Rafał Marczak moved to Norway in 2015. From then on, he became known as a Polish beard styling and cutting specialist. A year ago, he took part in the "Best Beard in Norway" Championship and took first place in the debuts category. In this year's competition, he is taking part in this competition again, but this time he will compete with the finalists and winners from previous editions.
Hairdresser every day
Since Rafał came to Norway, he has been working as a hairdresser / barber in his own salon "Marczak Hair Studio" in Oslo. As he admits - the decision made three years ago was not easy, although it was the last chance to change something in his life. His sister, who lived in Oslo at the time, helped him to acclimatize. About the first days of my stay in the land of the Vikings, about what I do, what the Championships will look like and how to compete in them, in Wataha.no.
Have you been living in Norway for a long time?
I have been living in Norway, specifically its capital, for 3 years. I flew to the Land of the Vikings from Warsaw with the thought that this may be my last chance to change my life and start everything all over again. I also took the opportunity that my sister has lived here for several years. So I had a lot of help from my family to start with. Last year my sister returned to Poland, but I stayed here and I am still fighting for my dreams.
Photo: Mateusz Filipiuk
Rafał Marczak. What do you do on a daily basis ?
On a daily basis I am a hairdresser / barber working for 2 years in my Studio "Marczak Hair Studio" in Oslo near Bislett Stadion. I am also a bearded man who makes his dreams come true and is happy to do what he loves. Working with the client and styling the hairstyles and beards of my clients gives me a lot of fun. I love making them feel better by creating new styles on their heads and chins. Smile and satisfaction - for me this is the greatest reward for the work done.
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A year ago, you won in the "Debuts, Yearly Short Beard" category. Which category are you starting in this year?
Yes, last year I managed to win first place in Norges Beste Skjegg debuts. It was not easy, because there were about 50 competitors for this title and most of them were Norwegians themselves. But nevertheless it worked and Poland stood on the podium in the category of debuts in Norwegian fords. This year, I was promoted to the strict and main finals, i.e. the "Best Long Beard" category and the main final "Best Beard in Norway 2018". The competition is fierce - just like the Norwegian fords. Wearing it is a local tradition, embedded in their history from grandfather to great-grandfather, as even as Vikings they walked in the Norwegian lands. Contrary to Poles, where the beard has only become fashionable for about 3 years. This is why there are thousands of Barber Shops in Norway, where you can style and condition male facial hair.
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How does the jury score players? What is rated?
This year, the Jury will consist of 9 people who will select the best beards from each category. These are people from the front pages of the barbering newspapers. Most of them are barbers and Norwegian Barber Shop owners. The final consists of 4 subcategories and the main final:
- Debuts - a short one-year beard (which I won a year ago),
- A long beard - one that is over 20 cm long,
- The best mustache
- The best natural beard - the so-called growing wild without cutting it at Barber's.
Photo: Mateusz Filipiuk
As part of the main finals, the Best Beard in Norway 2018 will be selected.
I am not too sure on what basis the jury scores a given finalist and what it suggests. However, I think that it may be the length and thickness of the beard, its shape, color, quality, whether it is properly groomed and cared for, an idea for styling, clothing. Overall, I think that the overall score is scored and all of the above-mentioned elements are relevant. In practice, the competition looks something like this: there is a stage to which individual finalists are invited by name and surname. The commission then looks at the beards one at a time, then generally all together. This is followed by a conference which lasts about 1 hour.
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It was like that last year. This year, the event will be held in the very center of Oslo at the Gamle Museet on Saturday, September 22, from 17:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. I cordially invite everyone interested to this bearded party. There will be concerts featuring famous Norwegian artists. At the party, you can also get a tattoo and haircut at Barber's. There will also be stands with beard care products and more.
Rafał Marczak. Are you going to surprise your competitors with some styling? Don't you want to reveal this little secret until the Championship?
I have a styling planned, but for now I won't talk about it. I will try to attract the attention of Norwegian jurors in some way (smile).
Photo: Maciej Grochala
Rafał Marczak-What competitors are you most afraid of?
Hmmm, among the finalists there are quite a few men who have beautiful and lush beards. But what I fear most is the winners of previous years. I hope that the jury will not select the same finalists every year. It would be a bit unfair. If the jury did this, the new finalists in the categories in which they are participating would not be able to stand on the podium. I mean, for example, Nils K. Fugelsnes, who won the best beard of 2016 two years ago, and then successfully appeared in 2017, but this time he took 3rd place in the same final and additionally 1st place in the "Long Beard" subcategory . This year, he is again in the final in the same categories for the third time. I think it makes no sense when the same person wins every year without giving new participants a chance. That's why these are my last finals in this competition. My 5 minutes is now. I think that starting every year and winning medals sometimes makes no sense. But this is just my opinion.
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Tell our listeners - what do you need to do to take part in this competition?
Every May, the association and Facebook group Skjeggmennmembersonly launches a competition on its Norges Beste Skjegg website. How to do it to take part in the competition? You have to send your photo with a beard on the website, marking the categories in which you want to compete. Specific information is provided in the regulations posted on the website. Then, in August, the jury selects the finalists in each of the 4 subcategories and the finalists for the main final. The organizers inform about who has been qualified on their Facebook page. Then, in September, the Championship in Oslo takes place at the venue chosen by the organizer of the competition - Morten Bråther.
Photo: Mateusz Filipiuk
