Ahead of Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, a citywide initiative invited local cafés to “adopt” delegations and fans from participating countries. But while most countries quickly found welcoming host venues for the Eurofan Cafe initiative, Israel was left without a café willing to host its delegation.
Then came Lisa Wegenstein, the owner of MQ Kantine, a local Vienna café, who decided to welcome the Israeli delegation and Israeli fans despite the tense atmosphere surrounding Israel’s participation in the competition. Since then, her café has become a gathering point for Israelis in the heart of the city — and a small symbol of courage, solidarity and standing up against boycotts.
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Vienna cafe MQ Kantine is welcoming the Israeli delegation and its fans
(Photo: Roy Elman)
"I read on the newspapers and in social media that all the countries have their places, only Israel didn't. And so I was quite shocked about that and I said, 'okay, this is something that we have to do,'" she told ynet.
Vienna café owner opens her doors to Israeli Eurovision fans
"I am not afraid because I think we, I mean, me and my husband, we use this Eurovision Song Contest to make a sign and to tell to the world that it's horrible to cancel Israeli people, Israeli/Jewish people and not to open their doors for them," she asserted.
"We don't let people put us under pressure, which are just screaming loud and demonstrating and canceling people. So every Israeli who comes to visit Vienna is welcome here? For sure, very welcome."