Albania has chosen its representative for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Eslin Kurti will travel to Malta after winning the 64th edition of Festivali Mbarëkombëtar i Këngës për Fëmijë with the song 'Kërce me mua' ('Dance with Me').
The national selection concluded this monday at the Migjeni Theatre in Shkodër, following two semi-finals held on 30 and 31 May. Thirty young performers competed across two categories, Young and Junior, with only the latter eligible to represent Albania at Junior Eurovision.
The results were determined equally by an adult jury and a children's jury. Eslin Kurti was selected as the winner of the Junior category, ahead of Aria Kolaveri, who finished second with 'Dua marr globin në krahë', and Laura Spahiu, who placed third with 'Nëse beson'.
Albania will be hoping to build on its strong result from Junior Eurovision 2025, when Kroni Pula finished sixth in Tbilisi with 'Fruta perime'. The entry scored 145 points, including the maximum 12 points from the French jury, and placed fourth in the online vote.
The country made its Junior Eurovision debut in 2012 and is still searching for its first victory. Albania's best result remains fifth place, achieved by Mishela Rapo with 'Dambaje' at the 2015 contest.
Junior Eurovision 2026 will take place on 24 October at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali, Malta.
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