Spotted: The Oktoberfest-line in Esplanade

Strange things were happening in the Esplanade building on campus today. Innocent wanderers just stumbled on an immense line of people waiting for…well for what? Univers dove into the mystery and unraveled the reasons behind a hallway filled with anxious students in front of rooms E203 and E205.

The answer was quite simple, as students were very willing to explain their reasons for being there. It was a quarter to twelve, and at the stroke of midnight (ok, actually it was midday, but this sounded more awesome) the ticket-sales for the 2013 Oktoberfest would start.

Univers spoke with Dave Brett, the event-manager, who showed up in full lederhosen costume to await the horde of enthusiastic students. “Ticket-sales were supposed to start at 12, but it’s only a quarter to 12 and we’re already sold out. This hallway is filled with the lucky few that arrived in time to get their hands on a ticket.” The waiting students were handed practice-tickets that could be turned in for the real deal as soon as sales actually opened. This way chaos was avoided by following the age old rule of first-come-first-serve.

“We have 190 seats arranged for the Munich Oktoberfest, 90 for I*SN Tilburg and 100 for Wageningen
University. The ticket gets you the transfer as well as a table with your fellow students. We don’t make any profit and do this purely for entertainment, to offer international students a chance to experience a real German tradition. And apparently it’s working, because we’re completely sold out.”

The Oktoberfest has grown immensely popular among international students. Univers asked a Danish and Swedish student that were patiently waiting for their tickets. “We want to experience as much as we can during our stay here, immerse ourselves into the culture. This is the perfect opportunity to take part in something so typically German AND a good excuse to get drunk with a bunch of friends. We don’t mind being in line for something this awesome at all!”

Tickets are completely sold out, so don’t pull out the lederhosen unless you managed to get your hands on one. Unless, of course, you feel like following the bus to Munich, groupie-style! However, should that not be an option there is still a back-up plan. You could always go to the Oktoberfest in Tilburg!

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