On Thursday 12 February 2026 we went to the meat exhibition at the Wien Museum. For most of us it was really educating and changed our perspective on meat.

The exhibition itself was arranged like a maze through different sections that each covered a different topic. There were several polls where we could vote on various questions by putting small balls into big glasses. However, we saw staff members removing the balls and so manipulating the results, which we thought was unfair. We would have wanted more time or fewer questions on our worksheet to be able to see everything in detail. And there could have been more hands-on exhibits, but all in all we learned quite a lot. We found it cool to go through the museum in small groups without a guide.

One item however that struck most of us was a children’s picture book about farm animals that talk to children about how their farmer makes sure they become tasty steaks and that they would meet the children again – on the supermarket shelf wrapped in plastic! Although originally designed for little children, we do not think this book is appropriate.

We were surprised that beavers were considered to be fish and therefore a Lenten food and eaten by many people. The most surprising fact for some of us was that you can use mealworms or snails for burger patties! Killing pigs and chickens is already cruel enough – but cats too? Incredible!

The museum also showed Vienna’s true colors. It is crazy how many animals got slaughtered on the streets and eaten on a regular base. People helped themselves to horse meat of cadavers in 1945.

We think Vienna is definitely a meat-loving city because of dishes like Wiener Schnitzel. And the third district played an important role in meat production throughout the centuries.

People who choose to eat meat should know how it is produced and always try organic meat to ensure that the animals at least had a relatively happy life. Everyone should also reduce their meat consumption and switch to plant-based alternatives occasionally. Or 3D-printed salmon as shown in the exhibition.

There are too many people who eat meat without a second thought. Education in this area is important for both humans’ and animals’ benefit.