Albania

Albania appoints Alfred Kaçinari and Shpëtim Saraçi for Festivali i Këngës 65

RTSH has turned to two experienced musical figures to lead the artistic direction of Festivali i Këngës 65 ahead of the country's next Eurovision selection cycle.

Editorial illustration of two artistic directors preparing Festivali i Këngës 65 in Albania
Illustration: Song Contest Radar

Preparations for Albania's next Eurovision selection are moving forward. RTSH has appointed Alfred Kaçinari and Shpëtim Saraçi as the artistic directors of Festivali i Këngës 65, the long-running festival that usually determines the Albanian Eurovision entry.

Both men are deeply connected to the competition and have held major artistic roles in previous editions. Their return gives the upcoming festival an experienced leadership team at a time when Albania is trying to build on recent momentum.

The appointment comes shortly before the next submission phase. Reports indicate that RTSH is expected to open the call for artists and composers on 22 September, with entries accepted for a short six-day window.

For Song Contest Radar, this is exactly the kind of early national-selection development that matters: not a song announcement yet, but a meaningful sign of how a broadcaster is shaping its 2027 campaign.

What to know

  • RTSH has appointed Alfred Kaçinari and Shpëtim Saraçi as artistic directors.
  • The duo previously worked on Festivali i Këngës in earlier editions.
  • Artist and songwriter submissions are expected to open on 22 September.
  • The move marks a significant early step in Albania's 2027 selection process.

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Primary source: ESCplus citing RTSH social announcement. Song Contest Radar independently summarizes and contextualizes confirmed information.
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