Apr 9, 2014

Posted by in Bavaria, Oktoberfest | Comments Off on Less than six months until the 2014 Oktoberfest!

Less than six months until the 2014 Oktoberfest!

Less than six months until the 2014 Oktoberfest!

How, you might think that writing about the Oktoberfest in April is about as informative as writing about Christmas in summer. After all, the Oktoberfest doesn’t even start until 20th September – i.e. in 163 (count ‘em!) days. At the same time, there is actually some interesting stuff to be said about the 2014 Oktoberfest even at this early stage, especially now that the “half-time interlude” for fans of Bavarian clothing that is the Starkbierfest/Strong Beer Festival is over.

2014 poster prize-winner crowned

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This year’s official Oktoberfest poster (c) Oktoberfest.de

For a start, a few days ago the official poster for the Oktoberfest 2014, designed by an artist named Christa Bichlmeier, was revealed after the annual contest. Contest? That’s right: since 1952, the city of Munich has selected the annual poster for its most famous festival by way of a competition. This year, there were 22 entries, with the winning design now set to grace 10,000 posters, 100,000 prospects, and countless souvenirs from tankards to hoodies.

So here it is, the poster for 2014 and two runners up. And while we are actually quite fond of number two’s complimentary colours and beautiful Munich silhouette, as Bavarian costume enthusiasts, we simply have to agree with the jury’s choice of the lederhosen and dirndl wearing couple as this year’s winners – regardless of what we might think of the colours: a dirndl in red, orange, green, and purple? Really? But, well, that’s artistic licence for you.

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Hippodrom head hit

On that matter: it would seem that one of the Wiesn landlords, a certain Herr Sepp Krätz, has been exercising some “artistic licence” in how he booked cash from his tills as income. That, in any case, is the gist of a his conviction for tax fraud last week. Krätz, who has been running the Hippodrom tent for years, now faces a suspended two-year prison sentence and a pretty hefty fine.

The thing that is likely to hurt the most, though, is that the new Munich mayor, Dieter Reiter, has refused to support his application to run an Oktoberfest tent this year. Application? No, we didn’t know either, but the Wiesn landlords, no matter how long they’ve had their tents for, need to reapply for an Oktoberfest licence every year – and Krätz’ support has melted away in view of very public disgrace.

So what’s going to happen to the Hippodrom, then? At the moment, it’s very difficult to say, except that there will be no shortage of applications to run it. An awful lot depends on what the committee that confers licences wants for the tent: if they want it to stay as it is, they’ll chose a landlord who lures in celebrities with a champagne bar; if they want it to change direction, then they’ll be looking for someone who’s more into beer and pork. As Oktoberfest-goers, we will be keeping a close eye on developments and will let you know about them as soon as we do: the decision has been set for 28th April, by the way.

Which just goes to show: even in April, there’s plenty to write about the Oktoberfest!

 

All poster graphics courtesy and copyright of Oktoberfest.de

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