Oktoberfest starts – Söder praises in Lederhosen: Wiesn “simply better” than Berlin – Bavaria

Munich (dpa) – Carefree party atmosphere despite increased security measures: Munich’s Oktoberfest has begun. Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) tapped the first keg of beer with two taps on Saturday at exactly 12:00 noon in the Schottenhamel tent, thus opening what is probably the largest folk festival in the world: “Ozapf is!” He doesn’t dare to take a full risk and “try it with just one tap,” said Reiter. Otherwise he will be to blame in front of the whole world.

According to initial estimates by the festival organizers, a good half a million people came to the Theresienwiese on the first day.

In keeping with tradition, Reiter handed the first freshly tapped liter of beer to Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) so that they could toast a peaceful meadow with him. Söder was particularly talked about because of his new outfit. He had recently grown a beard. And now, for the first time, he was wearing lederhosen at the Oktoberfest tapping ceremony – embroidered Miesbach deerskin trousers, as is traditional in the Alpine foothills.

“I’ve always wanted to have one, but the opportunity never arose,” said the Franconian prime minister, who actually had plenty of opportunities to do so because he attends the Oktoberfest tapping every year. But in the summer he got in touch with someone who makes lederhosen. And he got a pair from him. As for why he wears lederhosen, he said succinctly: “Because they look good.”

For Mayor Reiter, the whole thing was an unusual sight: He was surprised to see the Prime Minister, who usually came to the tapping ceremony in black trousers, like this. “But it suits him.”

Söder also made an allusion to the decision made a few days ago that Friedrich Merz would be the Union’s candidate for chancellor: “Berlin or the Oktoberfest – the Oktoberfest is simply better.”

Weather: sunny and dry

With autumnal mild temperatures and sunshine, the Wiesn hosts drove to the festival grounds in festively decorated carriages. The forecasts for the first Wiesn weekend look good – at least on Sunday it will stay around 20 degrees. After that it will get cooler again – and rain too.

The first Oktoberfest fans – mostly in dirndls and lederhosen – were already waiting at the entrances for the festival grounds to open early in the morning. When the gates opened at around 9 a.m., hundreds of people rushed towards the festival tents to get a good spot. The crowds were enormous – no doubt also because of the sunny weather.

Open detailed view

The police in Munich were satisfied with the start. “It remained relatively quiet until the afternoon,” said a spokeswoman.

As is tradition, a number of celebrities also attended the tapping, including Florian Silbereisen, DJ Ötzi, Franz Herzog von Bayern, Carolin Reiber and the actresses Michaela May and Jutta Speidel, who took happy selfies together. Former Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller was also there, as was comedian Michael Mittermeier and “Tatort” detective Udo Wachtveitl.

Open detailed view

Around six million visitors are expected at the Oktoberfest by October 6. Last year, the festival, which was extended to 18 days, attracted 7.2 million guests – according to the count by the city of Munich, the organizer, more than ever since statistics began in 1980.

Two and a half hours after the tapping and the start of serving, the first so-called beer victim landed at the Wiesn medical station. At 2:31 p.m., a 24-year-old visitor from the USA was brought in with the tragedy, reported Michel Belcijan, operations manager of the Aicher Ambulance.

Increased security measures

The Oktoberfest started under tightened security measures. As a consequence of the presumably Islamist-motivated attacks in Solingen and Munich, controls at the entrances will be intensified for the festival days, including the use of hand-held metal detectors for the first time. Around 600 police officers will be on duty over the 16 days of the festival. There will also be thousands of stewards. 1,200 to 1,500 are deployed by the city alone.

Checks at the entrances and a high police presence have long been part of the sophisticated security concept, as has a ban on large bags, knives and glass bottles. There are also bans on flying drones over the site. Video cameras help to monitor the site.

Beer more expensive, drinking water free

Beer is once again becoming more expensive. The unit of measurement costs between 13.60 and 15.30 euros. Table water costs an average of over ten euros per liter. Since last year, there has been free drinking water at fountains on the festival grounds. The traditional Oide Wiesn takes place in the southern part of the Theresienwiese with brass music, folk dancing and historical rides.

Tragic accident

The construction of the festival was overshadowed by a fatal industrial accident. A 20-year-old worker was hit by a train during a test ride on the famous Olympia Looping roller coaster and died in hospital. The coaster was due to open on Saturday after the TÜV approval.

At the start of the Oktoberfest, everything was dominated by the party atmosphere. Apparently, a particularly large number of guests from abroad came to the Bavarian capital for the Oktoberfest opening. Wiesn boss Clemens Baumgärtner said: “People are happy, people are relaxed.”

Open detailed view

The scandal artist Jonathan Meese also saw it that way: “It is a total work of art,” the 54-year-old described the Oktoberfest. “There is no ideology here, it is just a celebration – with love.” And: “The Wiesn is the mother of all festivals.”

© dpa-infocom, dpa:240921-930-239066/5