On 1 September 2010, multinational community of the Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE) joined in the annual celebration of Oktoberfest in Baltic Barracks, which coincided with the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest organised originally in Bavaria, Germany.
Even though Oktoberfest in Baltic Barracks is not organised on such a grand scale like in Bavaria, it involves a great deal of preparations. Some people need to decorate the gym in white and blue – the colours of Bavaria, others need to make sure traditional snacks and original Bavarian beer will be there, someone has to take care of the music to make the whole evening special. A master of the ceremony needs to be chosen, too. Last but not least, everyone needs to get dressed: Bavarian style preferable!
Three ladies, who do not come from Bavaria but rather northern parts of Germany, stepped into the breach and put on Bavarian clothes to put in a Bavarian mood. Susanne Altendorf, Kerstyn Behrenz and Christina Stolp spent the Friday afternoon together getting ready for the evening Oktoberfest. There was time for chit-chats, choosing the right dress, putting on the make-up or even practicing Bavarian dialect. Everything was done with the real women’s charm…
As a matter of fact, all guests had to prepare themselves for Oktoberfest properly. The Corps’ Commander Lieutenant General Rainer Korff and Lieutenant Colonel Siegmar Plonka took on their shoulders a challenging task to teach the guests some Bavarian vocabulary. And it was not about “O’ zapft is”, which is known to everybody. It was about individual items of Bavarian clothing like “Dirndl” or “Lederhose” as well as snacks like “Bratwurst” or “Brenz”. However, they focused on the most difficult expression: “Hola Rei Duli Jö”. Fortunately, all guests passed the vocabulary test with ease.
O’ zapft is!
The German Senior National Officer Colonel Norbert Hanisch welcomed all Headquarters’ members, their families and friends as well as honourable guests, including Honorary Consuls of Estonia, Germany and Lithuania, and Commander of the Command Support Brigade wishing everybody an enjoyable evening. However, Oktoberfest could not really start without tapping the first barrel of beer. This honour was given to the Honorary Consul of Germany Mr Bartłomiej Sochański, who was assisted by the Corps’ Commander Lieutenant General Rainer Korff. As soon as the barrel was tapped and “O’ zapft is” resounded through the air, Oktoberfest 2010 in Baltic Barracks was inaugurated!
Oktoberfest is for sure one of most favourite events in the Headquarters’ calendar. It is an excellent opportunity to integrate the whole community of Baltic Barracks and spend a nice evening together. With delicious beer, tasty food and snacks, live music played by IV German Air Force Music Band from Berlin and a soloist as well as funny competitions such as holding a heavy mug full of beer, all participants enjoyed Oktoberfest till late evening hours.
