The most popular tourist destination in the world in late September - early October is Munich, where more than 6 million people come to the Oktoberfest every year. For more than 200 years, the festival of beer has been invariably popular with lovers of this drink. “Oktoberfest” in Germany has gained such momentum over the past decades and is consistently included in the Guinness book as the largest event of its kind in the world.
Two holidays - two traditions
The history of brewing in Bavaria is closely connected with the royal family that once ruled this region. Representatives of the Wittelsbachs considered it their right not only to understand the types of beer, but also to engage in its production. The first royal brewery was opened back in 1260 in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, by Duke Ludwig the Severe. By the 19th century, there were 70 factories for the production of this drink, owned by the royal family.
One of the monarchs(Duke Wilhelm 4) in 1516 even issued a law on the purity of food, which until 1906 was valid exclusively on Bavarian soil, but then spread throughout Germany. Thanks to such a serious attitude towards the national drink, German beer is considered one of the best in the world.
Bavarians are well aware not only of the traditions of making beer, but also of its consumption, although there was a period in their history when strong local wine began to displace the foamy drink in terms of consumption.
Sometimes a single decree can change the balance of history. This happened when at the end of the 19th century a decree was issued on the benefits of beer, which led to an increase not only in its production, but also in consumption. If before the Bavarians alternated wine and beer, then after the adoption of the decree, the latter became so cheap that its consumption 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.
Its story began in the monastery of Paulanian monks, who cooked it for their needs. The fame of delicious beer spread throughout the region, but the law forbade the monks to sell their drink, so they had to drink it themselves before fasting. It was only in 1780 that permission was obtained to trade this beer. This is how the tradition was formed for 2 weeks to celebrate the festival of strong beer on the Nockherberg mountain in Munich.
History of the beer festival
Holiday“Oktoberfest” in Germany dates back to 1810, when the future king Ludwig 1 decided to widely celebrate his wedding to the Saxon princess Therese. To do this, tables were laid on a meadow on the outskirts of Munich and hundreds of barrels of beer were delivered for the townspeople. People liked the holiday so much that they decided to repeat it the next year, and subsequently it became the responsibility of the city authorities.
Today Theresienstadt Meadow is a large square near the railway station in old Munich. The annual beer tradition was broken only during epidemics and hostilities, for example in 1854 and 1873 due to cholera.
It was held, as for the first time, in early October, but since 1904 it was postponed to the end of September, although the name was left the same. Nowadays it starts on the third Saturday of September and lasts 16 days.
Festival Venue
By the end of the 19th century, traditions were formed in the Teresa Meadow in Munich and the places where the Oktoberfest festival began to be held annually were determined. It was beneficial for Germany to popularize the Bavarian breweries, for the sake of whose products people traveled not only from all over the country, but also from abroad. The Germans are characterized by solidity and ingenuity, so they set up huge tents in the meadow, in which, in addition to tables and benches, dance floors and bowling alleys were built.
A little later, all entertainment was moved outside the tents, as more and more people wanted to drink local beer every year. Other than that they look pretty much the same.as in the distant 1886, when they had electricity. Einstein's father's firm handled the lighting, and little Albert is said to have personally screwed in the light bulbs in the Schottenhammel brewery tent.
The first largest tent for 12,000 people was set up in 1913, which was an incredible event for those times. Nowadays, 14 tents with a capacity of up to 10,000 people and 15 small tents for 1,000 people are set up on the square.
The hero of the occasion
The main drink at the festival is beer brewed by Munich breweries. Their products must meet the standards of 1487 (Munich Purity Law issued) and 1516 (Decree on Purity of Food), so starting in March, special beers are brewed for the celebration.
The most popular are the varieties of such breweries as "Augustiner", "Paulaner", "Levenbroy" and others. The beer is brewed according to an old decree that only hops, barley m alt, yeast and water must be present in its composition. Guests of Munich, when Oktoberfest takes place in Germany, can try a foamy drink that has the same taste and strength (5.8 - 6.3%) as at the first festival more than 200 years ago.
Of course, nowadays brewers are cunning and create drinks with a lot of ingredients for sale, but there are none at the holiday.
At the Oktoberfest in Germany in different years, the amount of beer drunk reached almost 70,000 hectoliters, wine - up to 27,000 liters (you can taste it in a wine tent) andchampagne - up to 20,000 bottles (there is also a separate tent for it). The average cost of a liter mug (mass), and only in such volumes beer is served at Oktoberfest, costs 10 €. Since there are only 6 varieties in each tent, in 2 weeks of the festival you can go around all the tents without much harm to your he alth and wallet.
800 toilets work for the guests of the festival, 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. Pork sausages, fried chicken, pork legs, bone-in meat and fish are traditionally served here. Roast boar, deer and roe deer is considered a special dish.
Food can be ordered both in beer tents and purchased in special stalls. For a beer snack, it is customary to order s alted pretzels and dryers. You can even buy dried fish at the fish stall, although it is not a traditional German beer snack.
The first chicken roaster was installed at the Bavarian festival in 1881, and today they are being replaced by modern grills.
Festive procession
Starting in 1887, the festival opens with a procession of tent owners. The tradition began when for the first time the brewers and the owners of the attractions came together and came to Teresa's meadow together in a large column.
Since then, beautifully decorated wagons drawn by four or six horses have been carrying barrels of beers that will be served in this tent. They are followed by the owners and employees of the brewery, and all this is accompanied by a gameorchestra.
The festival begins with the traditional driving of a tap into a barrel at 12 noon. This ritual is performed by the mayor of the city. After the first barrel is opened, all the owners of the tents can start selling and bottling beer.
The most gambling Bavarians make a bet on how many blows it will take for the current burgomaster to open the barrel. Thus, the worst result is considered to be 1950, when 19 hits were made, and the best is 2006, when the barrel opened from the first hit.
Entertainment and attractions
At the beginning of the 20th century, Oktoberfest in Germany was accompanied by amazing performances. For example, in 1901, a Bedouin village with its inhabitants was put on display for all the participants of the festival. Folk dances, archery, bowling and carousels - that's all the entertainment of those years.
In our time, guests are entertained by both old carousels that have been operating for more than 80 years, and ultra-modern ones. Roller coasters with tracks of different lengths are very popular among them.
Height lovers can enjoy the 66 m high mobile tower, which allows you to experience the beauty of free fall at a speed of 79 km/h. The Ferris wheel gives you a bird's eye view of the entire festival.
The flea circus, which has been operating on holidays since the 60s of the 20th century, is always popular with adults and children.
Also, those who wish can dance, shoot frombows and crossbows or participate in numerous pranks. Every evening, each of the tents offers interesting entertainment for guests: in some there are rock and roll concerts, in others - folk songs and dances.
Festival participants
The costume procession is a tribute to traditions. It was first held in 1835 and was timed to coincide with the silver wedding of Ludwig 1 and Teresa of Saxony. The first processions were rather modest, but by our time 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 teams. The procession runs 7 km, traditionally led by a child.
Today it is recognized as the largest such event in the world.
Festival Guests
According to statistics, about 70% of the guests are Bavarians and Germans, the rest are tourists from all over the world. At this noisy and bright holiday, you can hear Italian, Greek, English, Swedish, Norwegian, Russian, Ukrainian speech and many more beer lovers from other countries of the world.
There are no cases of fights or manifestations of any aggression at the festival, as the people who came here allowed themselves a real vacation, which they had been waiting for a whole year. Laughter and a friendly mood always reign here. This is how Germany celebrates Oktoberfest.
“Oktoberfest” in Moscow
Newtradition originated in Russia. Now there is an “Oktoberfest” at the German Embassy. Entrance to this event is paid, but tickets are sold out instantly. This is due to the great interest of Muscovites in German culture, but more in good beer and delicious Bavarian cuisine.
For example, “Oktoberfest” (German Embassy) in 2016 was attended by more than 1000 people. The holiday was held on September 16-17, and during these 2 days Bavarian beer, food, prize draws and gifts awaited the guests. Animators worked for the children, and their parents were treated to a concert by a Munich show group.
This is how Oktoberfest went at the German Embassy in Moscow.
