Albert Einstein was there fitting light bulbs to the outside of a tent as a teenager, and, something I find totally off putting, each of the over 100 oxen that are roasted during the festival has a name. Some rather different facts about the Munich Oktoberfest, that always begins on the third Saturday in September, and which are covered by this week’s German Culture article.

Oktoberfest in Munich, 15 Fast Facts
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art172890.asp



At the same time it is the peak of the grape harvesting season in Germany, with wine festivals and various long held traditions taking in place in the wine producing areas.

German Wine and Vineyards
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art17362.asp

Mark Twain wrote in ‘A Tramp Abroad’, ‘The Germans are exceedingly fond of Rhine wines; they are put up in tall, slender bottles, and are considered a pleasant beverage. One tells them from vinegar by the label’. Well it might have been true then, but it isn’t any longer, the German vintners have returned to quality not quantity.



germanculture.bellaonline.com has more articles covering life and living in Germany, and a forum:

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=247

So if you have any comments, ideas for topics you would like featured, or questions do send them in, either via email or the forum.





Francine McKenna, German Culture Editor
http://germanculture.bellaonline.com