Oktoberfest Opens as Munich Awaits Olympic Decision

Munich Mayor Dominik Krause of the Green Party opened the 191st Oktoberfest at the Theresienwiese, needing just two strikes to tap the first keg in the packed Schottenhamel tent.

The traditional cry of "O'zapft is!" then cleared the way for beer to be served in all the festival tents.

It was the new mayor's first time opening the festival. His predecessors, Dieter Reiter and Christian Ude, usually needed the same number of strikes. The tradition began in 1950, when then Mayor Thomas Wimmer tapped the keg on his 17th attempt. That record remains unbroken.

Before entering the tent, the procession of innkeepers stopped at the memorial to the victims of the 1980 right-wing extremist attack on Oktoberfest. Krause, along with Second Mayor Mona Fuchs and Third Mayor Verena Dietl, paid tribute to the 12 people killed and more than 200 injured.

The first one-liter mug of beer was, as is tradition, presented to Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Soder. He voiced the hope that Munich would be celebrating next year as the confirmed candidate to host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games. The decision on Germany's candidate city is due on 26 September.

(br, bak)