Viennese Ball

Viennese Ball in Moscow has become a traditional annual event. This year it has been held for the eleventh time. On the 25th of May, 2013 Moscow Gostiny Dvor plunged into indescribable atmosphere of beauty and fascinating dancing.

Viennese Ball has been held in Moscow since 2003 with overwhelming success. Every year it starts with a dazzling opening ceremony by over 100 debutantes, followed by an elegant dinner with authentic Austrian cuisine and a real Austrian Kaffeehaus (coffeeshop). 

During the evening guests are entertained by five different orchestras and the traditional concert - a highlight of the evening - has featured such names as Roberto Alagna, Dmitry Khvorostovsky, Marcelo Alvarez, Dmitry Korchak and the Vienna Boys' Choir. The dance floor is filled through the evening with guest dancing to both modern and traditional rhythms.

11th Viennese Ball on the 25th of May was dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the Romanovs dynasty. Two thousand visitors from the world over gathered at this magnificent event. Among them were businessmen, politicians, diplomats, artists and even members of European royal families. The program of this Ball brought the guests back to different historical moments.

 
  Debutantes opened the Ball with polonaise, followed by polka and waltz traditionally. The dancing program was really variable: from waltzes and gallops to quick-steps and rumbas. However, Russian quadrille, after the master class of Stanislav Popov (President of Russian Dance Union and the main Viennese Ball dancing-master), tied a record, as it was danced five times instead of usual three dances. Everyone enjoyed the performance, but for debutantes it was really a special day. To become a debutante young ladies and gentlemen need to meet the demands of set criteria. The required age for the ladies is from 16 to 23 y.o., besides, they are not allowed to be married. Casting has several stages. Applicants need to fill in a special questionnaire form, write an essay and pass an interview. If they succeed to overcome all the tests, they get the right to become debutantes, and the preparations conducted by Stanislav Popov last for three months. During this period everyone is taught a traditional dancing program and basics of etiquette.

  

 All guests of the Ball have to follow a set dress code. For the ladies - a full-length dress, for gentlemen – a tail-coat / tuxedo. All tickets were sold in advance, although the prize varied from 9 000 roubles to 48 000 roubles. The funds collected are transferred to children's organizations traditionally, as Viennese Ball is a charity event.

 In addition to the Viennese Ball in Moscow, OOO Venski Bal Moskva has organized Russian balls in Vienna, Biarritz, Palma de Mallorca, Baden-Baden, etc. The next Viennese Ball in Moscow will probably be held on the 31st of May, 2014. As Stanislav Popov usually recommends: “Dance, and be Happy!”