LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For 59 years, the city of Louisville has celebrated its rich German history with Bavarian steins, traditional cuisine, polka dances and more at the Oktoberfest celebration. German historians discussed how this tradition made its way from Munich to the Bluegrass State.
To many, Oktoberfest means beer, dirndls and German cuisine, but to Karin Naumowicz, the vice president of the German American Club, this festival is an opportunity to share her German heritage and culture with the people of Louisville.
“Louisville itself is just a wonderful city. It reminds me a lot of the home I’m from,” said Naumowicz. “I came from Germany when I was in my mid-20s. I went to a store with my mother, who was here from Germany. A young man heard us speaking German, and he said, ‘You know we have a German club here,’ and that’s how I got involved.”…