Apart from the fact that political figures are currently under immense pressure both domestically and internationally, it doesn’t look good when a VIP is photographed dancing with their partner whilst the world is falling apart. But the absence of high-profile celebrities also has its advantages: you’re among friends, you enjoy each other’s company, and everyone is their own celebrity – at least to their partner, whether highly decorated with medals or without any, but of endearing personal significance. In summary: a friendly, intimate, relaxed yet glamorous celebration for all Austrians living abroad who have been in Berlin for so long that the word ‘expat’ wasn’t even in common use yet, and for all friends of Austria with foreign passports. 

Once again, 250 ball guests appreciated the atmosphere, some of whom had even travelled from abroad. Consul General Stefan Hochmuth represented the Austrian Embassy, accompanied by his wife Castillia, and revealed in his opening speech that this would be his final time in this role. He is returning to Vienna. Werner Götz, President of the World Federation of Austrians Abroad and of the Austrian-German Society Berlin-Brandenburg e.V., gave a special welcome to Denis Šakić, a member of the state parliament who had flown in from Vienna. The 35-year-old SPÖ politician, born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, represented Vienna’s Mayor Michael Ludwig and demonstrated just how much the city values the work of the volunteers who organise the Vienna Ball every year. For Vienna, such balls serve as an important calling card worldwide, with a public diplomacy effect. Šakić works in the field of European cooperation – his visit to the ball in Berlin was certainly the most enjoyable aspect of that work. Mr Götz also recalled the origins of the Vienna Ball, which date back to 1949 in what was then West Berlin. This year’s edition was already the 58th ball, and the tradition will continue. The date has already been set: make a note of 13 March 2027.

Of course, it wasn’t just about talking; above all, it was about dancing. The Berlin Dance Orchestra, conducted by Christoph Sanft, has been performing for three decades. Eight dance couples arrived from Dresden, having previously opened the Opera Ball at the Semperoper, led by Knut Strube and displaying great elegance. Later in the evening, the two master couples from the Broadway Dance School, led by Tracy Ehrlich, took to the stage and thrilled the entire audience at the Maritim proArte with their performance. The midnight interlude was provided by the artists who had travelled from Vienna: Mae Lorelei Raich, soprano, Jakob Loibl, tenor, and Erin Varga-Won, piano, with a colourful medley of music from the city on the Danube, through which they charmingly and evocatively conveyed the Viennese zest for life. An hour after midnight, the show performance by the rock ’n’ roll couples (under the direction of Marco Rissmann) had the ballroom buzzing.

It is a tradition of the Vienna Ball that the event is far from over when the Berlin Dance Orchestra packs away its instruments. In the early hours of the morning, the party continued next door at the Vienna Café for the hardy guests, with Austrian and international delicacies on offer. It was not until 4.15 am that the ball – after lasting eight hours – finally came to an end. For many guests, that was precisely when the anticipation for 13 March 2027 began – in the hope that the international situation will have calmed down by then and that political and diplomatic dignitaries will once again have more time for the pleasures of the ball.