Norway won the 54th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in Moscow, Russia. Organized by the European Broadcasting Union, the international song competition started in 1956.
Representing Norway was “Fairytale“, which was written, composed and recorded by Alexander Rybak. The song was released on January 12, 2009.
Between January 24, 2009 and February 21, 2009, Rybak performed the song in the 47th edition of the Melodi Grand Prix. The song won the national competition and became Norway’s Eurovision 2009 entry.
Eurovision 2009 results
| song competition: Eurovision organizer: European Broadcasting Union |
| edition: 54th date: May 16, 2009 venue: Olimpiysky Arena, Moscow, Russia broadcaster: Channel One (C1R) entries: 42 |
| director: Andrei Boltenko hosts: Ivan Urgant, Alsou Abramova |
WINNERS
- “Fairytale” by Alexander Rybak of Norway
- “Is It True?” by Yohanna of Iceland
- “Always” by Aysel and Arash of Azerbaijan
- “Düm Tek Tek” by Hadise of Turkey
- “It’s My Time” by Jade Ewen of the United Kingdom
- “Rändajad” by Urban Symphony of Estonia
- “This is Our Night” by Sakis Rouvas of Greece
- “Et s’il fallait le faire” by Patricia Kaas of France
- “Bistra voda” by Regina of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- “Jan Jan” by Inga and Anush of Armenia
Alexander Rybak
Rybak was born in Minsk, Belarus to Igor Rybak and Natalia Gurina Rybak. Igor is a classical violinist and Natalia is a music journalist and a piano teacher.
In 1991, Igor defected to Norway. Natalia and Alexander arrived in the country on a tourist visa. The family settled in Nesodden, Akershus, Norway.
After living in Norway for seven years, Igor, Natalia and Alexander became citizens of the country. In 2004, Alexander won the Anders Jahre Culture Prize in Madrid, Spain.
In 2005, Alexander finished in the semifinals of the Norwegian version of “Pop Idol”. In 2006, he won the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation talent competition “Kjempesjansen”.
Alexander won the Hedda Award for his role playing the fiddle in Oslo Nye Teater’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in 2007. He turned 23 on May 13, 2009, just three days before the Eurovision 2009 final round.
CONAN Daily 