Emotional reunion around an empty chair in “Every time we meet” – VG

Now the starting shot for the anniversary season of “Every time we meet”. Eight Fridays before Christmas, former participants will dive into each other’s material – before it ordinary «HGVM» round premieres in the new year.

A total of 29 artists will take part, and in the first broadcast we will see four of the seven who participated in the very first round in 2012, namely Halvdan Sivertsen (70), Øyvind «Vinni» Sauvik (44), Bertine Zetlitz ( 45) and Jan Eggum (68).

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In addition, Silya Nymoen (42) and Tshawe Baqwa (40) are with – as well as Christel Alsos (35) and Sigvart Dagsland (57). Silya, Tshawe and Christel both participated in 2018, while Dagsland participated in 2015.

One like TV 2 gladly would had with, is Anne Grete Preus – who was in the first season. The popular musician veteran died of cancer last summer – 62 years old.

When most people from the debut season now gathered around the dining table at Vestre Kjærnes Gård outside Moss, it became noticeable that one chair was empty.

It was especially challenging for Vinni, who was commissioned by TV 2 to interpret one of Preus’ songs – an honorable task he did not take lightly.

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Vinni says in the episode that one month before the recording he had a clear vision of which song he would choose. But then the doubt began to come.

– Three days before, at night, I had a seizure that this was the wrong song. So I threw everything and started again, confides the rap star and adds that there were some stressful days in the sprint.

He became so insecure that he feared he would have to call TV 2 and say that he could not complete.

– I really regretted it, because even though this was the nicest job, it was also the scariest, he says to the others around the table.

The song selection finally landed on Preus’ popular “When the Sky Falls” from 1998.

– I think you have understood the song, I, Vinni, Eggum comments after the performance.

– I am absolutely sure that Anne Grete Preus would have loved this version of Vinni, he says to the camera later in the broadcast.

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Sivertsen is also arrested according to Vinni’s interpretation:

There was an empty chair there, but she was still sitting there. My heart is full, and we noticed that around the table, all of us, he says on TV.

Here is one of Preus’ appearances in the very first round of “Every time we meet” (the article continues below):

The big screen shows clips from when Preus was there nine years ago, where she talks about “Visit”, when interpreted by Eggum.

– The song is about death in the middle of life. The sensitivity that life has a beginning and an end is so clear, Preus explained at the time.

– Sad

Halvdan Sivertsen confirms to VG that he was gripped by the flashback.

– It was both wonderful and strange – and very sad – to see Anne Grete Preus on the big screen and remember her. Anne Grete was a wonderfully beautiful lady, who the whole of music Norway misses, says the artist veteran.

According to program editor Kathrine Haldorsen in TV 2, Anne Grete Preus would be a self-described guest during the anniversary season.

– In the first season, Vinni and Anne Grete got a close and good relationship, and she obviously appreciated his interpretations. Therefore, it was natural that Vinni got the honor of choosing one of her songs when she is now honored, says Haldorsen to VG.

VG has not succeeded in getting a comment from Vinni.

New interpretation of «Butterfly»

But it is also reminiscent of happier memories in the anniversary premiere. It was precisely in the first “HGVM” round that Vinni made a mega-success with his version of Sivertsen’s beloved «Butterfly in winterland».

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It was the two artists’ first meeting with each other. Halvdan had never heard of Vinni before, and when he was introduced only to the name, he thought it was a lady – something Vinni laughs raw now in retrospect.

– I get happy every time I meet Halvdan. Halvdan is one of the reasons why this program has worked so well, says Vinni on TV.

– The first day was Halvdans day, and he was just himself – generous and inclusive. And he took care of everyone. It kind of set the standard.

Halvdan, for his part, tells VG that he enjoyed being back on the farm.

– It was very nice to see Vinni and the others again, and not least to get a new, touching version of “The Butterfly”.

“Butterfly in winterland” is on the poster this time as well, but now it is Christel Alsos who will work on the task.

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