It is not only the barbecue areas on the Danube Island that are popular, but also the Steinbruchwiese barbecue area in Ottakringer Wald. Four student friends from Vienna had gone there to have a barbecue together, but the large Muslim families who were also barbecuing there took offence at their food. “You’re not barbecuing pig, go somewhere else,” the Austrians were told. This is what one of the students involved, Daniel K., told the website exxpress.
Pork belly, chops and spare ribs – all pork cuts that are hugely popular in Austria during the barbecue season. It was precisely with these cuts that four young law students from Vienna wanted to spend a “chilled-out” afternoon at the popular barbecue spot, Streinbruchwiese in the 16th district, and throw the traditional classics on the barbecue. But it didn’t get that far, as they were advised by larger groups of Muslim barbecue enthusiasts to go and barbecue elsewhere.
“When we arrived, there were already loads of people having a barbecue, and the place was packed. There seemed to be a lot of people or families from migrant backgrounds, but that didn’t bother us at all. We did get a few sceptical looks when we settled in among the crowd, but nobody had a problem with us. Until we took the meat out and two men came a bit closer to have a closer look. Then came the question: ‘Pork?’ When we answered ‘Yes’, the second man said in a sharp tone: ‘You don’t barbecue pork, go somewhere else.’ Then they went back to their group and everyone gave us very angry stares. “We then packed up because we didn’t want any arguments or a row,” says one of the students. No complaint has been filed regarding this incident, but one of the students spoke to the exxpress on the phone and described his view of events.
It’s no secret that Austrians like to eat pork. So, at the very least, its consumption should be tolerated. Similar debates have already taken place in schools and nurseries.
The Austrians need to grow a pair. Time is short for the natives and unless they form a conservative government with courage and backbone, Austria will be lost within two decades.