The festive traditions of Oktoberfest trace their origins back to the 19th century, when King Ludwig I of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The wedding took place on October 12, 1810. Guests were then invited to continue celebrating with festivities organized by the new husband.
The celebrations were held in a vast field near the city of Munich. The field was named Theresienwiese (“Therese’s Meadow”) in honor of the king’s new bride. The festivities lasted five days! After such a success, it was decided that the event would be repeated every year.
A Festival That Travels Through Time
Since 1810, Oktoberfest has been celebrated every year in this enormous park dedicated to the event. In its 219 years of existence (including this year), there have been only 24 years when Oktoberfest was not held, mainly due to conflicts such as the First and Second World Wars.
Today, Oktoberfest begins on the first Saturday after September 15 and continues until the first Sunday of October.
O’zapft is!
At exactly noon, the mayor of Munich taps the first keg of beer, officially opening the festival. The goal is to accomplish this with as few hammer strikes as possible. One of the worst performances was actually by the man who introduced the tradition in 1950 — Mayor Thomas Wiemmer — who needed 17 hits to open the keg!
The opening ceremonies of the Wiesn (the common German name for Oktoberfest) take place inside the Schottenhamel tent, which can accommodate about 6,000 people — or up to 9,000 if you include the outdoor beer gardens.
This year, Mayor Dieter Reiter tapped the keg with only two blows before shouting the famous “O’zapft is!” meaning “The beer is tapped!” He then served the first Mass (one-liter beer) to the Bavarian Prime Minister, as tradition requires. Every year, people place bets on how many swings it will take!
Since 1950, another tradition has been added: firing 12 cannon blasts to mark the official start of the festivities. A large parade follows, featuring participants in traditional Bavarian attire.
Eat, Drink and Dance
“Although beer is at the heart of the festivities, food also plays a major role. Large tents are set up for each brewery. Regulars tend to stay loyal to their preferred brand of beer,” explains Éric, logistics manager at Zeste du monde traiteur, who was born near the famous Black Forest.
“People buy a ticket and take a seat in the tent of their choice. Long tables covered with red-checkered cloths fill the space. The atmosphere is incredibly festive. On the tables, you’ll find roast chicken, sausages, sauerkraut, and potatoes. Everyone helps themselves — it’s very convivial,” Éric adds.
“German culture is also highlighted, as many festival-goers wear traditional Bavarian clothing. It’s the perfect occasion to enjoy folk music and even practice some traditional dance steps.”
“Of course, many Bavarians attend, but there are also many tourists. One year, I shared my table with a group of Japanese visitors who didn’t speak a word of German, but who had learned an entire traditional song by heart — we sang it together all evening. It truly is a joyful celebration where everyone is welcome!” says Éric.
The site includes 17 massive beer tents, 21 smaller tents, and many food stands. What can you eat there? Giant pretzels, gingerbread hearts, cheese spaetzle, pork schnitzel or roast pork, salmon, and many more typical dishes. It’s certainly not the place to count calories — but it is a paradise for food lovers!
Oktoberfest’s popularity continues to grow: over 6 million visitors are expected during the festival’s 18 days. The spirit of the Wiesn is celebrated in several places around the world, including France, Spain, and even Québec.
Did You Know?
- What’s the highest amount ever paid for a single bottle of beer?
$16,000! That was the auction price in 2009 for a bottle of Löwenbräu Lager recovered from the wreckage of the Hindenburg disaster of May 6, 1937, in New Jersey. - Only Munich breweries are allowed to serve beer at Oktoberfest.
The six authorized breweries for 2019 are: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten. - Albert Einstein himself is said to have worked at Oktoberfest in his youth!
He reportedly worked as an assistant electrician, helping to install light bulbs in the very first tent to use electricity: the Schottenhamel Festhalle.
Prost!
By Caroline Cudia
Writer for Zeste du monde
