Charlotte Walters '24 | Oktoberfest Canceled for Second Year in a Row

DW

    For the second consecutive year, Germany’s Oktoberfest will be canceled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The 2021 Oktoberfest was scheduled to take place September 18 to October 3rd in Munich. Bavarian state Premier Markus Söder and Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter jointly made the decision because of the risks associated with the global nature of the festival that usually attracts around 6 million visitors. Markus Söder noted that the decision was finalized “with a heavy heart” but was necessary because “social distancing, masks, and other measures are practically impossible to implement” in the beer tents that are tradition to Oktoberfest. The cancellation will have economic implications affecting the people who work there with significant loss for the local economy. However, Söder noted that cancellation of the festival at a later date would have resulted in a greater economic loss.

Dubai is reportedly planning an alternative version of Oktoberfest to take place this fall. This is being organized separately from the Munich Oktoberfest, but appears to mirror the traditions and activities. Despite this, the city of Munich has noted that the two events are not affiliated. 

Oktoberfest has been canceled multiple times throughout history prior to the coronavirus pandemic. In 1813, four years after the first ever Oktoberfest, the event had to be cancelled due to conflict in Bavaria during the Napoleonic Wars. The Covid-19 pandemic also does not represent the first time disease impacted Oktoberfest. A cholera epidemic in 1814 that killed thousands prevented the festivities from occurring. Disease and conflict have repeatedly been the culprit for Oktoberfest’s cancellation. The celebration did not occur in 1866 when Bavaria was engaged in the Austro-Prussian War and again in 1867 when cholera reappeared. Additionally, World War I halted Oktoberfest from 1914 to 1917. Consequently, inflation after the war led to Oktoberfest being cancelled amid financial troubles. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, World War II marked the last cancellation of the festival from 1946 to 1948. 

While the 2021 cancellation is disappointing, officials are confident that the decision was correct to protect the health of the public and reputation of Oktoberfest amid uncertainty. However, with positive direction of vaccination rates as the world returns back to a new normal, there is lots of hope for Oktoberfest 2022!