Forget cars and precision engineering, Oktoberfest has to be one of Germany’s most enduring German exports. Or at least you’d be forgiven for assuming so, based on the vast crowd of beer swilling Peruvians and ex-pats who celebrate this unlikely version of the event in Lima every year.
Oktoberfest organisers meeting the party goers, Peru. Photograph, Matthew Barker 2009
Never mind that Oktoberfest Peru is many thousand miles from the real thing in Munich, this four day event held around the middle of October each year, is as authentic as it gets. Organized by a group of German expats, the event is estimated to draw around 20,000 revelers and has been supported by one of the biggest breweries in Peru, Cuzqueña, who even bring out a limited edition beer for the party.
Held in the grounds of a Lima stadium and covered by a beer tent the size of a warehouse, the familiar sight of endless rows of tables packed with thousands of party goers, the sounds of live Bavarian folk music and the repeated shouts of “eins, zwei, drei, PROST!”, (one, two, three, CHEERS!) are more than enough to evoke the real thing.
Tradition is the name of the game: traditional food (sausage and sauerkraut), traditional music (yodeling and Alpenhorn) and traditional standing-on-the-table-thigh-slapping dancing. A few devotees even make the effort to come in traditional dress, with Lederhosen and distinctive Dirndl dresses a frequent sight.
How To Catch Oktoberfest On Your Peru Vacations
An Alpenhorn display at Oktoberfest Lima, Peru. Photograph, Matthew Barker 2009
Oktoberfest Peru is held during the middle of the month, starting on Thursday and lasting until Sunday. If you’re a fan of beer and boisterous revelry and find yourself enjoying your Peru vacations at the right time, head over for one of the most unusual displays of cultural fusion in Lima.
Tickets cost 22 soles for general, single night entry, or 84 soles for two people, including two free beers and a plate of sausage and sauerkraut.
The event is staged at the Videna stadium in San Luis district. Expect to pay up to 20 soles for the taxi journey from Lima’s traveler center, Miraflores.
For further details, take a look at the official website: http://www.oktoberfest-peru.com.
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