Before moving to Sweden I had never heard of the European Song Contest. After my first experience watching it, I would never have thought I’d be watching it without the prompting of a party evening. And yet, I just watched it as embarrassing as it is to admit.
Norway’s entry, Fairy Tale was truly magical. Its composer, writer and performer, Alexander Rybak stole the show with oozing out charm as the next teen heartthrob. Heck, I’m ready to put up his poster on our bedroom wall.
I learned from the Wikipedia entry on Rybak (amazingly already updated on the Norwegian victory within minutes of the last vote) that he’s a Belarusian immigrant (came to Norway at age 4.) Immigrants are always “native sons and daughters” when they win something for their “new” country.
Today is Norway’s National Day , already a day filled with revelry. They’re going to have yet more to sing about.
Rybak announced his return to Oslo inviting fans to meet him at the airport. I think you’re going to wonder which Beatle is arriving at Gardemon at 11 pm.
Heja Norge.
Tags: alexander rybak, european song constest, fairy tale, norway
That’s 11 o’clock PM that he’s expected to arrive at Gardermoen. In other words, late at night. And heck, I just might drive up there to see the commotion, as I live only 10 minutes from the airport…
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Oops. Thanks RoMe. Just goes to show my Norwegian ain’t the tops. Blow a kiss from me if you go.
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Nice stereotyping there. Alexander was raised in Norway and most people, including he himself, would consider him Norwegian. =)
Congrats again neighbours!
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Kaethar,
I don’t know the climate in Norway pertaining to immigrants though I know they don’t take in as many as Sweden does. My experience in Sweden has shown that Sweden embraces Swedes from non-Swedish backgrounds when they do great things and then will label them “immigrant” if they fall from grace.
Personally, I think Alexander is a Norwegian too as I would consider anyone brought up in Sweden from age 4 a Swede. But you know that the minute a scandal shows up his “foreign born status” will become very public.
BB
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