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Munich fears migrants and beer hunters may not mix well at Oktoberfest Munich fears migrants and beer hunters may not mix well at Oktoberfest
(about 1 hour later)
Pedro Feiten, a Brazilian, is celebrating Oktoberfest and immigration in Munich this year, raising a glass to the difficult journeys that took his ancestors away from Germany nearly two centuries ago and are bringing others to the country today.Pedro Feiten, a Brazilian, is celebrating Oktoberfest and immigration in Munich this year, raising a glass to the difficult journeys that took his ancestors away from Germany nearly two centuries ago and are bringing others to the country today.
“Our relatives were fleeing war when they left Germany. The people coming here now are like we were then,” said Feiten, heading off in traditional Lederhosen shorts bought especially for the beer-drinking festival, which starts on Saturday. “Our relatives were fleeing war when they left Germany. The people coming here now are like we were then,” said Feiten, heading off in traditional Lederhosen bought especially for the beer-drinking festival, which starts on Saturday.
But not everyone in Munich thinks the city’s twin influx of tourists and refugees is so compatible. Many of the region’s top politicians have been worrying publicly about whether they can cope when the annual Oktoberfest kicks off in a city that has become one of the focal points of Europe’s migration crisis.But not everyone in Munich thinks the city’s twin influx of tourists and refugees is so compatible. Many of the region’s top politicians have been worrying publicly about whether they can cope when the annual Oktoberfest kicks off in a city that has become one of the focal points of Europe’s migration crisis.
Tens of thousands of refugees have flooded into Munich since the start of the month when Angela Merkel effectively declared Germany’s borders open, sometimes more than 10,000 arriving in a single day on trains and buses.Tens of thousands of refugees have flooded into Munich since the start of the month when Angela Merkel effectively declared Germany’s borders open, sometimes more than 10,000 arriving in a single day on trains and buses.
Mixing that pace of new arrivals with up to 6 million beer-drinking revellers who usually descend on the Bavarian capital for two weeks of festivities could cause tensions, regional interior minister Joachim Herrmann warned.Mixing that pace of new arrivals with up to 6 million beer-drinking revellers who usually descend on the Bavarian capital for two weeks of festivities could cause tensions, regional interior minister Joachim Herrmann warned.
“Our aim is to keep the various groups of people apart from each other so that conflict situations don’t arise,” Herrmann told journalists this week. “Especially those asylum seekers from Muslim countries who are not used to encountering very drunk people in public.”“Our aim is to keep the various groups of people apart from each other so that conflict situations don’t arise,” Herrmann told journalists this week. “Especially those asylum seekers from Muslim countries who are not used to encountering very drunk people in public.”
Bavarian leader Horst Seehofer made clear the festival was on his mind when he asked Merkel to shut the doors again, which she did last Sunday.Bavarian leader Horst Seehofer made clear the festival was on his mind when he asked Merkel to shut the doors again, which she did last Sunday.
Their hard line frustrated many in Munich however, where a twitter hashtag punning on the festival name and the government’s fierce position began circulating – #Oktoberfestung (October fortress).Their hard line frustrated many in Munich however, where a twitter hashtag punning on the festival name and the government’s fierce position began circulating – #Oktoberfestung (October fortress).
Related: Germany greets refugees with help and kindness at Munich central station
Locals gearing up for the temporary madness of the festival insisted the city could handle running the 182-year-old party at the same time as helping those in need.Locals gearing up for the temporary madness of the festival insisted the city could handle running the 182-year-old party at the same time as helping those in need.
“Munich is a very welcoming city, the refugees arriving really isn’t a problem,” said Gisela Bappel who runs a shooting arcade at the funfair, where thousands of people test their aim to win stuffed toys. “I’m only worrying about the weather, if its raining, business isn’t as good. “Munich is a very welcoming city, the refugees arriving really isn’t a problem,” said Gisela Bappel who runs a shooting arcade at the funfair, where thousands of people test their aim to win stuffed toys. “I’m only worrying about the weather – if it’s raining, business isn’t as good.”
The 74-year-old, who comes out of retirement each year to run a stall she has had for decades is looking forward to this year’s festival as much as ever. “The Oktoberfest keeps me young,” she said with a grin as she sorted through stuffed blue lions. The 74-year-old, who comes out of retirement each year to run the stall she has had for decades is looking forward to this year’s festival as much as ever. “The Oktoberfest keeps me young,” she said with a grin as she sorted through stuffed blue lions.
On the city’s cobbled streets, where visitors tucked into sausages and pretzezl and got in a bit of preparation drinking, there was no sign of crisis or anxiety. The welcome is not quite universal, with far-right groups planning an anti-immigration protest for the weekend. On the city’s cobbled streets, where visitors tucked into sausages and pretzel and got in a bit of preparation drinking, there was no sign of crisis or anxiety. The welcome is not quite universal, with far-right groups planning an anti-immigration protest for the weekend.
But turnout is likely to be small and with 500 police deployed around the Oktoberfest, and several dozen more around the station, authorities say they are confident they can keep everyone who turns up in Munich safe, whether they have come in search of mugs of beer or a new life.But turnout is likely to be small and with 500 police deployed around the Oktoberfest, and several dozen more around the station, authorities say they are confident they can keep everyone who turns up in Munich safe, whether they have come in search of mugs of beer or a new life.
The resealing of Germany’s borders, whether it was connected with the Oktoberfest or not, may have helped. After that decision the pace of arrivals has slowed, to a few hundred a day rather than a few thousand, police spokesman Carsten Neubert said.The resealing of Germany’s borders, whether it was connected with the Oktoberfest or not, may have helped. After that decision the pace of arrivals has slowed, to a few hundred a day rather than a few thousand, police spokesman Carsten Neubert said.
The biggest challenge may actually come after the beer tents are packed up, said Colin Turner, a spokesman for the volunteers organising the welcome and initial processing of refugees.The biggest challenge may actually come after the beer tents are packed up, said Colin Turner, a spokesman for the volunteers organising the welcome and initial processing of refugees.
“Our experience of the last few years is that actually we get the highest numbers in autumn,” Turner said. “Although the sea crossing [from Turkey to Greece] is more dangerous, people will take higher risks to make the journey before winter.”“Our experience of the last few years is that actually we get the highest numbers in autumn,” Turner said. “Although the sea crossing [from Turkey to Greece] is more dangerous, people will take higher risks to make the journey before winter.”