Traditional Oktoberfest parade in danger?

Desperate calls from the clubs

Created: 05/13/2022, 20:06

By: Andreas Daschner

Oktoberfest: For Egon Wullinger (80), taking part in the parade is a very special experience.

© private

The traditional clubs are running out of members.

Now of all times, when the Wiesn with its traditional costume and rifle parade can finally take place again!

Is the popular spectacle now in danger?

Munich – "Many of our members are between 80 and 90 years old," says Egon Wullinger.

The Trachtler himself is 80 years old and has been taking part in the parade for many years - for the "Alt-Monachia sociable citizens' guild", known to many as the Biedermeier association.

According to Wullinger, most of the members would no longer be able to complete the 7.5-kilometre route.

Therefore, the club was close to canceling the participation.

For Wullinger it would have been a drama: "The pageant is always an incredibly great experience." You can see the beauty of Munich once it's car-free, many people wave to the parade participants and enjoy the nostalgia that the club radiates with its costumes from the Biedermeier period.

And should he be denied this uplifting feeling this time?

Problems with young talent endanger the Oktoberfest move: Biedermeier association starts appeal on Facebook

A call on Facebook brought the rescue – if only for a short time.

Almost a dozen women have reported that "the move can take place," says Christine Betzler, who is responsible for fashion at Alt-Monachia.

But: "The basic problem remains," says Betzler.

The new comrades-in-arms hesitated to become permanent members.

"Many don't want to commit themselves." That's why the association is looking for young members, especially men.

Not only the Biedermeier association is fighting.

Traditional costume and music clubs also have problems with young people.

"Across the board, the traditional costume clubs have lost a lot," says Sebastian Friesinger, head of the Bavarian Association.

In the case of the brass bands, Friesinger does not rule out the possibility that some will play in smaller formations during the move.

Oktoberfest highlight: the folks in traditional costume parade through downtown Munich to the Wiesn.

© Marcus Sleep/tz

Oktoberfest 2022: Traditional costumers in the Isargau have a youth problem

Wolfgang Gensberger, chairman of the Isargau, in which 60 local and traditional costume associations are organized, assumes that the Gau will be able to provide a group of the usual strength for the move this year.

"However, the extent to which young people are involved remains to be seen."

In the case of one Isargau member, the Elbachtaler Solln, there is a lack of male offspring: "We are poorly positioned with the boys," says the chairman Norbert Diesner.

This is due to the spirit of the times, in which traditions are being lost more and more.

(Our Munich newsletter regularly informs you about all the important stories from the Isar metropolis. Register here.)

Even in the country, where traditional clubs usually have it easier than in the city, there are problems.

In the Gernlinden fanfare parade, club boss Korbinian Raith cautiously answers the question of whether one can participate with old strength: "Let's see."

Traditional costume and riflemen’s parade for Oktoberfest 2022 will take place

Is the entire move in September therefore in danger?

Karl-Heinz Knoll from Festring gives the all-clear: "We have no problems organizing the pageant." But he also says: "It's important to keep the youngsters engaged."

Oktoberfest 2022: The costume and rifle parade will take place on September 18, 2022.

On the first Sunday of the Wiesn this year, groups of people wearing traditional costumes will once again parade through downtown Munich.

The costume parade took place for the first time in 1835.

The parade has been organized by Festring München eV every year since 1948.

In 2022 the move was canceled due to Corona.

Oktoberfest 2022 will take place from September 17th to October 3rd at the Theresienwiese in Munich.

How much does the Wiesn-Mass cost this year?

In the run-up, astronomical prices have already leaked out.

But the Wiesn hosts agree on the upper limit.