From 6^th to 7^th of October, 2012 the 8^th annual „Taybeh Oktoberfest“ took place in the small village of Taybeh, 35 km north of Jerusalem. Since 2006 the Hanns Seidel Foundation has supported the “Taybeh Brewery” and its extraordinary and unique event in the Palestinian Territories.

The owner, Nadim Khoury, became a microbrew enthusiast as a student in Boston, United States, where he lived for 23 years. He is originally from Taybeh and returned to his hometown to invest over a million dollars into the brewing business just after the Oslo Accords were signed. He established the brewery 1993, which remained until today the only brewery in the Palestinian Territories. In 2005 for the first time the Brewery together with Taybeh Municipality organized the “Taybeh Oktoberfest” to promote and sell local products – beside the different kind of beer as well as olive oil, soap and textiles. Over the years the two-day Festival has become a main attraction for both local and international visitors and strengthened the local economy.

Also this year the Taybeh Oktoberfest was a successful event for both visitors and organizers (see program). With a marginalized population of less than 2,000 Taybeh residents who are living in a difficult economic situation and with over 30% unemployment in the area, the Oktoberfest organizer could announce that more sales were made by all vendors during this event than the whole year. With the aim of boosting the economy and supporting local products the organizers could attract over 12.000 people visiting Taybeh, Palestine during this two days event.

This year the Hanns Seidel Foundation sponsored the Taybeh Oktoberfest by bringing the Bavarian band Musikkapelle Leobendorf over from Germany to play at the festival. A real success as the band contributed with their Bavarian music to the festive spirit of the Oktoberfest celebration.

See coverage in German media: Deutsche Welle (07.10.2012)