Munich is my city.
I have always defended the white sausage metropolis against all mockers and envious people who instead praise places of mean mediocrity: Cologne (“so authentic”).
Berlin (“so creative”).
Frankfurt (“greater than its reputation”).
Well, one could argue about Hamburg.
Bettina Weiguny
Freelance author in the business section of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday newspaper.
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But which big city has a wild river as a kilometer-long bathing area in the center?
Mountains and lakes on your doorstep?
Top universities that produce the most valuable start-ups?
And where, please, can you bring your own snack to the beer garden?
I accept the admittedly outrageously high number of kisses and kisses;
you don't have to walk across Maximilianstrasse on a Saturday afternoon.
Recently, however, I only meet Munich fans.
Everyone suddenly thinks the city is cool.
So refreshingly easy.
Blame it on the European Championships, which enraptured the hearts of the nation overnight.
Actually, no European Championship can take place anywhere else.
The bar is, to use sports jargon, so high that anyone who dares to take the plunge will probably break it.
Munich 2022 has enchanted everyone, we agree.
Opinions differ only when it comes to the question of who is to thank for this.
For once, we at home, in the extended family circle, are of the same opinion: the fewer officials, the better.
That applies in general, and even more so to those who are not sympathetic to the IOC and FIFA.
No more sponsorship contracts, luxury accommodation for the association bosses and outrageously expensive new buildings in absurd places.
We not only want to be allowed to drink cola, but also Spezi.
Or brought mate tea.
We want to sit relaxed on the lawn, cheer on athletes and listen to songs by Wanda or Paula Hartmann.
We want happy folders.
And magical moments like the one when a Ukrainian runner pushes his Ukrainian colleague a bit on the climb.
Very symbolic at the Angel of Peace, in front of the Russian consulate.
The spectators went wild.
That was definitely not allowed.
But there was no official around.
Lucky!