Thread by @dolphin_dane

🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱Merry FiK-mas!
It's that special time of year again, with 31 artist, including lots of familiar names, competing to win #festivaliikenges and/or the right to represent Albania at #eurovision2024
It's time for my #fik62 SONGWRITER DEEP DIVE 🕸️📊🧵
#eurovision #fest62

🇦🇱🦅SEMI FINAL 1🦅🇦🇱

Besa Kokëdhima - Zemrën n'dorë
One of the biggest names this year, Besa is back after 13 years. Kledi Bahiti has written a few notable songs over the past years including Anxhela Peristeri's "Karma", while Rozana Radi has also contributed to multiple recent entries

Eldis Arrnjeti - Një kujtim
Eldis is back after his succesful 2022 entry, which landed him a third place. Bujar Daci was a part of the team then too, can they make the podium again?

Shpat Deda - S'mund t'fitoj pa ty
Shpat Deda was on the initial participant list for 2011, but withdrew before the competition. Now we finally get to see him on the big stage after 13 years

Festina Mejzini - Melos
Festina has become a familiar face for FiK followers at this point, notably finishing third on her latest participation. Her song is written by Sokol Marsi, who has many notable songs to their name, including both of Elhaida Dani's 2015 entries

Kastro Zizo - 2073
Kastro makes his fifth consecutive appearance, looking to follow up the succes of his 3rd place finisher last year. To help him he has allied with Timo Flloko, who notably achieved second place with Redon Makashi's "Ekziston"

Melodajn Mancaku - Nuk jemi ne
Melodajn is back from last year. Just as last time, her song is cowritten by her sister, Wendi Mancaku, who also competed twice herself. Maybe we should expect a duet in the future

Andi Tanko - Herë pas here
Andi is back after eight years. Last time they were eliminated in the semis, let's see if they can land a better result this time

Sergio Hajdini - Uragan
Another returnee from last year, Sergio is back for his third attempt

Olimpia Smajlaj - Asaj
After performing in the newcomers section two editions back, Olimpia makes her return to the FiK stage. Her song is written by Briz Musaraj, who wrote fan favourit "Ngrije zërin" and Ronela Hajati's Sanmarinese attempt "Salvaje" among others

🇦🇱🪐SEMI FINAL 2🪐🇦🇱

Big Basta and Vesa Luma - Mbinatyrale
Big collab here, Vesa Luma makes her return together with Gerald "Big Basta" Xhari. The songwriters have songs like Lindita's "World" and Vanesa Sono's "Aroma jonë" to their names

Elsa Lila - Mars
The big favorite of this edition, Elsa is hoping for back to back wins. Apart from her recent appearances, she has also been involved in the Sanremo festival. She also won FiK two times in the pre-ESC era (which isn't covered by my database yet)

Jasmina Hako - Ti
Making her FiK debut, Jasmina's song is written by regular entrant Florian Zyka, who has written notable songs like Inis Neziri's fan favourite entry "Piedestal"

Michela Paluca - Për veten
Another debutant helped by a notable songwriter, Enis Mullaj wrote last years ESC-entry "Duje" as well as fan favourites like "Zjarri Im" and "Rrëfehem", as well as this years JESC entry

Anduel Kovaci - Nan'
Considered a "robbed" artist by many after his non-qualification last year, Anduel is back for revenge. Will "Nan'" gain the cult following "Malli" had?

Kleansa Susaj - Pikturë
Another Florian Zyka-penned entry, this time Jeris Kaso, who wrote Gent Hoxha's "Ajër" last year is in the mix as well

Arsi Bako - Zgjohu
Another non-qualifier from last year, Arsi is hoping for a big comeback with "Zgjohu"

Tiri Gjoci - Në ëndërr
Regular entrant and one of Jonida Maliqi's background singers from 2019, Tiri makes his fourth attempt. Is this the one to make him reach the ESC stage as the main singer?

Besa Krasniqi - Esenciale
A big fan favourite from her last participation, Besa was chosen as Albania's OGAE second chance entrant in 2016. Will she make it to Sweden this time?

Bledi Kaso - Çdo gjë mbaroi
While Bledi is debutting, songwriter Pandi Laco is a true veteran, having songs make the ESC stage in 2005, 2007, and 2008, as well as JESC in 2015 and 2016

Martina Serreqi - Vetëm ty
With an entry written by Markeljan Kapedani, Martina is making her debut. Kapedani had an entry in 2016 as well, which finished 12th. Will "Vetëm ty" make it higher?

WITHDRAWN ENTRIES
This edition has seen three notable artists, Kejsi Tola, Sardi Strugaj, and Samanta Karavella withdraw. Though they will not perform their entries this week, I still wanted to show you their diagrams:

And that's all! In honor of the chaotic nature of FiK, I'll leave you with this diagram of all Albanian entries. Check out all my previous deep dives here, and follow me to make sure you don't miss my analysis of all other NF's this season

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