63 was the 63rd edition of the annual Albanian music competition , organised by (RTSH). It was held between 19 and 22 December 2024 at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, and it was hosted by Enkel Demi and Ornela Bregu. The winner was Shkodra Elektronike with "", therefore becoming the contestant that represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Format
The 63rd edition of was organised by (RTSH) took place from 19 to 22 December 2024. The contest consisted of two semi-finals on 19 and 20 December, followed by a nostalgia night on 21 December and conclude in the grand final on 22 December. The four live shows were hosted by Enkel Demi and Ornela Bregu, and held at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, Albania.
In June 2024, Albanian singer Elhaida Dani, who won the 53rd edition of , was announced as the artistic director of the contest.
Voting
For the 63rd edition of , a professional jury chaired by Zana Çela, with members Ylljet Aliçka, Alma Bektashi, Florent Boshnjaku, Jonida Maliqi, Merita Rexha Tërshana, and Ramona Tullumani, assessed 30 contestants over the two semi-finals. The jury selected the 15 finalists for the grand final, with the final result determined by both a jury and televoting. After the finalists were announced during the nostalgia night, voters from abroad were able to vote through an online platform, with the votes cast there being entitled the "diaspora's votes". In addition to the diaspora's votes, voters from Albania and Kosovo cast their votes via SMS, with each voter allowed to vote up to five times for their preferred artist's code. In the final, all 7 members of the jury awarded 12, 10 and 8–1 points to their 10 favourite songs, with SMS voting and online voting proportionally awarding 80 and 70 points, respectively.
Contestants
RTSH initiated an application period for artists and composers interested in participating in the 63rd edition of from 27 to 29 September 2024. At the closing of the submission period, 85 entries had been received. A total of 30 artists appeared on the provisional list of artists selected to compete in the festival, which was published on 7 October. The titles of their songs were revealed in batches between 21 October and 15 November.
On 19 November 2024, Olsi Bylyku announced his withdrawal from the contest. Klea Dina was designated as his replacement.
Key Entry withdrawn Replacement entry
Artist SongLanguage Songwriter(s) Algert Sala ""Albanian Alis ""Albanian Ardit Çuni ""Albanian Devis Xherahu ""Albanian Djemtë e Detit ""Albanian Elvana Gjata ""Albanian, Spanish Endrik Beba ""Albanian Endrik Beba Epos ""Albanian Algert Kashari Erma Mici ""Albanian Frensi Revania ""Albanian Gjergj Kaçinari ""Albanian Gjergj Kaçinari Gresa Gjocera ""Albanian Jet ""Albanian Kejsi Jazxhi ""Albanian Klea Dina ""Albanian Kleansa Susaj ""Albanian Laorjan Ejlli and Adelina Corraj ""Albanian Lorenc Hasrama ""Albanian Petro Xhori Luna Çausholli ""Albanian Mal ""Albanian Mal Retkoceri Martina Serreqi ""Albanian Sardi Strugaj Mihallaq Andrea ""Albanian Nita Latifi ""Albanian Olsi Bylyku "" Olsi Bylyku Orgesa Zaimi ""Albanian Rea Nuhu ""Albanian Rea Nuhu Ronaldo Mesuli ""Albanian Ronaldo Mesuli Santino de Bartolo ""Albanian Santino de Bartolo Shkodra Elektronike ""Albanian Stine ""Albanian Stine Vesa Smolica ""Albanian Eriona Rushiti
Shows
Semi-finals
The semi-finals of took place on 19 and 20 December 2024. The opening of the first semi-final was marked by a performance of the song "" by Albanian singer Vaçe Zela interpreted by Elhaida Dani and an accompanying children choir. Albanian rapper Noizy and French singer Slimane were the special guests of the first semi-final. Albanian dancer Klaudia Pepa and singer Aleksandër Gjoka were the special guests of the second semi-final. It further included a performance of K'cimi i Tropojës, which was recently inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list for its cultural significance. 15 contestants competed in each semi-final, with 15 advancing to the grand final.
Key Qualifier
+ Semi-final 119 December 2024 Artist Song Result Orgesa Zaimi "" Qualified Erma Mici "" Luna Çausholli "" Ronaldo Mesuli "" Mihallaq Andrea "" Kejsi Jazxhi "" Qualified Lorenc Hasrama "" Qualified Jet "" Qualified Djemtë e Detit "" Qualified Nita Latifi "" Qualified Martina Serreqi "" Alis "" Qualified Shkodra Elektronike "" Qualified Kleansa Susaj "" Ardit Çuni "" Qualified
+ Semi-final 220 December 2024 Artist(s) Song Result Mal "" Qualified Klea Dina "" Devis Xherahu "" Vesa Smolica "" Qualified Algert Sala "" Qualified Gresa Gjocera "" Frensi Revania "" Endrik Beba "" Epos "" Laorjan Ejlli and Adelina Corraj "" Santino de Bartolo "" Rea Nuhu "" Elvana Gjata "" Qualified Stine "" Qualified Gjergj Kaçinari "" Qualified
Nostalgia night
The nostalgia night of took place on 21 December 2024 at 21:00 CET. The show began with the poem "Mall" by internationally acclaimed Albanian poet Ismail Kadare, interpreted by actor Viktor Zhusti and accompanied by piano music performed by singer Redon Makashi. For the show, the contestants were paired up to perform songs that have competed in previous editions of the contest.
+ Nostalgia Night21 December 2024 Artist(s) Song Martina Sereqi and Stine "" Kejsi Jazxhi and Mihallaq Andrea "" Ardit Çuni and Frensi Revania "" Elvana Gjata and Shkodra Elektronike "" Gresa Gjocera and Ronaldo Mesuli "" Santino de Bartolo and Djemtë e Detit "" Luna Çausholli and Nita Latifi "" Endrik Beba and Lorenc Hasrama "" Jet, Laurjan Ejlli and Adelina Corraj "" Klea Dina and Rea Nuhu "" Gjergj Kaçinari and Kleansa Susaj "" Alis and Erma Mici "" Algert Sala and Vesa Smolica "" Epos and Mal "" Devis Xherahu and Orgesa Zaimi ""
Final The grand final of took place on 22 December 2024 at 21:00 (CET). Kosovo-Albanian rapper MC Kresha with the song "" opened the show of the grand final. Xhevdet Ferri's daughter and Arta Dade were featured with speaking roles during the grand final, while Elhaida Dani spoke and performed a song. won with the song "", winning both the jury and the televoting. Elvana Gjata with the song "" finished second, and Alis Kallaçi with the song "" finished third. Additionally, "" by Shkodra Elektronike received the Critic's Choice award, while "" by Vesa Smolica received the Best Lyrics award.
+ Grand Final22 December 2024 Artist Song Jury Televote Total Place Jet ""1001119 Kejsi Jazxhi ""500512 Vesa Smolica ""5103544 Stine ""000015 Djemtë e Detit ""3502376 Nita Latifi ""100114 Gjergj Kaçinari ""1100119 Orgesa Zaimi ""2001218 Ardit Çuni ""2222267 Algert Sala ""700711 ""7823421431 Lorenc Hasrama ""3614415 Elvana Gjata ""7442191352 Mal ""410512 Alis ""5216593 +Detailed jury results Song scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" scope="col" Total1""541102""553""6877788514""05""1586564356""117""3215118""4323422209""22442352210""133711""101212121210107812""86156463613""12101081012127414""31415""7761087752
References