On Saturday, September 16, the world's largest beer festival kicked off in Munich, with the city mayor tapping the first keg at noon. Check out the highlights... 18.09.2017, Sputnik International
On Saturday, September 16, the world's largest beer festival kicked off in Munich, with the city mayor tapping the first keg at noon. Check out the highlights of the opening days of this year’s Oktoberfest in Spunik’s photo gallery.
"O'zapft is!" These are "the magic words" that mark the official start of the annual Oktoberfest extravaganza. Since 1950, the Mayor of Munich has been tasked with the official commencement of the world's largest beer festival, shouting out this traditional phrase in the Bavarian dialect, which can be translated as "It's uncorked!" and means that the celebration has begun!
In 2017, Oktobefest, which kicked off on September 16, is being held for the 184th time in Munich. Photo: Visitors cheer with beer during the opening day of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
The world's largest beer festival will last through October 3, 2017. Photo: Visitors wait in a festival tent prior the official opening of Oktoberfest on September 16, 2017 in Munich, southern Germany.
In accordance with tradition, the festival began with Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter driving the tap into a barrel of freshly brewed Oktoberfest beer. He opened it in two strikes, followed by the traditional cry "O'zapft is!" Photo: A visitor drinks beer during the opening day of Oktoberfest on September 16, 2017.
Bavarian Prime Minister Horst Seehofer received the first one-liter stein of beer. Photo: Visitors ride a swing during the opening day of Oktoberfest on September 16, 2017.
Despite the pouring rain, tens of thousands participated in the commencement of Oktobefest 2017. Photo: Waitresses carry mugs of beer during the opening day of Oktoberfest on September 16, 2017.
In total, the Munich's annual beer festival expects up to six million visitors this year. Photo: Visitors walk inside the Oktoberfest area on the opening day of Oktoberfest on September 16, 2017.
The first Oktoberfest dates back to October 12, 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig (who later became King Ludwig I) celebrated his marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen in Bavaria. Photo: Visitors run to get a spot at the Oktoberfest area after the gates were open at the first day of Oktoberfest on September 16, 2017.
Five days after the marriage, on October 17, a large fest was held at an open space in Munich borough, which later received the name in honor of the bride – Theresienwiese. Now, Theresienwiese serves as the official ground of the Munich Oktoberfest. Photo: A waiter carries mugs of beer during the opening day of the 184th Oktoberfest on September 16, 2017.
A little boy sleeps in his stroller during the traditional costume and riflemen parade during the second day of the 184th Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, on September 17, 2017.
Today, Munich Oktoberfests have become a great tourist attraction and a way for visitors to learn about Bavaria and its people. Photo: A visitor drinks beer during the opening day of Oktoberfest in Munich on September 16, 2017.
The festival starts in September because the weather is milder than that experienced in October. Photo: A young woman reaches for beer during the opening of the Oktoberfest beer on September 16, 2017.
People drink the first mugs of beer after the official opening of the 184th Oktoberfest, Munich's annual beer festival, on September 16, 2017.
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