Sunday, October 04, 2009

Oktoberfest in Pal. Territories?

Mayor of Christian Village Brings Oktoberfest to West Bank

It's David Khoury of Taybeh, a brewer in a Christian village near Ofra, who is in the news again:

...Khoury and his family-owned Taybeh brewery have added an Oktoberfest, a weekend of music, dancing, local crafts and free-flowing suds, just to the east Ramallah and across the valley from nearby Israeli settlements. To the usual lineup of traditional products like olive oil and honey, he has added a lager that has caught on in Japan and been franchised for production in Germany.

"This is the other side of the coin," Khoury said of the two-day festival held this weekend outside his office. "It shows political freedom and democracy. It is resisting occupation by showing that we can grow the economy and build it."

...Taybeh is by reputation the only village in the West Bank without a mosque, and its thousand or so year-round residents are dominated by two families, the Khourys and the Khouriehs.

...Along with a handicraft bazaar, falafel stands and plenty of beer taps, the stage acts brought a sense of the West Bank's diversity -- traditional dubka dance groups alongside Palestine rock-rappers Cultureshoc, and the hip-hop band Ramallah Underground.

..."It is life, liberty and the pursuit of good beer," Khoury said.


David, it really isn't an Oktoberfest until, well, the beer is served this way:



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