Octoberfest 2013

Christian Ude and Horst Seehofer saying 'Prost' to one another

On Saturday, 21 September, the world's biggest annual beer fest began in Germany for the 180th time. As tradition demands, the Oktoberfest was launched punctually at 12.00 noon when the mayor of Munich, Christian Ude, tapped the first barrel and pulled the first Maß (1 litre jug) of beer for a very happy Horst Seehofer - who won last week's Bavarian elections with an absolute majority for his party CSU and will be able to enjoy another four year as minister president - with the honour of drinking the first jug of the Oktoberfest.

Over the next two weeks, more than 6 million people are expected to come to the 'Wies'n' to drink beer, and eat Hax'n and sausages, dance in the massive tents to brass bands or disco pop, go on the many rides and buy gingerbread hearts as souvenirs. 

Many of the visitors enter the Bavarian spirit and wear traditional Dirndl or Lederhosen. 



Have a look at lots of pictures and some discriptions in German by following these links:

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/oktoberfest-2013-beginnt-zelte-schon-ueberfuellt-fotostrecke-101713.html

http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/dirndl-und-lederhose-so-sexy-ist-das-oktoberfest-fotostrecke-101725-5.html


Go to www.oktoberfest.de

and see live action via webcams, such as the ferris wheel
http://www.oktoberfest.de/de/webcam/live/riesenrad/

or have a look at the souvenirs - mainly huge beer jigs or Lederhosen....
 http://www.oktoberfest.de/de/ressort/Fotos/