Oktoberfest in Germany: photo and description

The most popular tourist destination in the world in late September and early October is Munich, where more than 6 million people visit the Oktoberfest annually. For more than 200 years the beer festival has enjoyed immense popularity among fans of this drink. "Oktoberfest" in Germany has gained such momentum over the past decade and invariably enters the Guinness Book as the world's largest event of such a plan.

Two holidays - two traditions

The history of brewing in Bavaria is closely related to the royal family, once ruling this region. Representatives of the Wittelsbachs considered it their right not only to understand the varieties of beer, but also to engage in its production. The first royal brewery opened in the distant 1260 in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, Duke Ludwig Surov. By the 19th century, there were 70 factories producing this drink, belonging to the royal family.

One of the monarchs (Duke William 4) in 1516 even issued a law on the purity of food, which until 1906 acted exclusively on Bavarian land, but then spread throughout Germany. Due to this serious attitude towards the national drink, German beer is considered to be one of the best in the world.

Bavarians are well acquainted not only with the tradition of making beer, but also with its consumption, although there was a period in their history when a strong local wine began to supplant a foamy drink by the amount of consumption.

Sometimes one decree can change the position of the "weights" of history. This happened when, at the end of the 19th century, a decree about the benefits of beer was issued, which led to an increase not only in its production, but also in consumption. If before Bavarians alternated wine and beer, then after the adoption of the decree, the latter became so cheap that its use increased to 500 liters per person per year.

Few people know that Oktoberfest in Germany is not the only beer festival. No less significant for the Germans is the season of strong beer, which falls on Lent.

His story began in a monastery of monks - Pahalans, who cooked it for their needs. The glory of delicious beer spread all over the edge, but the law forbade monks to trade their drink, so they should have drunk it themselves before the fast. Only in 1780 permission was obtained to trade this beer. So the tradition was formed during 2 weeks to celebrate the feast of strong beer on Mount Nocherberg in Munich.

History of the beer festival

The Oktoberfest festival in Germany dates back to 1810, when the future King Ludwig 1 decided to celebrate his wedding with Saxon Princess Theresa. To this end, tables were laid on the meadow on the outskirts of Munich and hundreds of barrels of beer were put up for the townspeople. People liked the holiday so much that they decided to repeat it for the next year, and subsequently it became the responsibility of the city authorities.

Today Teresin Meadow is a large area near the railway station in old Munich. The annual beer tradition was violated only during epidemics and military operations, for example in 1854 and 1873 due to cholera.

It was held, as for the first time, in early October, but from 1904 it was postponed to the end of September, although the name was left the same. In our time it starts on the third Saturday of September and lasts 16 days.

Venue of the festival

By the end of the 19th century, the traditions of the Teresa meadow were formed in Munich and the places where the Oktoberfest festival was held every year. Germany was profitable to popularize the Bavarian breweries, for the sake of whose products people traveled not only from the whole country, but also from abroad. Germans are characterized by thoroughness and ingenuity, so they put on the meadow huge tents, in which, apart from tables and benches, there were built dance floors and bowling alleys.

Somewhat later, all the entertainments were taken out of the tents, as people wishing to drink local beer every year became more and more. In other respects, they look almost the same as in the distant year of 1886, when they were electrified. The lighting was carried out by the firm of Einstein's father, and they say that little Albert personally twisted the light bulbs in the tent of the Schottenhamel brewery.

The first largest tent for 12,000 people was staged in 1913, which was an incredible event at that time. Nowadays, 14 tents with a capacity of up to 10,000 seats and 15 small tents for 1000 people are put on the square.

Hero of the occasion

The main drink at the festival is beer, brewed by Munich breweries. Their products must comply with the standards of 1487 (the Munich law on the purity of beer was issued) and 1516 (decree on the purity of products), therefore, starting in March, special types of beer are brewed for the holiday.

The most popular are the varieties of such breweries as "Augustiner", "Paulaner", "Levenbroi" and others. Beer is brewed according to an old decree, according to which only hops, barley malt, yeast and water should be present in its composition. Guests of Munich, when the "Oktoberfest" in Germany, can try a foam drink with the same taste and strength (5.8 - 6.3%), as at the first festival more than 200 years ago.

Of course, in our time, brewers disingenious and create for sale drinks with a lot of ingredients, but on holiday they are not.

At the Oktoberfest festival in Germany in different years, the amount of beer consumed reached almost 70,000 hectoliters, wine - up to 27,000 liters (it can be tasted in a wine tent) and champagne - up to 20,000 bottles (for it there is also a separate tent) . The average cost of a liter mug (mass), but only in such volumes, beer is served at Oktoberfest, costs 10 €. Since the varieties in each tent are only 6, then for 2 weeks of the festival you can bypass all tents without much harm to your health and your wallet.

For the guests of the festival there are 800 toilets, doctors and volunteers are on duty, helping those who have not calculated their strength.

Treat

Bavarian national cuisine is an integral part of the beer festival. It traditionally serves pork sausages, fried chicken, pork legs, meat on the bone and fish. A special dish is roast meat of wild boar, deer and roe deer.

Food can be ordered both in beer tents, and purchased in special stalls. On a snack to beer it is customary to order salted pretzels and drying. In a fish stall, you can even buy dried fish, although it is not a traditional snack for beer from the Germans.

The first roast for chickens was staged at the Bavarian festival in 1881, and today they are grounded with modern grills.

Festive procession

Since 1887, the festival opens with a march of tent owners. The tradition appeared when the first time brewers and owners of attractions rallied and came to the meadow of Theresa together with a large column.

Since then, beautifully decorated carts, harnessed to a four or six horses, are brought in drums with the sorts of beer that will be served in this tent. Behind them go the owners and workers of the brewery, and all this is accompanied by the play of the orchestra.

The festival begins with a traditional tapping into the barrel at 12 o'clock in the afternoon. This ritual is performed by the city's mayor-burgomaster. After the first barrel is open, all the owners of the tents can start selling and bottling beer.

The most venturesome Bavarians are betting how many strokes the current burgomaster will need to open the barrel. So, the worst is the result of 1950, when 19 blows were made, and the best - in 2006, when the barrel opened with the first blow.

Entertainment and attractions

In the early 20th century Oktoberfest in Germany was accompanied by amazing ideas. For example, in 1901, all the participants of the festival were exposed to the Bedouin village along with its inhabitants. Folk dances, archery, bowling and carousels - that's all the entertainment of those years.

In our time, guests are entertained as old carousels, which have been working for more than 80 years, and ultra-modern. A great popularity among them is enjoyed by the roller coaster with trails of different lengths.

The mobile tower with a height of 66 m, with which you can feel the whole charm of free fall at a speed of 79 km / h, is waiting for those who like height. The Ferris wheel allows you to see the whole festival from a bird's eye view.

The flea circus, which has been operating on holidays since the 60s of the 20th century, enjoys constant popularity in adults and children.

Also, those who wish can dance, shoot from bows and crossbows, or take part in numerous drawings. Every evening, each of the tents offers interesting entertainment for the guests: in some, rock'n'roll concerts, in others - folk songs and dances.

Participants of the festival

Costume procession is a tribute to traditions. It was first held in 1835 and was timed to the silver wedding of Ludwig 1 and Theresa of Saxony. The first processions were rather modest, but by now more than 8,000 people dressed in national costumes began to take part in them. The procession takes place on the first Sunday of the holiday.

Among the participants of the festival are the government of Bavaria and members of the city council of Munich, representatives of various hunting and shooting clubs, an orchestra and festive sleds. The procession is 7 km, traditionally it is headed by a child.

To date, it is recognized as the largest in the world among such events.

Guests of the festival

According to statistics, approximately 70% of guests are Bavarians and Germans, the rest are tourists from all over the world. On this noisy and bright holiday you can hear Italian, Greek, English, Swedish, Norwegian, Russian, Ukrainian speech and many other beer lovers from other countries of the world.

There are no fights or manifestations of any aggression at the festival, since the people who came here allowed themselves a real vacation, which they expected for a whole year. There is always laughter and a friendly mood. So Germany celebrates the Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest in Moscow

A new tradition arose in Russia. Now Oktoberfest is held here at the German Embassy. The entrance to this event is paid, but tickets are sold out instantly. This is due to the great interest of Muscovites to German culture, but more - to good beer and delicious Bavarian cuisine.

For example, "Oktoberfest" (German Embassy) in 2016 was visited by more than 1,000 people. The festival was held on September 16-17, and for these 2 days the guests were expected with Bavarian beer, food, lotteries and gifts. Animators worked for children, and their parents were expecting a concert of the Munich show group.

So Oktoberfest went to the German embassy in Moscow.