Theater troupe from Leipzig, en route to their destination
Leipzig School Theater Group Returns Home After Israel Stranding
A theater group from Leipzig, Germany, has finally returned home after a long and unexpected journey, following a terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel. Originally scheduled to return on Monday, the group was stranded in the city of Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv, since the weekend.
Due to the disruptions in security and transport caused by the attack, the group was unable to leave Israel by air or land. Instead, they boarded a ferry from Haifa, Israel, and sailed to Thessaloniki, Greece. From there, they embarked on a complex overland journey through multiple European countries.
Their route took them through Greece and further into the Balkans, including North Macedonia, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, the Czech Republic, and finally back to Leipzig, Germany. The journey, which lasted approximately 64 hours, was necessary as direct flights were unavailable, and land border crossings were restricted or complicated by the conflict situation.
Now, after an overnight stay in Cyprus, the group is expected to continue their journey on Wednesday. Two flights from Israel to Larnaca in Cyprus have been organized for them. The first flight, scheduled for 3:00 PM, and the second, scheduled for 7:10 PM, will mark the next leg of their journey home.
Matthias Hasberg, the city spokesman, stated that the group will take the seats they can get, but it remains unclear how they will proceed from Larnaca. One member of the group will be able to make a separate trip to Cyprus only on Wednesday.
This extraordinary journey marked a significant departure from the group's initial plan, descending from a direct return to a complex overland and ferry journey through multiple European countries. The group's experiences serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges and uncertainties that can arise in times of conflict and crisis.
The Leipzig School Theater Group's travel plans, initially scheduled for a direct return, were abruptly altered due to the general-news event in Israel, requiring a change to a lifestyle of extended travel and accommodations. Despite the unexpected upheaval, they faced accidents and transportation disruptions, braving multiple border crossings and sailing across the Mediterranean from Haifa, Israel, to Thessaloniki, Greece.
