Oktoberfest celebration in Penang

The annual Oktoberfest celebration organised by the Malaysian-German Society (MGS) Penang will be held on Friday, Oct 13 and 14 at their premises.

This year’s festival will also see the introduction of non-alcoholic beer being brought in for the first time. The festival is being held for the 45th time in the island.

“For those who not very familiar to the Oktoberfest, it is more of a harvest festival and marriage festival to celebrate with family, friends and guests.

“It also showcases the customs, traditions and culture of the German people to share joy, meeting and eating along with good friends and company.

“German men will wear the traditional “Lederhosn” which is leather trousers with braces and a white or checked shirt while the ladies will wear the “Dirndl” which means a skirted dress with corsage, a blouse and matching apron,” said Dr Wolfgang Mark, honourary assistant secretary of MGS Penang.

Also present at the press conference was Dr Achim Lauermann, president of MGS Penang and other sponsors of the festival.

“The MGS Penang branch has been in Penang for 55 years and is among the oldest branches in the country,” said Lauremann adding that a traditional Oom Pah Pa German band from Bavaria will be flown in from Germany for the festival.

The two-day festive opening will see uniquely decorated tents, Bavarian brass music, a wide portfolio of very German beer brands, a variety of tasty food, fun games for kids, dancing and entertainment.

Among them will be sausages, sauerkraut, meatloaf and pretzels.

Some 3,000 visitors and tourists are expected to attend the two-day festival which will offer food entertainment, games for both adults and kids.

“The German ambassador to Malaysia, Graf Nikolaus von Lambsdorff will also be attending the festival,” said Mark adding that response has been positive and they are also getting a lot of calls from outstation guests who want to attend the festival.

Tickets for early birds are priced at RM30 while those buying at the entrance will be charged RM35 per person. Call 04-229-6853 for details.