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The annual Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival, kicked off on Saturday for the first time since 2019, marking the end of a two-year hiatus as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Thousands sporting “Lederhosen”, or leather trousers – a typical mainstay of Bavarian culture – flocked to the event that usually attracts around 6 million visitors to Munich a year, including tourists from around the world.

“It’s a bit of an anxious moment walking through the whole crowd,” one visitor said. “Once we get sitting down and having a beer we’ll be alright.”

Revelers sit at long communal tables to swig beer, eat sausages, pretzels or pork knuckle, and listen to oompah bands.

Munich mayor Dieter Reiter said earlier this year that the Oktoberfest, held from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3, would take place without any COVID-19 restrictions.

Copyright 2022 Thomson/Reuters