Inlägg 321Ιωάννης Παπαδόπουλος skrev:den 14 augusti 2009 kl. 16:55
GREEK ARTICLES - LAST PART

http://news.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_civ_2_21/07/2009_322878
21 July 2009

PROJECTIONS - "He surfs on the wave"
By Sandy Tsantakis

His meeting had been scheduled for 12.30 in the midday, yesterday, at the house of the Norwegian ambassador. Alexander Rybak, a cheerful boy, who managed to give us the most popular eurosong since the era of Abba, explained what’s going on at his 24.

He finally came at 13.00. Most questions were related to Sakis Rouvas, if they are friends etc.
«You know, in showbiz, even a ‘‘hi’’ can make people officialy friends. So yes, we are friends with Sakis».
And beyond Sakis? What else does he know on Greece? Does he plan to visit the New Acropolis Museum? What did he eat? Where did he go?...

Just imagine that stayed in Athens for less than 24 hours. But what did we learn about him? He appeared with his violin, and he performed live - not «Fairytale», because people have got bored to it, he says. He has been in 15 countries, and the Norwegian TV will broadcast a documentary about his life. He thanked us
for the 10 points - as expected.

He described Eurovision as the best arena.
«Interest in conservatories has been increased for about 30-50% in Norway this year - for violin lessons. Traditional dance courses have increased for 40%.»
After his concerts, he gives 3 to 4 hours to sign autographs.
«I know that I will be less famous in 4 years, a new star will rise. But I have to make money until then. Afterwards, I wish that a musical producer will ask me to write a musical score - that’s what I have studied».

He chooses flirting for now. «I don’t want to be a teen idol for my whole life. For the time being, I am like James Bond. When I make a family, I will have my studio and residence in the countryside».
What does he love and what does he hate in his career so far, especially after watching his life becoming a reality show? «There are people who keep everything as secret. And there are other people, who like to make noise. I belong to the latter kind. Right now I am paid just to have fun. I am surfing on the wave!»

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http://news.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_civ_2_24/07/2009_323276

24 July 2009

HIS LIFE AFTER THE EUROVISION
Alexander Rybak, the Norwegian violinist, visited Greece during his tours.

By Sandy Tsantakis

PORTRAIT: Alexander Rybak is from these people you simply cannot detest. You think (or you hope/wish) that he will be arrogant, unable to talk properly, because he is only 23. But there is something he does that make you like him from the very first moment. He doesn’t need anyone to give him advices. His communication charisma became evident immediately in his press conference in the Norwegian Ambassador’s house in Athens.

He could hear most cell phones ringing with the tune of «Fairytale» over here. He knew he has set new records. He noticed that all of our media attention was focused on him. And he also knew that the Norwegian TV makes a documentary on his life. Although he knows all the above, he never forgets that for the majority he is just a consumable product, with an expiration date he has already defined.
«I know that in 4 years I will not be as popular as today».

He just says what you wish that all artists with the same career length would say. He has already visited 15 out of the 22 countries where his album has been realized, in order to promote his music, his album, his image and his sales. He never complains, although his life has changed a lot, he receives countless invitations for festivals and sometimes he has to give negative answers too.

His life after the Eurovision: for the few hours he was in Athens, he was just himself. He was humorous and self-sarcastic. He posed with his violin for the photographers. A music teacher I know told me that her students asked her after the Eurovision about Rybak’s violin and it’s «hair», meaning of course the chords. That’s what classical music even in a more «pop» form, can achieve: to raise the interest for conservatories.

- No clichés

He amused us by speaking without clichés about Sakis Rouvas, and he wasn’t troubled by questions regarding the stardom. As about Greek musicians: «I admire Mikis Theodorakis. Traditional music is the purest thing. There are many similarities between the Greek and the Nordic folk music. I know some good DJs, but that’s the kind of music I like. But I can understand everything easily».

What does he plan to do anything for the environment? «I am not so smart, to be honest, to help with the big problems. There are specialized people for them. I will go to sing for kid patients in a hospital, but I will not change the world. I am not good at that. I am not the right person to start a revolution».

He has already 4,750 Facebook fans [SIC], and his last Twitter post was: «Today I got a sore throat. :-( Glad that I don't have a concert today. I'll relax and play Mario Galaxy». For those over 23, that’s a video game.

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New quotes from Alexander during his interview in Athens. Notice that this newspaper has almost 1 million readers every Sunday.

http://www.tovima.gr/default.asp?pid=2&ct=4&artId=280337&dt=26/07/2009
(There is also a new photo in the source link)

From “To Vēma tēs Kyriakēs” [= The “Step” of Sunday]
26 July 2009, by Asteropē Lazaridēs

ALEXANDER RYBAK: The flying Norwegian!

Greek tabloid journalists used to call him bad names. But Alexander Rybak is just the opposite of what they said. He visited our country to promote his work, and he proved that all these people who were “digging the hole” for him (a local idiom for “insulting”), are the ones who should be buried into this hole! “You are too expressive. You shouldn’t smile so much”. That’s what the judge of a Norwegian talent show told him, after he rejected him. Alexander’s mistake then was that he didn’t bring his violin with him. His early musical training by his parents since the age of 5, made him realize that violin would be the extension of his arm.
So, in 2006, he returned to Norwegian TV and his time he made it! Then he offered to Norway a Eurovision triumph with 387 pts., although Norway is only his second homeland, since he was born in Belarus. His song, “Fairytale”, spoke about his fallen romance, about a girlfriend who dropped him for another guy. “Easy to guess why”, was the bitter comment from Betty Maggira, the Greek TV correspondent to Moscow. She was determined to degrade Alexander’s significance, just like all these lousy eurovisionologists of our local press. They all claimed he was jealous of “our Sakis”. Needless to remind that “Sakis” never made it into the first 5! As for Alexander Rybak, his likable behavior during his visit in Athens has taught them a lesson to remember!

Unfortunately, his ex-girl friend is no longer a romantic princess; she became a bad witch. «I knew she changed a lot since we broke up. I didn’t expect her to call me after the Eurovision. And she didn’t But in the next day, she gave our photos to the media. I don’t care, I have this song and thousands of heartbroken people, who thanked me for helping them to feel better».

Even before hearing him, you will be fond of Alexander Rybak. You can sense that he is a sweet creature, staring at everything with childish enthusiasm. You may thing that he smiles too much because he can’t phrase any word. Not at all! «I know that people can forget be in a couple of years, another one will take my place. But I don’t want o be a pop idol in my 40s, I want to compose for movies and big orchestras». His biography includes a duet with the famous violinist Pinchas Zukerman.

He doesn’t try to be politically correct, just like one-hit wonders, who usually claim they can save the world. «I am not an ecology specialist. Music is my only field. I am not smart enough to save the planet. I cannot think what could happen to the environment in 40 years form now. But I plan to visit a hospital and sing for the children. That maybe not change the world, but it will make some people feel better».

We didn’t see any hypocritical modesty from him either: «There are two kinds of people, these who want to be at the center of the attention and these who want to remain obscure. I belong to the first class. I became famous across Europe in one night, and I like this! I am paid well enough just to do what amuses me. And this is a great privilege! I always loved entertaining people, therefore that’s my profession».

As for «our-Sakis»: «A single “hi” is enough to make friends in the world of showbiz. So, yes, I am a friend with Sakis in this way. I like that he is mature, he doesn’t try to be Ricky Martin, he has a family».

Where did you see that, Alexander? When he wore a torn T-shirt or when he was poured with water? I am sure Alexander knew about the remarks of the French press on Sakis, but he didn’t want to make us sad. That’s what the French said: «Greece has send to the Eurovision an old showman who looks like a declined Enrique Iglesias».

Everything can be an inspiration for Alexander Rybak. Kitchen sounds, the nature, the animals’ voices. The exceptional melody of “Fairytale” came to him when he was standing on the top of a hill. He just played a tune with his violin there, and that tune became a huge hit in Europe. But Alexander is not deluded: «Norwegians are bored of it. It has been played for months». But he was delighted to learn that thanks to him, interest in classical music studies has been increased for about 50%.

«Folk music is the most pure. I always loved Theodorakis for this, he turned the Greek folk music into so many kinds, from instrumental up to popular».At the end of this autumn he will come to our country again for a concert. Meanwhile, he wants to promote his CD. «I always read fans letters and I reply. I dedicate 2 or 3 hours for autographs after my concerts. When my bodyguards try to stop me, I tell them that I want to listen to the stories of my fans, otherwise I will be unable to compose».

Alexander doesn’t hurry to grow up. «In the long run we may loose the child within us, but we may discover it again. Some do it at 19, others at 72. I had the chance to rediscover it on the Eurovision stage. I was surfing the wave and I managed to show this on TV. Everybody saw it, that’s why I was voted».The
Norwegian judge was right. Alexander is too expressive. And he does smile more than the average. But this is our verdict: 12 points!

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Greek news site on Alex and Pride (31 July '09)

«He once said something on homosexuality which made headlines. Now it was time to repair, with his appearance in Sweden, which charmed many hearts. He went on stage dressed like that and played his violin. Alexander Rybak - this time a sailor!»

http://troktiko.blogspot.com/2009/07/blog-post_5500.html

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Alexander Rybak was welcomed like a hero

19 May 2009

-- Street parades and bands playing in the streets of Oslo. That's how Norway welcomed Alexander Rybak after his triumph in Oslo, on the Constitution Day. On the contrary, Sakis (the Greek Eurovision contestant) didn't show up in Cannes for the premiere of his movie. --

Sunday, 17 May, was a national holiday in Norway. People commemorate the Constitution they acquired in 1814. Alexander was regarded by his compatriots as a modern symbol, because he glorified this Nordic country. When his flight arrived in Oslo, fire vehicles created an arch of water over his plane. Crowds were assembled in the airport, and his appearance caused manic reactions. His fans -many carrying flowers and gifts to offer- started calling his name and celebrating his victory. Alexander with his bodyguards went to the center of Oslo. Everywhere Alexander went, the crowds applauded him.

Alexander Rybak has given us the 3d biggest hit in the history of Eurovision, after "Abba"'s "Waterloo" and "Save your kiss for me", from "Brotherhood of man". Fairytale can be found at the top of download charts in Europe and also in download charts of Australia and America. It's a triple platinum single in Norway. Yohanna experienced a similar glorious reception in Reykjavik, Iceland. On the contrary, Sakis is still under harsh criticism by the Greek press for his failure, and he decided not to visit Cannes for the premiere of his movie.