Oktoberfest kicks off in Munich after 2-year break

Revelers in Munich were running in traditional Bavarian clothing early Saturday morning to secure a spot at the first Oktoberfest in two years. 

Germany’s famed beer festival had been paused for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

It is the world’s biggest folk festival. Throughout its 200-year history, Oktoberfest was canceled 26 times, mostly during the First and Second World Wars, as well as twice due to cholera outbreaks. 

Munich Mayor Didier Reiter opened this year’s ceremony with three knocks of a hammer and inserting the tap in the first keg, with the traditional cry of “O’zapft is (it’s tapped).” 

Reiter then offered the first tankard to Markus Söder, the head of the regional government.

Visitors from across Germany and around the world can enjoy the heavy beer mugs, fat-dripping sausages and pretzels the size of dinner plates at the Munich Oktoberfest until October 3. 

Söder (left) and Reiter opened the 187th Munich Oktoberfest

Beer industry under pressure

With beer reserving a cult status in Germany, Oktoberfest generates around €1.2 billion ($1.2 billion) in income. 

But with several economic challenges, the beer industry in Germany is under pressure. 

The German Brewers’ Federation DBB on Friday called for help amid skyrocketing energy prices and supply chain disruptions.

“The government must react,” DBB said. “Without speedy state intervention and aid, hundreds of enterprises in the German beverages sector will disappear and thousands will become jobless.”

The pressure is also reflecting on Oktoberfest visitors, with a 1-liter (2-pint) mug of beer priced between €12.60 and €13.80 — an increase of about 15% compared with 2019. 

‘New phase’ of COVID 

In 2019, the last time Oktoberfest was held, 6.3 million guests attended the event.

This year, the 187th festival is taking place with no COVID restrictions. Face masks are not required. 

In comments published earlier Saturday, Söder told the daily Münchner Merkur newspaper that COVID cases were likely to rise after Oktoberfest. 

But, “at the same time, thankfully, we aren’t measuring an undue strain on hospitals anywhere,” the politician of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) said. 

“That speaks for us being in new phase of [the coronavirus pandemic],” Söder said. Still, authorities would try to protect vulnerable people but would not prevent celebration, he added. 

• Oktoberfest around the world

  Munich, Germany

  Social distancing is definitely not a part of the traditional Oktoberfest concept. The world’s largest beer festival, which attracted 6.3 million visitors in 2019, gathers thousands of people celebrating in beer tents. It has now been confirmed that the Bavarian event will not take place for a second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic.

• Oktoberfest around the world

  Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  While Munich’s Oktoberfest has been canceled once again, Dubai, which is holding its World Expo this year, is reportedly planning its own version of the famous beer festival at the Dubai Marina. According to reports, it would start on October 7, and instead of the usual two weeks of the German version, it would last six months.

• Oktoberfest around the world

  Qingdao, China

  Every year, thousands of people attend the Qingdao International Beer Festival, or Asian Oktoberfest, in Qingdao city in Shandong province in eastern China. Attendees get to taste over 200 different beers from more than 40 international brewers. This year’s festivities will take place from late July through August 2021.

• Oktoberfest around the world

  Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada

  The twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo in the province of Ontario have jointly hosted an annual Oktoberfest since 1969. Visitors usually have the opportunity to attend one of more than 40 events. After a “virtual” version last yer, organizers are hoping for a return to normal in 2021. Shown here: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opening the ceremonies in 2016 by tapping the first keg.

• Oktoberfest around the world

  Melbourne, Australia

  Melbourne held its first ever Oktoberfest street parade on September 16, 2017. Up to 50 participants dressed in traditional Bavarian lederhosen and dirndls celebrated in the streets of the city’s South Wharf district. Among the performances: thigh-slapping, yodeling and pork knuckle-eating.

• Oktoberfest around the world

  Helen, US

  Since 1970, residents of Helen in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia have organized an annual Oktoberfest for the local community. Modeled on a traditional Bavarian town, Helen normally attracts up to 2 million visitors a year from around the United States.

• Oktoberfest around the world

  Blumenau, Brazil

  If you go to this small town in southern Brazil, you may wonder whether you are still in South America. Founded by German immigrants in 1850, Blumenau has retained its distinctive Bavarian character throughout the years. Residents host one of the largest annual Oktoberfest celebrations in the entire continent.

• Oktoberfest around the world

  El Cajon, US

  In sunny El Cajon near San Diego, residents normally come together every October to enjoy bratwurst, potato salad and German beer as part of their own Oktoberfest celebrations. Shown here, the German band Guggenbach-Buam joined the celebrations in pre-pandemic times, performing traditional Bavarian festive music.

• Oktoberfest around the world

  Cincinnati, US

  Billed as the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati was first held in 1976. The festival traditionally kicks off with the “Running of the Wieners,” where some 100 dachshunds wearing a hot dog bun costume race against each other. Another quirky event is the World’s Largest Chicken Dance. It’s still unclear whether it will be held in its normal format in 2021.

  Author: Alexander Pearson, Elizabeth Grenier

fb/aw (AFP, AP) 

Article source: https://www.dw.com/en/oktoberfest-kicks-off-in-munich-after-2-year-break/a-63158882?maca=en-rss-en-ger-1023-xml-atom