A new initiative from the Israeli embassy in Vienna has brought the unique sites, sounds and tastes of Israel to the residents of the Austrian capital.
Under the caption 'Israel – love at second glance', a streetcar decorated with Israeli designs and motifs has been travelling along the regular Ring route in the city since August. Upon entering the streetcar, passengers encounter a multidimensional multimedia display designed by Israeli photographers Gilad Benari and Roie Galitz, as well as additional information about Israel.
The project highlights Israel's cultural, scientific and technological achievements, along with the country's unique and vibrant nightlife scene. A trip on the streetcar feels like a mini-trip to Israel, with complimentary Israeli foods, such as falafel, served to the passengers. Israeli films and music round off the trip.
Falafel and Israeli music delight passengers on a Viennese
streetcar (Photo: Israeli embassy, Vienna)
During the month of September, the streetcar will operate on Tuesdays and Sundays from 4 pm to 5:50 pm. The program is a huge hit, with many out-of-towners traveling to Vienna for a chance to take a ride on this unique streetcar, and to experience a small taste of the Israeli experience.
Whoever believes Viennese residents to be staid and demure will be amazed at their reaction to this streetcar. In fact, the success of this project has been so immense that the embassy is now planning a follow-up – the recreation of an Israeli beach on the shores of a Viennese canal. It seems that in the not-too-distant-future we'll have typical Israeli lifeguard surfboards crisscrossing the Danube.