Munich's Mayor Requires Maximum Support
The Oktoberfest, a world-renowned beer festival held annually in Munich, Germany, is steeped in tradition and history. Here are some fascinating facts that shed light on the origins and evolution of this beloved event.
Georg Kunoth, a journalist and composer from Bremen, not Bavaria, created the iconic Oktoberfest cheer, "Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit." Despite his non-Bavarian roots, Kunoth's cheer has become an integral part of the festival's atmosphere.
Another key element of the Oktoberfest, the "Prosit," was brought to the festival by a Wiesn wirt from Nuremberg, who made it immortal.
The tradition of the Munich Mayor tapping the barrel at Oktoberfest was established by Franz Josef Strauß in 1980. This ritual is considered the most important act by former mayors Dieter Reiter and Christian Ude, who hold the record for the lowest number of strikes during the tapping ceremony, with two each.
The Schottenhamel tent, the oldest on the Wiesn, has been a part of Oktoberfest since 1867. The tradition of the tapping at Schottenhamel was established in 1950 by Munich's then Mayor, Wimmer.
The Hühner- und Entenbraterei Ammer, a smaller Wiesn tent, has been on the festival grounds since 1885 and is celebrating its 140th Oktoberfest this year.
The "Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit" is the only surviving work of Kunoth, the inventor of the cheer. The series "Oktoberfest 1900" provides an insightful portrayal of how the "Prosit" became a part of the Oktoberfest tradition.
The Munich Child, who leads the entrance of Wiesnwirte and the Trachtenumzug on horseback, is currently Franziska Inselkammer.
It's worth noting that the imperative 'gsuffa' is an essential part of the Oktoberfest experience. Grammatically, it's the past participle of 'saufen' (to drink), but in practice, it's an urgent command to clink your beer mug against another and take a deep swig.
Unfortunately, the Oktoberfest has had to take breaks several times in its over 215-year history, with around two dozen cancellations due to wars, diseases, inflation, and the Corona pandemic.
For those who wish to stay updated on all things Oktoberfest, a daily newsletter is available from the Theresienwiese.
Read also:
- Flu Vaccination Timing and Symptoms to Watch Out For
- Executives at Lipton Teas Recognized as Trailblazers in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector by Top Women in Grocery
- "The broadcasting of John Lennon's shows espousing controversial political opinions set off a conflict with the FBI"
- Refining Your Bonsai Presentation: Exploring Selection for Pots, Accessories, and Tools
