The 2011 Taybeh Oktoberfest will be held on
October 1st & 2nd 2011. Details at this link.
The Taybeh Oktoberfest is two days filled with Palestinian music, culture, and of course, beer. This festival is an annual tradition that brings together visitors from abroad, Israelis, and Palestinians.
The Taybeh Brewery, just north of Jerusalem, was established in 1995 by the Khoury family and produces fine beers on a par with the best microbreweries in Europe and the USA. Taybeh, a Christian Palestinian village, is also famous for its handmade olive oil soap, ceramic 'peace lamps', and crafts cooperatives.
The history of Taybeh dates back 5000 years ago as one of the most ancient places in Palestine established originally with the name Ofra (Ophrah) mentioned 11 times in the Torah (Old Testament, Book of Joshua 18:21-23: "The tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, had the following cities: Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keziz, Beth Arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel, Avvim, Parah, Ophrah..."), and later called Ephraim mentioned in the New Testament (Christian Bible: Gospel of John 11:54. "Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim...")
Taybeh today is a dynamic village which welcomes visitors with hospitality and warmth. The festival will feature local crafts and music, and tours of the brewery, churches, and archeological site.
Music groups will include Spafford Children’s Center, Wael Abu Salom and Mohamed Hadeeb; Culture Shock, the new Rock-Rap Band; Sanabel; G-Town Hip Hop Makers; Zaman Arabic Gipsy Music; Cinderella-Al Kasaba Theater; Karate Demonstration from Japan; Sarab for Dance; Assayel Dance Troup; Ramallah Orthodox Club; Al Ghad Al Jadid Folklore (Beit Sahour); Ibdaa Dance Troup (Bethlehem) and many local Dabkeh groups.
Taybeh will host the first Tag Rugby in Palestine Ramallah Blue Snakes vs Beit Jala Lions RFC, 1 pm, Sunday, October 12th, Taybeh Soccer Field, North entrance of Taybeh.
The Festival is sponsored by the
- Taybeh Municipality,
- Taybeh Brewery
- Olive Branch Foundation
- Local clergy
- Catholic Church of Taybeh
- Greek Orthodox Church of Taybeh
- Taybeh Scouts
- Taybeh Women's Benevolent Society
- Taybeh Cooperation for Country Development
- Taybeh Ladies Social Organization
- Taybeh Women's Lending and Saving
- Mar Afram Professional Cooperative Society
- Holylanders Association for Preservation of Christian Heritage