Obama to visit Oslo
The Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony 2008 at the Oslo City Hall, Norway. Copyright © The Nobel Foundation 2008 Photo: Odd-Steinar Tøllefsen.
The White House has confirmed that President Barack Obama will personally come to Oslo to accept the Nobel Peace Prize in December, and the Norwegian capital is gearing up for the visit, reports the Norwegian media.
The presentation will be made at a ceremony at the Oslo City Hall, and the security will be a challenge, writes Norwegian newspapers.
Police Chief Anstein Gjengedal wishes he had more time to make security arrangements. However, Oslo Mayor Fabian Stang bids the US president heartily welcome, and says: “We just have to roll up our sleeves and make sure the city receives Obama in the best possible way.”
Previous winners have stayed in a suite at the Grand Hotel and stepped out on its balcony to wave to admirers after a torchlight procession. When Clinton visited at the end of his term in 1999, he stayed at the more secure Radisson Plaza Hotel. Other heads of state visiting Oslo have often stay at Norway’s official guest house or inside the Royal Palace.
The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is traditionally held every year in Oslo on December 10, the anniversary of benefactor Alfred Nobel’s death.
On the evening of December 11 international- and Norwegian stars, will perform in the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, held at Oslo Spektrum, in honor of the Peace Prize laureate. This year’s concert will feature performances by Wyclef Jean, Toby Keith, Donna Summer, Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi as well as Amadou & Mariam, a blues and jazz duet from Mali.
Renowned American rap artist and actor Will Smith and his wife, the actress Jada Pinkett Smith, will co-host the concert.
