Traditional event in Munich What you should know about Octoberfest 2018
Munich · Millions of people will be celebrating Octoberfest again this year in Munich and it all begins this weekend. If you have never been and are thinking about going, or just want to know what it’s all about, here’s the scoop.
It all kicks off this Saturday in Munich and will run for 16 days straight. Millions of visitors will flock to Octoberfest. In German it can also be referred to as going to the “Wiesen”, which is the specific area where Octoberfest is celebrated. What will a beer cost? Can I get in without being dressed in “Tracht” (Bavarian attire)? Can I get in the tent without a reservation? Here are ten things you should know:
How much does a beer cost?
Last year, the big one-liter mug cost 10.70 euros. This year, it will set you back 11.50 euros. But if you just want to walk around, it doesn’t cost anything because admission is free.
How big is Octoberfest?
Octoberfest sits on 31 hectares (one hectare is 10,000 square meters). There are 144 caterers and vendors, 16 large tents and 21 smaller tents. Altogether there is seating for 119,000 people in a total of 37 tents. The largest tent is the Hofbräu tent with more than 11,000 seats.
Where does the idea for Octoberfest come from?
A local corporal had the idea to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen with a big horse race. The king was impressed with the proposal, and the first horse race, and precursor to today’s Octoberfest was held on the 12th of October, 1810. Over the years, the festival was repeated and extended for a longer period of time. The dates were also changed, with better weather playing a role. But even though Oktoberfest starts in September, the last festival weekend is still in October.
When did the traditional tapping of the keg begin?
Similar to the beer fest itself, the tapping of the keg is a tradition. It began in 1950 when the Mayor of Munich at that time, Thomas Wimmer, officially opened the Octoberfest in one of the tents with a tapping of the keg, heralding the tradition. Mayors Christian Ude (2005 and 2008 - 2013) and Dieter Reiter (in the past three years) were the best so far at tapping, both needing only two strokes.
Can I get in the tent without a reservation?
Most of the places in the beer tents are booked out long before the tapping of the keg. If you have not reserved a table, you can still go into the tents - as long as they are not closed due to overcrowding. It might well be easier to get into a smaller tent or in a tent around lunchtime than in the evening. And on weekdays, there is usually less going on than on the weekends.
Can I take my beer mug home with me?
The beer mug is and remains the property of the beer tent. You cannot take it with you. Last year, 145,000 beer mugs were collected by the security services.
Do I have to wear the traditional Bavarian garb?
It is not a must. In fact, before the 2000’s, few Munich residents wore the dirndl (traditional dress) or lederhosen (the leather trousers). In the 50’s and 60’s, most men and women wore business suits to Octoberfest and then the look transcended to become more casual. Gradually, pieces of the Bavarian garb were introduced until the complete look became ‘in’. As it came to the mass market, the choices became more varied and cheaper to buy.
But visitors who don’t know much about the tradition can also come and celebrate in jeans and t-shirts. And for a little Octoberfest mood, one can throw on a hat, a traditional blouse or jacket.
What clothes are No-Gos?
The city of Munich writes on the official Octoberfest homepage: "Whether traditional or modern, it’s up to you, just buy what you like and what suits you." But if you want to avoid a faux pas, for example, don’t go for cheap lederhosen made of cloth, or wear a t-shirt under a dirndl or a silly Sepplhüte (a type of Bavarian hat). And, avoid an apron which is longer than the dress itself, or leather pants (lederhosen) that are shorter than knee length.
What are the trends?
The Bavarian outfits have recently become more subtle and at the same time more traditional. Muted colors, embroidered floral motifs and, above all, plaid patterns are in the 2018 collection. And the dirndls tend to be a bit more conservative, slightly longer. Personal shopper Grau has even discovered many blouses that reach right up to the chin. "Everything is well-covered and leaves a lot of freedom for people to interpret what is underneath," she says. The same applies to men, more traditional wear has been in style for some years now.
How do I interpret the bow on the apron or the feather on a cap?
The dirndl is also full of information - and hidden messages. "If the wearer is already taken, she signals this by wearing her bow on the right side," explains fashion expert Grau. "If she is still single, then her dirndl bow sits on the left." A bow tied exactly in the middle or in the back is for Grau a fashionable faux pas.
As for women who are wearing a feather on their hat, Grau says that if the feather is pointing to the front, a man can make contact with her. But if it is pointing towards the back, this is a signal that she just wants to party.
Orig. text: Alexander Hertel (with material from dpa)
Translation: ck
