The world in the village

How the Pope becomes a star guest at the Alpbach Forum

The parade in the village center marks the official opening of the Forum Alpbach.(Bild: Bildagentur Muehlanger)

Around 4000 participants from all over the world are expected in the Tyrolean mountain village of Alpbach in late summer. The organizers reveal how they even convinced the Vatican to allow Pope Francis to speak at the major event.

From August 17 to 30, Alpbach in the district of Kufstein will once again become even more "international" than the tourist resort already is. Around 4000 participants are expected to attend the forum. There is never a shortage of material for debate in Alpbach, but has the international situation ever been so volatile?