Click photo to enlargeIt is often said that Oktoberfest is a celebration of the harvest and beer-making, but it's actually rooted in something deeper: love. According to numerous sources, the origin of the traditional and much-enjoyed fall celebration is Oct. 12, 1810, the date on which Bavarian Crown Prince Louis, later King Louis I of Bavaria, married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. To mark the occasion, the citizens of Munich were invited to participate in the grand fête on the grounds Read more [...]

For more than 200 years as summer turns to autumn Bavaria has celebrated its passion for beer. Oktoberfest has become a worldwide attraction, but in 2015 Munich has more than lederhosen-clad boozers and oompah bands heading to the city. In the past few weeks more than 80,000 migrants have arrived here and as Europe's leaders discuss the refugee crisis many at the beer festival are worried Germany is being too generous. :: In Depth: Journey To Europe One man says Syrians should Read more [...]

After meeting leading politicians of Bavaria's Christian Social Union party, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has underscored his hard line on the refugee crisis in Europe. In a press conference held north of the Bavarian city of Bamberg, he said he would not stand by and watch law and order be undermined by the uncontrolled influx of refugees. His statement garnered the approval of Bavarian premier and head of the CSU, Horst Seehofer, who said, "The goal is to make European rules valid again." Read more [...]

Munich (dpa) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday accused the German government of "moral imperialism" in the refugee crisis, as opposition politicians protested his meeting with leaders of Bavaria‘s conservative party."Whatever Germany decides to do should only hold for them," Orban said at the Christian Social Union‘s annual autumn meeting, alluding to Chancellor Angela Merkel‘s virtual open-door refugee policy."Hungarians don‘t want this," he said, while adding Read more [...]

By Harry Dent Germany is gearing up for Oktoberfest, the annual beer festival that brings almost two million people and over $1 billion to Bavaria. The carnival atmosphere is mostly jovial, but does have the occasional fistfight. There’s more than a bit of puking at train stations as revelers make their way home each evening. This year there will be something new nearby – a refugee camp. You’ve no doubt heard of the hundreds of thousands of migrants fleeing the Middle East Read more [...]

Overall, Germany has gained the moral high ground in the management of the refugee crisis, championing an obligatory distribution quota proposed by the European Commission whilst getting ready to welcome up to 800,000 asylum seekers. Today, Mr. Schäuble’s party and Mrs. Merkel’s traditional ally is sending a message that is not in tune with this overall moral clarity. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is invited to attend a CSU meeting in Bayern. The CSU is Bavaria’s conservative Read more [...]

WENCHES – don your dirndls. The merriment of Oktoberfest is coming to a medieval castle near you. To your health: Dust off your steins at Kryal Castle for a a bevy of Bavarian beauties - or should that be Bavarian bevvies? Picture: Lachlan Bence.WENCHES – don your dirndls. The merriment of traditional Bavaria is coming to a medieval castle near you.Ballarat’s Kryal Castle is hosting its first-ever Oktoberfest event – and Victoria’s largest-ever – over the weekend of Read more [...]

If one looks at a map, Germany seems an unlikely destination for refugee boat arrivals - it's a long way from the Mediterranean . But they head in growing numbers to Europe's biggest economy, lured by its social welfare benefits. Their entry point is the state of Bavaria in the south, which shares borders with Austria on its eastern flank. About 104,000 asylum-seekers entered Germany last month, the Interior Ministry said. Of these, 36,422 formally applied for refugee status - 106 per cent higher Read more [...]

Tourists take part in Oktoberfest celebrations in downtown Cincinnati on September 19 (Photo: AFP) Oompah bands push their brass instruments to the limit as a group of locals sporting lederhosen and dirndl dresses raise their beer steins to loud cheers. It could be a scene from Bavaria but instead it is in the US heartland city of Cincinnati, which celebrated one of the largest Oktoberfest events outside of Munich this weekend. The dressing-up and beer drinking is not all for show: this midwestern Read more [...]

Bavaria Solar Park, one reason this state in Germany has been a clean energy leader.Much is being made about this fall’s COP21 talks on climate change, which, if successful, could accelerate greater cooperation on reducing greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. So far, the collective response of countries has been encouraging, from the United States’ declaration of goals to those recently issued by tiny Grenada. To date over 60 countries have submitted proposals; far more are expected to do so Read more [...]