Karlsen, who has been Norway’s Head of Delegation and MGP’s project manager for a decade, will leave his role in October, and will take a role in media & communications for Jannicke Mikkelsen, Norway’s first female astronaut
End of an Era in Norway
Karlsen will be leaving his job on October 1st to take up a role in space communications, managing media enquiries & digital content related to the space travel of Jannicke Mikkelsen.
He had been the Norwegian Head of Delegation at Eurovision for over 10 years, and had become a well known, if at time controversial, figure due in large part to his support for more televoter presence at the contest.
Speaking to NRK, Karlsen said that the controversies regarding this year’s contest were not behind his reason for leaving, saying: “It is because of this job offer that I got. I believe that music and culture are a bridge-builder, and I also believe that the EBU will get the event back in order.”
NRK says that Karlsen should have collated the list of songs and artists for next year’s Melodi Grand Prix by the time he leaves the role.
Norway’s Eurovision History
The Scandinavian nation made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960, with Nora Brockstedt and the song “Voi Voi”, which placed 4th. Since their debut, they have participated 62 times, and made the Grand Final 59 of these. In addition, Norway has won the competition three times – in 1985, 1995, and 2009.
Norway’s latest Eurovision participation saw them being represented by Gåte with the song “Ulveham”. After qualifying for the final, Norway placed 25th and last place in the Grand Final, receiving 16 points, 12 of which from the jury and 4 from televoters.
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News Source: NRK
Photo Credit: Kjetil Solhøi/ NRK
Rory Gannon 
Giwrgos Oiko