Majority lacks interest in Eurovision

There weren’t very many people wandering around Oslo’s so-called “Eurovision Village,” set up in front of City Hall, even on the afternoon of Eurovision’s first semi-final. Perhaps it was the threatening storm clouds overhead, but a new public opinion poll may also offer the answer. The poll, conducted by research firm Norstat for Norwegian Broadcasting [...]

Eurovision circus underway in Oslo

With just 10 days to go before the annual Eurovision Song Contest finals take center stage, the massive event is already well underway in Oslo. Performers and journalists from all over Europe have been arriving, and rehearsals have begun, but now Iceland’s volcano threatens to cloud the event and its organizer’s finances. Norway was obligated [...]

Eurovision winner changes his tune

Alexander Rybak has been Norway’s darling after winning last year’s Eurovision Song Contest with the most points ever. Now, just weeks before Norway hosts Eurovision in Oslo, Rybak is sounding unhappy and decidedly different on his upcoming CD. The hype around Eurovision has been building for weeks, and Rybak is due to kick off the [...]

Alexander now ‘Artist of the Year’

Alexander Rybak, the young musician from Nesodden who won last year’s Eurovision Song Contest, has now also won Norway’s highest award within the local recording industry. Rybak was named Årets Spellemann (Artist of the Year) on Saturday, while DonkeyBoy, a young band from Drammen, won two of the four prizes for which it was nominated. [...]

Rybak remains on a roll

The fairy tale continues for Norway’s new musical sensation Alexander Rybak. A month after winning the Eurovision Song Contest with his song called “Fairytale,” he continues to pop up on national TV specials, his new album has topped the charts and he’s booked for concerts all summer long. Most of them are sold out, including [...]

Rybak still riding high after Eurovision victory

Much of the euphoria has died down, but Norway’s new singing star Alexander Rybak remains on a roll. He’s now so popular around Europe that the release of his album has been moved up, and he’s barely had time to sleep since winning the Eurovision Song Contest two weeks ago. Rybak’s new album, named after [...]

Eurovision hero back home, his popularity overwhelms NRK

Alexander Rybak, the young musician who secured a record-breaking victory for Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow over the weekend, came home to a stunning welcome while Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) tried to come to grips with his performance. It resulted in enormous TV viewership and means NRK must host next year’s Eurovision extravaganza. [...]

Fairy tale comes true for Norway

A young Norwegian’s song about falling in love with a fairy tale swept both him and his country to an overwhelming victory in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, broadcast live from Moscow Saturday night. Alexander Rybak, who turned 23 during the run-up to the annual extravaganza, was quickly dubbed “Alexander the Great” by local media. [...]