Since 1969, Henning Holstad has arranged Christmas celebrations for the city’s needy. Due to corona restrictions, there was an alternative “Alternative Christmas” – outdoors on Youngstorget – this year.
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– It has gone very well. We have had many people visit. We just ran out of plates, says a satisfied Holstad when VG calls on Friday night on Christmas Eve.
He adds:
– We thought a thousand plates was enough, but it was not!
Holstad says that more than a thousand Christmas dinners have been served. The hosts had to go out to buy more plates.
– The atmosphere is top notch with fire pans, waffles, chocolate and fruit. People are enjoying themselves, he says
Around 10 pm on Friday night, Holstad writes in an SMS that around 600 people have visited the event.
– Now the bishop (Kari Veiteberg. Journ.anm) has just read the Christmas gospel to us. She came to visit us tonight as she has done for several years, he writes.
Earlier in the evening, Holstad stated to NTB that around 400 people had stopped by.
– We have handed out even more Christmas presents than that, we have walked around the tree, and we have eaten ribs, chops, chicken fricassee, really good Christmas food, Holstad says on the phone to NTB.
The food comes from professional kitchens, this year it was not possible for the organization Alternative Christmas to make something themselves, as they usually do.
– The bad emperor corona closed the hostel – we were forced to the manger on Youngstorget. But we’re fine here. It’s cold, but we have dressed, he says.
At first the whole event was canceled, but then it was clear that Alternative Christmas should be held outdoors. The solution on the square has been made possible with help from LO.
–Fell asleep on the chair
This year’s celebration is, after all, better than last year’s. Then there was only one fire pan. This year there are five blazing bonfires to gather around, tables with red tablecloths and candles.
A couple of the guests got tired after the meal and have fallen asleep under a blanket on the chair, says Holstad. Most come from what he calls the street environment in the capital. Many are regulars.
– One told stories about what he experienced with us 20 years ago, when we lived in Møllergata. Now he had sat inside and got new teeth, so he was very happy because he could now eat ribs, Holstad said.
–Grateful
Every single year since 1969, he has been working to give the disadvantaged a nice Christmas Eve. According to the plan, the event was to be held in the Oslo Congress Center – but it was not possible to do with the current restrictions.
This year, almost 800 volunteers had signed up to work through Christmas, but most had to be turned away due to the pandemic. On Christmas Eve, there are around 120 who help.
– Next year, the hope is that we get rid of the corona. Normally we have 2,500 guests, says Holstad, a man who is appreciated. He admits that there have been some hugs tonight, even though it is not allowed.
– I accept them. I’m done getting vaccinated. But when I get home tonight, I’ll go to sleep!
He is glad that most of the guests also seem to have a place to be.
– Fortunately, there are not many who live outdoors in Oslo, there have been slightly better public systems – but we can never create a perfect society.
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