RTSH, the Albanian broadcaster have announced changes in the Festivali I Kenges line up as some acts have replaced having withdrawn their entries. A few more details about the four day festival which will decide the next Albanian representative to the Eurovision Song Contest have been announced by the organisers.

Festivali I Kenges is the annual Albanian mega festival which attracts the biggest names of the local music scene year after year. Since Albania joined the Eurovision family, the winner of the Festival earns the right to represent the country. The format of the Festival changes from year to year and this year it will span over four days with two major groups of artists competing. One group comprises only well established artists who are qualified directly to the final. The second group aims to give young, aspiring artists a chance to shine. One of the young artists will win a place to the final.

Nineteen songs were originally announced to be taking part in the Young category. Jorida Zaimaj has withdrawn her entry Për Ty, though, so that leaves eighteen songs in the running:

Stefan Marena- Retë s'na ndajnë-(Roland Guli)
Brikena Asa- Sa dua unë (Gjergj Jorgaqi)
Onanta Spahiu- Dashurisë i erdhi vjeshta (Renuar Nimani)
Jona Koleci- Stinë dashurie (Mark Luli)
Nazmie Selimi- Beso akoma (Alfred Kaçinari)
Goldi Halili- Tirana Brodëay (Agim Krajka)
Iris Hoxha- Zërin tim ta ndjesh (Edmond Rrapi)
Supernova- Gabimi (Briz Musaraj)
Ardita Tusha- Je larg (Edmond Mancaku)
Selina Prelaj- Të dy e dime (Selina Prelaj)
Vitmar Basha- Një tjetër jetë (Vitmar Basha)
Lutus- Botë pa sy (Endrit Shani)
Kelly- Ajo (Florian Carkanji)
Dorina Toçi- Një fjalë të ngrohtë (Petrit Tërkuçi)
Borana Kalemi- Ti (Borana Kalemi)
Amanda Ujkaj & Violeta Lulgjuraj – Vitet më të bukura (Luigj Dedvukaj)
Band Yje të panjohur – Si dy të huaj (Florian Zyka)
Çlirim Leka – Nëna Ime

There have also been changes to the established artists' group as Besa Kokëdhima and Eliza Hoxha have withdrawn their entries. Besa's place was filled by Rona Nishliu, with Kalorësi I Dashurisë whereas Eliza's place remains vacant.

This is what the Star group looks like now:

Anjeza Shahini- Pasqyra e vetes (Sokol Marsi)
Teuta Kurti- Mall i pashuar (Faton Dolaku)
La Regina- Ave Maria (Scaravaglione Claudio)
Kamela Islami- Kalimtar (Kristi Popa)
Rona Nishliu- Kalorësi I Dashurisë
Bojken Lako & Banda Adriatica- Love Love Love (Bojken Lako)
Dorina Garuci- Sekreti i dashurisë (Klodian Qafoku)
Juliana Pasha- Nuk di përse (Ardit Gjebrea)
Denisa Macaj- Arie (Adrian Hila)
Erga-Halilaj- Party Dorian (Nini)
Era Rusi- U dashuruam (Arsen Nasi)
Edmond Zhulali-Flaka Krelani –Le të bëhet çfarë të dojë
Mariza Ikonomi –Vazhdoj këndoj (Mariza Ikonomi)
Erti Hizmo& Lindita Halimi- Nuk të dorëzohem (Gent Myftaraj)
Stefi& Endri Prifti- Akoma S'Është Vendosur (Stefi Prifti)
Guximtar Rushani- Gëzuar (Agim Poshka)
Rovena Dilo- Përtej kohës (Endri Sina)
Kejsi Tola – Pse ekzistojmë (Voltan Prodani)

Festivali I Kenges will take place over four nights and it will be hosted by singers Miriam Cani and Alban Skenderaj. It will start on Christmas Eve with a presentation of the 18 songs in the Stars group, then on Christmas day the first phase will take place with the Young Talents fighting it out for a place in the final. On 26th December, all songs of the Star group will be presented again but in alternative versions this time and on the 27th the Grand Final will take place.