On Saturday, September 22, the Best Beard competition in Norway (nor. Norges Beste Skjegg). In the final, Poland was represented by Rafał Marczak, who won the "Debuts" category last year. Adam Curyło also took part. The very fact of qualifying for this competition can be considered a great achievement. Adding to this Rafał's second place in the final, it turns out that we can really be proud of the Polish community in Norway!
Norges Beste Skjegg - the jury had a lot to choose from
90 people applied for the competition itself, of which the jury selected 10 people for each subcategory. final and 10 to the final. Rafał Marczak was among this group. As he himself admits in an interview with Radio Wataha, his stress resulted from the fact that he did not know how to present himself in the final. “I took a risk,” says Rafał, “I chose a style in the spirit of medieval Gothic. I also did make-up to attract the attention of both the audience and the jury as much as possible. That was my strategy.”
Rafał focused on stylization in the spirit of medieval gothic. It caught the jury's attention! Photo: Facebook.
Effective strategy
As it turned out, the strategy adopted by Rafał had the desired effect. The jury appreciated his stylization, awarding him the second place in the final. Thus, he became the only Pole who managed to get so high in the Norges Beste Skjegge competition. The success of our compatriot is all the more pleasing as Norway is a country with an unusually long and rich culture of wearing a beard.
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Rafał Marczak does not hide his satisfaction with the success he managed to achieve. “I am proud to be Polish and to represent us in this type of competitions. I realize that this is quite a specific type of competition. However, it is still a competition and not on my home turf," he says in an interview with Radio Wataha. "A year ago I took first place in debuts, but this year's result exceeded my wildest expectations. It turned out that the Pole had the second best beard in Norway," he adds.
Congratulations to both Poles
Adam Curyło did not stand on the podium, but the fact of qualifying for Norges Beste Skjegg deserves recognition. The jury of this competition is made up of the best beard cutting and styling specialists from all over Norway. These are the owners of reputable salons, such as Pels Pels Barber Shop, 1o1 Barbersnorge and Fit for Vikings Barber Shop. We wish Adam success and perseverance - another edition in a year!
Read the entire conversation with Rafał Marczak
How does it feel to be a Pole with the second best beard in Norway?
To begin with, I would like to thank the organizer of the competition, Morten Bråthentak, for the wonderful annual event that is Norges Beste Skjegg. How does it feel ... I am proud to be a Pole and represent us in this type of competition. I am aware that this is quite a specific type of competition. However, it is still a competition and additionally not on its territory.
I am the only Pole who managed to get this far in Norwegian competitions for the best beard. A year ago I won the first place in my debuts, but this year's result exceeded my wildest expectations. It turned out that the Pole has the second Best Beard in Norway.
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There were 4 subcategories and the main final, in which I stood on the podium and took the honorable second place among the "Viking" beards. It may sound unusual that a Pole stood on the Norwegian podium. It is not easy to win competitions in countries where you are a foreigner. There was stress because I didn't really know how to present myself. I focused on styling in the spirit of medieval Gothic. I also did make-up to attract the attention of both the audience and the jury as much as possible. That was my strategy. I didn't really know how it would be perceived, because I looked quite... Specific (laughter). Overall, I am happy and proud of myself because it exceeded my expectations.
After winning, I celebrated the victory with my friends in the city who were with me during the competition. Now I get a lot of phone calls and private messages with congratulations from relatives. It is very nice that I have people who are so kind to me who support me in what I do.
How many people started?
There were about 90 applications for the competition. The jury chose 10 people for each subcategory, and there were 4 of them. 10 finalists were also selected for the finals in which I participated. In summary, there were about 50 Norges Beste Skjegg finalists.
Was there any other Pole?
Yes. This year there was one more finalist from Poland - Adam Curyło. He qualified two days before the final and got in from the reserve list. He took part in the "Debuts" category. Unfortunately, despite his great styling, he didn't manage to get on the podium this time, but I'm glad he was with me in the final because he's a great person. I wish him a podium and further success in the competition next year.
Are you planning any more start in this type of championship? Maybe something of a world rank now?
Honestly, I don't think I would start next year. After the last two years of competing in Norway, I will give my chin a little break for now. Let it grow in strength. Maybe someday I will try my hand, but at the moment I am enjoying what I have already achieved. For me, winning a year ago in debuts, and this year's podium in the main final, is a sufficient thank you and recognition from the experts who gave me such high marks. They work in the best Barber Shops in Norway, such as Pels Pels Barber Shop, 1o1 Barbersnorge and Fit for Vikings Barber Shop. I'm not thinking of taking part in international competitions, but who knows? Maybe someday when my beard grows to the waist (laughs). Then it will be easier to get the podium, not only in Norway.
Find out more about Rafał from the article in the framework of Poles are extraordinary >>>
In the photo: Rafał Marczak (right), Adam Curyło (left) and Kamila Janecka-Skalska (bottom).
On the right, Kenneth Skjedsvold Hermansen - multiple winner of the Norges Beste Skjegg final. Photo: Facebook.
Vidar Braun on the left. Photo: Facebook.
For .: Facebook.
On the right, the organizer of Norges Beste Skjegg - Morten Skjeggmenn Bråthen. Photo: Facebook.
