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Norway: Just being here is already a fairytale

Posted by Glen Webb on 8 May 2009 at 09:38 updated 8 May 2009 at 11:02
Norway: Just being here is already a fairytale
Above: Alexander Rybak. Photo: Indrek Galetin (EBU)
Moscow,Russia -

Alexander Rybak admits that wearing the Norwegian flag on his chest, representing his country in this years Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true for him, in a way his own Fairytale!.

Eurovision.tv caught up with Alexander during his hectic schedule in Moscow.

Eurovision.tv: Alexander, can you tell us how it all started for you with regards to your musical interests?

Alexander : "Well, does it count when I first sang in front of my parents? If so, then that was when I was two and a half years old. I composed my first song when I was three, I think it was about trees or something!. The violin came when I was around five. I started to play violin and piano then. My father is a violinist and my mother a pianist, so they had kind of a fight over which one I would play!."

Eurovision.tv: At which age did you begin to realise you also had a talent vocally?

Alexander: "Due to my classical music interests, at school the other kids didn't think it was so cool, and I did get bullied. Because of that I started to play other genres than the classics, to try and fit in with the other kids. When I was 17 I started singing to impress the girls. Some years later, I started to blend these different genres I was playing, and that's how stuff like Fairytale began to unfold."

Eurovision.tv: Your biography also states that you have an upcoming role in a film in the summer. Is this the first time you have made the crossover in to acting? What role will you be playing in this film?

Alexander: "Well, i'm not really starring in this film. It's just a small role in fact. The part I will play is that of a gipsy. My father will be played by Morten Harket, of Aha fame. It's a very small role, and for me that's perfect. I still don't know if i'm a good actor, so it's good to find out this way without destroying any large movie!"

Eurovision.tv: "What do you hope to gain personally from your participation in the Eurovision Song Contest? Do you have an agenda in your own mind of what success looks like for you in Moscow?

Alexander: "I am proud already, to be wearing the Norwegian flag on my chest and representing my country in this huge event.That's already a dream come true. From a personal point of view, of course it would be nice to have this platform to try and promote my music beyond Norway's borders. Having said that, I will have to switch on my sixth sense, to decide which countries will like my kind of songs and where I should promote. I have no expectations. In Norway every second person on the street recognises me, and wants to have a picture. I love it and never get tired of it. I don't know if that will happen in Moscow. I don't know how popular the contest is there, but in Norway it's huge."

Eurovision.tv: "What are your impressions of Moscow so far? Have you heard any of the other competition you are up against? Have you earmarked any songs as personal favourites?

Alexander: " Well, it's not my first time in Moscow. I've been here twice before. It is my favourite city along with New York City. I love the Russian culture, art and history. I love the way Moscow manages to hold on to that culture, yet at the same time is a modern European city. As for the other entries, I really like the songs of Ukraine and Turkey."

Eurovision.tv would like to thank Alexander Rybak for taking time out to talk with us in Moscow.

Watch Alexanders greeting below


Tell us, do you think Alexander's fairytale will come true in Moscow?

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Categories Moscow, News, Interview, Norway, Alexander Rybak, 2009
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Comment by antonatella

Posted on 16 May 2009 at 11:25
He should whiten his teeth. It makes bad impression when he is smiling. The song is good but England will be the winner and we all know why(It sounds like Witney Houston before 20 years).
Nataly Rijaya

Comment by Nataly from Ukraine

Posted on 12 May 2009 at 14:10
From UKRAINE. ALEXANDER, YOU ARE THE WINNER!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!! GOOD LUCK!!! Ukraine will give 12 points!!!
Jeff Smith

Comment by jeffzsmith

Posted on 10 May 2009 at 20:04
he's got a great voice, even when he sings pop music like here: http://wiwibloggs.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/alexander-rybak-vs-jason-mraz/
Sophia Akre

Comment by sweden-a from Sweden

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 21:18
im not saying that
im just saying that many people are making a fuss about this song simply because they like him more than the song itself
i believe that there should be more that just the looks being a song contest and this is why i prefer other songs!..and that is my opinion

Comment by SusannaofArmenia from United States

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 19:33
that's how people show their stupidity by saying somebody else is stupid not knowing that person. And it's to bad people don't see that some other songs here belong in Harry Potter and/ot Junior Song contest (hint, hint--Cyprus). Yet Cyprus is good and a potential winner. And I would say it belongs in this contest.
Let the best song win! Good luck to all!
kanka kankam

Comment by lifeforrent

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 18:51
even he knows who is going to be a winner :))))))
i laughed about the harry potter comment and i really think that this song this song doesnt fit esc
Viktorija Mic.

Comment by viki_milit from Lithuania

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 17:43
Heavens shake, dont you understand that there are so many opinions as in Europe are people, so if you dont like this song, dont condemn others who like it...yes, Finland, Malta have wonderful songs, but still you cant say all love Aleksander Rybak and his song ``Fairytale`` just because that this boy is handsome and so on
Sophia Akre

Comment by sweden-a from Sweden

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 17:02
i dont know why all the fuss about this song... for heavens sake this is a song contest not a beauty contest!!
there are far better songs in the eurovision such as Finland and Malta...
FROM SWEDEN
Viktorija Mic.

Comment by viki_milit from Lithuania

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 16:09
How can people be so cruel and say like : is he stupid? You cant bandy words like those, because you dont know the person...yuckkkk , hate people who think they are cleverer than others. Eurovision - its song contest, not saying stupid he is or not. Of course he isnt stupid, I like him very much, not because of Alexander`s song, voice, musical skills, but cuz of his personality too. So please, dont say like those nonsense : is he stupid? Or : this song would be great for junior eurovision. Shame on you !
blackday blackday

Comment by blackday from United Kingdom

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 15:23
Alexandar likes the songs of Turkey....:)))
Good Luck Norway from Turkey...
Amanda Vassallo

Comment by MissAmanda from Malta

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 14:46
I Think that this song Fairytale should be a winning song ... or at least it will placed in top 3 :) such a strong song. shame that someone like GozoParis is saying such things about Alex, and I think I know where he is taking the info from, he is biased !!!

GoodLuck Alex !!!
Jeff Smith

Comment by jeffzsmith

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 12:35
Listen to Alex singing Jason Mraz pop song. I prefer Alex! http://wiwibloggs.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/alexander-rybak-vs-jason-mraz/
Elena Tolnai

Comment by Elena Tolnai

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 11:33
He is such nice boy! Very sweet. Look at this interview on Norway TV: http://wiwibloggs.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/alexander-rybak-is-sad-he-cant-respond-to-your-texts/
Bjørn B

Comment by Avis2 from Norway

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 11:24
GOOGLE Top5 right now: http://www.google.com/landing/eurovision/index.html
Turkey
Norway
Greece
France
Ukraine
NaRmiShKa 89

Comment by NaRmiShKa from Azerbaijan

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 11:20
Alexaaaandeeer!!! 100000 % winner of this year...Heey people, let's prepare for Norwegian Eurovision ;-)...We'll meet in Oslo in 2010!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by GozoParis from Malta

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 11:17
You should have participated in the Junior Song Contest as your song is more ideal there and I am sure all the young Harry Potter fans would have voted for you :))

Comment by GozoParis from Malta

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 11:15
You should have been contesting in the Junior Song Contest and I am sure they would have voted for the Norwegian Harry Potter :))
Anthony Robinson

Comment by Anton from Norway

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 11:06
Are you stupid?
kire kire

Comment by erik4444

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 11:00
interesting song :) support and vote for Macedonia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJp4NHRLF1k :D

Comment by Schweigen from Turkey

Posted on 8 May 2009 at 10:57
is he stupid ?

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