100 years of Oktoberfest
Oct 9th, 2018 by bachmann
When Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese on Oct. 12 1810, the city of Munich celebrated the occasion over 5 days with a combination of horse races, drinking, and feasting. The anniversary celebrations continued each year, with a growing number of participants, activities, and displays, eventually becoming known as Oktoberfest. At the 100th anniversary of Oktoberfest in 1910, a jubilee celebration was organized to be greater and more elaborate than any Oktoberfest before. Festivities included historical exhibitions, costumes, parades, rides, music and plenty of beer. It is estimated that visitors to the 100 year Oktoberfest consumed a record 120,000 litres of beer. It was also at this celebration that the Teufelsrad or “Devil’s wheel” ride was introduced. The ride is comprised of a rotating circular platform upon which riders sit or lie. It begins spinning slowly and increases its speed to make riders slide off the platform. Add 120,000 litres of beer to this human whirligig and you have yourself a brouhaha.
Ernst von Destouches (1843 – 1916), an archivist, city chronicler, and historian, was a key organizer of the 100 year celebration and created a set of festival anniversary publications. The publication appeared in 1910 in two editions: “a particularly detailed and beautifully made secular edition, of which only a few copies were distributed to select individuals, and a greatly streamlined popular edition published for the masses”. Some of the illustrations were done by Paul Neu, a local artist who provided significant works for the Oktoberfest exhibition grounds in Munich.
- Description:
- Destouches, Ernst von 1843-1916 author. Jahrhundertfeier des Münchener Oktoberfestes (Zentral-Landwirtschafts-Festes) Gedenkbuch. München : J. Lindauersche Buchhandlung (Schöpping), 1912.
- Persistent Link:
- http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:FHCL:30021415
- Repository:
- Widener Library
- Institution:
- Harvard University
- Description:
- Destouches, Ernst von 1843-1916 author. Münchener Oktoberfest (Zentral-Landwirtschafts-Fest) 1810-1910 Gedenkbuch zur Hundertjahrfeier unter Mitwirkung bayerischer Schriftsteller. München : J. Lindauersche Buchhandlung (Schöpping), 1910.
- Persistent Link:
- http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:FHCL:28058662
- Repository:
- Widener Library
- Institution:
- Harvard University