Even without Oktoberfest: Munich celebrates the start date

Oktoberfest has also been canceled this year - and yet the city is in Wiesn fever.

The well-attended alternative events started at every corner, and there was even a lot going on on Theresienwiese.

Replacement parties under the Bavaria

Saturday, strike twelve o'clock, Theresienwiese. Actually, Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter would now raise the first mass of Oktoberfest beer in Schottenhamel. “O'zapft is!” But the only tent far and wide is the Corona test tent. Weeds are already rampant where else there are fairground rides and stalls. Sanni Schraud (57) usually sells gingerbread hearts in the beer garden of the Augustiner tent. “This is exactly where we usually have our booth,” she says, pointing to the crowd celebrating their own Oktoberfest start with snack and Oktoberfest beer within sight of Bavaria. When the sky is cloudless, they make the most of it.

Not only them: Half of Munich is in Oktoberfest fever on Saturday, even without the original.

Already in the morning, countless people in dirndls or lederhosen rush through the city - on the way to Theresienwiese, to partying with friends or to one of the 51 restaurants that are participating in the Wirtshaus-Wiesn this year.

“Oktoberfest can also be done at Oktoberfest without Oktoberfest,” says Ute Höger (47) on Theresienwiese.

“We're sitting in the Augustinian tent.” She points to the place where the tent is usually located.

She even has a gramophone with her, from which traditional brass music is played.

At twelve o'clock everyone agrees to "cheers for comfort".

+

They take it with humor: Thomas Müller, Wolfgang Höchst and Martin Kollmer (from left) are looking for the Oktoberfest on Theresienwiese

© Marcus sleep

In the city center, festive horse and carts are already waiting at the entrance of the Viktualienmarkt in the morning, in the beer garden the Munich breweries and Oktoberfest restaurateurs symbolically ring in the 188th Oktoberfest with brass music.

Beer, Oktoberfest delicacies and hearty music in the inns

A few 100 meters further, loud music can be heard from the Hofbräuhaus and all tables in the Ayinger across the street are occupied.

“The longing is great,” says Julia Bauer.

“Tracht once a year: that is just part of it.” Today you and your friends do pub Oktoberfest hopping.

Martin Garn (50) and his friends also spend the day together in the tavern.

“Because we miss the real Oktoberfest.” You don't have to go without real Oktoberfest beer and tent delicacies.

A prick shouldn't be missing either: at 12 p.m. it splatters and foams almost like at the Oktoberfest. At the start of the Wirtshaus-Wiesn, master brewers, innkeepers, politicians, a priest and a playmate swing the mallet in several restaurants. The veteran, former mayor Christian Ude, is finished in the Schillerbräu after two strokes. "At my age you no longer ask how many strokes he needs, but how many strokes he can still manage," jokes the 73-year-old. Pastor Rainer Maria Schießler taps the hacker's house with three strikes. In the Hofbräuhaus it takes a little longer: Wiesn playmate Vanessa Teske (26) has to hit it twelve times. The organizers are happy with the start: Gregor Lemke, spokesman for the city center landlords, says: “The Oktoberfest is a deep feeling for life,and this is again noticeable this year at our Wirtshaus-Wiesn from the beginning. "

+

Former Mayor Christian Ude taps the Schillerbräu with two hits

© dpa

A group of English people have come to the Donisl to celebrate the delicious Oktoberfest beer.

You are not the only Oktoberfest tourists.

Despite the successful replacement, Munich residents and guests from abroad hope that the Oktoberfest will take place again next year.

You can't simulate the real Oktoberfest.

Merle Hubert, Nina Bautz