Following in the spirit of Munich, Taipei's first Oktoberfest took place yesterday at the Taipei European School (TES) in Shihlin.
Munich's Oktoberfest -- known to Germans as "Wiesn" -- is the largest beer festival in the world, where millions of visitors imbibe 5 million liters of it while scarfing 200,000 wieners, or sausages.
Less modest in size, but comparable in spirit, the TES' Oktoberfest provided authentic German offerings of sausages, sauerkraut and pretzels, while featuring Bavarian music and student performances, including the TES jazz band.
"This is an opportunity for the European community in Taiwan to gather together. It is not only a German event, but an event for all of the students and families at our school," said John Nixon, chief executive officer of TES.
In addition, TES hopes to expand and share international culture with the Taiwanese community, said Patricia Tseng (
TES, composed of German, British and French schools, is currently expanding its campus and plans to raise funds and cultural awareness through the Oktoberfest, Nixon said.
The TES Oktoberfest, corresponding with the beginning of the academic year so as to welcome new families at the school, was a rare sight in Taipei, with beer tents, sausage stands and families representing numerous European countries.
Sponsors of the event included European companies such as Audi, Carrefour, Cottingham and Siemens, as well as German restaurants in Taipei.
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