Johanne has been involved from the idea of a festival being sown to becoming the one who ensures that the festival area works. She is the arena manager with a capital A!
Jamie Carragher, none above, none beside!
When you enter our festival area, a large group of volunteers, sound and lighting technicians, electricians and a weekend of other people have already been there before you, to put together a festival area. But a woman has had 100% control over all of this and decided how it should be. Johanne Sterud Alhaug is Arena manager, and she knows how things should be.
Johanne is not exactly new to the game, she has had a hand in the game at several festivals and concerts. And when you are a Liverpool supporter and live in Gjøvik, you of course become part of the Liverpool festival! The girl has been involved from the very first seeds that were sown until they grew up to become a festival. Without this lady, no festival!
Johanne is originally from Næroset (in Gæli sie av Mjøsa) but has lived so many years in Gjøvik that she is soon qualified to call herself 100% Gjøvikenser. We still suspect that she is so proud of where she comes from that she thinks it is more than enough to be 75% Gjøvikenser. She has been a Liverpool supporter since she stepped on her children's shoes at primary school in Næroset and the big player is and remains Jamie Carragher.
The girl has been involved from the very first seeds that were sown until they grew up to become a festival
We had to ask a little more about what was the reason for her becoming a Liverpool supporter? - I became a Liverpool fan in primary school. Was one of the few girls who played football in Næroset, so beat the boys on the football pitch. Then a handsome boy moved to Næroset, when I was in the 4th or 5th grade, and all of us girls fell a little in love with the boy. He was charming, good at football and naturally supported the Liverpool team. I got a Liverpool scarf from him, so I think he might have been a bit taken with me too. The scarf has been with me to Anfield 8 out of 9 times actually.
- In addition, I have a dedicated football mum, who follows both Norwegian and international football. She has always stood up as a keen supporter and volunteer when I and my brothers were active players. She is also a volunteer during the Liverpool Festival. Mum loves Liverpool and The Beatles. And a funny comment from her when the swine flu was raging, and the two of us were going to Liverpool. She works as an operating room nurse at the hospital, and several colleagues expressed their concern that we went there just then. But mom said there was nothing to worry about. - She could happily die at Anfield. So then it's probably the combination of a handsome boy at primary school and a football-loving mother who must take the blame for me becoming a Liverpool supporter!
We already know that Jamie Carragher is your all-time favorite player. What's up with that guy? - I've always had a good eye for Jamie Carragher. Digging local players, who really give everything for our team. With his heart out in his suit, committed, cheeky and a handsome fellow. We are actually going to get married one day, but he doesn't know anything about that, for now.
Of course, I have several favorites over the years McManaman, Fowler, Cissé, Redknapp, Finnan, Agger, Riise, Leiva, Reina, Skrtel, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri, Dudek, Gerrard, Milner and many more. In today's team, Allison and Robertson are the favourites. It's also so much fun to see how fearless and tough the young players are, especially Bradley.
We are actually going to get married one day, but he doesn't know anything about that, for now.
You have been involved in the festival from the beginning and had already worked on it for a couple of years before the festival was finally realized in 2022. What is the reason why you joined? - It all started as a really good idea late one night when we were dangling in the bar at our local football pub, Hematt. I mean it was Jaran, Kato and I who were drooling over Jaran's idea of making a festival for the Liverpool family. We had high thoughts and lots of good ideas that night. So the next day a little nerves and realism came in. But Jaran didn't give up, and the ideas kept flowing. And when we got a core team involved, it was just a matter of joining in and standing by what you have started
The Liverpool festival was something completely new and what has been the most demanding part of organizing a festival? - The most demanding thing is not being able to implement all good ideas at once. Would love to have this as a full-time job and have a rich uncle in America. But I know we have to hold back a bit, because we're going to make this next year, and next year, and next year again. I think it's so much fun to see the owners find a way together. We are a creative bunch, and the ideas are bubbling. But choosing which bubbles are realistic to implement, and not being able to burn off all the gunpowder at once, is a demanding process. That's why I'm so happy about our group! It is the people who mean everything
Everything that happens between the festivals is one thing, but when the festival first starts, how is Johanne? Once we get started, it's really just fun. It will be long days, and lots of running, but so much fun! And all our guests cheer us on. So nice to talk to people from the north, south, east and west. All with unique stories, a hug, a dance or a smile. We who make the festival take care to give each other a high five, some calories or a hug along the way. We take challenges head on and we have to find solutions. I think I personally go on a real adrenaline rush during the whole festival. But I have some episodes that I think of, which make you want to burst out laughing, but then we find a solution and the tears of joy come instead.
Arena manager with a capital A
Johanne is the arena manager, which means that she is the boss of all bosses when the arena is to be rigged and has the final responsibility for how the area will look. The festival area must be both functional and look good. It is a big responsibility. How does the lady cope? - It is a big responsibility, for which I have great respect. Together with Geir (Storsletten), there are many small things that the festival participants don't see that we do. But that is the point, that it should be a pleasant and carefree place to be. All year I think about changes, solutions, trucks, logistics, decor, electricity, water, light, sound, sun, rain, intimate, cozy and many other strange things that come with the task.
That's why I'm so happy about our group! It is the people who mean everything
- The main responsibility is planning, rigging of the arena and the aesthetics and decor of the area, as well as providing practical and nice solutions so that everyone has a pleasant festival area to frolic in. But along the way, I am also a host and potato where needed.
You're a busy lady when the festival is going on, but do you still get to eat a little? - Yes, I do. Just have to remind myself to stop and enjoy the moments. A refreshment, a dance or a casual chat. Kine (Head of volunteering and volunteers) and I are the lucky ones among the organizers. So we always look forward to a well-deserved break, when we can find the fancy dress and go to the Livergirls lunch ( Livergirls ONLY ) with the other tips.
At Gjøvik
Gjøvik is perhaps not the most logical place to put such a festival, why on earth is it organized there? - Why not? Gjøvik is close to Mjøsa, and offers idyllic small town life with hopefully sunshine and a good atmosphere. There are short distances in the centre, from hotels, to hostels, to restaurants, pubs, shops and the festival. We even have a mountain top in the middle of town. And it is not far from Gardemoen, for those arriving by plane.
And why should people make the trip to Gjøvik and the Liverpool Festival 2024? - They should take the trip to experience togetherness, funny stories, good music and hang out with us football-mad people. I promise you will experience something unique that you will want to repeat, again and again.
What about traveling alone at the festival, isn't that a bit scary? - No, absolutely not. Last year we had a lady from the south of Innlandet, who would like to come to Gjøvik. She had no one to travel with, and "reached out" on Facebook, asking if other Livergirls were going there? Several people got involved, and reserved a place for her at the Livergirls lunch. She joined me at the festival after lunch and enjoyed legends, shopping and good conversations with other supporters. I would say it is easy to be included here with us. She had a great time.
Johanne has clearly become more than 75% Gjøvikenser during the years she has lived in Gjøvik. But what is she most looking forward to, and who is she most looking forward to meeting? - It is always pleasant to be reunited with the Liverpool family. I am also very much looking forward to meeting new family members, whom I have not met before. I'm looking forward to meeting Jan Runar (Eliassen) and Andy Hodgson again, and if Jaran manages to get Jamie Carragher booked then of course I'm looking forward to meeting him. Also looking forward to getting to know the three gentlemen Mølby, Hysen and Heggem better.
The next day!
Johanne has a small request at the end, she wants more volunteers to join the down-rigging. - When I get to Sunday, the day after the festival ends, and it's past 8:00 p.m. and I'm still driving around in the truck, I wish there were more of us who could contribute. Because then you notice that you have 400,000 steps in your legs and would rather go to a spa hotel somewhere. So would like to encourage more people to sign up for downrigging. It's a bit of a mess, but the more of us there are, the quicker we'll finish. It takes 4 days to set up, and only 1 day for everything to go down. So, sign up as a volunteer!
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