Is the Oktoberfest 2020 taking place? Oktoberfest boss Clemens Baumgärtner speaks out. Meanwhile, online reservations are running at usury prices.
- The Coronavirus * keeps the city of Munich and the world in suspense.
- It is still not clear whether the Oktoberfest can take place.
- Reservations for tables are still made online.
Update from April 19: Now Munich's former mayor Christian Ude is also pleading for a quick cancellation of the Oktoberfest 2020 - Oktoberfest host Michael Käfer agrees with him.
Update of April 18, 11:54 a.m .: The Oktoberfest is on the brink because of the Corona crisis in Munich . Nevertheless, online portals offer space reservations in the tents - often for several thousand euros per table. Those responsible have not yet made a final decision as to whether the world's largest folk festival must be canceled due to the corona pandemic .
The hosts have partly since the beginning of inquiries about reservations accepted or pre-booked tables for regular customers. They did not make any commitments. Nevertheless, the trade in reservations for places is running - which may never exist.
Oktoberfest 2020: Cancellation due to corona virus? Tables are still traded
Tables for ten people are sometimes offered for 5000 euros and more. Some providers have now added the note: "If the Oktoberfest 2020 is canceled due to COVID-19 (Corona Virus), all payments already made will be credited for the following year."
The hosts have long been fighting the gray market sales of reservations and the exorbitant prices. The city of Munich does not like to see sales either. Fixed manager and business consultant Clemens Baumgärtner (CSU) advises to make a reservation directly at the Wiesnwirt.
Oktoberfest 2020: Coronavirus could result in Oktoberfest cancellation - final decision is still missing
With the hosts , the reservation costs nothing or a small processing fee . However, guests have to buy food vouchers, per seat for from about 40 euros - the value of about two measures of beer and a chicken. Depending on the choice of food and tent, vouchers can also be purchased for 80 euros or more. The concrete prices for 2020 are open. They would be released with the beer price in a few weeks - if it ever gets this far this year.
The signs are increasing that the Oktoberfest will also fail. A few weeks ago, OB Reiter had said that a decision would be taken in late May or early June; Festival manager Baumgärtner ( see below ) wanted to wait until the last possible time for the "irreversible decision". But the pressure is growing.
Corona virus in Munich: Oktoberfest boss with relentless insight - "that is where my imagination ends"
First report from April 16: Munich - Public life will only start slowly in the coming months. And then should the world's biggest folk festival - the Oktoberfest - take place in September ? Hardly imaginable. Not even for Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU). We talked to Söder's party colleague Clemens Baumgärtner - Munich's business consultant and head of the Oktoberfest - about the likely cancellation of the Oktoberfest.
Mr. Baumgärtner, every major event will be canceled by the end of August. The Oktoberfest would begin three weeks later, bringing together millions of people from all over the world. Can you be responsible for the Oktoberfest taking place?
Oktoberfest boss for Oktoberfest 2020: "Oktoberfest will only take place if ..."
The word responsibility is the right start. A Oktoberfest will only take place if there is no danger to life and limb. And this danger is currently obvious and is called Corona. So mass gatherings cannot take place. That's one side of the medal. On the other hand, we have shops in Munich like Loden Frey or Hirmer, the innkeepers, the showmen and feeders, who do a large part of their annual business at the Oktoberfest. So we have to take into account the economic and health side, the latter being much more serious.
Clemens Baumgärtner is the head of the Oktoberfest in Munich as a business consultant
© pi cture alliance
Then why does the city hesitate to cancel?
We do not hesitate, but do what we as a city are obliged to do: namely carry out the normal Oktoberfest evaluation process. I cannot cancel an event planned for September in March unless I have a valid basis for it. At the moment, the world is developing rapidly around the corona developments. However: Even if the miracle active ingredient were found in June, I cannot assume that it would be widely available to every visitor to the Oktoberfest in September. But we don't have to make a decision now because the city has not yet placed any orders. We make an informed decision when we have to make it.
Prime Minister Markus Söder cannot imagine the Oktoberfest this year. Doesn't he put the city under pressure?
The prime minister not only has an eye on the Oktoberfest, but all kinds of events across Bavaria. If the Free State extends the general decree beyond August, there will be a shift in the shaft anyway. I am also skeptical. And Markus Söder said nothing else.
Oktoberfest boss for Oktoberfest 2020: "Imagination ends without a vaccine"
Can't you imagine the Oktoberfest this year?
Imagination is not important, I have to prepare a legally sound decision. This also means that as long as the Oktoberfest is theoretically feasible, I have to positively answer the applicants' applications. Otherwise the city would run the risk of liability for damages. A rejection would only be well justified if the time period was no longer sufficient to guarantee a virus-free or virus-safe Oktoberfest.
So the Oktoberfest could only take place if a vaccine was found?
For example. Without a vaccine, my imagination ends.
Have you already warned innkeepers, showmen and stand owners that the Oktoberfest could fall into the water this year?
Of course I am in constant contact with our partners. You don't have to warn them. They also read newspapers, they know exactly what's going on and that the probability is less. Nevertheless, I cannot rely on oracles, but on legal security.
Would a shift be conceivable?
Oktoberfest chief for Oktoberfest 2020: "Don't pull through with all force"
You have to leave the Oktoberfest and not pull it through with all the force.
A narrow-gauge Oktoberfest - perhaps only for locals - wouldn't be a solution either?
Technically inconceivable for me. If 30 people are standing in front of the carousels on the Oidn Wiesn or if a lot of tipsy people are walking around and are not keeping their distance, none of them would benefit. Once again: it is about a comprehensible, justifiable decision. Which also makes it clear that we have tried everything up to the last moment. But ultimately, health comes first.
Would you like the Prime Minister to take the decision off your hands?
It's about making a decision together.
How big would the economic damage be?
The economic value of the Oktoberfest is between 1.5 and two billion euros. Depending on how many visitors come and how much is consumed. The damage would be immense. Also for hotels, small accommodations and shops.
Retailers are already complaining about disadvantage.
Oktoberfest boss for Oktoberfest 2020: "I don't want to imagine Oktoberfest with a mask"
Prime Minister Söder today announced prospects for gradual normalization in trade. Minimum distance and wearing protective masks will certainly be helpful.
But what would be difficult to imagine at the Oktoberfest.
I don't want to imagine a Oktoberfest with a nose and mouth mask. Oktoberfest is joie de vivre and a nice party. Before the Wiesn brand is damaged, I prefer to drop it. Protective mask pictures should not go around the world.
Many showmen still hope for a miracle.
I understand their concerns, I empathize with these people. It's about livelihoods. Therefore, the accusation that the city is hesitating to cancel is wrong. Especially with regard to the people whose economic survival depends on the Oktoberfest.
Interview: Klaus Vick, Wolfgang Hauskrecht, Georg Anastasiadis
* tz.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network. Find out everything you need to know about the corona virus in Munich at tz.de: For example, the catalog of fines and the curfew.
Prof. Dr. Alexander Leber is chief cardiologist at the Isar Clinic in Munich. In the interview, he talks about the situation at the clinics - and explains that the danger from the coronavirus is not over yet.
List of rubric lists: © picture alliance / dpa / Angelika Warmuth