German Oktoberfest cancelled again due to COVID, Germans sad but understanding

Record ID: 1614415

  • Title: German Oktoberfest cancelled again due to COVID, Germans sad but understanding
  • Date: 3rd May 2021
  • Summary: MUNICH, GERMANY (MAY 3, 2021) (REUTERS) MUNICH FRAUENKIRCHE TOWERS VARIOUS OF MUNICH MARIENPLATZ (SOUNDBITE) (German) SPOKESMAN OF MUNICH OKTOBERFEST TENT BARTENDERS (WIESNWIRTE), PETER INSELKAMMER, SAYING: "Of course I am disappointed even we were pretty much expecting it. But when you think about the fact that the Wiesn is not happening again it dies hurt my heart, and we are traders and we want to do stuff and now there is no Wiesn so we are pretty disappointed." VARIOUS OF STATUES OF BEER DRINKERS IN SOUVENIR SHOP WINDOW (SOUNDBITE) (German) SPOKESMAN OF MUNICH OKTOBERFEST TENT BARTENDERS (WIESNWIRTE), PETER INSELKAMMER, SAYING: "I have put all my hopes on the whole of 2022! and maybe a bit of this year, maybe we can still get some good business going in the restaurants and hotels in summer and winter if the tourists come back to town. So it might start then already and that 2022 will be right up there again. This would be very important for us of us to know that we can get working again and do what we love to do. This is my biggest hope and I think it will go that way." VARIOUS OF SOUVENIR STAND (SOUNDBITE) (German) PASSER-BY, THOMAS MOLLNER, SAYING: "It will be missed, but what can you do. The situation is such that we can't all get together to celebrate." (SOUNDBITE) (German) PASSER-BY, GÃœNTHER KAESE, SAYING: "As hard as it is, I think it is the right decision, we just have to put an end to this thing." (SOUNDBITE) (German) PASSER-BY, DAGMAR, SAYING: "Thirty years ago I would have missed it, but not now! And I don't think it would have been a good thing. I mean a lot of people come from abroad who may be vaccinated and then you can't check everyone. So better to miss it one more time." (SOUNDBITE) (German) PASSER-BY, ROBERT WIERSTORFF, SAYING: "I won't miss it at all, its just a mass drinking bender, nothing more. I don't need it and in my opinion it can go for good!" (SOUNDBITE) (German) PASSER-BY, ALEXANDER HÖHN, SAYING: "I will miss it, we all like the Wiesn but I do think it's the right decision as we all want to move on I am sure we party properly next year." VARIOUS OF PEDESTRIANS ON STREET
  • Embargoed: 17th May 2021 14:44
  • Keywords: Munich Oktoberfest Soeder beer
  • Location: MUNICH, GERMANY
  • City: MUNICH, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Europe,Health/Medicine
  • Reuters ID: LVA002EBEPW07
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:EDIT CONTAINS WHITE FLASHES
    The annual Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival, will not take place for a second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic, the premier of the southern German state of Bavaria said on Monday (May 3).
    The Oktoberfest attracts around 6 million visitors to Munich every year, with many travelling from abroad. Revellers sit at long communal tables to swig beer, eat sausages, pretzel or pork knuckle, and listen to oompah bands.
    Munich residents were mostly sad to see another year without the colourful folk festival but were understanding of the measures.
    Bartenders who stand to lose a lot of income from the lack of beer and boozing said they were pinning their hopes on 2022.
    Bavarian premier Markus Soeder told journalists that it was necessary to cancel major events such as the Oktoberfest again this year because they required large financial commitments and the risk was too large given uncertainty over when the pandemic may ease up.
    "Also, in classic beer halls measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing cannot be enforced," Soeder said.
    Germany has vaccinated more than 28% of its population so far. With vaccinations picking up and infections falling, it hopes restrictions that were re-imposed in November and tightened further last week will be lifted soon.
    This year's Oktoberfest was scheduled to take place from Sept. 18 to Oct. 3.
    (Production: Ayhan Uyanik, Christine Soukenka, Ute Swart, Tanya Wood)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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