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Oktoberfest cancellation officially: After the official announcement - showmen defend themselves against blanket cancellations

2021-05-04T08:02:24.316Z


The Oktoberfest cannot take place in 2021 either. Markus Söder and Dieter Reiter explained the background to the Oktoberfest. The ticker.


The Oktoberfest cannot take place in 2021 either.

Markus Söder and Dieter Reiter explained the background to the Oktoberfest.

The ticker.

  • The corona crisis in Bavaria continues to cause numerous restrictions.

  • Now the decision for the Wiesn 2021 - as well as for other large folk festivals - has been made.

  • Markus Söder and Mayor Dieter Reiter announced the cancellation of the Oktoberfest in a live statement (

    see live ticker from 3:15 p.m.

    ).

Update from May 3, 7:02 p.m.:

After the corona-related cancellation of the Oktoberfest 2021, there is the first protest from the ranks of the showmen, who warn not to cancel all popular festivals in Germany at the same time, just because the Oktoberfest cannot take place this year.

Although the Oktoberfest is the figurehead and flagship of German folk festivals around the world, the Oktoberfest is also “a festival of superlatives”, as the German Schaustellerbund (DSB) stated in a statement on Monday.

Over for the Wiesn 2021: Schausteller-Verbund defends itself against blanket cancellations

Thus, the Wiesn is not immediately representative of the around 9750 other German folk festivals and fairgrounds that should take place this year.

While up to 400,000 guests from all over the world are welcomed to the Wiesn every day, the smaller, family-oriented German folk festivals are aimed at locals and guests from the surrounding area, which the DSB believes must be taken into account by the organizers.

"The cancellation of the Oktoberfest must not be an indicator that other folk festivals in Germany are prematurely canceled," said DSB President Albert Ritter.

Because of Corona no Oktoberfest this year either - showmen insist on small folk festivals

Rather, one should always wait until the latest possible time before making such a decision. Every rejection hits the fairground industry, which is already badly shaken by Corona. However, several large folk festivals in Bavaria had already announced their cancellation this year, including the Gäubodenfest in Straubing and the Dachau folk festival, which otherwise takes place annually on the Ludwig-Thoma-Wiese there. The Cannstatter Wasen, which takes place every year at the same time as the Oktoberfest in Stuttgart, has not yet been officially canceled.

Update from May 3, 5:49 p.m.:

The Wiesn boss and Munich economics officer Clemens Baumgärtner (CSU) sees the cancellation of the Oktoberfest as the right step. “The decision of the mayor and the prime minister is absolutely correct - not only out of consideration for the health of the visitors, but also out of consideration for the good reputation of the Munich Oktoberfest as a high quality, safe festival. That's why I expressly support them, "said Baumgärtner on Monday.



He is now counting on the Oktoberfest 2022 - and then expect a large number of visitors. "I am quite sure that it will be very, very well attended because people are hungry and thirsty after the Oktoberfest," said the Wiesn boss. Prime Minister Markus Söder did not want to give such a clear “go” to an Oktoberfest in 2022. When asked about this, he said: "It is more likely that the Oktoberfest will take place than that the price of beer will fall." Since the price of beer at the Oktoberfest has never fallen so far, it can be assumed that Söder will not make any possibly false promises due to the current pandemic situation wanted to give up.

Update from May 3, 3:55 p.m.:

Now it is official: The Oktoberfest will not take place again in 2021.

The corona risk is too great, announced Markus Söder and Dieter Reiter at a press conference (

see live ticker from 3:15 p.m.

).

The politicians also gave a clear recommendation for other large folk festivals in Bavaria - a rejection is the right decision.

Festivals like the Gäubodenvolksfest in Straubing have already been canceled.

Oktoberfest cancellation officially: Söder and Reiter explain the background - also other festivals affected

3.40 p.m.:

The press conference for the Wiesn 2021 is now over.

3:33 p.m .:

"With all legitimate interests - health protection simply comes first," says Reiter once again

when asked

about the rejection. “A folk festival is a folk festival - and everyone should be able to go there,” replied the Mayor of Munich to a question about a possible Oktoberfest only for vaccinated people. That is "unimaginable". For next year, on the other hand, there is “a certain probability” for an Oktoberfest. The "old Wiesn feeling" will then come back. "That the Oktoberfest will take place is more likely than that the price of beer will drop," said the Bavarian Prime Minister. "Corona changes a lot - but not everything," Söder concludes.

3:28 pm: The

topic is now the planned “Oktoberfest” in Dubai.

This cannot be a substitute, said Reiter.

“I don't think that will be successful,” adds Söder.

3:25 p.m.:

The official statement is now over.

Now questions from journalists follow.

One of the questions is if there were opportunities for people who have been vaccinated to hold public festivals.

“The Infection Protection Act applies.

It's hard to imagine at a folk festival, ”says Söder.

"The Oktoberfest will take place again and it will be great," said the Prime Minister with an outlook for the future.

3:22 p.m .:

"It just doesn't make sense at the moment," said Reiter.

The conditions would be too strict.

“You can't do a little Oktoberfest,” he adds.

The Oktoberfest hosts would also see it that way.

Whether there will be something like the "Wirthaus-Wiesn" again, "you have to see".

It is feasible, however, that at least parts of the outdoor catering sector can open and small-scale events can take place again.

Bavaria: Wiesn decision made - Söder and Reiter live NOW

3:20 p.m.:

Mayor Dieter Reiter is now speaking. He asked Markus Söder for an interview last week, he explains. Uniform decisions are important for acceptance in the population, added Reiter. The local politicians should weight the health of the population higher. “That's why there won't be an Oktoberfest in Munich this year either.” The decision would have to be made now. "I ask for your understanding - it's not an easy decision for me either," he says. For the millions of fans of the Oktoberfest, that is extremely unfortunate. Also due to the existential effects of showmen and Oktoberfest hosts. “It hits all of them. The city of Munich is also hit, ”said Reiter.

3:15 p.m.:

The live statement begins. First, Markus Söder takes the floor. “We recommend not to let these big festivals take place this year,” he says directly about the folk festivals in Bavaria. Well-known festivals such as the Gäubodenvolksfest in Straubing have already been canceled. The Oktoberfest in Munich is "the most global festival ever". This mark could be damaged if it had to take place under numerous editions. "That is simply not feasible," says Söder. Nevertheless, it is possible to offer “creative solutions” - for example “summer in the city” in Munich.

Update from May 3, 3:02 p.m.:

The

German Press Agency

now reports: The Oktoberfest will not take place this year due to the corona pandemic. Prime Minister Markus Söder and Munich's Mayor Dieter Reiter will soon make their statement - here in the live stream and ticker.

Update from May 3, 2:49 p.m.:

Now it is probably official before the Söder statement: The Oktoberfest 2021 is canceled.

Munich's economic advisor and Wiesn boss Clemens Baumgärtner (CSU) spoke to

Bild

.

“I support the decision.

An Oktoberfest under pandemic conditions would be neither responsible nor feasible.

Of course that hurts, but I am absolutely convinced that we will celebrate another big Oktoberfest in Munich next year, ”he is quoted as saying.

Corona in Bavaria: Söder appears with Mayor Reiter in front of the press - Wiesn-Aus fix?

Update from May 3, 2:25 p.m.:

An exciting day in the Free State: Prime Minister Markus Söder announced the further corona plan for Bavaria at a press conference.

In less than an hour he is planning to step in front of the cameras again - together with Munich's Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter.

According to

Merkur

information, the politicians should announce the end of the Oktoberfest.

You can follow the statement about the Oktoberfest from 3:15 p.m. here in the live stream and live ticker.

Merkur exclusive: Oktoberfest decision has probably been made - Söder and Reiter appear in front of the press

First report from May 3, 12.30 p.m .:

Munich - Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) and Munich's Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) want to inform about this year's Oktoberfest and the fair season in Bavaria on Monday (3:15 p.m.).

The State Chancellery announced at noon that it was about a "forecast" of the season.

Both politicians had recently expressed skepticism about whether the Oktoberfest can take place in 2021 in view of the Corona situation.

The Oktoberfest is not just a Bavarian festival, but a global event, said Söder recently.

In 2020, the world's largest festival was canceled due to the pandemic.

Merkur exclusive: Wiesn decision made - Söder and Reiter appear in front of the press

As Christian Deutschländer, editor of Münchner Merkur, tweeted, Markus Söder is likely to cancel the Oktoberfest - and other folk festivals in 2021 - on Monday.

Reiter and Söder have already discussed this.

They all agree that because of the enormous organizational lead time no serious decision is possible.

This also applies to many other folk festivals in Bavaria.

Internally it says: we cannot start the biggest festival in the world in a situation in which the intensive care units are at their limit - even if many people long for it after months of doing without it.

The Wiesn 2021 is planned from September 18 to October 3.

Around six million visitors from all over the world come to Munich for the Oktoberfest every year.

The Munich Oktoberfest could take place in Dubai in 2021.

The Munich Oktoberfest hosts are not enthusiastic about this, but the plans also make people smile.

By the way: The most important stories from the Free State are now also available in our brand new, regular Bayern newsletter.


List of rubric lists: © Peter Kneffel / dpa

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-05-04

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