KAHEE NEPHIL G.

DHAKAL
PROPOSED CASE STUDY: Oktoberfest
MODULE 2/CONTESTED MEMORY

Oktoberfest: A Beer Lover’s Paradise, But at What Cost?

Oktoberfest is a widely known festival for beer lovers. Although originating in Munich,
Germany, it is celebrated in different parts of the world. Its origins can be traced to 1810, as a
celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) to Princess Therese of
Saxony-Hildburghausen. The celebration included a horse race and festivities (Oktoberfest.de). This
year, the 188th Oktoberfest will be held from September 16 to October 3, 2023. Held in Munich,
Germany, the celebration includes the entry of the Oktoberfest patrons, traditional costume and
hunter's parade, Oktoberfest church service in the Marstall, Concert of the tent bands, and Gun salute
at the end of the Oktoberfest (Oktoberfest.de). Oktoberfest claimed that in 2022, 5.7 million visitors
attended the festival. The festival greatly contributes to the economy of Munich and Germany as a
whole.

The Oktoberfest can be linked to Module 2, Contested Memory : European Heritage with
Contested History and Authenticity, specifically as a case study under Nostalgic Traditions. Despite
the festival being generally well-loved, it has raised several controversies and concerns, especially on
its modern implications and practice. The first and most obvious controversy comes from the
excessive drinking culture that surrounds this festival. This can also lead to drunk driving, rowdy
crowds, and hospitalization due to alcohol poisoning. In 2013, it was reported that a hospital had to
treat Oktoberfest drinkers every 10 minutes (Local, 2013). Another concern linked to the festival puts
a specific demographic at risk — females, who are more exposed to sexual harassment in Oktoberfest.
“A week into the 186th Oktoberfest, Munich police reported 25 cases of sexual assault, including
three rapes” (Dirmaier, 2019). Furthermore, some also believe that the festival perpetuates gender
stereotypes because of how it is mostly women in Bavarian costumes who serve beer to men and the
attendees. This aspect is interesting especially in a gender progressive country such as Germany.
Securing the sixth spot in the Global Gender Gap rankings, one would expect that Oktoberfest would
be a safer place for women and rid from objectification and stereotypes (Silk, 2023). However, it is
important to note that some Western feminist perspectives encourage women to embrace their bodies
and their sexuality, which is why revealing outfits may not be a huge issue for some Germans. Some
also expressed that the Bavarian costumes currently being worn by women visitors do not reflect the
original Bavarian costumes. Instead, women visitors wear the Bavarian Dirndl dress “featuring
low-cut necklines and short skirts” (Parr, 2018). Prince of Bavaria Luitpold Rupprecht Heinrich
himself, blasted Oktoberfest as a site of cultural appropriation, claiming that authentic Bavarian
culture and tradition is lost in the current practice of Oktoberfest (McEntyre, 2023). The general
opinion, such as that of Ina Verstl, a Munich local, is that the wearing of dirndls is appreciated and is
KAHEE NEPHIL G. DHAKAL
PROPOSED CASE STUDY: Oktoberfest
MODULE 2/CONTESTED MEMORY
even the dress code of Oktoberfest. She even goes as far as to say that “throughout history dirndls
have always been cut such that they draw attention to certain parts of the feminine physiology”
(2018).

Oktoberfest is a good example of Contested Memory because it shows how a festival that
originally had a different meaning and purpose, can shift into an international event which may not
necessarily represent its original purposes. Nostalgic traditions are often linked to commercialization
and tourism, as they can attract visitors interested in experiencing the past or a sense of nostalgia. This
tourism can contribute to the preservation and commercialization of cultural heritage, even when it
sometimes raises questions about the authenticity of the experience. There is no doubt that
Oktoberfest is linked to commercialization and tourism. Its economic impact on Munich and Germany
is extremely significant with visitors spending 442 million euros on beer in 2014, and non-locals
spending a total of 790 million euros on other expenses such as taxis, accommodation, shopping, etc.
(Munich City Department of Labor and Employment, 2019). Nostalgic traditions also play a crucial
role in fostering a sense of cultural heritage, creating a connection to the past that reinforces a shared
historical narrative and a feeling of belonging to a specific cultural or regional legacy. Often, these
traditions involve the idealization or romanticization of a particular historical period, event, or cultural
practice. In 2019, 80% of Oktoberfest visitors were repeat visitors (Munich City Department of Labor
and Employment, 2019). Some also recall visiting Oktoberfest with their families when they were
younger, and look forward to doing so in the future. This solidifies Oktoberfest as a nostalgic tradition
for many. Individuals, such as Oktoberfest visitors, then tend to perceive the past through a lens of
nostalgia, highlighting its positive aspects while often overlooking or downplaying its negative facets.

This paper explored Oktoberfest's intricacies, from its historical origins to the controversies
surrounding its modern manifestations, and as a case study of Nostalgic Traditions. The tension then
lies between preserving cultural heritage and adapting to contemporary practices. Oktoberfest
authorities and German cultural institutions need to strike the perfect balance to adapt to the changing
times while still maintaining cultural authenticity. The festival, undeniably a beer lover's paradise, has
faced criticism and challenges. While acknowledging these concerns, it's crucial to recognize that
Oktoberfest remains an enduring symbol of tradition. Its popularity, transcending borders and
cultures, attests to the festival's ability to bring people together in the spirit of shared enjoyment and
love for beer. Therefore, if Oktoberfest can adapt and change from its origins as a marriage
celebration to what it is now, the festival can also change to be safer for its attendees, and more
respectful and more representative of authentic Bavarian culture.
KAHEE NEPHIL G. DHAKAL
PROPOSED CASE STUDY: Oktoberfest
MODULE 2/CONTESTED MEMORY

References

Dirmaier, V. (2019, October 5). Dark side of Oktoberfest. dw.com.

https://www.dw.com/en/the-dark-side-of-oktoberfest/a-50681239

Local. (2013, October 4). Oktoberfest drinkers treated every 10 minutes. The Local Germany.

https://www.thelocal.de/20131004/52237

McEntyre, N. (2023, September 22). Prince of Bavaria bashes Oktoberfest as “cultural

appropriation” that’s devolved into “wearing a costume to get drunk in.” New York

Post.

https://nypost.com/2023/09/22/oktoberfest-costumes-blasted-by-prince-of-bavaria-luit

pold-rupprecht-heinrich-ascultural-appropriation/

Munich City Department of Labor and Employment. (2019, July 30). A business perspective:

The economic impact of the Oktoberfest [Press release].

https://stadt.muenchen.de/dam/jcr:69eb7f8a-849a-4605-b285-dfb6dd3d887a/W14_Ok

toberfestBusiness2019.pdf

Parr, J. (2018, September 14). Oktoberfest costumes court controversy. Party Worldwide.

https://partyworldwide.net/oktoberfest-costumes-court-controversy/

Oktoberfest.de (2022, March 10). The history of Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest.de.

https://www.oktoberfest.de/en/magazine/tradition/the-history-of-oktoberfest

Oktoberfest.de (2022, April 15). FAQs for Wiesn visitors. oktoberfest.de.

https://www.oktoberfest.de/en/information/service-for-visitors/faqs-for-wiesn-visitors

Silk, J. (2023, June 23). Germany up to 6th in gender equality list, Iceland stays top. dw.com.

https://www.dw.com/en/germany-up-to-6th-in-gender-equality-list-iceland-stays-top/a

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KAHEE NEPHIL G. DHAKAL
PROPOSED CASE STUDY: Oktoberfest
MODULE 2/CONTESTED MEMORY
Verstl, I. (2018, September 28). “Cultural appropriation”: Is it ok for visitors to wear a

dirndl at the Octoberfest? BRAUWELT.

https://brauwelt.com/en/international-report/europe-russia/621369-cultural-appropriati

on-is-it-ok-for-visitors-to-wear-a-dirndl-at-the-octoberfest