Come this time of the year, Munich plunges itself into Oktoberfest. And in Delhi too, after more than 200 years of the popular Munich Oktoberfest, one got a chance this year to see an authentic version of the annual beer fest with most of the ingredients brought from Bavaria. Hosted on the German National Day (October 4) by Ambassador Michael Steiner and his wife Eliese, the fest, held at the lawns of the German Residence, witnessed more than 2000 guests taking part.
According to a press note from the German embassy, for the first time, an authentic version of the festival was rolled out in the city by bringing the original Oktoberfest beer brewed in Munich, the brass band Dellnhauser from the Bavarian village Pfaffenhofen, the Bavarian waitresses in their dirndls, the beer benches and beer tables besides the original Guild Tree and the wheat beer serving robot.
Welcoming those present, Ambassador Steiner said, “After 203 years, we thought it was high time that the Munich Oktoberfest comes to Delhi. So, tonight Munich comes to Delhi. As we speak, the Oktoberfest in Munich is on — 6,000 kilometres away. But tonight, the real Oktoberfest is here, in Delhi: We have the original music. We have the original beer, specially brewed only for the Oktoberfest. We have the authentic food. We have the Bavarian waitresses. And we have the traditional Guild Tree. It displays the traditional manufacturing professions. In other words: pure vocational training — the secret of economic success.”
To host such a festival, he said, “Of course you need sponsors. But we have allowed only Bavarian companies to sponsor.”
He also said, “Today, with this Oktoberfest, we want to celebrate our German National Day — 23 years of German reunification.Today, universities in Dresden and Leipzig — former East — are as attractive for students as universities in Bonn or Frankfurt — former West of Germany. Holidays at the Baltic Sea are as popular as holidays in the Black Forest. And yes, 11 days after our last national elections, much is still unresolved. But one thing is clear: both top positions in Germany — President and Chancellor — are and will be held by East Germans. Which is not an issue at all in Germany. And that is a good sign.”