ARRIVALS AND SETUP OF THE EXHIBITON
The arrival of the delegations and their check-in at their hotel is never very easy for the organisers to manage. On December 9th some participants arrived by air, and a series of transfers was provided for them: sometimes the flights were delayed, requiring transfers at the double, while other delegates arrived by minibus. But very soon the City Hotel Best Western in Orebrö became the base camp for everyone concerned. The hotel is located a few minutes walk away from the Virginska Skola, from the training restaurant and from the town’s pedestrian zone.
As the delegations arrived they wasted no time in making their way to the premises of the Virginska Skola, to the brand new sports hall where the exhibition was to be set up, as indicated by a broad banner erected at the entrance.
The arrival of the delegations and their check-in at their hotel is never very easy for the organisers to manage. On December 9th some participants arrived by air, and a series of transfers was provided for them: sometimes the flights were delayed, requiring transfers at the double, while other delegates arrived by minibus. But very soon the City Hotel Best Western in Orebrö became the base camp for everyone concerned. The hotel is located a few minutes walk away from the Virginska Skola, from the training restaurant and from the town’s pedestrian zone.
As the delegations arrived they wasted no time in making their way to the premises of the Virginska Skola, to the brand new sports hall where the exhibition was to be set up, as indicated by a broad banner erected at the entrance.
And just as on previous occasions there now came the joyful sounds of hammer-blows, of happy shouts, little cries of frustration as they tried to attach an item or to find among the disorder a tablecloth or an accessory which had sometimes been brought here with a good deal of trouble. There was a very lively atmosphere in which the Christmas in Europe ‘regulars’ were happy to meet up again – and all of this under the happy but watchful gaze of Sheila Nordström whose job was to ‘orchestrate’ this enormous symphony, as well as of Björn Sterner, head of the school’s hospitality department.
When all was ready a few hours later the exhibition looked splendid and was now quite ready to be seen and admired. On each stand there was a carefully decorated Christmas tree, a dummy dressed in a typical costume of the country or region in question, and a specific table setting. And of course the special food served at Christmas in the country represented. And in addition the organisers had had the excellent idea of installing, in the centre of the hall, a beautifully crafted Christmas tableau.
This first day, which can often be tiring for the delegations who have travelled a long way, was rounded off with an excellent meal served in the school’s own cafeteria. During the dinner Björn Sterner spoke briefly to the delegations, wishing them a very pleasant stay and hoping that they thoroughly enjoyed the festival that is Christmas in Europe.
