Skopje, 15 September 2023 (MIA) - More than 1,000 guests from the business sector attended the traditional Oktoberfest celebration on Thursday, held for the 14th year in a row, and organized by the Macedonian-German Economic Association. Representatives from the business sector, diplomacy, and media had the opportunity to get a taste of the 223-year-old Bavarian tradition in Skopje.

Antje Wandelt, head of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in North Macedonia (AHK) and member of the Management Board of the Macedonian-German Economic Association, alongside German Ambassador to North Macedonia Petra Drexler, marked the official opening of the Oktoberfest tradition in Skopje by tapping the first barrel with a wooden hammer and shouting “O’zapft is” (It’s tapped).

Visitors and festival goers enjoyed traditional Bavarian cuisine, German and Macedonian beers and live music by the rock band South Park.

"This is the first Oktoberfest I get to attend in Skopje, and I am happy that the long-standing German tradition is well-accepted. The number of German investments in Macedonia keeps growing, from year to year, which increases the number of guests at Oktoberfest. Thousands of representatives from the business community are with us tonight, to celebrate all our success, and raise a toast to the dedicated work with a cold beer," Wandelt said.

German Ambassador Drexler added that this event is of great significance to the economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

"I am especially glad that the Oktoberfest has become a tradition. It is an event of great importance for Skopje, and the economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries," Drexler said.

Photo: Macedonian-German Economic Association