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Moscow hosted this year’s 54th Eurovision song contest in true glitzy style. Russia, eager to showcase itself, was reported to have spent 42 million dollars on the five-day event, making it the most expensive competition in the Eurovision’s history.
So with the magical backdrops, perhaps it was fitting that a song called fairytale should win. It was sung by Norwegian Alexander Rybak from Oslo and was a mix of folksy fiddle and modern ballad, the type of music the contest is best known for.
But it obviously hit a nerve with judges because it extracted the most points by a song ever, a record 387.
23-year-old Alexander Rybak jubilant at the news conference following his win thought he knew why it was so successful.
In Russia, we are like the nostalgia and melancholy while in Norway we are the happiest people in the world. And the mix of those two things was a success obviously.
Iceland put its banking problems behind it by coming second with a therapeutically soothing number.
While third-placed Azerbaijan woke judges up with some colorful drama.
But it was Norway’s night with fans overwhelmed by the success of their team.
We do win, like a fairytale. Oh my God this is the biggest thing.
It’s marvelous, wonderful, fabulous.
And a wonderful show, this must be the best show ever.
Celebrations are expected to continue in Norway with Oslo now the destination for the 55th Song contest next year.
Penny Tweedie, Reuters.