1st Day of the Oktoberfest

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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Germany Series at GermanPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind German holidays and observances. I’m Matt, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 2. 1st Day of the Oktoberfest

In this lesson we are going to introduce you to the largest festival in the world. Introduced in 1810 by Maximilian the first, Joseph of Bavaria, the Oktoberfest or Wiesn attracted nearly seven million people from all over the world. This all-day event is held annually in September and October at Theresienwiese in Munich, and lasts between 16 and 18 days.

Now, before we get into more detail, I've got a question for you- On average, how many liters of beer are consumed per capita in Germany annually?

If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later, so keep listening!

Every year a parade called Wiesn-Einzug ceremonially opens the festival. The parade runs through the center of Munich, and festival innkeepers participate by decorating carriages, providing musical bands, and employing showmen. The official opening of the festival is watched not only by the home crowd, but also by viewers from around the world on TV or online. To officially kick things off, the mayor of Munich taps the first keg and declares the slogan O'zapft! meaning “it’s tapped!”

Dirndl dress for women and leather trousers for men are counted among the traditional costumes. People usually visit Oktoberfest with their friends, work colleagues or partners. They eat and drink in tents, called Bierzelte, and sway and dance to pop music and traditional Bavarian brass music, which is Blasmusik in German. The largest of the fourteen tents is the Hofbräu festival tent, which can accommodate up to 12,000 people.

Many families choose to visit the Oktoberfest in the afternoon with their children, where a carousel, a Ferris wheel, known as Riesenrad in German, and other such rides are provided for families to enjoy. Bavarian specialties such as chicken, pretzels, Bavarian cheese called Obazda, and Weisswurst, a variety of pork and veal sausages, are very popular. The popularity of the festival is also evident from the fact that some of the cities, like Mainz or Konstanz, organize their own Oktoberfests.

Every year Munich breweries also brew a special beer just for Oktoberfest, known as Märzen. It contains more of the original wort and a higher alcohol content of around 6-7%, and is loved by all true festivalgoers.

Now it's time to answer our quiz question-

On average, how many liters of beer are consumed per capita in Germany annually?

Each year, an average of 125 liters of beer is consumed per capita in Germany. Cheers!