MANCHESTER hosted Oktoberfest this month, but it started speculation that the attendees of the event may be coming to exploit the German culture, rather than celebrating it.
The annual event, which is inspired by the yearly Oktoberfest held in Munich, first came to Manchester in 2014.
The celebration seeks to offer the chance to consume authentic German beer and food in a blue and white tent that sheltered up to 2000 people, or an outdoor beer garden.
Marvin, the event planner of Oktoberfest Manchester said: “The people of Manchester are similar to the Germans. They like to sit together, drink and listen to live music.”
He definitely anticipated the popularity of the German sausages, as Brezel, Bratwurst, Schnitzel, Hendl and Schweinebraten were among the options available.
However, it could be argued that the most attendees visit only because it presents the opportunity to day drink with friends and have a good time.
German resident, Theo Karamichalakis, 24, said: “I think Oktoberfest in Manchester, and the UK, is a clever marketing technique.
“I think it is a particularly clever way to commercialise and encourage drinking throughout the festival through the promotion of German beer and culture.”
Oktoberfest was born as a result of celebrating a royal marriage in the form of horse racing. The decision to repeat this annually created the traditional event of Oktoberfest. However, throughout the years, the focus swiftly changed from celebrating marriage, to the celebration of drinking.
Many mancunians took advantage of the opportunity to listen to live music, absorb the fantastic decorations and before long, took to the table tops to dance.
One attendee said: “We have never been to Oktoberfest before, but we thought we would give it a go, we obviously like the beer and the young ladies.”
However, another visitor said: “Well it is to experience the culture of German beer to be honest with you as we have been to a few beer festivals.”
Regardless of their reason for visiting, the event was undoubtedly well received by the visitors, one happy guest said: “We quite like Germany, we also like Lederhosen, and we also love beer so we thought it would be the perfect occasion.”
Manchester is not the only city to embrace this culture either, Oktoberfest events have also taken place in Birmingham, Glasgow, Belfast and London.
Whatever the reason, German culture sure seems to be something that nobody wants to miss out on, and is expected to return to Manchester in 2017.
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