5th Annual OktoberFest, Taybeh, Palestine Oct. 3-4, 2009

Oktoberfest Press Release, Taybeh Municipality, Taybeh-Ramallah, Palestine Coordinator: Dr. Maria C. Khoury,  Tel:  054 5 465 845 or 0599 318 347  Email:  Khourymaria@hotmail.com (Interviews: Nadim Khoury +972 2 289 8868)  Sep 25, 2009

Taybeh Oktoberfest, 5th annual village festival scheduled, Sat and Sun, Oct 3 and 4, 2009 in Taybeh-Ramallah, Palestine, 11 am to 10 pm with the opening celebration, 11am at the Taybeh Municipality on Sat, Oct 3rd including the Brazilian band, Clube do Choro performing for the first time in Palestine. Other bands from Greece, RASCASSE from Berlin and Two Down from London and Japanese Traditional Dance from Japan will perform during the two day Oktoberfest, Palestinian Style.

A successful 2005 first time event initiated by Taybeh Brewing Company, the Oktoberfest in Palestine promoting all local products produced in Taybeh thus boosting the local economy has become a favorite for thousands including many diplomats and has developed Taybeh into the iconic image of Palestine.  The festival is the cooperative work of Taybeh Municipality (www.taybehmunicipality.org for directions and schedule) and its mayor David Canaan Khoury with all local civic organizations.  

The most magnificent site in Taybeh, the Byzantine ruins of St. George Greek Orthodox Church is now a national protected archeological site.  Riwaq in cooperation with the Taybeh Municipality has carried out preventive restoration of Taybeh’s historical old town maintaining traditional architecture in over seventy (70) homes this year sponsored by the Spanish Cooperation.  Also, there is a new one-room museum.

The Taybeh Oktoberfest allows participants to share in the ancient roots of Palestine since Taybeh is one of the oldest places in the region known by its Biblical name Ephraim thereby offering visitors a cultural, educational and ancient heritage on one of the highest mountain regions in the West Bank.  With a population of less than 2,000, Taybeh residents who suffer to exist under Israeli occupation experience the Oktoberfest as the ultimate form of non violent action and an effort to try to be normal.

Taybeh Beer, a leading Palestinian manufacturer who made history launching Taybeh Golden Beer in August 1995 also introduced the first Palestinian non-alcohol beverage made in traditional German style, 100% malt. Taybeh will continue to inspire an Oktoberfest in search for freedom, democracy, a moderate and modern Palestine.

Entertainment will include Spafford Children’s Center; Al Harah Theater, “The Red Apple;” Sanabel Theater, “Happiness City”; CultureShoc, Rock-Rap Band; Ramallah Underground; G-Town: Palestinian Hip Hop Makers; Anger Boys with Dj Shahbari; Sarab for Dance; Baladi Group/Bethlehem; Ramallah Orthodox Club; Alrowwad Cultural & Theater Training Center; and local Dabkeh with the Taybeh Folklore Group also including a Karate Demonstration from Japan.

TAG games in Taybeh on Sunday, 3 pm.  The Beit Jala Lions Rugby Club will host

Please join us Saturday and Sunday, October 3 & 4, 2009 in Taybeh, Palestine.