From Moscow to chaos - article on nrk.no, 18.5.2009

Alexander Rybak in the NRK bus

Text: Eirik Sivertsen | Photos: NRK/Eirik Sivertsen | Published: on nrk.no | 18.5.2009 | Translated by Mónika Menyhért

Thousands of happy Norwegians had extended the national day festivities to celebrate the hero from Moscow when he landed with NRK's ​​delegation at Gardermoen last night.

Quiet in Moscow

At the passport control, Alexander
had not to show off the passport...

After a relatively quiet day in Moscow with the 17th May celebration at the Norwegian Embassy and check-out of the Russian capital, they had a two and a half hour flight ahead back to Oslo.

The perfect landing was broadcast live on TV, and eight fire trucks stood as guards of honor along the runway and made a tunnel of water that the plane was driven through.

This is apparently a tradition that is only carried out when new aircraft are to be baptized before the maiden voyage, or when retired flight captains have their last day at work.

Chaos in Oslo

Already at the baggage carousels, there was the complete press along with a big audience present, but it was nothing compared to the crowd standing and waiting in the arrival hall.

A happy Alexander on his way through the crowd

Alexander was completely surprised that so many people showed up at the airport to welcome the delegation, and was led through the happy crowd by four burly security guards.

Well inside of the NRK bus that was driven up to pick up the delegation a problem arose: the crowd was so large and stood so close to the bus that it did not have a chance to move on a millimeter.

Police had to be called and to get the road cleared . While waiting all that time Alexander was singing and waving to the audience.

"What have I done?"

Alexander has a very special and devoted care for his audience, giving everything he can to the fans:

         Alexander Rybak being interviewed
                   by Hege Bakken Riise

- What have I done that encouraged people to come out here without being able to give them a real concert?

Film there, Hege, says Alexander to nrk.no's video journalist Hege Bakken Riise, so they can at least get on TV!

Finally, the police managed to clear the way for the bus through the crowd, the rest of the NRK delegation scrambled on board, and the trip goes inward towards Oslo with police escort both in front and in back, also followed by an attached? tail of happy fans in honking cars.

Now we are realize more and more what Alexander has actually done regarding himself and the rest of the delegation:

The young boy has created Norwegian cultural history by winning the world's largest music competition broadcast on television - and he has laid a spectacular foundation toward his own career!

Congratulations, Norway and Alexander!

Alexander Rybak - thoughtful in the NRK bus

See more photos... ➡HERE

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Here you can watch video reports from the "chaos" at Gardermoen, too; the first 3 parts of this video compilation show the happennings: