One of my clearest moments from Melodifestivalen is when the styling procedure started. I was put in a chair with a good cup of café latte in front of some mirrors. Totally relaxed, I was really looking forward to just lean back and have a moment, in the middle of all people and time schedules spinning around. For me well-being is to be completely in the hands of a professional hairdresser. I closed my eyes and enjoyed some peace and quiet in my senses.

Seconds after, no less than three stylists showed up from nowhere and practically attacked me. Their goal was to completely curl me up. With all kinds of tools they surrounded me, curled all they could see and also added some extra fake hair, as if each stripe of my hair wasn’t satisfying enough. They didn’t finish until I looked like Joey Tempest from Europe’s golden days in the 80’s.

After that session the make-up artist showed her tricks. Of course she had to compete with the great volume of the hair. Black eye liner, fake eye lashes and three layers of mascara later, I was done. The result was breath-taking for me. I could hardly recognize myself. I was more looking like someone on TV. I hope somebody has been documenting the look (right, it was on TV), ‘cause I had never been better looking. And we won’t be used to that. Though…I am considering involving a group of five stylists to join me on the tours from now on.

However, my favourite dress with my favourite silver jewellery, my favourite bunch of music brothers on stage and my favourite version of ABBA’s Waterloo — the one in Sámi language. Above that, an audience of 5000 people plus a couple of million watching on TV. The show could definitely begin! 

Hey! I have to pinch my arm every five second ‘cause I am involved in the biggest music event in Sweden, the Swedish part of Eurovision Song Contest: Melodifestivalen. A dream I had when I was a little girl. I pinch my arm even harder ‘cause I don’t even have to compete. My competing nerves are non existing.

Yesterday I put on my most folkloric sweater I could find, and jumped into the plane in Gellivare. I’m so glad the sweater was of wool, since the temperature was about -24 C — inside the plane as well. The goal was Dalarna. My picture of Dalarna is optimistic folklore, red cottages and an entire Astrid Lindgren-feeling á la Barnen i Bullerbyn, since I experienced that sense on my last visit. And I got pretty much that sense from the very start of the day, since I had the pleasure to have a long chat over a cup of tea with my lovely auntie and her friend, both are about 80 years old. These adorably ladies were non stop talking about their latest project — a children’s play about traditional sami costumes. Folklore was the word…

A quiet day above the arctic circle. Snow keeps falling, as it has been doing the last couple of days. The white surroundings brings an even more calm feeling. Today is a day of silence. That is a big difference from the last weekend. It started with some reindeer herding the day before. I went into the woods with my father and brother to take care of some reindeer that had got lost in the winter. Put them safe. Being outdoors in a reindeer herd is a real energy boost. Perfect start for the weekend as it followed…

I’ve just barely survived the greatest festival above them all in this area — the winter market of Jokkmokk, Jokkmokks marknad. Energy on the top. Freezing cold and boiling hot at the same time. A small village fills up with more people than it could ever take care of. People dressed up for North Pole (OK, close enough). Everywhere there are shows, concerts, vernissages, pieces of art, exhibitions, food, snow, fire…you name it.

I had two gigs with my band and one guest performance. Late at night and early morning we also did rehearsal for another big event coming up. In between I tried to do some super mingling. I did not succeed very well. Half of the visitors are practically my cousins, in one way or another. (Yes, I have a lot of cousins). At least I know them as if they were my cousins. And they can really chat. So, it is purely impossible to speak to all of them. Sorry about that. Even though I had a super weekend.

This day of silence is so needed. Tomorrow I am heading south for some concerts. Until then I am just going to watch the snow fall.

Sofia