Oktoberfest! Oktoberfest!
The last days kept me very much busy “celebrating”. One thing, which many of my countrymen living in the Philippines appreciate very much, are the different Oktoberfest possibilities. Sausages, sauerkraut - and, of course beer! Name it, and you will get: many restaurants and hotels offered and are still offering Oktoberfest celebrities or special menus. Last Saturday, for example, we joined the last Oktoberfest day in SWISS DELI here in Davao City. This coming Friday Rotary East Davao is looking for its first very special Oktoberfest. I was appointed to be one of the co-hosts.
Let me explain a little bit about the history of Oktoberfest:
It started with the Royal Wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I and Prince Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on the 12th October 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the happy royal event. The fields have been named “Theresienwiese” (Theresa’s Fields) in honour of the Crown Princess ever since, although the locals have since abbreviated the name simply to the “WIES’N”.
Today the Oktoberfest is the largest festival in the world, with an international flavour characteristic of the 21st century: some 6 million visitors from all around the world converge on the Oktoberfest each year in Munich.
During the last days I always got the same question: Why is Oktoberfest called “Oktober”-fest, when it actually begins already in September? Well, as per historical background, the festivities began on October 12, 1810 and ended October 17. In the following years, the celebrations were repeated, and, later, the festival was prolonged and moved forward to September. By moving the festivities up, it allowed better weather conditions. Because the German September nights were warmer, the visitors were able to enjoy the gardens outside the tents and the stroll over “DE WIESEN” or the fields much longer without feeling chilly.
If you join the Munich Oktoberfest you will find beer prices like 7.50 up to 8 Euros (about up to 480 PHP) for a one litre beer order…
Oktoberfest means a lot of fun, dancing, eating and drinking. Wine, sparkling wine, of course beer AND chicken, pork sausages, and pork knuckles…
Cheers everybody!!!
Klaus: went to the Hofbrau Haus in Hamburg 2 weeks ago when I was there (they have one there too). Sausages and beer are truly the manna of the gods!
I’m behind u Klaus ..hummm
mmmmmm well maybe 8000 miles behind You or 12 hours, so I will be celebrating when it is all done there hee hee Phil R…PS .. I know I know you celebrate all year long hee hee
hi john miele, i really didn’t know about a hofbraeuhaus also in hamburg. yeah, such oktoberfest food and the beer are really ‘manna’. thanks for stopping by - mmh, what i mean THERE and this site… take care.
hi phil r., thanks for being behind me. The distance really doesn’t matter. You are right: we celebrate all year long…
interesting article here Sir! have always wondered about Oktoberfest since it’s very widely celebrated, even in the Philippines.
too bad i don’t drink alcohol. hehehehe…but i would love to see an authentic Oktoberfest one day. 
hope everything’s well at your end Sir! 
Hi Krishna, thanks for stopping by. How is life in Japan? Also oktoberfest??? no problem, if you don’t drink alcohol. Ice Tea will do… You can still enjoy such a party… Stay safe and thanks for dropping by here…
Hi Klaus, shucks! I forgot about this. German friends of ours have taught me how to brew beer, and I’ve been brewing our own. This time, I was too lazy and now we ran out. Actually I don’t drink beer; I am only doing it for my other half.
Cheers, Ellen
Hi ellen, wow, that’s great. your better half is very lucky… CHEERS!!!
Hi Klaus,
Bratwurst, cabbage, beer . . . how I wish we had a group in Butuan that would put on an annual Oktoberfest party! I’ll be in Davao this coming November, so it looks like I’ll miss the celebrations. Too bad.
Thanks for reminding all of us about a truly special celebration that is gaining converts all over the world.
Cheers!
cheers to you my friend
Thanks ATHENA - same to you…
hehehehe…Japan life is kinda hectic Sir. It’s already autumn here and it’s getting colder. My tropical country body is adjusting slowly to the cold though.
I haven’t noticed if they celebrate Oktoberfest here. Hahaha! Yes. When I attend parties I almost always end up drinking iced tea. 
The most important thing is to be there to enjoy with everyone. 
Hope you’re doing well over there Sir. 
Hi Krishna - thanks again for dropping by. Yeah, now you have an idea about Japanese and German climate. It’s almost the same. No problem with ice tea… I am sure, you would also enjoy Oktoberfest this way… Stay safe and let’s keep in touch…