RHEAULNE@muohio.edu
Beer, food and culture
This is a map of Germany. Munich, where Oktoberfest takes place is loacted, Munich is in the Southern part of Germany.
Abstract
Oktoberfest is a celebration that is now celebrated in September, because the cool Bavarian October winds from the Alps can cause cold conditions and sometimes even some early snow. The 16-day Festival always starts on a Saturday in September and ends on the 1st Sunday in October. It is located in Munich , Germany on the “Theresienwiese" fields. There are many beer tents, where beer maidens serve the beer by the liter. Over time certain rituals evolve which are followed from year to year. This is the worlds largest festival is attended by people from all over the world.
This is
a photo of the typical night time scence of Oktoberfest. http://www.muenchen.de/Tourismus/Oktoberfest/History/7552/index.htm This is
a picture of a typical beer tent in Oktoberfest. http://www.bavaria.com/oktoberfest/impressions.html
Introduction
Oktoberfest is an important cultural festival that allows the people of Germany to come together and celebrate old and new traditions of Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest has been celebrated since 1810 and although it has changed immensely over the years it is still a well-known and well-attended celebration. To many Oktoberfest is thought of as a huge celebration with good food and a fair amount of beer, to others it is a celebration of the marriage of two people. Whatever it may be it's a celebration where people have a great time. Oktoberfest is more then a celebration, it is an enormous, culturally educational event through social and communal gatherings that is important to the city of Munchen , Germany . People come to this celebration in order to forget their worries for a brief moment and enjoy the diverse people around them.
Context of Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest takes place in M?nchen , Germany (also known as Munich ). Munchen is a large city in the state of Bavaria . The city population is about 1,400,000 people. The total area of the city is 119.9 square miles. (The Munich ) The climate of Munchen , Germany this time of year is usually either low sixties or mid fifties. It rains there often but not all the time. (The Munich ).
“Henry the Lion” founded Munchen in 1158. Henry was the duke of Saxony and also the Duke of Bavaria. Later on in 1255 Bavaria was chosen to be the home of the Wittlesbach family. The Wittlesbach family were the dukes of Bavaria . During the Thirty Year War in 1632, Munchen was then taken over by Gustavus II of Sweden (Munchen De). Finally, in 1806 the city was made capital of the empire of Bavaria . In 1825 through the three kings Lois I, Maximilian II and Louis II, Munchen was able to become a cultural and artistic center; they changed the stance of Munchen and made it a balanced place to live. After World War I the city of Munchen was under a considerable amount of political danger. On November 8, 1923 National Socialism was founded in Munchen, Adolf Hitler made Munchen his headquarters for his Nazi party, which later took control of the German government in 1933. During World War II Munchen was greatly destroyed but in 1945 it was rehabilitated and several contemporary buildings were constructed. Now Munchen is the home of Oktoberfest where many people come to enjoy a good time, with an abundance of beer and food (Munchen De).
Origins of Oktoberfest
The earliest documentation of Oktoberfest began on October 12, 1810. On this date the King; King Ludwig the first of Bavaria decided to celebrate his marriage to Therese of Saxonie. They wanted this to be a huge royal event that all of the city could join in on. The celebration took place on Theresienwiese also known as “Theresa's fields” today. Originally the celebration was meant to be just a simple horse race event but the Bavarian nature quickly took over and it became a happy gathering of cheerful beer drinkers. Horse races in the presence of the Royal Family marked the close of the event that was celebrated as a festival for all of Bavaria . The decision to repeat the horse races in the subsequent year gave rise to the tradition of the Oktoberfest. The horse races however are not held anymore. This festival is titled Oktoberfest because it takes place in October. This is a significant festival that celebrates the marriage of two important people from Munich . Oktoberfest goes on for sixteen days beginning at the end of September lasting until the first Sunday of October. Now Oktoberfest is overflowing with numerous tents packed with food, loads of beer, a carousel and many other little rides. Originally Oktoberfest was just for the people of Munchen but now it attracts people from all over the world. This is a large public event that brings people together as one. Figure 1 displays the carousel and the mass amount that attend Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is such a popular and well-known festival, we have many American versions of Oktoberfest that try to emulate to this huge celebration.
Performance
The observable elements of the celebration of Oktoberfest are the attractions. Oktoberfest is known for its abundances of beer tents and the amount of food it has each year. The Beer Tents consist of Munich 's largest and most traditional breweries that are involved in Oktoberfest. There are over fourteen beer tents scattered all over Theresienwiese fields today. People at Oktoberfest drink beer by the liter; eat traditional Bavarian food such as pretzels with a diameter of 15 inches (Felitta 17). Listen to live brass bands playing traditional Bavarian music as well as more up-to-date music, and enjoy hundreds of other people from all over the world, dancing and singing. . Crowds are entertained on the second day of Oktoberfest with a parade called the Trachtenfest (celebration of traditional costumes). German and other groups from Europe march down the streets of Munich in traditional, native attire. German men wear Lederhosen - leather shorts usually worn with suspenders, white shirts and knee-high stockings. German women are often dressed in the colorful Dirndl (flowery folk dresses). The many bands provide the music for the folk dances, which are performed by international groups. This parade gives an insight into the diversity of customs rooted into the heart of Bavaria , Swabia, Franconia, and the other states of Germany and in the neighboring European countries (Shemanski 265). It reveals the differences that are among the people of Germany . This parade demonstrates that many different cultures are still alive in Germany today. There are many different regional costumes and groups of people dressed in historical uniforms. However, the official beginning of Oktoberfest begins with about 1,000 contributors as well as the landlords' families in decorated carriages, the outstanding horse-drawn drays of the Munich breweries, waitresses on decorated floats and all the beer tent bands. Oktoberfest is the biggest festival in the world and attracts the most people around. The elements of this celebration consist of tradition, culture, beer, food and good times.
Artifact
Beer is a very important aspect of Oktoberfest. It is well known for the amount of beer that is consumed over the sixteen day celebration.
http://www.muenchen.de/Tourismus/Oktoberfest/History/7552/index.html
Interpretation
Prognosis for Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is a celebration that is increasing in popularity as the years go on. This year alone 5.9 million people visited this fair and drank about 5.5 million liters of beer, and this was in spite of the bad weather. (Muchen) The lowest number of attendance was the year of 2001 on this was due to the terrorist attacks in the United States . Since then that number of people attending this festivity has risen. I believe that the increase in popularity is due to the fact that people want to become for untied with their country. More than ever everyone has great pride in his or her culture. Oktoberfest is a celebration that brings together the many German cultures and is celebrated together as one. People can get together drink and have a good time. Oktoberfest is a festival that makes people forget about their problems for a little bit. Considering Oktoberfest is the largest festival in the world I do not think it will ever loose its status.
Conclusion
Oktoberfest originated from a small town wedding into the worlds largest festival. This celebration consists of people from all over the world and all over cities or towns from Germany . All these people are coming together and sharing their cultures with one another. This event is both social and public. People from different regions of Germany , Europe and all around the world gather in Munich , Germany and exchange cultures and experiences socially. This event takes place in a field and is open to the public. Through this communal celebration people from all around celebrate their differences and similarities. Whatever it may be Oktoberfest is a celebration where people have a grand time drinking beer and catching up with old and new friends. During Oktoberfest everyone is the same and has the same intention of having an admirable time. Oktoberfest is a celebration filled with diverse cultures, fun times, and countless rousing festivities.
Internet References Cited
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Munchen De: Oktoberfest. Portal München Betriebs-GmbH & Co. KG. September 20,
<2004. http://www.muenchen.de/Tourismus/Oktoberfest/7548/index.html>
This website does not have an author but is a guide on the attractions, facts and information concerning Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest: Fifteen Days of Total Extravaganza. September 20, 2004.
< http://www.bavaria.com/index.html>
This website is committed to solely discussing the events of Oktoberfest and also does not have an author.
Shemanski , Frances
• A Guide to World Fairs and Festivals. Greenwood Press, Westport , CT
Shea, Robert
• Oktoberfest. Germany-Customs, Traditions, Origins of Holidays.
http://www.serve.com/shea/germusa/oktpack.htm
This website was produced by Robert Shea and it has many links pertaining to German customs, traditions and holidays. I found this website to be the more useful.
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The Munich City Guide . Last updated January 14, 2004 <www.perob.com >1995-2004
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This website was a city guide for Munich but gave a very in depth description of Oktoberfest.
Peer-Reviewed References Cited
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Dorson, Richard M.
1982 Material Compenents in Celebration. In Celebration: Studies in Festivity and Ritual. Victor Turner, ed, pp. 33-57. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.
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Felitta, Frank
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1980 Culture and Tradition. Oktoberfest . Avon Publishing c., New York .
Foran, Jill
2002 Oktoberfest. Weigl Publishers, New York .
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Shemanski , Frances
• 1985 A Guide to World Fairs and Festivals. Greenwood Press, Westport , CT
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Spicer, Dorothy.
• 1958 Festivals of Western Europe . H.W. Wilson co., New York .
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Turner, Victor, Edith Turner
1982 Religious Celebrations . In Celebration: Studies in Festivity and Ritual. Victor Tuner, ed, pp 201-219. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.