The giant ferris wheel, the emblem which represents the city and its lifeblood – tourism – has turned continuously since the end of the Second World War and had to be switched off in mid-March 2020, for the first time in 75 years, due to coronavirus. Finally, the day arrived when, on 29 May, Nora Lamac, whose family has operated it for generations, and Vienna’s mayor Michael Ludwig, pressed the giant ferris wheel’s start button, setting Vienna’s emblem in motion again after 75 days at a standstill.

On the day before, musicians living in Vienna sent a musical message of optimism and hope during an event streamed online in the virtual world. A stage was created on a platform set up specifically for this purpose, which the artistes used to send their musical greeting to the virtual world from a dizzying height.

Ludwig said: “The ferris wheel is turning again in Vienna, hotels are opening up and life is slowly returning. What rankings such as those from Mercer or The Economist have shown for years has once again been proved – Vienna is a safe, functioning city, where life is worth living, well able to cope with challenging situations.”

Vienna’s director of tourism Norbert Kettner said: “At this time the giant ferris wheel is more symbolic than anything else could be of a fresh start for the city. The fact that it is turning again is a very hopeful sign.”