Our little terrier taste of Germany
Blue and white tablecloths were sprawled out over long tables. Balloons rose to the sound of vibrant German music. On Sept. 30, the sunset festival at Burwell Cafeteria marked the start of a timeless tradition: Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest is the famous celebration of the marriage of a German prince and princess dating back to 1810, which has crossed the great Atlantic to our Wofford campus. Burwell Staff filled trays with red cabbage, warm schnitzel, and soul-healing strudel. Festivities kicked off around 6:30p.m. as Wofford students and staff alike filled Burwell’s courtyard and dining hall.
As fellow Terriers feasted on the cuisine around decorative cartoon stouts and pretzels, an optisitmical atmosphere filled Wofford’s campus cafeteria.
“It’s a celebration of the wedding. It’s a massive celebration,” said Professor Will, a member of the Wofford German department and Berlin native when interviewed about the purpose of Oktoberfest.
Will also spoke of the energy of the Munich Oktoberfest Festivals: people packed in by the thousands, massive Bravain colored tents holding tens of thousands of people and activities. The vast amounts of food and drinks consumed are astonishing. Millions of liters of beer and wine. Hundred thousands units of pork sausages, chickens, fish, oxen, and other animals. All bringing a rough estimated 6.3 million people together in the name of the joy of German bonds.
“The student body should care about Oktoberfest because it is a highlight of other cultures,” said an anonymous student volunteer at the Oktoberfest event. “Say the 4th of July or Thanksgiving, and all Americans will know what you’re talking about. We, as Americans, also have some expectation that other cultures should know these traditions as well, so, if we expect people from other cultures to know our holidays, then we should know theirs.”
America has one of the most well known cultures throughout the world. Our influence is undeniably vast, yet many Americans never experience other cultures.
Being a part of a Liberal Art campus like Wofford gives students the opportunity to take that first step into other cultures right here on campus. Whether it be from a range of language classes being offered to semesters abroad, Wofford is well equipped to help their students not only see the world but understand it.
Written by Carson Maske, a contributing writer.
