The Oktoberfest Festival 2022 edition was back in Penang recently with people from all walks of life gathering to celebrate the Bavarian festival.

Organised by the Malaysian-German Society here, it is the only Oktoberfest festival being organised in the country this year.

MGS president Wolfgang Mark expressed his excitement to see so many guests turning up to support the event. The first Oktoberfest was held way back in 1972.

“Tonight, we have a special Oom Pah-Pah band flown in directly from Germany to entertain you and to have a great celebration. I would also like to thank our sponsors like Lufthansa and B Braun for their support. Enjoy your evening with friends and family,” he added.

Meanwhile, lending support was Penang Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow who took time off from his busy schedule to attend the celebrations. He expressed his delight to attend the celebrations since the last gathering in 2018.

“Politics aside, I would like to take this opportunity to pause and reflect on how Covid-19 has been a gamechanger in everyone’s lives. Though the magnitude of this unexpected storm may have been different for each of us, no one was left unscathed. 

“I am happy that the Malaysian-German Society in Penang has always been supportive in maintaining the warm friendship and cultural links between our two countries through events like Oktoberfest. I would also like to congratulate the German community in Penang and worldwide for having recently celebrated the Day of German Unity,” said Chow in his address.

Lending support was former Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, German ambassador to Malaysia HE Dr Peter Blomeyer, Honorary Consul of Germany in Penang, Dato Hans Brenner among others.

Guests were also clad in traditional Bavarian outfits to celebrate the occasion. In keeping with German tradition, beer was flowing in giant glasses aong with authentic German dishes.