Norwegian broadcaster NRK has confirmed to esctoday.com that they will begin to reveal the artists participating in Melodi Grand Prix 2009 to win the ticket to represent Norway at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow in December. Each week, the list of participants for a semi final will be revealed.

The artists will, as in recent years, be revealed over three weeks, with the participants in the first semi final being revealed in the week commencing Monday 22nd December. Artists competing in the second semi final will be revealed in the week commencing 29th December and artists competing in the third semi final will be revealed in the week commencing 5th January.

Over 350 entries were submitted for Melodi Grand Prix 2009. 18 will qualify for the semi finals, with six songs participating in each show. The top two will qualify for the grand final in Oslo, the songs finishing third and fourth will go to the second chance round where two will progress to Oslo.

The full list of shows and locations are:

• 1st semi-final: Kongsvinger, 24 January 2009
• 2nd semi-final: Bodø, 31 January 2009
• 3rd semi-final: Skien, 7 February 2009
• The last chance (Siste sjansen) round: Ålesund, 14 February 2009
• Final: Oslo Spektrum, 21 February 2009

The most interesting possible candidate seems to be the possible return of Hanne Krogh. Back in 2007, Hanne said in an interview with esctoday.com that she would consider entering in 2009. A previous winner of the Eurovision Song Contest, she would be bidding to become the first artist in the history of the competition to compete in four consecutive decades.

You can watch her previous entries below. Her previous entries were in 1971 (Lykken er), 1985 (La det swinge as Bobbysocks with Elisabeth Andreasson) and 1991 (Mrs Thompson as part of the group Just 4 fun).

1971 Lykken er

1985 La det swinge

1991 Mrs Thompson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBOXP71u_44