People af-fair!

Mona

If you love beer and mingling with people, Oktoberfest is your call! Considered the largest people fair in the world - estimates put it at some 4,00,000 visitors a day, and a staggering 6.4 million over the 16-day festival – it is the place full on food, festivities, rides and of course, beer!.

Dating back to 1810, a royal wedding between crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese on October 12, 1810, saw Munich citizens attend the celebrations, which became a public event the following year. Now, this annual festival draws beer-lovers from around the world. Huge tents with garden areas outside, amusements rides, parades and games await the party-goers at Theresien-wies, Munich, Germany.

And this year the festival kicks-off on September 19.

Warm up

Yes, it’s called Oktoberfest but the 16-day beer party starts in late September to make most of the warmer weather wherein revellers can stay out in the beer gardens. This year, the festival would formally open by noon on September 19 in Schottenhamel tent by the Mayor of Munich, who will keep up the tradition of yelling - “O’zapft is!” (It is open) to the crowd. The parade, which remains the major attraction, will be held on September 20 and introduces one to the rich culture of Germany.

The festival is free for all, but one must make it in time to secure a seat at the tents - 10 am on weekends and before noon on weekdays! Spending the day guzzling down beer and lazing out in tents sounds super-fun, but those who mix their drinks with smoke have to refrain as smoking is no more allowed inside the tents! As for snacks, you can enjoy is typical Brezeln (Pretzel), Wiesn Hendl (grilled chicken), Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), Weisswurst (white sausage) Kartoffeln (potatoes) and Spätzle (egg noodles).

Sporty spirit

Get into the spirit by donning the traditional Bavarian outfit. Familiarity with Oktoberfest songs will make sure you enjoy music more! You can take kids along but be ready to exit the beer tents if your kids are below 6. Cash comes handy (Euros only please), as food, beer and rides don’t come cheap. A word of caution: never take a nap during the day, as there are pick-pockets on prey for bierleichen (beer corpses)!

Learning some German phrases would put you in good stead, but since the festival attracts people from many nationalities you are sure to find many English speakers! But then just Oktoberfest is not what true Germany is all about - it is an exaggerated stereotype, all fun. “If you have been to the Oktoberfest you have only seen about a little of German culture,” says Dominik Lindemann, who teaches in Berlin. Oktoberfest looks like a good beginning though!

(For details check http:// www.oktoberfest.de/en/)

mona@tribunemail.com