Inlägg 319Yannis Papadopoulos skrev:den 14 augusti 2009 kl. 16:34
AS ABOVE
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GREEK ARTICLE: Alexander Rybak's visit in Greece • the aftermath • translated by me, personal remarks in brackets

"Moussaka, tzatziki, souvlaki, everything is delicious. I enjoyed food very much here". Alexander's visit lasted less than 24 hours, but at least he ate well. The Norwegian singer and holder of new Eurovision records, visited a restaurant nearby the holly rock [=the Acropolis] immediately after his arrival, delayed for 5 hours [it is regular to have dinner at 22.00-23.00 PM in Greece].

Yesterday morning he visited the home of the Norwegian ambassandor, Sverre Stub, on Lycabettus hill. The latter was accompanied by two girls dressed in traditional Norwegian suites. The ambassandor said: «It's not a secret that most Greeks hoped for a different result during that night. But those of us, who attented the Moscow Eurovision, knew this would be "our night", Norway's and Alexander's night» [= the Greek entry was entitled "This is our night"]. He also said that Alexander's name is Greek [yes!] and that it derives from Alexander the Great [no, it's much older, your excellency]. Then told Alexander: «You are may not be Alexander the Great, but you are still a great Alexander!»

Rybak wants to meet Greek musicians and he is also a fan of Mikis Theodorakis. He was smiling during his press conference, and he had his violin. He performed «Funny Little World», a song from his album. Just like «Fairytale», it hit the top in Norway's charts and it was inspired after a failed romance too. «I had fallen in love with that girl from the fist rendez-vous», Alexander says. «But the prospects were limited, because I have to travel a lot, and she couldn't wait», he confessed.

As for his first love, for whom «Fairytale» was written, she didn't call him after his victory. «I never hoped for a reunion. I just wanted to write an anthem for the impossible love! I am glad for receiving letters from people with broken hearts. But this girl is not the same I used to love. She has changed a lot. I knew she would sell our photos to earn money. I don't care, I am fine».

Alexander stated he is in love with Greece. Although he has visited Crete, Kos and Rhodos [Lesbos according to him, go figure...], he wants more! «I like the Greek summer. I wanted to enjoy the sun, the sea, to surf, to play beach volley and flirt beautiful girls». But he has to focus on touring and promotion right now.
He has signed discographic deals with 15 countries already, and he keeps going on!

After his press conference, he went to the "Rythmos" radio station and gave a live interview to Makis Pounentis. He was welcomed by numerous fans, and he gave many autographs and... kisses to them! Then he went to shoot a televised interview for Mad TV [=our equivalent to MTV, although we have a local MTV too]. During the evening the Eurovision's «Harry Potter» departed for Paris, holding his violin.

From "Espresso" tabloid
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
http://www.madata.gr/index.php/eurovision/39529.html

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New Greek article about AR's press conference in Athens

Source: http://www.ethnos.gr/article.asp?catid=11380&subid=2&tag=8796&pubid=4794877
«Ethnos» newspaper, 21 July 2009
By Yannis Panagopoulos [totally unrelated to me]

«Sakis inspired me»

The 23-years old Eurovision winner came to Athens for his new album, talked about his life and the Moscow final and explained why he likes Theodorakis.

«I consider Sakis my friend. In the showbiz, to say 'hi' is enough to start a new friendship. For the time being, it's fun».

As we all know, our nationalistic jealousy made some journalists call him an arrogant and an opportunist. They almost called him a terrorist, akin to a new «Carlos the Jackal», who deprived us of our «ethnic triumph» in the Eurovision. Reconsider this, please! Alexander Rybak is just 23-years old and he merely did his job at the ESC. He played and sang the best he could. That's why he broke the records in this unclear contest, still balancing between the music and the show.

Rybak was in Athens yesterday. He met Greek journalists at the Norwegian ambassador's home. He visited us in order to promote his album, entitled «Fairytales». He didn't avoid some clichés, when he said «It's very nice here, very warm, like the people of your country. Thanks for the 10 points you gave us». But he can also abandon the marketing language and tell his mind directly, like when he said: «I always wanted to experience Eurovision. It's the arena that made me famous across Europe within a night. I enjoy this madness for now. My best service to Norwegian music was that after my victory, the local interest in classical music has increased from 30% to 50%. Many people went to conservatories. Our traditional music also saw a similar interest increase».

He replied to questions regarding Sakis, and he said: «We hadn't speak a lot. But from what I saw, he's the definition of the mature artist. I learned many from him. He inspired me. I am convinced he is not a fake. He has a family. He knows the balance between career and personal choices».

Alexander Rybak likes entertainment. He still lives the fever of the Eurovision party, but he wants more. For the next day of his career, he said «I am sure this will not last forever. I have studied music. I want to compose. In the future, if I find the right producer, I would like to write musical scores for the cinema. I love folk music. I would like to collaborate with traditional players. That's why I love Theodorakis. He understood the beat and the essence of the traditional sound, giving it new dimensions. That's a marvelous act».

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NEW GREEK ARTICLE

"The violinist and the fairytale"

"Apogevmatini" (= the Afternoon) Newspaper, 22 July 2009
http://www.apogevmatini.gr/?p=36043

He gripped the European media's attention for months. Everyone was speaking about the boy violinist, and he has been compared to Harry Potter. Some melodical moments on Eurovision's stage were enough to boost the popularity of Alexander Rybak, 23, from Norway. He broke the record with 387 votes, the most in the contest's history. At this period, Alexander Rybak tours Europe, gives concerts and opens festivals, in order to promote his album, bearing the suitable title «Fairytales».

He visited our country for about 24 hours. Although his schedule was extremely tight (5 hours flight delay made things even worse), he had the chance to get a taste. He especially praised the Greek food during his press conference at the house of the Norwegian ambassador. He praised the Greek people too. «It's extremely warm in Greece. Not because of the climate, but of the inhabitants». He expressed his gratitude to the audience and he admitted that he enjoys being popular. «I like it. I feel I get paid to do my hobby.»

Although he is recognizable, he doesn't pretend to be something he isn't. «I try to enjoy it now, because I know that in a few years I will be less popular». He has become an idol for younger people [only?], and many of them go to conservatories. But all he dreams of is making a family and staying in some idyllic [greek word :)] place, to compose.

The Norwegian ambassador said: «It's not a secret that most Greeks hoped for a different result in Eurovision. But this was our night!» He also mentioned the Greek roots of Alexander's name, and he added: «you may not be Alexander the Great, but you are still a great Alexander».

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AN OLDER ONE FROM THE SAME NEWSPAPER

«The Alexander Rybak phenomenon»

http://www.apogevmatini.gr/?p=25618
18 May 2009

«Rybak succeeded because of his tenderness, dynamism and his childish caprice. His achievement is not just another Eurovision triumph. He has broken every previous record, by receiving 387 votes form 42 countries. He received 14 «douze points», surpassing the Greek victory of 2005 with 12 d.p. and the
Ukrainian victory in 2004, which had scored a total of 280 points.

That happenned because his song had a perfect melody. There was also something pure and dreamy in it. That's exactly what people look for at times of existential and financial crisis. He spoke about his unfulfilled love -a true story according to him- and he managed to give a touching but not excessive performance.
The natural sound of his violin went straight to the heart of young and old viewers.

He was absolutely right when he said «I had a story to tell and that was loved be the audience. My composition was part of this song's appeal; in Russia people is nostalgic. On the contrary, Norwegians are the happiest people on earth. This combination was the key to success». It was Norway's 3d victory, after
1985 and 1995.»

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From “Eleftherotypía” [= Freedom of Press] newspaper, 21 July 2009, By Helena Galanopoulos
http://www.enet.gr/?i=news.el.texnes&id=65543
[Brackets include my remarks]

«I will not be a pop idol at 45»

«You may not be Alexander the Great, but you are still a great Alexander!» That's what the ambassador of Norway in Greece, Sverre Stub, said to Alexander Rybak, winner of the Eurovision 2009. The ambassador added: «Norway has two ambassadors in Greece. In alphabetical order the first is you and the second is me».

No, the ambassador is not crazy! He knows that thanks to Alexander Rybak, his country will gain a global appeal. Therefore, he offered his house in Kolonaki [= Lycabettus] for the press conference.

What the 23-year old Norwegian has achieved is great. Not only he broke the Eurovision votes record, but he also manage to author the most popular song to win this contest, since the Abba era, which became a top hit in download and airplay charts of Europe and Australia. He restored high quality standards for this contest, and he caused an increase of about 30-40% to the number of Norwegians taking violin and traditional dance lessons.

His debut album contains the winning song, but also 8 more songs he has composed [not all]. He managed to combine traditional elements from the Norwegian and the Russian culture, with pop, humor, imagination and uplifting violin solos and vocals [that sentence is familiar; plagiarism?] His disk is available in 22 countries [by Universal in Greece].

He had a deep musical training, since his parents are exceptional musicians. That has equipped him with reason and self-knowledge. «I know that I will be less famous in 4 years. A new talented person will appear in Norway, and I wish that I will be the first to support». That's why enjoys fame, and he claims that victory didn't change him. «I managed to come to a ‘‘deal’’ with myself before the contest. I think that became evident on TV. I am happy for being paid to do what I adore», he said.

He didn't refuge to answer more personal questions. «I can't understand these celebrities who are troubled by media's attention. I have always been an outgoing individual. And I always want to address as many people as possible. Therefore, I am not concerned about leakages from my privacy. It's part of the game too».

He continued his confessions: «I will not be a pop idol until 45. Therefore, I plan to start composing, that's what I have studied. When I will be a family man, I don't want to have to tour the world for concerts. I want to be able to compose in my home, preferably away from the city». He was also asked about Sakis Rouvas. «Sakis is a source of inspiration for younger artists. Although famous, he remains accessible». He didn't deny the possibility of a common concert. «He is the only Greek I know, and he is important. Moreover, we have many in common, we share the same energy». I would like to meat Greek violinists, especially from folk music, which is the purest thing any country has to offer. That's why I love Theodorakis, because he understood the essence of folk music and he conceived its evolution into new musical varieties.

[Theodorakis is the composer of the famous «Zorba» theme, among others]