Oktoberfest goes back to the roots for 200th anniversary

Alongside the copious amounts of beer and traditional food, Oktoberfest this year will offer several historical attractions to mark two centuries of epic partying.

“It is important for us to remember its origins,” said Munich Mayor Christian Ude this week.

Organisers hope to remind visitors that Oktoberfest was first held in 1810 to celebrate the wedding of Bavaria’s Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The area where Oktoberfest has been held since, the Theresienwiese, was named in the bride’s honour.

This year part of the field will be transformed into a historic festival, with old carousels, special beer and other attractions. Though the regular raucous party runs from September 18 until October 4, the historical area will open one day early for the special anniversary.

“It will be a trip back in time to the beginnings of Oktoberfest,” said organiser Gabriele Weishäuptl.

To conclude this year’s special celebrations, Mayor Ude will marry three couples from the states of Bavaria and Saxony on the actual anniversary of the royal wedding on October 12.