On 11 June the public began arriving in a steady flow to view the installations, the centre shop, the cinema and the café of the newly opened Nobel Peace Center. Close to 5000 people visited the centre during its opening weekend
17/06/2005 :: The rainy weather did not seem to have any impact on the number of visitors to Oslo’s newest attraction in the old Vestbane building
Shortly after the royal visitors, Wangari Maathai, sponsors and other invited guests had signed the guest book and been on a guided tour Saturday morning, the staff was very happy to open the doors to all guests and to start working on the main purpose of the Nobel Peace Center: To engage individuals in questions concerning peace, war and conflict resolution.
“The interest and enthusiasm from the public these first two days have surpassed my expectations. The Nobel Peace Center’s ambission is to be a center of experience and knowledge that one keeps coming back to. We hope that many of our guests this opening weekend will return to visit our exhibits this autumn and in the future,” says Director Bente Erichsen.
Click to read the speeches from the opening:
Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik
Marcus Storch, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nobel Foundation
Prof. Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Laureate 2004
Nobel Peace Center