On 6 February of this year, the 48th Wiener Ball takes place in Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin in Noordwijk aan Zee. This particular gala is like a time capsule, taking the guests straight back to the 19th century imperial and royal courts of Europe, when young people presented themselves to their peers by performing an elaborate formation dance. This tradition has been preserved at the Wiener Ball, open to everybody who wants to enjoy an evening of dance and/or conversation by the sea.
Strolling from one ball room to another, the guests enjoy a variety of music styles and, more importantly, a unique and relaxed mix of generations, families and influencers from business, diplomatic, military and political worlds. A feast for the eyes too: the dress code ensures that the men look smashing in their uniforms and white ties and and that the ladies shine. But the real stars of the evening are the sixty-four debutants, who have undergone intensive training by the expert Austrian dance master, to open the ball with their dances. The young ladies in snow white dresses and tiaras, accompanied by their sharp looking dance partners, are eager to show the fruits of their exercise.
Later that evening the debutants will engage the guests by selling tombola tickets, of which the proceeds go to SOS Kinderdorpen. The list of prizes is impressive. A professional singer will entertain the guests, taking the weight of minds and feet for a moment. And during the entertaining Midnight Quadrille, even those thinking they cannot dance find themselves on the dance floor! Tired? Want to chat? Sit at one of the small tables in the Wiener Kaffee, enjoy some typically Austrian sweet snacks. Dancing can be done to the music by the authentic Viennese orchestra or the more modern Hoytema Band. At 2.00 AM the Wiener Ball formally closes, though for those who want to dance the night away, the discothèque will be open until sunrise.
For more information or to book a table for you and your guests, or for individual tickets, please visit www.wienerball.nl. Please check the special arrangements for dinner prior to the Wiener Ball and the option to spend the night at Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin. For any query, please contact the Ballbureau at welkom@wienerball.nl.
Photography by the Wiener Ball NL.
