- The Munich Oktoberfest 2023 has begun.
- With two taps, Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) tapped the first barrel of beer at 12 p.m. sharp and opened the festival with the traditional cry “Ozapft is!”
- He handed the first pint of beer to Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) to toast a peaceful Oktoberfest with him.
Firecracker shots announced the start of the folk festival – and the beer serving. In bright sunshine, the “Wiesn hosts” had marched to the festival grounds in carriages. After a rainy Oktoberfest in 2022 with temperatures as low as ten degrees in some cases, they are hoping for sunny autumn weather for the coming holidays.
Legend:
The first beers are particularly popular – things really started shortly after 12 p.m.
KEYSTONE/AP Photo/Matthias Schrader
Early in the morning, the first Oktoberfest fans – mostly in dirndls and lederhosen – were waiting for the festival grounds to open. When the gates opened around 9 a.m., hundreds rushed toward the marquees to get a good spot.
Legend:
The run for the best seats at the Oktoberfest started at 9 a.m. sharp.
KEYSTONE/EPA/ANNA SZILAGYI
The great-grandson of the last Bavarian king, Franz Duke of Bavaria, came to the council box in the Schottenhamel tent for the tapping. The Austrian singer Andreas Gabalier as well as the folk music duo Marianne and Michael Hartl and the actresses Michaela May and Jutta Speidel were also in the tent. The TV presenters Florian Silbereisen and Carolin Reiber were also there.
18 days of beer bliss – without an election campaign
Around six million visitors are expected until October 3rd – at least. Last year only around 5.7 million visitors came – but there are no longer any particular concerns about Corona and the festival lasts 18 days – two days longer than usual. It was extended until October 3rd.
The Mass beer costs between 12.60 euros and 14.90 euros (the equivalent of between a good 12 and 14.30 francs), an average of 6 percent more than last year. For the first time, there will be four water dispensers with free drinking water at the festival.
Legend:
Drinking beer yes – politicizing no: Markus Söder from the CSU (left) and Mayor Dieter Reiter from the SPD (right) toast each other shortly after the opening.
KEYSTONE/DPA/Sven Hoppe
The state elections in Bavaria on October 8th will not play a role. The operating rules prohibit political events – including election campaigns.
The police have around 600 officers on duty. There are 450 paramedics and 55 doctors at the Oktoberfest medical station. There are also significantly more than 2,000 stewards at the entrances and in the tents.