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Who is Albania’s Eurovision entry Albina & Familja Kelmendi?

OVER the years Eurovision has welcomed all kinds of different acts.

Meet Albania's entry Albina & Familja Kelmendi who, in an unusual Song Contest twist, all come from the same family.

Albina & Familja Kelmendi are representing Albania t lunchtime
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Albina & Familja Kelmendi are representing Albania t lunchtimeCredit: Rex

Who are Albina & Familja Kelmendi?

Albina Kelmendi was born on January 27, 1998, and is an Albanian singer and songwriter.

In a change to usual Eurovision acts, the singer has enlisted her family's help.

Called Albina & Familja Kelmendi, she is joined in the group by her mother Albana, her father Bujar, her brother Albin, and sisters Vesa and Sidorela.

Singer Albina shot to fame at the age of 16, when she reached the final of The Voice of Albania, after all four judges turned their chairs in her first audition.

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Since then, she’s smashed through various singing competitions across Europe.

In June 2022, she released her debut album, Nana loke to much acclaim.

The talented vocalist has always been surrounded by singing, growing up in a house of professional musicians, and now two generations of the Kelmendi clan are joining voices to perform in Liverpool.

What is Albina & Familja Kelmendi's Eurovision song?

Albina & Familja Kelmendi will be performing their song Duje at Eurovision 2023.

The song was released in their home country in December 2022.

The family first performed the popular tune at the Festivali i Këngës 61, and it went down a storm with the audience.

According to their , their song Duje is about "the role of love in the family, and overcoming every challenge that life brings."

Has Albania ever won Eurovision?

Albania has never actually won the Eurovision Song Contest.

There highest place was in 2012, when Rona Nishliu placed 5th.

Albina & Familja will be hoping to make Albania Eurovision history, by beating this score.

When did Albania join Eurovision?

Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2004.

The Albanian broadcaster, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH), has been the organiser of the Albanian Eurovision entry since the country's debut.

Albania's first entry at Eurovision Song Contest, performed by Anjeza Shahini, finished 7th in the grand final.

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