How much Bavaria can it be at a G7 summit in Bavaria? That’s a question that seems to be on the minds of some. And what else was going on on day two – apart from the serious G7 debates themselves?

Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder defended the reception for the G7 leaders with traditional costumes against a lot of criticism, ridicule and malice on social networks, for example. “It’s just part of Bavaria: modernity, but also customs,” said the CSU boss on Monday in Munich.

“It’s part of our lifestyle.” Söder added: “It may be that one or the other doesn’t like it that much – so all the guests who were there liked it a lot.” Among other things, he named US President Joe Biden, who was also greeted with a lot of Bavarian customs at Munich Airport. “When you come to Bavaria, that’s just part of it. Bavaria is a bit different than anywhere else, »said Söder. That’s why so many people like to come here.

Söder received unexpected support from the Bavarian FDP leader Martin Hagen: “Yes, when you think of Germans abroad, you often think of Bavarian costumes,” Hagen wrote on Twitter, adding: “The rest of the republic shouldn’t do us Bavaria for that offended, but be thankful: before that, people thought of spiked helmets.”

A backpack full of delicacies

Sausage, cheese, drinks, gingerbread hearts and a few Schafkopf cards: US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson or French President Emmanuel Macron can – if they want – set off on a hike in the future with a classic Bavarian backpack. At the G7 summit in Schloss Elmau, the state government gave away retro-chic hiking backpacks with Bavarian specialties to the participants. “Bavaria should be remembered well,” said Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) on Twitter. An “exclusive circle” of the summit participants, namely the heads of state and government of the G7 countries and the invited partner countries, was said to receive the backpacks.

Macron without a backpack

Without the backpack in question, but accompanied by his wife, the French President was spotted near Schloss Elmau late on Sunday evening – far away from the hustle and bustle of the summit in the hotel. ZDF man Christian Sievers posted corresponding photos on Twitter. “I love going for a walk – and I love this area,” said Emmanuel Macron when he returned to the G7 hotel.

Demonstrators with police transfer

Even experienced summit demonstrators don’t experience this every day: A group of 50 people were driven in buses and under strong police protection to Elmau Castle on Monday, where the heads of state and government of the G7 countries are meeting until Tuesday. They were allowed to demonstrate there within sight of the hotel – but not as close as they actually wanted. After the small demo, six people are said to have sat down on the access road to the conference hotel – instead of getting back into buses as requested by the police. According to the police, they have been arrested. However, most of them got back on the buses peacefully, said a spokeswoman.