The statements made by politicians for the second half of the year have raised hopes for more normalcy. But now it is clear: For the second time in a row there will be an autumn without an Oktoberfest.
Munich (dpa) – Many had seen it coming: There will be no Oktoberfest this year because of the corona pandemic.
Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) and Munich’s Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) justified the decision on Monday with the unforeseeable development in the number of infections. The Wiesn had already been canceled in 2020 – for the first time in a good 70 years.
A safe implementation of public festivals with hygienic measures such as masks is not realistic, explained Söder. A later cancellation threatens even greater economic damage. The Oktoberfest, on the other hand, is “one of the biggest, perhaps the biggest calling card” that Bavaria has in the world – and it could be damaged.
Reiter said it wasn’t an easy decision for him personally either. But it doesn’t make sense to wait any longer. In order to be able to celebrate a folk festival, the people must also be able to go there. In addition, there must be a fear-free and safe atmosphere. “A little Wiesn is not possible.”
Showmen and landlords expressed disappointment. For many it is hard to believe that the festival is canceled twice in a row. Last year it was canceled for the first time in a good 70 years – and everyone had set their sights firmly on 2021. Only in the First World War there was no Oktoberfest for a long time: From 1914 to 1918 Munich did not celebrate.
The Oktoberfest should have taken place from September 18 to October 3. Even if many could be vaccinated by then: How about the risk of infection in crowded beer tents and in the crowds of the streets? For example, a test tent in front of the beer tent, a vaccination certificate to reserve, partying at a distance of 1.50 meters or even not having a beer so that the guests don’t forget the rules – that would be hard to imagine.
The Wiesn boss and economic advisor Clemens Baumgärtner (CSU) stood behind the cancellation. The decision was “completely correct – not only out of consideration for the health of the visitors, but also out of consideration for the good reputation of the Munich Oktoberfest as a high-quality, safe festival”. He is now betting on 2022.
“The fact that we haven’t had an Oktoberfest for two years is a severe blow for all of our colleagues – we could never have imagined that it could come like this,” said the spokesman for the Oktoberfest hosts, Peter Inselkammer. Despite all the uncertainty, most of the regular guests, especially from the region, had secured their seats, according to the Inselkammer. 95 percent of them would have ordered their tables as they did in 2019.
“That hits us to the core,” said the chairman of the Munich Showmen Association, Peter Bausch. “We are missing a whole year again.” After all, not only is the Oktoberfest canceled – “but a whole season again”. Statements made by politicians had given rise to hope: “If there is to be normality in autumn, then normality also includes a folk festival,” said Bausch.
Many rides and businesses, like the beer tents, have been in winter storage since the Oktoberfest in 2019. They are only available at the Oktoberfest, for example the legendary variety theater “schichtl ”and the historic crinoline carousel, which turns around with live brass music like a hoop skirt of the ladies of earlier centuries.
The renewed rejection not only affects showmen, innkeepers and stallholders economically, but also hotels, restaurants, taxi drivers and retailers. According to the city, the Oktoberfest 2019 had an economic value of around 1.23 billion euros.
“There are hundreds of millions of euros that visitors bring to the retail tills,” says Bernd Ohlmann, Managing Director of the Bavarian Trade Association. “It’s enormous, what’s attached to it.” The Oktoberfest is “the figurehead for the world shopping city of Munich”. “The Wiesn plays in the same league as FC Bayern and BMW. Those are the three trump cards of the city. “
Söder and Reiter expressed their confidence that the chance of the Oktoberfest next year would be better – and that the failure did not hurt. If there is another Oktoberfest, the Oktoberfest feeling will return immediately, said Reiter. “I am quite sure: If people are allowed to celebrate again, then they will celebrate again.” Söder also said that people were hungry and thirsty for it. However, with a view to possible new mutants, he warned that it was not yet known exactly what would be in the next year. He also believes that “the mask will stay with us” – albeit not as an obligation.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210503-99-450233 / 4
Canceled Oktoberfest according to the city of Munich
