Vich na Vich (Vis-a-vis) (STV, Sevastopol), April 10, 2006
Translated by beilie
Photo: STV

Thomas’ interview before the Ukrainian tour in April-May of 2006.
TV-program “Vich na vich” (Vis-a-vis) with Thomas Anders and Mikhail Poplavsky.

MP: Good afternoon, I’m glad to have a meeting here, in such a nice hall, and today we have a very remarkable occasion: the legendary MT soloist Thomas Anders has come to Ukraine. I’d like to greet him and, as people say, “Na zdorovie”.

TA: Na zdorovie (on Russian) (clinking of goblets)

MP: The first question I’d want to ask: you have received the title as the honorary professor of Kiev’s National University of Fine Arts. How do you feel yourself in Ukraine as an honorable professor?

TA: I’m very glad to have such an eminent title in such a prestigious university. I hope I’ll teach something special. In my age, after 30 years’ career I feel the necessity to give something to students so as they could use my experience. And I’m just glad about it. Thank you very much.

MP: I’d like to drink the honorable professor Thomas Anders!

TA, MP: Na zdorovie!

MP: Thomas, tell me, please, how do you feel in Ukraine, what do you like? And do you like Ukrainian girls and Ukrainian people at all? How do you like Ukraine and Kiev?

TA: Well, that’s not my first visit to Kiev. As far as I remember, I came here in 1990 for the first time. And each time I come here I feel the essential difference comparatively with the past times. I see the development of Kiev and Ukraine; this is a special place for me. This is a place for my heart. For me as a musician the most important language is music language, and for everyone who listens to my songs the music language is the central language as well. It doesn’t depend on their origin or nationality. This is the most important language for me and for those who listen to my music.

MP: You were involved in music since your childhood; you were practicing piano and singing in the church choir, and you have an absolute pitch. Have you ever supposed to be a great and legendary world-known musician – “Modern Taking” band with its soloist Thomas Anders?

TA: As far as I remember, I’m always singing. My first stage appearance was in 6 years of age, and since that moment the most important part for me in music was melody. The melody itself reproduces my feelings. This is the only thing that allows me to touch each heart. Seeing the eyes of happy people, I feel myself happy as well. You can understand me better than anyone, Mikhail Mikhailovich, and you know that when people are laughing and rejoicing, getting pleasure and positive emotions from your creativity, it fills our hearts with great joy.

MP: How difficult was it for you to come to success, and what would you suggest for those who’re just starting their career in show-business: directors of cinematography, show-business managers and pop-singers? What would you suggest? Do you have some formula for the young ones in show-business?

TA: For me it was quite natural. I just sang, doing my beloved job, and at the moment I became popular. Frankly speaking, it was a great luck. It has happened that I met proper people in proper time, and they helped to reveal my talent in a brilliant way. As for the young singers, I’d like to wish them to remember that the road to success consists not only of roses but of harbor as well. One should work 24 hours a day and believe in himself; in that case you’ll gain success for sure.

MP: What was your parents’ role in developing you as a musician and a singer?

TA: My parents presented me a happy childhood. I recollect it with joy; it was filled with love of my parents. First of all, I’d like to thank them for preparing me for the adult life. The main thing parents can provide is to teach walking, making the first steps. And the rest is the person’s responsibility – he has to continue making steps in his grown-up life. My parents have trained me to make these steps in adult life.

MP: Tell me, please, how many children do you have, how do they grow, and do they follow their father? What kind of people would you like them to become?

TA: I have one son. He’s a wonderful boy! I don’t want him to be an artist or a musician. If he would discover a talent and show a desire, I’d be glad and would support him as much as I can. But the most important thing for me is that my son would do that he’d like to do and would be happy in his profession. And I support my son in this desire in order for him to choose his own way in the future, which would be the most valuable for him. Then I’ll be happy!

MP: Thomas, you have a very crowd in schedule of tours and concerts all over the world. How does your wife react, and how do you manage to keep good relations with her?

TA: My wife knew whom did she marry to, and she knew about the lifestyle of such a famous singer. Though I’m always on the move, being constantly busy, I and my wife always find some time to be together. This is a time for two of us. When I stay with my wife and son, nobody dares to disturb us; they even afraid of approaching at that time! For my family life this time is the most important and precious. Sometimes we have to separate with my wife, but there’re moments when we’re together, face to face, and nobody disturbs us; on that condition our family union is strong and our relationships are lasting.

MP: Thomas, how old is your son, and how do you spend free time with him?

TA: My son is 3,5 years old; in that age children do not play football or basketball yet. We build railway, read books and go to swimming-pool. In that age children change their keenness every 20 minutes. It’s important for me that my son would know, that he can come to his parents with any question, any problem; he can ask for advice or express his wishes any time. Few days ago I was at home, and my son was playing. I was fitting up for tourney, and then I looked back at him and asked: are you all right? And the boy replied: “Yes, Dad, I’m okay”. Then I said: “My boy, remember, please, that you can appeal to me or ask anything any time, and I’ll always help you”.

MP: I’m very glad that you have accepted my offer and came for my last concert “Kohaimosya!” (“Let’s love!”) this year. But when we entertained you with vodka and lard, you just drank vodka and refused from Ukrainian lard. Why? Tell me, what is the reason?

TA: At first I’d like to say that the lard is too fat for me. I remember the bottle of vodka... But if you have enough vodka, I can eat anything, even lard. If you ask about the food I dislike, it is cheese, tomatoes and lard. Frankly speaking, it’s much easier for me to drink a bottle of vodka than to eat a piece of lard. Vodka is even more national product here than lard. Thanks for vodka – but no lard, please!

MP: Taking into consideration the fact that you’re the honorable professor of our university, you need to eat lard – it’s our national meal! Ukrainians will love you more, if you’ll eat a bit of lard with good vodka.

After your visit to my last concert “Kohaimosya” mass-media wrote that we were together in sauna with girls. So, tell them, that there were no girls; we were just taking a steam bath at my home before your flight to Berlin.

TA: I acknowledge the fact that I was a guest at your home. But, unfortunately, absolutely without any girls! (laughing) You know, I like sauna very much. It helps me to relax, and it gives me strength after the hard day. I’d like to visit sauna with girls with my pleasure, but, unfortunately, I couldn’t do that yet (laughing).

MP: Ukrainian mass-media wrote a lot about your connections with me, Mikhail Poplavsky. One version was that Thomas Anders fell in love with one of students of our university. What would you say?

TA: I don’t have any love affair with any of your students. This is my reply to your papers. And in my relations with Mr. Poplavsky I respect him as a man and a singer who is very popular in Ukraine. I’d like to give you your due – you have a great sense of humor! You are the one who helps me to do in Ukraine my most beloved thing in life – to give my music to the people. You’re the one who opened Ukraine for me and who loves music as I do, making people happy.

MP: Each person has to face difficulties. How do you overcome them, and what formula do you have for finding the way back to success – as it says, “Reach for the stars through the thorny path”?

TA: One of my principles in life is “never get disappointed”. Each failure is a gift of life. It helps us to make conclusions and to learn something. Next time we’ll have a chance to correct and improve everything. One can learn almost nothing from success. Good luck is great, but failure can allow us to do something in a better way and to achieve success. Everyone can make a mistake, but the wise man makes it only once. If a person repeats the same mistake twice, that means he’s really stupid!

MP: Thomas, I’d want to ask if you see the difference between German and Ukrainian mentality.

TA: I don’t see much difference between Germany and Ukraine. They’re not that different. All of us can feel pain, disappointment, joy and love. Everyone has a heart. So, there’s not much difference. I consider myself as a cosmopolite, because I travel a lot. I spent 30 years of my life in various countries – it was Europe, America, Africa, Asia... The world for me is not so big, and whoever would stay together with me, be it Blacks, Muslims or Christians, there’re united by loving my music. All of them have the same feelings with me; they can rejoice, cry and fall in love. I see almost no difference. The people are the same with the same heart, same sorrows and joys.

I don’t know Mikhail Mikhailovich very well, because, unfortunately, we couldn’t manage to go to sauna together. But I ask myself a question, and I’d like you to answer it: I was very thrilled by the students’ attitude towards you. How could you gain such a love of your students? At the same time you’re a great figure for them, you’re their Rector?

MP: Thomas, I’d like to say that my rector’ program implies loving each student. If we will love them, they’ll respect us. If we’ll be kind with them, they’ll be kind as well. I mean, we’re creating such an environment for them to feel that they’re a part of one Ukrainian student family, Kiev’s National University of Fine Arts. We create a familiar atmosphere, with good and positive energy and big respect towards each student. Lots of people know that we’re preparing a joint project and are able to hold in Ukraine and Kiev Thomas Anders’ concert for lots of fans who love Thomas’ music and Thomas himself as a singer, a man and a remarkable person on a global scale. All these fans would like to visit your concerts.

My question is: “What does Thomas Anders expect from this tour?”

TA: Touring itself is very familiar for me. At first, Ukraine is very close to Germany, and this tour would be something truly special for me. And on the other hand, I receive lots of Internet-messages from Ukrainian fans, who are waiting for me, and I hope that I will have at least a big tour in Ukraine and will visit few cities, where the people would see me and enjoy music of my heart. My true life starts with my entry on the stage, when I present my music and see the people who like it. I have great expectations from this tour!

MP: You know, lots of papers wrote that we’re planning a new Ukrainian cast of “Modern Talking” duo: Misha Poplavsky and Thomas Anders.

TA: I have no objection and very happy to play a role of your stage partner. However, I cannot foresee Dieter Bohlen’s reaction.

MP: I’d like to tell you, Thomas, that Dieter Bohlen would end up losing when we’ll enter the stage!

TA: I’m sure that Poplavsky’s voice is much better than Dieter Bohlen’s...

MP: I have no doubts...

TA: Thank you very much for the invitation. We’ve got a great joy in Ukraine and we wish all your team and all Ukrainian people to be healthy and to have all your wishes fulfilled. It’s very important for me that the people who trust us and who look at us would never be disappointed. I wish you fulfillment of all your wishes!

MP: Na zdorovie! (“For the good health”)

TA: Na zdorovie! (On Russian)

MP: I’d like to wish Thomas a good and strong health, optimism and faith in his Ukrainian tour, in Kiev; and, as people say, see you later...

TA (On Russian): Na zdorovie i spasibo! (“For the good health and thank you!”)

(clinking of goblets)

MP: So long!