With less than two months left until Christmas, the Alternative Christmas event was without a place to be. They tried to see if they could arrange the event at the Opera in Oslo, but it was not possible. Then they applied to use the Town Hall, to welcome the many people who do not have a place to be at Christmas. The administrative service said no. It was still to be voted on in the business committee on Monday. Hours before the vote, the leader of Alternativ Jul withdraws the application. – We have received an offer to host Alternative Christmas in Sentralen in Øvre Slottsgate and have gladly accepted. It is a wonderful house. That’s what the head of the organisation, Henning Holstad, says. – Space for everyone After it became known that Alternative Christmas lacked shelter, many have contacted. Both commercial and non-commercial actors. – But there are few who have premises large enough to house us. At Sentralen there is a high ceiling and room for everyone. JOY: The leader of Alternativ Jul, Henning Holstad, rejoices at the news. Photo: Camilla Alexandra Lie / news Last year around 2,500 attended the Christmas celebration. And Holstad expects an equally large turnout this year. Could be the start of a long collaboration. General manager of Sentralen, Alf Magnus Reistad, is happy to be able to contribute to Alternativ Jul also having premises for this year’s celebration. – We would like to be a house that expands the opportunities for more people in the city, and that can increase the diversity for us at our house. Then alternative Christmas is an excellent event for the centre, says Reistad. OLD BANK: The center is a cultural venue owned by the Sparebankstiftelsen. Before holding Christiania Sparebank on the premises. Reistad says he contacted Holstad after a board member told him on Sunday that they needed premises. – The most important thing now is to get the message out to those who will enjoy the event. Those who otherwise sit alone on Christmas Eve, those who have nowhere to live in the city, or those who struggle with drug addiction. They can come to Alternative Christmas. And Reistad does not rule out that there will be more Christmas celebrations in the historic building. Now the Christmas streak starts. This year’s Alternative Christmas will be number 56 in the series. And the manager believes this year’s celebration will surpass the previous ones. – I hope and believe that it will be the best Christmas celebration in our history. And we are very much looking forward to getting started on this now, says Holstad. POPULAR: More than a thousand people come to the celebration to experience and spread Christmas cheer. The picture is from last year’s celebration. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news He says that they now have to work to get the news out to all the guests. – And welcome all our traditional guests and the whole community that we have invited to Christmas celebrations every year. But some still remain. There are 50 days left until Christmas. During that time, Alternativ Jul must work to get everything in place. – There are preparations for everything from gifts and food and decorations and flowers and everything needed to create a fantastic Christmas celebration for our guests. Published 04.11.2024, at 21.22 Updated 04.11.2024, at 21.28
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May use old bank premises – Stor-Oslo
