Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest fifty-four times since its first entry in . Norway had won the contest on three occasions: in 1985 with the song "La det swinge" performed by Bobbysocks!, in 1995 with the song "Nocturne" performed by Secret Garden and in 2009 with the song "Fairytale" performed by Alexander Rybak. Norway also had the two dubious distinctions of having finished last in the Eurovision final more than any other country and for having the most "nul points" (zero points) in the contest, the latter being a record the nation shared together with Austria. The country
Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 Studios in Helsinki, both known for their associations with symphonic metal band Nightwish. Belarus competed in the first semi final where they failed to qualify, finishing 13th of 18 participants, scoring 25 points. Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 Belarus and Belarusian Television and Radio Company (BTRC) announced their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 on 29 September 2008 by releasing the rules of their national selection - "Eurofest 2009". The song did not progress from the first semi-final of the competition. The country's quest to select their sixth entry at the Eurovision Song Contest began in a