Today, on May 17, 2025, Albania sets the Eurovision stage on fire—literally and metaphorically—with a stunning performance. With the genre-defying track “Zjerm”, the band Shkodra Elektronike, composed of Beatriçe Gjergji and Kolë Lacaj, is bringing something that rarely survives the journey to the Eurovision stage: truth.
Truth in sound.
Truth in identity.
Truth in love for their homeland.
Download the Albania360 app
Our Albania360 app makes it easy for everyone to discover hidden gems, explore 360 views of places before visiting, plan their meals & coffee dates, find perfect accommodations & book directly on the app, and much more!
Representing the heart of northern Albania with both sound and soul, the duo bring a powerful blend of electronic music and Albanian tradition to one of the world’s most-watched musical stages.
And what a sight they are. Two unforgettable faces, so original they seem handpicked from a modern myth. Beatriçe, with her jet-black hair flowing like an Albanian Cleopatra, stands tall, proud, and real — a rare gem in a music industry that too often trades genuineness for gloss. Her Illyrian features, bold and unfiltered, speak of a heritage she wears effortlessly. But beyond the striking visuals, it’s her personality that captivates. Beatriçe is easy, unpretentious, and without complexes — a breath of fresh mountain air in an Albanian scene often suffocated by filters, façades, and fake attitudes.
While others pose, she is.
While others perform, she connects.
In a world where image often overshadows message, Beatriçe reminds us that being yourself is still revolutionary.
And then there’s Kolë, a figure who could walk straight out of a gothic novel or a Shkodra legend. With his pale, poetic face and intense gaze, he holds the stage like a man channeling centuries of song and silence. Together, they are not just musicians — they are messengers.
Their love for Shkoder, their hometown, pulses through every note, every lyric, every detail of their performance. It’s not a backdrop — it’s the source. A city of legends, culture, music, and melancholy. And in a time when many artists seem to run from their roots, Beatriçe and Kolë run straight to them — and bring them on stage with pride.
Top 15 best hotels in Shkoder, Albania
In “Zjerm,” they don’t just sing in Gheg dialect — they elevate it. They transform its rugged beauty into an anthem that travels beyond borders. It’s a sound that speaks to the blood, the heart, and the brain — all at once. Electronic beats meet ancient rhythms. Synths melt into old scales. And somehow, it all just works.
Let’s not forget Beatriçe’s dress, a visual epic inspired by the legend of Rozafa, the woman sacrificed so the Castle of Shkodra could rise. Her gown becomes a living tribute — to courage, to motherhood, to myth. In it, she doesn’t just wear history — she becomes it.
The Legend of Rozafa
Three brothers tried to build a castle, but the walls kept falling. A wise man said it would only stand if someone was buried within it. They agreed that whoever’s wife brought them food the next day would be the one. The older brothers warned their wives; the youngest did not. His wife, Rozafa, arrived and accepted her fate — but asked to be walled in so that one eye, one hand, one foot, and one breast could remain outside… so she could still care for her child. From that sacrifice rose the Castle of Rozafa, still watching over Shkodra today.
Eats: Top 12 Places to eat in Shkoder, Albania
And here we are, centuries later, with Beatriçe and Kolë, singing in the shadow of that same castle, carrying forward that same spirit: strength, sacrifice, and love for their land.
As summer begins and Albania takes its place among Europe’s most desired destinations, “Zjerm” becomes more than a song. It becomes an invitation:
To discover a land of legends and lakes.
To feel music that is ancient and fresh, simple and deep.
To meet people who are genuine, fierce, and unforgettable.
Shkodra Elektronike doesn’t just represent Albania tonight — they remind us of it.
The true Albania. The proud Albania. The one that never needed to pretend.
Download the Albania360 app
Our Albania360 app makes it easy for everyone to discover hidden gems, explore 360 views of places before visiting, plan their meals & coffee dates, find perfect accommodations & book directly on the app, and much more!