see 35 years of oktoberfest partying in volker derlath's new photography book

oktoberfest 1984–2019 by volker derlath

since 1984, award-winning photographer volker derlath has been capturing oktoberfest scenes on film and now these moments have been immortalized in a new publication titled ‘oktoberfest 1984–2019’. from intimate moments to beer-fueled revelry, the 208-page book transports viewers to the middle of the action on a journey through 35 years of munich’s famous folk festival. 

photography by volker derlath

the ‘folk festival of all folk festivals’

also know as the ‘wiesn’, oktoberfest in munich, germany, is considered the largest folk festival in the world. for two weeks in septmeber, people come from all over the world to eat, drink, and ride on exhilarating fairground attractions. unfortunately, like in 2020, this year’s edition has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

this new book documents a time when people could still unconditionally drink, flirt, and celebrate together. the photos have all been captured by derlath on analog using black and white film and frontal flash. as an equally enthusiastic beer drinker and photographer, he sees himself as part of the action in a festival that he says reminds him of the middle ages.

all the photos are captured on black and white film with frontal flash

oktoberfest is also known as the ‘wiesn’

the book documents beer-fueled revelry over 35 years

oktoberfest 1984–2019 is published by slanted publishers

the ‘folk festival of all folk festivals’

book info:

name: oktoberfest 1984–2019
photography: volker derlath
editor: melville brand design
design: lars harmsen, florian brugger / melville brand design
publisher: slanted publishers
introduction: christian topp
release: september 2021
format: 210 × 280 mm
volume: 208 pages
language: german + english
binding: stitched binding
cover: refined book cover
printing: druckerei vogl
ISBN: 978-3-948440-28-2
price: € 38.00

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom

1/5