Oktoberfest is annual festival in Munich, Germany, held over a two-week period. The name is a bit misleading, since Oktoberfest actually starts in September and ends on the first Sunday in October (The dates vary by year).
Although it has developed a reputation for indulgence and decadence, it originally had a much more meaningful purpose. On October 12, 1810, the crown prince of Bavaria, later Louis I, married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen and began a fortnight-long celebration called Oktoberfest. The festival, a commemoration of this royal marriage, has continued every year, wile most of the history of the event has been forgotten. This wedding was a Catholic event, and although Oktoberfest is not a Catholic event, it definitely has Catholic roots.
Louis I was a liberal in his youth (therm had a different meaning in those days), so it came as a surprise that, when he ascended to the throne, he opposed the secularisation of the monasteries in his lands and successfully fought the leading minister, Maximilian Montgelas, who had enacted anti-ecclesiastical policies. King Louis I went about restoring several monasteries that had been closed due to the efforts of Maximilian Montgelas.
A large part of the efforts of King Louis I included becoming a patron of the arts and city planning.
Several important values lie at the core of the festivities: cordiality, or Gemütlichkeit as the Germans call it, and camaraderie.
That is the nature of a celebration, just like the original marriage between the crown prince and princess was encapsulated by days of conviviality, reminding those present that this was an elevation of passionate love to consummate marital fidelity.
Louis I wished to instill a love of beauty, home, and faith amongst his subjects, and Oktoberfest was born as a celebration of his love for his wife.
Since then, of course, Oktoberfest has become celebrated in many countries. Sadly, too few know of its origins. We hope this page helps to tell the story.
The heart of the Oktoberfest are the tents: 17 large tents and 21 small tents. Each tent at the Oktoberfest has its own unique atmosphere, different beers, etc.. Visitors can experience the mixture of Bavarian customs, music, dance, culinary delights and conviviality.
And it’s not just beer….many tents offer various German specialties such as pretzels, sauerkraut, mustard and host of other food offerings.
Also, if you are not there at the time of Oktoberfest, you might want to visit the Hofbräuhaus München, which re-creates that atmosphere on a year-round basis. Yes, we know it is a bit of a tourist trap, but you are a tourist, aren’t you? And it really is a lot of fun.