The
Vienna Balls are seen as the epitome of glamour and
decadence. There's lots of fun involved as well, so
you shouldn't hesitate to waltz yourself into the stunning
winter atmosphere of the city. A winter activity - stretching
from New Year's Eve to early March - the traditional
opener is the Kaiserball (Imperial Ball) at the Hofburg
Palace.
The ball season
is heralded at the Kaiserball with the historic changing
of the guard, performed by the Imperial Guard in the
palace's entrance hall. Cocktails are served to the
strains of the Hofball Orchestra and guests are greeted
by the likenesses of Empress Sisi and Emperor Franz
Josef. Ladies receive a small gift from footmen dressed
in livery.
The dancing, amidst
thousands of flowers and blooms, takes place through
the state rooms of the palace, and - at midnight - the
ringing of the Pummerin (the bell from St Stephan's
Cathedral) heralds the "Imperial Couple",
wishing one and all Happy New Year. This is followed
by the Viennese Operetta Gala, which takes place in
the Grand Festival Hall shortly after midnight and features
singers and dancers from the Vienna State Opera and
the Volksopera.
The pre-ball dinner
s is served in various halls by waiters in silk livery,
while guests not attending dinner can reserve places
for a splendid buffet throughout the evening. The dress
code is, as you would expect for such a glittering occasion,
ball gowns for the ladies and dress suits (or dark suits)
with bow tie for the gentlemen.
The Hofburg Congress Center & Redoutensäle
Vienna occupies a unique position among the congress
centers of the world. The Hofburg Palace complex was
built between the 13th and 20th century. The different
wings of the former imperial residence portray the architectural
periods of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque up to Classicism.
Until 1918 the
Hofburg Palace was the seat of the Habsburg dynasty.Here,
in the Cermonial Hall, during annual symbolic footwashing
ceremonies on Holy Thursday, Emperor Franz Joseph and
Empress Elisabeth washed the feet of 24 elderly
people; here, on March 5, 1810, Napoleon I asked for
the hand of Marie Luise.
The same hall where the Emperor
held his audiences, gala dinners and royal balls, or
where Empress Maria Theresia was baptized on May 15,
1717.
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