The incredible year Vienna has had explained in 34 memes and TikTok that will remind you of the most memorable moments of 2021

While most of us would rather not relive 2021, we can at least look back and laugh at it.

We started the year somewhat hopeful… ?!

This was us being cute, thinking lockdown was a trilogy. Whereas any lockdown-related news are now giving us ‘Neverending-Story’-vibes.

But we tried to keep our spirits high, and at least we had a glimpse of hope at the beginning of the year, with the roll-out of the first vaccinations.

But still – it took FOREVER, and it seemed like no one really was able to get the shot, unless you knew someone who knew someone who knew someone. Or, if you were a mayor, then you would have been able to skip some lines somewhere in Austria. (Austria being Austria again)

(Sidenote: Yes, we also agree that we’re one of the lucky and very much privileged countries, with getting vaccinations that early in the year. And while we’re typing up this article, there’s still millions of people without access to vaccines).

We did other things besides talking about Corona, though.

In February, we taught you how to eat Krapfen the proper way. Just in time for Fasching and for Leberkäs-Krapfen. Yum.

Most toxic relationship ever.

While the majority of us still waiting to get vaccinated, we all got pros at gurgling at home…

…or we got to shake our asses at the Austria Center. With their party music it felt like being back at the clubs, so… thanks, Stadt Wien, we really appreciated this!

And we were busy talking about other things besides Rona as well:

… like the supermarket chain that is part of the REWE group, Merkur, being rebranded to Billa Plus.

… a ship being stuck at the other end of the world.

… or the earthquake in Vienna.

… unfortunately, there also were some not so happy or funny news. Like the many femicides (= women being murdered) happening in Austria.

… or young kids being deported in the middle of the night.

But nothing could stop us from venturing out there and enjoying the small things in life once spring hit us…

…. Like drinking a beer (or two) at the Donaukanal.

What would April be without crazy April weather?

And then, we almost couldn’t believe it, but the time arrived…

Bars and restaurants were finally waking up from their slumber after lockdown and so were all the Gerhards of Vienna.

But, most of us were still waiting to get a much-desired vaccination appointment. We didn’t even care whether we got Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, or AstraZeneca into our system, which also lead to loads of people suddenly posing as artists and whatnot, to get prioritised. At one point, we even managed to crash the Wien impft website. Good ol’ times.

Travelling was possible again, but people were not so set on what kind of transport they should be getting. Some, for example, thought that any method but a diplomat’s way of travelling would be like ‘Travelling like the plebs.’

Question: Do we even need to mention that in 2021, we received what felt like never-ending news about corrupt politicians and managers and what not? #Freunderlwirtschaft

Summer rolled around, restrictions were lifted, new regulations were set in place, and clubs could finally open their doors again! And, for a little while, it almost felt like we got back some form of ‘normal’ life.

And we could go back to our favourite past-time ever: complaining about the weather!

In summer, the nation was suddenly worried about going to toilets….

Remember the snake incident? It seems like Austria is only ever on international news for the weirdest and most random sh*t.

And then, Shorty finally got his very own TikTok channel.

But we gotta admit, our then chancellor gave us so much inspo for our own TikTok videos. Like this one:

And just like that, summer came to an end and pumpkin time arrived.

We were met with the crazy hype that was Squid Game. Seriously, what was up with that series?!

Then Halloween rolled around (and with it some strange culinary creations).

And all of a sudden, there was even more mayhem in politics. We got a new chancellor. Twice.

But that’s not the only crazy news…

Taking horse dewormer to prevent getting Covid was apparently the new thing now?!?! Like… seriously, never in a million years would we have thought that we’d get to this point. We’re disappointed in you, Austria! And no, it’s DEFINITELY not a thing you should be taking. It is NOT helping. Getting the vaccine is helping.

On a more positive note…

…we experienced some sort of snow again in Vienna at the early stages of winter, which in turn led to more complaining about the weather.

And—to no surprise—we got voted the most unfriendly city in the world. Hooray?! But hey, at least Vienna got the top spot in quality of urban living again.

We ended the crazy year that was 2021 with a mix between lockdown-yet-not-lockdown. We hope you at least got to enjoy some (to-go) Glühwein or Punsch.

Here’s to 2022!