News from Berlin

Approaching Oktoberfest 2014

September 15th, 2014
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News from Berlin – Oktoberfest has become one of the most important festivals in Germany and has been immersed into the German culture, such that, nowadays, Oktoberfest is on the to-do-list for those in Germany when the autumn starts.

The long tradition of Oktoberfest dates back to October 12th, 1810, when the marriage of King Ludwig I and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen took place. All the citizens were invited to the city fields to celebrate this event together. The fields where the marriage took place were named Theresienwiese, after Princess Therese. Horse races were introduced the following year as a part of the celebration. It was subsequently decided that the festival would be repeated every year.

During the following years, certain elements were added to the festival, such as an agricultural show, carnival booths, a parade, bratwurst degustation, dance shows, concerts, etc. Beer was first introduced at the festival in 1892 and became an important part of the Oktoberfest, which became bigger and well-know also outside Germany.

Nowadays, Oktoberfest is celebrated not only Munich, where the tradition of the festival started, but in the majority of German cities and also abroad, even outside Europe. Currently, six breweries can produce the traditional Oktoberfest Beer. This year the Oktoberfest is taking place from September 20th until October 5th, 2014. Berlin is having it’s celebration as well; the biggest festival will be held in Zentral Festplatz am Kurt-Schumacher-Damm, near Tegel Airport, but also in Alexanderplatz. During the festival, traditional German and Bavarian food will be served: bratwurst, sauerkraut, and pretzels, to name a few.

News from Berlin – Berlin Global