21 July 2009
By Yannis Panagopoulos
http://www.ethnos.gr/article.asp?catid=11380&subid=2&tag=8796&pubid=4794877
«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».
