Latest news with #German-themed
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Don't miss the gees, here are Mzansi's top sports bars to try this weekend
Whether you're looking for a hot spot to back the Boks against Australia's Wallabies or just need to know where the hot spots are, here's a look at some pubs, bars and restaurants worth a cheer or two. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Station Parkhurst (@thestationparkhurst) Offering a 'little bit of London', there's more to this bar than just mushy peas and a pint. While the pub has been popular as a spot to kick back, relax and have a relaxed night it has also hosted a number of gin tasting experiences. From mouthwatering seafood to succulent burgers, there's a wide variety at the rustic venue in the heart of Parkhurst. Jozi Gin View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jozi Gin Cedar Square (@jozigincedar) Whether you want to watch the game indoors on their projector, on their scenic window view with giant TV screens or catch the fresh air as the sun sets; with large plasmas Jozi Gin is the social media lovers' haven on game nights. The eclectic look of the bar taps into some of the city's former hot spots with a warm urban feel. Meat lovers will enjoy their hearty chicken, beef or seafood platters that can be personalised according to your needs with an upmarket twist. While they are home to locally produced beef, you can also take a sip of locally produced wines. Benchwarmers Sports Bar View this post on Instagram A post shared by Travel|SA (@sa_travel_2025) Nestled on Bolton and Jans Smuts, you might assume Benchwarmers is just another nightclub, but you might be missing out on one of Joburg's most vibrant sports bars. If you love quality pub grub with the right amount of gees to keep the spirits high, this is a spot to try. For the calorie counters who might feel a little guilty from the drinks and carbs consumed, they also have the Benchwarmers Running Club to help you sweat off the fun from the previous night. CAPE TOWN Café Extrablatt In the heart of Cape Town, just a stone's throw from Cape Town Stadium, it is the perfect destination for sports enthusiasts and those seeking a lively atmosphere. Cafe Extrablatt is a vibrant German-themed sports bar that welcomes people from all walks of life. Open 24/7 it has four big TV screens and features all the big sporting events. There is a kiddie's corner where children can spend time together while you enjoy a cold beer with friends and family. They offer a menu that has everything from pasta and grilled foods to German dishes. Oblivion Bar and Kitchen View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oblivion Bar & Kitchen (@oblivion_capetown) The rooftop deck of Oblivion Bar and Kitchen in Claremont has fantastic views of the mountains. This idyllic spot transforms from a sunny daytime, making it a good spot to watch the games, but leave the children at home — it's for over 23s only. At night it turns into a romantic evening oasis with plush couches, cosy fireplaces and board games, complete with enchanting fairy lights to unwind with friends. Mojo Market Mojo Market in Sea Point is a vibrant, seven-day-a-week food and lifestyle hub that offers something for everyone. The market is an ideal spot to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. While waiting for the game, enjoy live music, and if the excitement runs late consider booking a room at the Mojo Hotel. They have multiple screens and an amazing vibe. Be sure to arrive early as the venue tends to fill up quickly. EASTERN CAPE Barney's Tavern View this post on Instagram A post shared by Barney's Tavern Beachfront (@barneysbeachfront) Barney's Tavern is a beachfront staple near Shark Rock Pier in Gqeberha. It's famous for Rugby World Cup screenings, beer specials and festive coastal energy. Barney's is not only for sports lovers but also a tourist attraction pit stop. Upon entering the tavern, visitors are immersed in a historical experience, from displays of South Africa's history and the South African Breweries, to a detailed evolution of craft beer. The timeline is cleverly intertwined with milestone events from Barney's history. Buccaneers Sports Pub and Grill View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rich Nkosi (@rich_nkosii) Perched on the stunning East London beachfront, Buccaneers Sports Pub and Grill offers a blend of breathtaking views and an electric party atmosphere, making it the ultimate destination for sports enthusiasts. As a popular hotspot for live music, Buccaneers regularly hosts national touring acts, DJs and emerging local talent, ensuring an unforgettable experience for patrons catching rugby matches or soaking up the vibrant ambience. Baywest Mall View this post on Instagram A post shared by Thebayleafbistro (@ In Gqeberha, renowned for its dolphin and whale spotting opportunities, Baywest Mall is being transformed into a rugby enthusiast's paradise. The mall will feature a huge fan park where visitors can choose from various pubs to watch the rugby, including the Bayleaf Bistro restaurant. The restaurant caters to diverse tastes, offering a cosy coffee area for java and tea enthusiasts and a lively bar section where friends and family can gather to enjoy the game.
Axios
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
The conflict that drove Des Moines' Oktoberfest to Ankeny
Tickets for central Iowa's largest Oktoberfest go on sale Friday, marking the start of a new era for the long-standing festival after an unexpected move from Des Moines to Ankeny. Why it matters: The move marks a cultural and economic loss for downtown Des Moines,ending a tradition that drew thousands of people each fall. The sudden shift highlights the difficulties local event organizers face in securing venues or support, even for signature events. Driving the news: Oktoberfest Des Moines organizers announced the 16-mile move last week, saying it is " an incredible new chapter" for the event's 21st year that allows it to expand. Yes, but: The move wasn't harmonious. Behind the scenes: After months of planning and with entertainers and vendors booked, event organizers found out March 28 that Turnstile, a hardcore punk band, was scheduled to perform at Water Works Park starting at 5pm Sept. 28. That wouldn't give the crews of the German-style celebration enough time to prepare the area after its midnight wrap-up on Sept. 27, event owner Melinda Toyne tells Axios. "I love the downtown. I've been doing this for 22 years, and it's not fun to restart an event," she said. The other side: Chris Burch, executive director of the Water Works Park Foundation, tells Axios that consecutive concerts or events have gone smoothly and there was no scheduling conflict. He declined further comment. What we're watching: DSM Biergarten, a German-themed popup that is running its fourth season in the park, will host a new Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 19-21, likely from 11am-9pm, owner Alex Davis tells Axios. The big picture: A festival recession has been building for years, with dozens of cancellations this year across the U.S., CNN Entertainment reports. Flashback: The 80/35 Music Festival held at Water Works Park last year had disappointing attendance before the Greater Des Moines Music Coalition, its nonprofit operator, dissolved in October. Its gross revenue from admissions and merchandise dropped over 50% between 2022 and 2024, from about $685,000 to $333,000 last year, according to the group's final tax filing. The intrigue: Oktoberfest probably won't return to DSM, but "you never say never," Toyne said.
The Star
22-06-2025
- The Star
Bitter battle over memory and justice
WITH its pristine swimming pool, manicured lawns and lush forest backdrop, Villa Baviera, a German-themed settlement of 122 souls in southern Chile, looks like the perfect holiday getaway. But Colonia Dignidad, as it was previously known, is a byword for horror, as the former home of a brutal cult that was used for torturing and killing dissidents under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Twenty years after the cult leader, former Wehrmacht soldier Paul Schaefer, was jailed for the sexual abuse and torture of children at the colony, the Chilean state wants to turn it into a memorial for the victims of the country's 1973-1990 dictatorship. In June last year, President Gabriel Boric ordered that 116ha of the 4,800ha site, an area including residents' homes, a hotel, a restaurant and several food processing factories, be expropriated to make way for a centre of remembrance. But some of the inhabitants, who were separated from their families as children, subjected to forced labour, and in some cases, sexually abused, say they are being victimised all over again. Schaefer founded Colonia Dignidad in 1961 as an idyllic German family village – but instead abused, drugged and indoctrinated the few hundred residents and kept them as virtual slaves. The boundaries between abuser and abused were blurred, with the children of Schaefer's sidekicks counting themselves among his victims. A view of the Villa Baviera Hotel's restaurantin Colonia Dignidad. Anna Schnellenkamp, the 48-year-old manager of the colony's hotel and restaurant, said she 'worked completely free of charge until 2005', the year of Schaefer's arrest. 'So much work I broke my back,' she said. Several years ago, Schnellenkamp, whose late father Kurt Schnellenkamp was jailed for five years for being an accomplice to Schaefer's abuse, finally found happiness. She got married, had a daughter and started to create new, happier memories in the colony, where everyone still communicates in German despite being conversant in Spanish. But she still views the settlement as part of her birthright. 'The settlers know every detail, every building, every tree, including where they once suffered and were forced to work,' she explained. Around 3,200 people were killed and more than 38,000 people tortured during Chile's brutal dictatorship. An ambulance and other objects being exhibited ata museum in Colonia Dignidad. — AFP An estimated 26 people disappeared in Colonia Dignidad, where a potato shed, now a national monument, was used to torture dozens of kidnapped regime opponents. But on the inside too, abuse was rife. Schaefer was captured in 2005 on charges of sexually abusing dozens of minors over nearly half a century. He died in prison five years later while in preventive custody. His arrest, and those of 20 other accomplices, marked a turning point for the colony, which had been rebranded Villa Baviera a decade previously. Suddenly, residents were free to marry, live with their children, send them to school and earn a paycheck. Some of the settlers even returned to Germany. Others remained behind and built a thriving agribusiness and resort, where tourists can sample traditional German fare, such as sauerkraut. Some residents feel that Chile, which for decades turned a blind eye to the fate of the enclave's children, now wants to make them pay for the sins of their fathers. 'One feels a kind of revenge against us,' said Markus Blanck, one of the colony's business directors, whose father was charged as an accomplice of Schaefer's abuse but died before being sentenced. The government argues that the expropriations are in the public interest. 'There is a national interest here in preserving our country's historical heritage,' said Justice Minister Jaime Gajardo, assuring that those expropriated would be properly compensated. While several sites of torture under the Chilean dictatorship have been turned into memorial sites, Gajardo said the memorial at Villa Baviera would be the biggest yet, similar to those created at former Nazi concentration camps in Europe. It is not yet clear whether it will take the form solely of a museum or whether visitors will also be able to roam the site, including Schaefer's house and the infamous potato shed. The clock is ticking down for Boric to make the memorial a reality before his term runs out in March 2026. His government wants to proceed quickly, for fear that the project be buried by a future right-wing government loathe to dwell on the abuses of the Pinochet era. — AFP
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
The battle by Chile torture site dwellers to remain
With its pristine swimming pool, manicured lawns and lush forest backdrop, Villa Baviera, a German-themed settlement of 122 souls in southern Chile, looks like the perfect holiday getaway. But Colonia Dignidad, as it was previously known, is a byword for horror, as the former home of a brutal cult that was used for torturing and killing dissidents under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Twenty years after the cult leader, former Wehrmacht soldier Paul Schaefer, was jailed for the sexual abuse and torture of children at the colony, the Chilean state wants to turn it into a memorial for the victims of the country's 1973-1990 dictatorship. In June last year, President Gabriel Boric ordered that 116 hectares (287 acres) of the 4,800-hectare site, an area including the residents' homes, a hotel, a restaurant, and several food processing factories, be expropriated to make way for a center of remembrance. But some of the inhabitants, who were separated from their families as children, subjected to forced labour, and in some cases, sexually abused, say they are being victimized all over again. - 'Heavy burden' - Schaefer founded Colonia Dignidad in 1961 as an idyllic German family village -- but instead abused, drugged and indoctrinated the few hundred residents and kept them as virtual slaves. The boundaries between abuser and abused were blurred, with the children of Schaefer's sidekicks counting themselves among his victims. Anna Schnellenkamp, the 48-year-old manager of the colony's hotel and restaurant, said she "worked completely free of charge until 2005," the year of Schaefer's arrest. "So much work I broke my back." Several years ago Schnellenkamp, whose late father Kurt Schnellenkamp was jailed for five years for being an accomplice to Schaefer's abuse, finally found happiness. She got married, had a daughter and started to create new, happier memories in the colony, where everyone still communicates in German despite being conversant in Spanish. But she still views the settlement as part of her birthright. "The settlers know every detail, every building, every tree, including where they once suffered and were forced to work," she explained. - Potato shed torture cell - Around 3,200 people were killed and more than 38,000 people tortured during Chile's brutal dictatorship. An estimated 26 people disappeared in Colonia Dignidad, where a potato shed, now a national monument, was used to torture dozens of kidnapped regime opponents. But on the inside too, abuse was rife. Schaefer was captured in 2005 on charges of sexually abusing dozens of minors over nearly half a century. He died in prison five years later while in preventive custody. His arrest, and those of 20 other accomplices, marked a turning point for the colony, which had been rebranded Villa Baviera a decade previously. Suddenly, residents were free to marry, live with their children, send them to school and earn a paycheck. Some of the settlers returned to Germany. Others remained behind and built a thriving agribusiness and resort, where tourists can sample traditional German fare, such as sauerkraut. Some residents feel that Chile, which for decades turned a blind eye to the fate of the enclave's children, now wants to make them pay for the sins of their fathers. "One feels a kind of revenge against us," said Markus Blanck, one of the colony's business directors, whose father was charged as an accomplice of Schaefer's abuse but died before being sentenced. The government argues that the expropriations are in the public interest. "There is a national interest here in preserving our country's historical heritage," Justice Minister Jaime Gajardo told AFP, assuring that those expropriated would be properly compensated. - European-style memorial - While several sites of torture under the Chilean dictatorship have been turned into memorial sites, Gajardo said the memorial at Villa Baviera would be the biggest yet, similar to those created at former Nazi concentration camps in Europe. It is not yet clear whether it will take the form solely of a museum or whether visitors will also be able to roam the site, including Schaefer's house and the infamous potato shed. The clock is ticking down for Boric to make the memorial a reality before his term runs out in March 2026. His government wants to proceed quickly, for fear that the project be buried by a future right-wing government loathe to dwell on the abuses of the Pinochet era. ps/cb/st/mlm
Int'l Business Times
19-05-2025
- Int'l Business Times
The Battle By Chile Torture Site Dwellers To Remain
With its pristine swimming pool, manicured lawns and lush forest backdrop, Villa Baviera, a German-themed settlement of 122 souls in southern Chile, looks like the perfect holiday getaway. But Colonia Dignidad, as it was previously known, is a byword for horror, as the former home of a brutal cult that was used for torturing and killing dissidents under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Twenty years after the cult leader, former Wehrmacht soldier Paul Schaefer, was jailed for the sexual abuse and torture of children at the colony, the Chilean state wants to turn it into a memorial for the victims of the country's 1973-1990 dictatorship. In June last year, President Gabriel Boric ordered that 116 hectares (287 acres) of the 4,800-hectare site, an area including the residents' homes, a hotel, a restaurant, and several food processing factories, be expropriated to make way for a center of remembrance. But some of the inhabitants, who were separated from their families as children, subjected to forced labour, and in some cases, sexually abused, say they are being victimized all over again. Schaefer founded Colonia Dignidad in 1961 as an idyllic German family village -- but instead abused, drugged and indoctrinated the few hundred residents and kept them as virtual slaves. The boundaries between abuser and abused were blurred, with the children of Schaefer's sidekicks counting themselves among his victims. Anna Schnellenkamp, the 48-year-old manager of the colony's hotel and restaurant, said she "worked completely free of charge until 2005," the year of Schaefer's arrest. "So much work I broke my back." Several years ago Schnellenkamp, whose late father Kurt Schnellenkamp was jailed for five years for being an accomplice to Schaefer's abuse, finally found happiness. She got married, had a daughter and started to create new, happier memories in the colony, where everyone still communicates in German despite being conversant in Spanish. But she still views the settlement as part of her birthright. "The settlers know every detail, every building, every tree, including where they once suffered and were forced to work," she explained. Around 3,200 people were killed and more than 38,000 people tortured during Chile's brutal dictatorship. An estimated 26 people disappeared in Colonia Dignidad, where a potato shed, now a national monument, was used to torture dozens of kidnapped regime opponents. But on the inside too, abuse was rife. Schaefer was captured in 2005 on charges of sexually abusing dozens of minors over nearly half a century. He died in prison five years later while in preventive custody. His arrest, and those of 20 other accomplices, marked a turning point for the colony, which had been rebranded Villa Baviera a decade previously. Suddenly, residents were free to marry, live with their children, send them to school and earn a paycheck. Some of the settlers returned to Germany. Others remained behind and built a thriving agribusiness and resort, where tourists can sample traditional German fare, such as sauerkraut. Some residents feel that Chile, which for decades turned a blind eye to the fate of the enclave's children, now wants to make them pay for the sins of their fathers. "One feels a kind of revenge against us," said Markus Blanck, one of the colony's business directors, whose father was charged as an accomplice of Schaefer's abuse but died before being sentenced. The government argues that the expropriations are in the public interest. "There is a national interest here in preserving our country's historical heritage," Justice Minister Jaime Gajardo told AFP, assuring that those expropriated would be properly compensated. While several sites of torture under the Chilean dictatorship have been turned into memorial sites, Gajardo said the memorial at Villa Baviera would be the biggest yet, similar to those created at former Nazi concentration camps in Europe. It is not yet clear whether it will take the form solely of a museum or whether visitors will also be able to roam the site, including Schaefer's house and the infamous potato shed. The clock is ticking down for Boric to make the memorial a reality before his term runs out in March 2026. His government wants to proceed quickly, for fear that the project be buried by a future right-wing government loathe to dwell on the abuses of the Pinochet era. Dorothee Munch, born in Colonia Dignidad, plays the piano in the German-themed settlement and onetime dissident detention center that has become a flashpoint in southern Chile AFP Marcus Blanck (L), born in Colonia Dignidad, says the community's residents feel 'a kind of revenge against us,' as Chile's government plans to turn part of the settlement into a memorial for victims of the country's dictatorship AFP German settlers' clothes are exhibited at the Villa Baviera Hotel's restaurant in the settlement once known as Colonia Dignidad AFP A man stands in the doorway of Villa Baviera's potato shed, which was used as a torture cell where Chilean agents abused dissidents and other people kidnapped during the 1973-1990 dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet AFP Chilean President Gabriel Boric is rushing to preserve parts of Villa Baviera as a memorial to people killed during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet before his term expires in March 2026 AFP
