krasniqi "Flas me gjethen" Bekim Këpuska Qualified 2 15 Greta Azizi "Verës" Qualified 15 2 Luna Çausholli "Dielli të më shohë" 6 11 Rei Bezhani "Zonja tradhëti" Qualified 12 5 Santino De Bartolo "Unë jam Arbëresh"Santino De Bartolo 14 3 Vlona Boshnjaku "Lotët"Rozana Radi Kledi Bahiti

The live broadcast on RTK began at 20:10 with the arrival of guests on the red carpet of the Palace of Youth, while the festival officially started at 21:00. The contest was broadcast live on RTK 1, RTK 2, Radio Kosovo, and on the digital platforms of the public broadcaster.

The jury awarded the second prize to Greta Azizi for the song “Verës”, while the third prize went to Dea Strica for the song “N’Shqipni”. Endrit Krasniqi is the winner of the second edition of the RTK Song Festival, receiving the “Blue Diamond” trophy for the song “Flas me gjethen”. The prize from the Palace of Youth and the capital was awarded to Besmir Shishko for the song “Unë Ajo”. The orchestra prize was awarded by the festival's artistic director, Florent Boshnjaku, to Arnite Kastrati for the song “Blla blla”.

+ Final Artist(s) Song Songwriter(s) Result & Awards 6Agim Poshka"Ndarja erdhi" rowspan="2" 8Ardit Stafaj“Faji”Ardit Stafaj 7Arnitë Kastrati"Blla Blla"Orchestra Prize 9Besmir Shishko"Unë Ajo"Palace of Youth PrizeThe Capital Prize 1Bledi Kaso"Një të vetme ka në jetë" rowspan="1" 4 Dea Strica ""Dea Strica3rd Place 2 Endrit Krasniqi ""Bekim Këpuska1st Place 3 Greta Azizi ""2nd Place 5Rei Bezhani"Zonja tradhëti" rowspan="1"

2025 The third edition of the Kosovo Radio and Television Song Festival took place in the Palace of Youth. The festival was moderated by Dukagjin Podrimaj and Rina Krasniqi.

The third edition opened with the song “Këngë Moj” by composer Musa Piperku, performed by the Siparantum choir, under the direction of conductor Memli Kelmendi.

+Qualifying phase Artist Song Songwriter(s) Result Show 1 Show 2 2 8 Almir Krraba "Nuk ka si ti" Almir Krraba 17 1 Arjeta Palushaj "Andrra" Eriona Rushiti Qualified 8 5 Arsi Bako "Rreze Zjarr" Gjergj Kacinari Qualified 5 15 Art Lokaj "Ty" Art Lokaj Qualified 15 13 Bledi Kaso "S’do të doja dy jetë" 13 14 Dea Berisha "Afër" 7 9 Egzon Pireci "Kënga Jonë" Ilir Berani 3 4 Elmedinë Ramushi "A po m’sheh" Elmedinë Ramushi Qualified 12 2 Florent Abrashi "Unë dhe ti" Florent Abrashi Qualified 6 17 Kiara Juba "Nirvana" Qualified 11 16 Klea Dina "At" Ana Qualified 9 12 Laorjan Ejlli "Një natë shkruajta për ty" Qualified 16 18 Nita Latifi & Algert Sala "Pija" Algert Sala 18 6 Santino de Bartolo "Naze Naze" 4 20 Semi Tafaj "Vazhdoj" 1 19 Teutë Halili "Amin" Diell Gashi Qualified 10 3 Vjosa Shehu "Alo" Valon Gashi 19 7 Vlera Kastrati "Nanë" Vlera Kastrati 20 11 Xuxi "Identitet" Andos Qualified 14 10 Zergjina Hasanaj "Pres" Jetmir Mehmedaj

+ Final Artist(s) Song Songwriter(s) Result & Awards 1 Arjeta Palushaj "Andrra"Eriona Rushiti3rd Place 4 Arsi Bako "Rreze Zjarr"Gjergj Kacinari1st PlaceThe Capital Prize 5Art Lokaj"Ty"Art LokajOrchestra Prize 9Elmedinë Ramushi"A po m’sheh"Elmedinë Ramushi rowspan="1" 2 Florent Abrashi "Unë dhe ti"Florent Abrashi2nd Place 10Kiara Juba"Nirvana" rowspan="3" 3Klea Dina"At"Ana 6Laorjan Ejlli"Një natë shkruajta për ty" 8Teutë Halili"Amin"Diell GashiSilver Pen "Best Text" Prize 7Xuxi"Identitet"Andos rowspan="1"

References

External links