Kick-off for the Year of Bavaria / Under the motto "1806 to 2006: From a new Bavaria to modern Bavaria" with numerous exhibitions, symposia and other events / Minister-President Stoiber: "200 years of modern Bavaria is a success story and an excellent basis for a prosperous future"

2006 is a very special year for Bavaria. Apart from the visit by the Pope in September and the World Cup football championships in June/July, Bavaria will throughout the year be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the formation of the kingdom of Bavaria and 60 years of the Bavarian constitution.

Bavaria’s Minister-President Dr. Edmund Stoiber has now fired the starting shot for 2006: the Year of Bavaria under the motto '1806 - 2006: From a new Bavaria to modern Bavaria'.

"200 years of the new and modern Bavaria are a real success story and at the same time the foundation stone for a prosperous, social and outward-looking Bavaria of the future. Nowhere else in Germany do the people have such a close and emotional attachment to their state as in Bavaria. We are proud of our Bavarian identity", the Minister-President underlined, as he called on all citizens to join in and take part in the celebrations.

We want to boost the feeling of identity and attachment to Bavaria as well as the pride of the Bavarians in their state, explained Bavaria’s Head of the State Chancellery, Eberhard Sinner.

"Bavaria is our home and it communicates a sense of safety and security. That is our particular strength, especially in these times of globalization."

The Bavarian Economics Minister, Erwin Huber, believes that the Year of Bavaria will radiate a more intensive positive image for the region. "We are showing that native ties, worldly open-mindedness and the future have a strong tradition in Bavaria. This is a message that also goes down well with many foreign companies", Huber emphasized.

The anniversary year will be accompanied by a colorful assortment of exhibitions, symposia and many other events.

The Internet site www.200JahreBayern1806-2006.bayern.de, which can also be accessed via a link from www.bayern.de, provides an overview of the wide range of functions being offered during the anniversary year 2006.

Source & video: Royal Castles in Bavaria "Neuschwanstein" (c) The Newsmarket