Metro

Thursday November 5, 2009

Drink, eat, make merry

By MANJIT KAUR


DANCING, drinking, eating and merry making marked the 37th Oktoberfest 2009 in Penang recently.

Over 1,000 people turned up for the annual event at the Malaysian-German Society (MGS) premises in Air Itam on Saturday. Not only the German expatriates supported the event, locals too made the event livelier by participating in several contests.

Nine men went up on the stage without their shirts for the half-yard beer-drinking contest. The cheer they received was overwhelming. Then it was the time for the ladies, minus taking off their tops, who drank beer from the half-yard. They brought the house down.

The men, raising their flute glass victoriously during the half-yard beer contest.

Besides, there were also beer mug carrying, arm wrestling and reddish cutting contests.

The rest of the night it was all music, dance and fun.

Germans and locals joining in the oomph-pah-pah celebration at the Octoberfest 2009 hosted by the Malaysian-German Society Penang recently.

Polonaise, disco and several German traditional dances were performed throughout the night.

Little children were also dressed in traditional outfits.

Prior to that there were also belly dancing performances that added colour to the festival.

Guest-of-honour Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he was glad that several German companies had invested in Penang.

He said B. Braun Medical Industries Sdn Bhd recent announcement that it would invest about RM500mil in its Penang plant to expand research and development facilities was a great boost for the state.

Sizzling dancers spicing up the night at the celebration.

“We are aiming to become an International City and such investments from foreign countries are timely.

“I am happy to note that the Germans in Penang who are far away from home have the opportunity to enjoy the festival here,” he added.

MGS Penang president Karl Ebinger said the fest this year was celebrated slight differently as there was no band from Germany playing unlike the previous years.

“Although we are aware that many people will be disappointed to have an Oktoberfest without a band, we believe it will be worse having a MGS without an Oktoberfest.

“The fest is not only about a band, it is about meeting people, eating, drinking, dancing and celebrating togetherness,” he added.

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