Good manners were close to cost Alexander Rybak his life. So polite that he nearly drowned.

 Article found, and translated by Veronica Nord. Pictures scanned by Susanne Berlin. Journalist : Hans Petter Treider  Photos : Morten Bendiksen. Published 28.06.2011

During the whole summer “Her & Nå” will challenge celebrities: Who sets up a deckchair the fastest?

First one out is the artist Alexander Rybak.
Time: 25.5 seconds….

Alexander Rybak was very, very polite already as a child. Even one time he was about to drown, he called for help by discreetly gurgling “excuse me ….excuse me”.

– How long can you sit in a deckchair before you get restless,  Alexander Rybak?
– If it’s not sunny, I can manage 5 hours just fine. If the sun is shining, then it won’t be more than one minute.

– For most others it is vice versa …
– I have never been interested in nice weather. The worst way to wake up, is when the sun is “baking” through the bedroom window. No, give me rather rain!

– But is there really anything to do indoors in the summer?
– Really not ? I have recently played through 20 TV games on three different consoles, watched four seasons of “Heroes”, three seasons of “Lost” and read a book about Ole Bull.

– Why Ole Bull?
– I feel related to him. He didn’t manage to enjoy the present either.

– What can you enjoy then?
– I’m enjoying what I have done and what I’m going to do.

-Congratulations on your new CD, “Visa vid vindens angar” ! It’s a collaboration between you and the Swedish troubadour Mats Paulson, who is 48 years older than you. Is it not insurmountable for two musicians?

– No. He is a “jentefut” (= casanova, ladies man, womanizer) just as I am. I’m actually an old man, trapped in a girl’s wet dream.

– What did you say?
– No, let me rather say it this way: I’m an old man, trapped in a seducer’s body.

– I think we change the theme : We are at Oksval pier at Nesodden, your childhood paradise. What were you like as a child?

– Polite and gentle. Even when I once nearly drowned, because of lacking swimming skills, I would not create unnecessary uproar, and called attention so discreet as possible by gurgle “excuse me …. excuse me”. Then I was saved by the head physician at Sunnaas hospital, which incidentally also was taking a swim.

– Have you always been so polite?
– Yes, and disciplined. Add also “aware” and “listening”.

 – What smell do you associate most with summer?
– Scent of rhubarb. Mom makes a lot of different things with rhubarb.

 – What summer has burned itself into your memory?
-The summer my dad and I were street musicians in Sweden. I was about seven years, I think. We played the violin, both of us.

– When you’re as old as your musical friend Mats Paulson, how would you like your life to be then?
– I hope it consists of just the right amount of excitement, just right amount of safety and that I live with a woman who loves both my weaknesses and strengths.

Some quick questions in the deck chair:

– What is the taste of summer?
– To get salt water in the nose.

– How many degrees must there be in the water before you jump in?
– Preferably 20. But I can take a swim in 16 degrees too, if it’s hot in the air.

-What song puts you in the summer mood?
– “Ferie” (Holiday) by Postgirobygget. It is suitably nostalgic.

– Do you tell the whole and entire truth when you’re writing postcards?
– I do not write postcards, but I respond to letters fans have sent. I’m now finished with letter number 8231.

– What kind of holiday do you not go on ?
– I can control myself from charter holiday.