Over 900 guests attended this year’s International Oktoberfest in Wrocław, which took place for the 20th time this year. The venue for this year’s event, as for the previous three editions, was the Wrocław Golf Club in Kryniczno.
The International Oktoberfest is now long established as the pre-eminent networking event in Lower Silesia’s business calendar, drawing a large international audience representing foreign investors, Polish entrepreneurs and local authorities. As ever, guests enjoyed mingling over beer, pretzels and wurst to the sound of traditional Bavarian style music from MM Systemy, with jazz from Take Style.
The event, jointly organised by the regional offices of the BPCC and the German and Dutch chambers of commerce was opened by the vice-president of the City of Wrocław, Jakub Mazur, who, along with representatives of the three chambers and the British, German and Dutch embassies, officially welcomed the guests.
With the ceremonial opening of the beer barrel, the celebrations began – a festival celebrating European friendship and cooperation. The British element was reinforced by the Częstochowa Pipes and Drums playing traditional Scottish military marches on their bagpipes, and performing the legendary sword dance. Feats of strength were another traditional part of the procedings – holding beer kegs aloft, carrying full litre steins of beer and drinking beer through a straw against the clock. Winners of ‘Oktogame’, which entailed visiting as many stands as possible and answering questions about them, won attractive prizes too.
Lower Silesia’s important role in Poland’s economic development was highlighted by the presence of corporate investors from around the world. With a large number of stalls at which Pilsner Urquell from Kompania Piwowarska and many regional craft beers – as well as Famous Grouse whisky – could be sampled. With plentiful food on hand too, the International Oktoberfest was as always a jolly affair, bringing together the region’s business community. The fact that this year was the celebration of the event’s twentieth anniversary made it even more special. The music, the beer and the dancing continued until midnight.
The BPCC would like to thank its members for joining the ranks of the sponsors of this year’s event, all of whom made the 2024 International Oktoberfest possible.
