As hundreds of fans are about to arrive in Oslo for the Eurovision high mass, a brand new book entitled Melodi Grand Prix: artistene – suksessene – skandalene – antrekkene is available in stores.

"The authors – Eurovision veterans Jostein Pedersen and Kato Hansen – take the readers on a breathtaking journey through the history of the world’s favourite TV show – seen from a Norwegian perspective. All major aspects of the giant songfest are thoroughly analysed in in-depth articles: the performers, the outfits, the songwriters, the successes, and, of course, the scandals. There is also a comprehensive statistics section, including complete lists from all Norwegian and European finals, as well as an overview of voting frequency between Norway and all other participating countries" the press release writes.

With previously unpublished information on the Norwegian finals as well as recently uncovered details on the results of the very first European final, in 1956, this book is a work of reference for anyone – and not only Norwegian readers, in spite of the fact it is in Norwegian – with a professional or passionate interest in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Jostein Pedersen is a journalist based in London. He was for a number of years Norwegian Television’s Eurovision commentator, and is now covering the event for Norway’s leading newspaper, Verdens Gang.Kato Hansen is a writer and translator based in Oslo. He was president of OGAE Norway (The Norwegian Eurovision Club) between 1995 and 2003 and is considered Norway’s leading expert on the Eurovision Song Contest.Price NOK 149. On sale now in bookstores and magazine outlets all over Norway.