The legendary Oktoberfest is back in the spotlight, but this time it’s not because of its tastiest beers and Bavarian traditions. A member of the royal family, Prince Luitpold Rupprecht Heinrich of Bavaria expressed his concern about the degradation of the festival, and this could not go unnoticed.
Oktoberfest: from Bavarian traditions to Chinese carnival
“When I see Chinese-made folk costumes made of plastic, pseudo-costumes with tight sleeves, then it all turns into a carnival. Today we all talk about cultural appropriation. And this is happening to us, Bavarians! According to the British newspaper Dailystar, Prince of Bavaria Luitpold Rupprecht Heinrich attacked the legendary festival with such a comment. He made no secret of his outrage at cheap clothes, busty contestants, and “cultural appropriation” — all of which, in his opinion, tarnished the historical event associated with his family. The festival, which already traditionally serves as a celebration of Bavarian culture, faced challenges that could not be ignored.
“Game of the Bavarians” angered the representative of the famous dynasty. In his opinion, a bow on the head is not a sign of culture. The prince was outraged by the appearance of festival participants in “Chinese-made folk costumes made of plastic, pseudo-costumes with tight sleeves.” According to Heinrich, the festival, instead of spreading Bavarian culture, is now more like an average carnival reduced to simply drinking beer. “There is a problem in this – the loss of cultural and traditional belonging,” the prince said.
Despite protests demanding a return to traditions, young people with glasses of foam in their hands continue to enjoy the festival. Prince Henrik’s criticism has mostly fallen on deaf ears, as the latter appreciate the annual event primarily for the opportunity to have fun and taste a variety of beers.
Festival of change: the history of the holiday of the Germans
As a reminder, Oktoberfest has been held in Munich for over 200 years and attracts tourists from all over the world with its beer stands and national dishes. The festival has its roots in history, which began with the celebration of the wedding of Prince Regent Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Theresa of Saxony-Hildburghausen in 1810. The tradition evolved and eventually became a multi-faceted celebration, including rides, craft fairs, and, of course, Bavarian beer.
But in recent years, it has faced criticism from traditionalists who believe that the festival is no longer what it used to be. In their opinion, the festival turned into a “beer bacchanalia”. Experts linked the deterioration of the celebration to the increase in prices for food and alcohol, which immediately caused dissatisfaction among both residents and tourists. As it turned out, the decision to save on some aspects turned out to be wrong. At the same time, beer at the festival is very expensive for some visitors. Thus, tourist Andrea Kerner shared her experience with the Wall Street Journal: “We don’t know the taste of Bavarian beer because it is too expensive to try it, the chicken that was offered here as a snack is also expensive.” However, despite the sky-high price tags, the younger generation still wants to feel the atmosphere of the festival and get to know Bavarian culture.