The history
From German colony to National Birthplace
A community that suffered for being German and, decades later, celebrates its heritage with pride — giving rise to the country's first Oktoberfest.
October 1978
A night that became a tradition
On an October night in 1978, in the countryside of Itapiranga, a group of friends from the community of Linha Presidente Becker decided to turn the stories coming from Germany into reality. That is how — with simplicity and celebration — the first Oktoberfest in Brazil was born, 620 km from Blumenau.
The first edition featured a parade with a decorated tractor adorned with coconut palm leaves and flowers, lit by the vehicle's own battery. After the procession, the party continued in a paddock, with a toast of beer, roasted chicken, and guitar and accordion music. The photos of that night were taken by Lauro Egewarth, with a camera brought from Switzerland.
Watch
The story told by those who lived it
In an interview, the founders recall how the first Oktoberfest in Brazil was born, on that October night in 1978 in Linha Becker.
- 1926
The Porto Novo Colony is born
Families of Catholic German descendants colonize the region, organized by the People's Union Society (Volksverein). The locality would later be called Itapiranga.
- 1929
From Porto Novo to Itapiranga
During the visit of the province's president, Adolfo Konder, the Porto Novo Colony is renamed Itapiranga — a name of Tupi origin meaning "red stone".
- 1934
The German cell of Linha Becker
After the crisis of the Volksverein, the colony begins to receive Germans arriving straight from Europe. Linha Presidente Becker — named in honor of Jacob Becker — becomes a closed Germanic nucleus.
- 1942
The Second World War
With Brazil's entry into the conflict, residents are arrested for being German and taken to Lages for forced labor. A chapter of pain that the community does not forget.
- 1954
Itapiranga becomes a municipality
On February 14, 1954, Itapiranga achieves political-administrative emancipation and ceases to belong to the former greater Chapecó.
- 1958
Brückenfest, the bridge festival
The inauguration of the Macaco Branco bridge becomes a celebration: ox carts cross the structure decorated with little flags. The community already knew how to celebrate long before the Oktoberfest.
- 1978
The first Oktoberfest in Brazil
Inspired by Leopoldo Wolhfart's accounts of Munich, Wiho Prost, Leopoldo Wolhfart and Bernardo Frederico Scholz organize the festival. Tractor parade, roasted chicken, draft beer and accordion — the National Birthplace is born.
- 1980s
From the community to the city
The festival grows and comes to be celebrated also in downtown Itapiranga, expanding the audience — without ever losing the community roots of Linha Becker.
- 1984
The community's 50 years
A grand parade with ox carts, horsemen and agricultural machinery celebrates half a century of Linha Presidente Becker.
- 2021
The "Ich ❤️ Berço Nacional" sign
During the 42nd Oktoberfest, the square is inaugurated with the tourist sign that celebrates the community's title.
- 2024
90 years of Linha Becker
The community celebrates nine decades of history, with mass, choir, accordions and a great community lunch that brought generations together.
- 2026
The 47th Oktoberfest
The tradition born in 1978 stands strong: the 47th edition once again brings the community together from September to October, keeping the German heritage alive.
Memories in images
The community archive
34 images from the community's historical archive.
Oktoberfest of yesteryear
The festivals that made history
Queens, tractor parades, folk dances and packed pavilions: 42 photos from the first decades of the Oktoberfest, kept by the community. Tap a photo to enlarge it.
The founders