In a shocking and disturbing incident, a video has emerged showing four individuals dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing repeatedly giving the Nazi salute at an Oktoberfest celebration in Bautzen, a town in East Germany. The video, which was posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, went viral and garnered over 8 million views before authorities were alerted.

The footage, shot on September 25, shows three men and one woman huddled together, raising their arms in the Nazi salute while the Nazi-era marching song “Erika” blares loudly in the background. One of the men, wearing leiderhosen, salutes 14 times in the 16-second clip, while his friend follows suit with a smile on his face. The third man, with a full beer in hand, raises his glass as he extends his arm in the salute. The woman, who can be heard singing along to the music, joins in with 7 salutes before breaking into a dance.

It remains unclear whether the individuals involved were locals or tourists attending the annual Oktoberfest event. Nevertheless, the shocking video prompted an intense investigation by both the police in Saxony, where the incident occurred, and the State Security Service. Germany has strict laws banning the use of Nazi symbols and the Nazi salute, punishable by up to five years in prison depending on the intent.

Interestingly, while the usage of Nazi symbols is strictly prohibited, the playing of the Nazi song “Erika” is permitted. The composer of the song, Herms Niel, was a staunch member of the Nazi Party and conducted marching bands at the regime's Reich Party congresses in Nuremberg. The organizers of the Oktoberfest event in Bautzen did not provide any explanation as to why the song was being played.

This incident comes in the wake of criticism by Prince Luitpold Rupprecht Heinrich, who condemned Oktoberfest attendees for "wearing costumes to get drunk" and engaging in cultural appropriation rather than celebrating Germany's rich history. The traditional crowd and the new wave of attendees this year have also been divided by a switch to selling organic chickens, resulting in a higher price for the popular festival meal. The decision to serve all-organic hens in the Paulaner Festzelt tent was aimed at promoting sustainability but has been criticized by some as a "Woke Wiesn."

The appearance of the video in Bautzen is not an isolated incident in Saxony. Just a couple of days prior, five youths in Chemnitz, another city in Saxony, were caught on camera giving the Hitler salute and chanting "Heil Hitler." This has led to investigations into the suspected use of symbols associated with unconstitutional organizations. The region of Saxony has seen a rise in right-wing, nationalist tendencies in recent years, with the right-wing populist party, AfD, gaining significant support.

The incident at the Oktoberfest celebration in Bautzen serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges Germany faces in combating extremism and preserving the memory of its dark past. It highlights the importance of continued efforts to educate and raise awareness about the consequences of Nazi ideology and the significance of upholding democratic values.