How did Oktoberfest begin? Why the pretzels, and when did beer become a major part?
Oktoberfest is said to be the largest festival in the world today. A staggering 6 million people attend in Munich alone, with visitors travelling from across the globe to join Germans for this grand, seventeen-day long celebration. But why do we celebrate Oktoberfest?You've got Ludwig and Therese to thank
Before there was a beer hall or pretzel in sight, way back on the 12th October 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig was wedding his love, Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. They were generous, fun loving folks, so they invited all the people of Munich to celebrate with them, in a beautiful field outside the city gates. There was a horse race at the Royals request, which capped off the huge celebration. The Bavarians loved it! Inspired by its success, they decided to do it again next year. Before you can say ‘giddup whoa back’, the first hops of Oktoberfest were being sown.From humble beginnings: the evolution from a royal wedding party
When planning these next celebrations, they thought it was a perfect opportunity to boost the local economy. A Bavarian agricultural show was added to the horse racing agenda, along with funfair style carousels and swings, and more importantly, bars for patrons to enjoy beer. The attractions and entertainment were small scale, but it still attracted a decent crowd of fun seekers.Munich citizens then took on the role of festival organisers
By 1896 the people of Munich were running things, and their ideas and ambitions were thriving. Beer tents now replaced the bar stands, thanks to audacious landlords teaming up with their brewery friends. The horse race popularity withered, so it was done away with to make room for more funfair entertainment and beer tents on the festival grounds. With more entertainment and beer halls the crowds continued to grow.Embracing a traditional Bavarian treat
Germans love their Bretzels, their version of a pretzel, especially in the south. Food is an essential part of a festival, and it's even better when it's from the host region. So Brötfrauen, or bread ladies, were introduced. Bretzels are said to have origins from around 610AD the monks made them from scraps of bread. The twisted knot resembled arms in prayer, forming the pretzel shape we instantly recognise.
Glossy and crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle, they're different to the NYC-style you may know. Working the crowd with their baskets of Bretzels, Brötfrauen are an iconic part the festival still very much today, bringing this classic bakery treat to lager swilling festival goers to munch on.
By Oktoberfest's 100th year in 1910, beer consumption for the event was around 120,000 litres
It wasn’t all lager guzzling and good times though. The country's focus on the WWI put a halt on festival vibes between 1914 and 1918, and it was celebrated as merely the Autumn Festival in 1923-24. Other significant challenges to overcome included a cholera outbreak, price inflations making it too expensive to run, and a bombing; all of which forced organisers to cancel the event. But they pushed on through all of this and never gave up.
In between drinking steins and dancing
Planning to experience Oktoberfest in Munich? There are so many wonderful cultural events to get amongst.- Be charmed by the Grand Entry of the Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries (They started the beer halls idea together. Their procession opens Oktoberfest)
- Enjoy the colourful Costume and Riflemen's Procession (a continuation of honouring of the Royals silver wedding anniversary in 1885)
- Wave at joyful parades and dance your heart out at swinging concerts
- Don't miss the brass-band show held in the delightful gardens Theresienwiese (or Wiese as the locals call it) named after Princess Therese.
Oktoberfest today
Bier, cerveza, beer or biera! However you say it, lager is universal - and so is the Oktoberfest celebration. From China to Brazil, the festival entertains and delights people every year, and in surprisingly huge numbers. You can see here which cities celebrate Oktoberfest the biggest around the globe. With this kind of allegiance; there's no sign of Oktoberfest becoming a thing of the past anytime soon. Wunderbar!
Knowing the history can give you an added advantage when making your fancy dress costume choice. It can be the little details that make all the difference. Blossom Costumes has you well covered.
Last festival tip. Drink responsibly, enjoy yourself and keep safe. Prost!