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Kocherlball

 
Experience a classic Munich tradition at the Kocherlball

Next on: JULY 18, 2010


Here’s one right out of the history books.

The Kocherlball or "Cooks’ Ball" is an early morning dance-fest that takes place around the Chinese Tower in Munich’s Englischer Garten Park.

Towards the end of the 19th century the dance took place pretty much every Sunday over summer.
The city’s servants, cooks, nannies and other minions would get up early to meet and dance around the tower from about 5am to 8am.

 


german-girl-dress

MERRIMENT: A couple do a jig at the Munich "Cooks' Ball".Pic: © Martin Schmitz ganz-muenchen.de

Page from the past

This was often the only time the lower-class could get off work because their masters were still asleep. A party-pooping local government banned the dance in 1904 due to “lack of morality”.

The ball was revived in 1989 for anniversary of the Englischer Garten and doesn’t look like it’s going out of fashion.
Each year about 15,000 people flock to the tower to relive the old days. Many dress up, either in the much-loved Bavarian Lederhosen or Dirndl dresses, or in period costume.

kockerlball-munich munich-girl-dance
CUTTING RUGS: More dancing at the Munich Kocherlball. Pic: © Martin Schmitz ganz-muenchen.de


Dances including the polka, waltz and a local jig called the Münchener Francaise are performed.
But not everyone comes to dance. Many are just there to enjoy the atmosphere and grab a bite to eat.

This isn’t an event that attracts a lot of international tourists so there's a really authentic feel to it all.
A unique and seldom-experienced part of Munich history!


kockerlball-munich-food
DIG IN: Traditional food is a big part of the outdoor ball. Pic: © Martin Schmitz ganz-muenchen.de


And if all that didn't get your motor running, here's a YouTube video of the event.

 



The Details
Location and directions Around the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) in the Englischer Garten.

Take the U3 or U6 to Üniversität. Walk east along Veterinär Strasse from Geschwister-Scholl-Platz at the university, into the park and turn left at the Monopteros (Greek temple on the hill).

It should take you about 15min. There’s also a bus that passes by the Chinese Tower (No.52) and connects to Münchener Freiheit U-Bahn station.
Next on On Sunday, July 18, 2010 from 6am to 10am. If it’s raining too much the ball is put back a week.
Website: Plenty more pics and videos of the Kocherlball are at ganz-muenchen.de



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