• The event kicks off with the traditional tapping of the first keg by German Consular General, Hans-Joerg Brunner during the opening VIP reception. Mr. Brunner will be attired in traditional German clothing and will be available for interviews.

 

• Wolfgang Krueger, Executive Director for the German Cultural Center, will be available for interviews related to the current affairs of the German Cultural Center, as well as the history behind Oktoberfest.

 

• There will be a “Be a Brat, Do Your Wurst” bratwurst eating contest at 6pm Saturday evening.

 

• “The Goethe Girls” will be goodwill ambassadors for the event. Attired in traditional German clothing, they will greet patrons throughout the day and be available for photos. There will also be jugglers, stilt walkers, and other street entertainment throughout the day and evening.

 

• Acclaimed German band Pros’t will entertain the crowd with a mix of authentic German music, tango, Big Band swing, and rock and roll.

The Friends of Goethe Institute and the German Cultural Center in conjunction with Creative Marketing Strategies, Inc. will host and produce the event. Oktoberfest Atlanta has attracted major sponsors including The Siemens Corp, Alex Graham, Atlantic Station, BMW Motorcycles, Coca-Cola, Dornbracht, Inc, Dyer & Dyer Volvo, Lufthansa Airlines, Georgia Department of Economic Development, InterGlobe, Grenzebach Corp, Polysius Corp., SEPCO Corporation, Spaten North America, Spurlock & Associates, and ThyssenKrupp USA.

The German Cultural Center will present Oktoberfest Atlanta on October 27 & 28, 2006. Atlantic Station will host the two-day event under a giant tent on the northeastern corner of the property, by Dillard’s and FOX Sports Grill. Oktoberfest Atlanta will feature authentic German music, German costumes, German food and, of course, German beer. The event kicks off with the traditional tapping of the first keg by German Consular General, Hans-Joerg Brunner, during the opening VIP reception. Saturday afternoon features the “Be a Brat, Do Your Wurst” Bratwurst Eating Contest, with the winner taking home valuable gifts and prizes from sponsors. Acclaimed German band Pros’t will entertain the crowd with a mix of authentic German music, tango, Big Band swing, and rock and roll. The event is the first of many upcoming fundraisers for the not-for-profit institution, which has been promoting German language and culture in Atlanta since 1975.

“After the tremendous success of the World Cup hosted by Germany and the interest in German culture, we felt the time was right to stage an Oktoberfest in Atlanta”, said Wolfgang Krueger, Executive Director of the German Cultural Center. “This is something we have wanted to do for a long time and since we have been promoting cultural exchanges and the German language for so long, it seemed an appropriate and timely thing to do. The early response we have received has been extremely enthusiastic. We are also excited about introducing the Goethe Girls who will act as ambassadors of goodwill for the event.”

Friday, October 27, 2006: 6pm – Midnight

5pm – Opening of the Sponsor VIP Reception with the traditional tapping of the first keg by German Consular General, Hans-Joerg Brunner

6pm – VIP ticket holders

7pm – General Admission

Saturday, October 28, 2006: 12 Noon – Midnight

6pm - “Be a Brat, Do your Wurst” Bratwurst Eating Contest, with winner taking home gifts and prizes from event sponsors

Atlantic Station will host the two-day event under a giant tent on the northeastern corner of the property, by Dillard’s and FOX Sports Grill.

The Atlanta Goethe Institut has been Atlanta’s best nonprofit resource for learning about and understanding German culture and language. Established in 1975 by a central government headquartered in Munich as part of a worldwide network that included 10 Instituts in the US, the Goethe-Institut Atlanta has

• Provided Atlanta with a source for classes and films on German culture
• Built bridges of understanding and in conveying the appropriate image of modern Germany
• Supported Social Studies teachers from the United States and Canada in transmitting information about contemporary Germany
• Supported German teachers in Alabama, Arkansas, North and South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas through workshops and seminars for teachers of German as a foreign language
• Fostered German language and culture within the American educational system and American corporations doing business with German companies
• Developed a transatlantic network for the exchange of culture and ideas

In the mid-1990s, due to financial cutbacks from Munich, the Goethe-Institut Atlanta, among several other centers, faced the possibility that some of its programs would be eliminated or seriously cut back. The Goethe Institut Atlanta formed the Friends of Goethe/German Cultural Center to initiate a proactive response to these major challenges. With the influence of Friends of Goethe, the Goethe-Institut Atlanta has been able to create additional sources of income to keep the Institut’s doors open while Munich continued to pay rent for the facility. But once again, the Goethe-Institut Atlanta now faces a serious predicament as Munich has decided to shut down ALL financial support.

Goethe-Institut pays for the Friends of Goethe overhead and rent from funds allocated by Munich. The Goethe-Institut Atlanta has been housed in Colony Square Midtown Atlanta since 1975. The facility includes classrooms and the library, as well as offices. It is estimated that the Goethe-Institute pays about $95,000 per annum for what is now the Friends of Goethe share of the space. The fact that Friends of Goethe pays no rent is crucial to its positive financial profile.

Friends of Goethe/ German Cultural Center must raise $75,000 in order to keep their doors open for another year. Oktoberfest Atlanta is the German Cultural Center’s first major fundraising initiative, with several more planned for the future as the Center begins proactively seeking financial sources to make up what has now been lost with Munich’s recent departure as a financial backer.

VIP tickets are $35.00, which includes coupons for food, drinks, a special souvenir and automatic entry in a drawing to receive two free tickets from Lufthansa to Germany; general admission tickets are $7.50. Tickets may be purchased online at www.german-institute.org or by calling the Center at (404) 724-9390. For available sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kim Shimmel at (770) 912-8742. For more information on Oktoberfest, please contact The Lilian Raji Agency at (404) 816-9924 or lilian@lmrpr.com.