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Tommi Hakala's Diary: Day 8 |
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Finnish competitor Tommi Hakala is BBC Singer of the World in Cardiff!
In his last diary entry, Tommi tells us how it feels to be a winner. |
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It's Finals day! I got up at quarter to ten feeling refreshed. I had some Marks & Spencer's sushi again for breakfast, then went over to the Hall for my TV rehearsal. I 'marked' quite a bit to save my voice. I was happy with the rehearsal and afterwards Graeme came round to make a little interview for BBC World Service. I must say that although I am happy to give interviews to journalists in English, I do get a little nervous when it's for the radio!
Graeme asked me what I would be taking back to Finland as a souvenir of Wales and I answered that I hadn't had too much time for shopping but I would definitely be taking back some Cardiff T-shirts but mostly food! Those pies for example, and on Graeme's recommendation I will try to find the Welsh 'bara brith'.
I arrived at the Hall in good time as I always do, and although I realised that what I was about to do was very serious, I felt relaxed and determined to enjoy myself. As regards my performance, there were some notes I was a little dubious about; also I did take a couple of risks which maybe didn't quite come off, but overall I felt I had not let myself down. I reminded myself that I did not expect to be in the Final, and I must say afterwards I gulped down my celebratory pint of Brakespeare's Smooth Bitter.
My heart leaped when I heard my voice called as the winner. I felt the audience rise to me with a fantastic feeling of support. It was just incredible to have won this competition; at the first opportunity I called my wife - she is on the ship to Finland but it was passing by some Swedish islands so there was a good connection. She was overjoyed, and I expect my dog would be too! I called her several times later too as there was not going to be much sleep.
I immediately started receiving text messages and calls from my friends and people queued up to shake my hand everywhere. I must say I was very touched to receive a compliment on behalf of the stage crew at the Hall.
After the show we were taken to the Coal Exchange to receive the applause of the people at the Big Screen event, and then I got changed and went to the official party at the Marriott. When the winners came in everyone whooped and shouted; I really feel that everyone was sharing in the success which pleases me, as that is what this competition is about. All of my colleagues I see as winners.
After the official party there is the famous cast party in the Green Room at the Hall. And it is a big party. Everyone celebrates in the traditional way and those who can still stand and open their mouths like to entertain so I had ready an unaccompanied Finnish folk song which is very complimentary to the ladies!
Tomorrow I will be leaving behind the friends I have made, this wonderful competition and returning to my family. I hope in my diary I have shown you something of the life of a singer, and that you have been entertained.The Welsh people have been wonderful to me and I thank everyone very much.
I may not be on top of THE world, but I certainly feel on top of MY world.
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