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Festivali i Këngës në RTK (Albanian: [fɛstiˈvali i ˈkəŋɡəs nə ɾətəˈkə]; transl. "The Festival of Song on RTK"), simply known as Festivali i Këngës 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.[1][2][3]
| Festivali i Këngës | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Various |
| Dates | October |
| Location(s) | Palace of Youth and Sports Pristina, Kosovo |
| Years active | 2023–present |
| Organised by | Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) |
| Website | rtklive |
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The contest was modelled on the basis of 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 Yugoslavia, 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 Albania or Serbia 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,[4] 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.[5][6] The format was ultimately defined on 7 March 2023.[7][8][9] 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.[10] Director-general of the EBU Noel Curran made a remote appearance during the first night of the festival to express his congratulations.[11]
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 2025 entrant.[12]
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2023
The inaugural edition of Festivali i Këngës 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.[1][2][7][13][14] The artistic director for this edition was Florent Boshnjaku, while performances were conducted by Alfred Kaçinari, Edon Ramadani and Valton Beqiri; the four, as well as Shpëtim Saraçi and Visar Kuçi, also served as orchestrators.[15]
A submission period was open between 2 June and 9 September 2023 to select eighteen competing entries.[13] At the festival, a 5-member jury – consisting of Adi Hila, Alban Nimani, Zake Prelvukaj, Ulla Sjöström and chair Alma Bektashi[2][14] – voted to determine ten qualifiers from the first phase and the first three places in the final.[1][9][16] The winner was La Fazani (Arbër Salihu) with "Oj Kosovë".[17][18]
A number of guest performers also made an appearance in this edition, namely Bektashi herself, Alban Nimani, Dafina Zeqiri, Enver Petrovci, Fitnete Tuda, Genc Salihu, Ilire Vinca and her daughters, Irma Libohova, Kamela Islamaj and Teuta Kurti, Timo Flloko, Shpat Deda, and Xuxi.[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]
| Artist(s)[27] | Song[27] | Author(s)[27] | Draw | Result[28] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show 1 | Show 2 | ||||
| Albin Nikprelaj | "Ajo" |
|
3 | 16 | Qualified |
| Angus Dei | "Një zemër për dy" | Erjon Zaloshnja | 4 | 15 | Qualified |
| Ariela Krasniqi | "Emri grua" | Gjergj Jorgaqi | 5 | 14 | Did not qualify |
| Auron Deva | "Çmimi i dashnisë" | Korab Shaqiri | 6 | 13 | Qualified |
| Bana Zahiti | "Dukat" | Arbana Zahiti | 2 | 17 | Did not qualify |
| Ermal Demiri | "Merri" |
|
7 | 12 | Did not qualify |
| Franc Koruni | "Shqip" | Franc Koruni | 15 | 4 | Did not qualify |
| Hilmi Obertinca | "Pa ty s'më rrihet" | Hilmi Obertinca | 16 | 3 | Qualified |
| InorgA | "Shumë herë më nervozojnë" | Agron Hajdari | 1 | 18 | Did not qualify |
| Klea Dina | "Trenat" |
|
12 | 7 | Qualified |
| La Fazani | "Oj Kosovë" | Arbër Salihu | 8 | 11 | Qualified |
| Mentor Mripa | "Po ju rrëfehem" |
|
13 | 6 | Did not qualify |
| Neki Emra | "Heroi im" | Neki Emra | 9 | 10 | Qualified |
| Nita Latifi | "Marrëzi" | Nita Latifi | 17 | 2 | Qualified |
| Saranda Alija | "Mendoj ku je" | Arbër Krasniqi | 14 | 5 | Qualified |
| Teuta Statovci | "Sekreti i tij" |
|
11 | 8 | Did not qualify |
| Urban Band | "Ëndrrat s'kanë faj" |
|
18 | 1 | Qualified |
| Vjosa Shehu | "Vetes" |
|
10 | 9 | Did not qualify |
| Artist(s) | Song | Author(s) | Draw | Result[17] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albin Nikprelaj | "Ajo" |
|
7 | 3rd place |
| Angus Dei | "Një zemër për dy" | Erjon Zaloshnja | 4 | 2nd place |
| Auron Deva | "Çmimi i dashnisë" | Korab Shaqiri | 1 | Unknown |
| Hilmi Obertinca | "Pa ty s'më rrihet" | Hilmi Obertinca | 8 | |
| Klea Dina | "Trenat" |
|
5 | |
| La Fazani | "Oj Kosovë" | Arbër Salihu | 9 |
|
| Neki Emra | "Heroi im" | Neki Emra | 3 | Unknown |
| Nita Latifi | "Marrëzi" | Nita Latifi | 6 | |
| Saranda Alija | "Mendoj ku je" | Arbër Krasniqi | 10 | Orchestra Award |
| Urban Band | "Ëndrrat s'kanë faj" |
|
2 | Unknown |
2024
At the Palace of Youth in Pristina, the RTK Song Festival began, which will be broadcast live on RTK. In its second edition, the Kosovo Radio Television Song Festival features 16 artists on October 24, 25, and 26, 2024.
The winner’s trophy for this edition is the 'Blue Diamond', symbolizing Kosovo, its flag, and its blue color. Meanwhile, 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, all of which resonate with the present era and call for national unity.
The festival showcased 16 artists, starting with Dea Strica performing "N'Shqipni", followed by Greta Azizi with "Veres", Agim Poshka with "Ndarja erdhi", Jehona Lumi with "Shko", Inorga with "Seks mashina nga Prishtina", Rei Bezhani with "Zonjë tradhti", Ardita Begu with "Fundosu në dritë", Besmir Shishko with "Unë Ajo", Blendi Kaso with "Një të vetme ka në jetë", Endrit Krasniqi with "Flasë me gjethen", Ardit Stafaj with "Faji", Santino De Bartola with "Unë jam Arbëresh", Arnite Kastrati with "Blla blla", Vlona Boshnjaku with "Lotët", Luna Çausholli with "Dielli të më shoh", and Bruna Sata with "Ti je i pashpirtë".
Semi-Final
| Artist(s)[27] | Song[27] | Author(s)[27] | Draw | Result[28] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show 1 | Show 2 | ||||
| Agim Poshka | "Ndarja erdhi" |
|
3 | 14 | Qualified |
| Ardit Stafaj | “Faji” | Ardit Stafaj | 11 | 6 | Qualified |
| Ardita Begu | "Fundosu në dritë" |
|
7 | 10 | Did not qualify |
| Arnitë Kastrati | "Blla Blla" |
|
13 | 4 | Qualified |
| Besmir Shishko | "Unë Ajo" |
|
8 | 9 | Qualified |
| Bledi Kaso | "Një të vetme ka në jetë" |
|
9 | 8 | Qualified |
| Bruna Sata | "Ti je i pashpirtë" |
|
16 | 1 | Did not qualify |
| Dea Strica | "N'Shqipni" | Dea Strica | 1 | 16 | Qualified |
| Endrit Krasniqi | "Flas me gjethen" | Bekim Këpuska | 10 | 7 | Qualified |
| Greta Azizi | "Veres" |
|
2 | 15 | Qualified |
| InorgA | ”SEKS MASHINA NGA PRISHTINA” | Inorga | 5 | 12 | Did not qualify |
| Jehona Lumi | "Shko" |
|
4 | 13 | Did not qualify |
| Luna Çausholli | "Dielli të më shoh" |
|
15 | 2 | Did not qualify |
| Rei Bezhani | "Zonja tradhti" |
|
6 | 11 | Qualified |
| Santino De Bartolo | "Unë jam Arbëresh", | Santino De Bartolo | 12 | 5 | Did not qualify |
| Vlona Boshnjaku | "Lotët" | Rozana Radi Kledi Bahiti | 14 | 3 | Did not qualify |
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”.[29]
Final
| Artist(s) | Song | Author(s) | Draw | Result[17] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agim Poshka | "Ndarja erdhi" |
|
6 | Unknown |
| Ardit Stafaj | “Faji” | Ardit Stafaj | 8 | Unknown |
| Arnitë Kastrati | "Blla Blla" |
|
7 | Orchestra Prize |
| Besmir Shishko | "Unë Ajo" |
|
9 | Palace of Youth and the Capital Prize |
| Bledi Kaso | "Një të vetme ka në jetë" |
|
1 | Unknown |
| Dea Strica | "N'Shqipni" | Dea Strica | 4 | 3rd Place |
| Endrit Krasniqi | "Flas me gjethe" | Bekim Këpuska | 2 | 1st Place |
| Greta Azizi | "Veres" |
|
3 | 2nd Place |
| Rei Bezhani | "Zonja tradhti" |
|
5 | Unknown |
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