When North meet South

~19. FOR GOD'S SAKE ~

~30.11.2023.~

Martinus's pov:

*I am in backstage with my twin brother Marcus in our room. We are sitting on the couch and watching the whole last minute preparation before the big international folklore competition. My brother and I have already had a sound check and we are now here, resting our voices. We are not alone here, here is also our dad Kjell-Erik, our mum Gerd-Anne, Marcus's girlfriend Nora and our younger sister Emma. But Nora will have to go because she's running the program. In some seconds we can almost hear clearly that some of the group are chatting, but in another language. They are maybe or 100% under stress. But that's normal, isn't it? Karl, the leader of this entire performance, stood on the stage, which means that the final preparations have officially begun. I wasn't interested in what he was talking about, but I still looked at the small television that was in our room. He started talking in Norwegian, hahah, his colleague Oliver stopped him and said "No one understands you!". All in all, he started talking in English, the first ensemble that will be on stage is Norwegian, then Swedish, Danish and then Finnish. After them, Alessandra performs with the song "Queen of kings". After it comes Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain, then France, then Harry Styles performs. Yes, yes, Harry Styles, even I was in shock and awe. Next come the countries Estonia, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Latvia and Lithuania, and after them a Russian performs with the song "Kalinka". Then Poland, Moldova, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, and then the singer from Italy, Ricchi e Poveri, with the song "Sarà perché ti amo", a light version. Then the countries of Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Slovenia and Romania and then my brother and I are on stage with the song "Air", then there are the countries of Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. And then the voting starts, now I'm not sure, but they mentioned something about a group from Croatia, I guess, or Albania, or Montenegro, I don't know... I don't even know what they were called, they will perform something, I guess some song, and before them we go again Marcus and I on stage with some of our famous hits. I am very anxious and a bit stressed. I'm not scared, but I just have a feeling, it's neither a good nor a bad feeling...*

Author's pov:

*The final rehearsal is over, everyone is ready. Some are stressed, some are afraid of making a mistake, some have stage fright, some don't, and some are excited and can't wait to go on stage and show their best. As Karl announced the upcoming performances, the backstage area buzzed with anticipation. The international folklore competition was reaching a crescendo, and every ensemble felt the gravity of the moment. The stage was set, and the air was charged with both nervous excitement and the thrill of the performance ahead. Everything was going smoothly, just as it should, Karl, Nora and Oliver came on stage and wished everyone welcome. They announced each ensemble and a little surprise at the end. And so, little by little, time went on, all the ensembles behind the stage could not see the stage very well, so they could only hear. Karl comes on stage again.*

Karl: And now I'm asking you for a huge round of applause because our stars, our pride of Norway, the twins Marcus and Martinus are coming on stage with the song "Air"!

*The audience went wild, they didn't expect them, everyone greeted them with screams and huge applause, to which they smiled sweetly.*

Teodora's pov:

*Being in backstage is stressful, it's fun, it's beautiful, but it's also scary. Anticipation kills. Next to me is Daniel, my performance partner. We are lined up like that, no one is allowed to move, because there are a lot of cameras that are also filming here, they have to.Ana is behind me, together with Adam, and in front of me is Kate with David. How cute they are. Wait, are they holding hands, aww, they're so cute. Mr.Williams said to hold hands, but when we go out on stage and not now.*