Oktoberfest

Originated in 1810 to celebrate the wedding of future King Ludwig I of Bavaria, the Munich Oktoberfest is the world’s largest funfair. Locally called the "Wiesn," it is a glamorous part of Bavarian culture and, with 200 amusement rides, sidestalls and games, with 6 million visitors and 7 million liters of beer sold each year an important economic factor for the city. In spectacular pictures, Rainer Viertlboeck, a photographer who has received numerous awards and is the author of the recent Schirmer/Mosel publication München, has documented the 2014 and 2015 Oktoberfests covering their entire 16 day runs.