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Oktoberfest in München (Munich, Germany)

The Oktoberfest is an exciting and very sociable traditional event that has been taking place almost every year since 1810 on the Theresienwiese in the center of the Bavarian capital Munich. All around the world, people aim to copy the popular festival. Both locals and foreigners like dressing up in traditional Bavarian clothes, Dirndl for women and Lederhosn for men.

 

In 2019, the 186th Oktoberfest was celebrated. During the 16-day festival, 7.3 million litres of beer were consumed by the 6.3 million visitors. The 29 beer tents are so full that people sit very closely to their unknown neighbours and it is virtually impossible not to talk to them. It is not uncommon for beer tent visitors to stand on their benches and sing along to the songs played by the live music bands.  Try it out next year, if you can.

Parades at the Oktoberfest

 

During the 16 days of Oktoberfest, there are several parades, or processions. The most important one probably is the arrival of the Wiesnwirtn (the owners of the beer tents) on the opening Saturday. Once they have arrived at the Oktoberfest, the festival can begin. During the parade, you see a wide variety of Bavarian costumes (Trachten), some horse or oxen-drawn carriages with beer barrels on them, musicians, Scheffler (barrel makers, who were said to have saved Munich population from the plague), winegrowers, and more.

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