VIENNA — The opulent ballrooms of the Habsburg era, where European nobility once graced dance floors, could hardly have predicted the transformation of Vienna’s iconic balls. In today’s age, where digital technology prevails, teenagers take tutorials on YouTube to perfect their waltz steps, and attendees trade their traditional gloves for smartphones in hand.
Annually, Vienna hosts a staggering 450 balls, commencing each year on November 11, to herald the start of the carnival season until Ash Wednesday before Lent. Various professional groups and guilds organize their own celebrations, such as the Ball of the Viennese Chimney Sweeps, which signals the official start of the ball season.
These mesmerizing gatherings are ingrained in the cultural fabric of Vienna, seamlessly blending their historical significance with contemporary allure, with the waltz unwaveringly central. While the typical entry ticket is priced around 395 euros ($427) and exclusive seats at the prestigious Opera Ball have been known to reach 25,500 euros ($27,539), some events reduce prices to 40 euros ($43) to attract a larger crowd.
Leander Selmani, a 19-year-old Austrian, expressed his longing to partake in this celebrated tradition, “For me, being part of this is like engaging with Viennese culture. I would watch ball openings on YouTube and feel the urge to be involved.”
‘Let the waltz begin!’
In addition to online sources, young dancers learn the structured movements required for each ball’s commencement event at institutions like Elmayer Dance School, a prestigious establishment in operation since 1919. Dancers need to first pass a rigorous selection process and then attend a series of lessons, each acknowledged with a stamped certification.
These inaugural events can last several hours, showcasing opera performances, orations, and the traditional grand opening dance of debutantes. Attendees eagerly mingle shoulder to shoulder, eagerly observing the unfolding pageant.
The declaration of “Alles Walzer!” (“Let the waltz begin!”) officially invites guests to join in the dance, a phrase particularly poignant this year as many balls celebrated the 200th birth anniversary of Johann Strauss II, famously dubbed the “waltz king.”
Strict dress code
Despite the enduring role of the waltz and traditional dances like the quadrille, contemporary balls have expanded to offer a diverse mix of musical and entertainment styles. Many locations provide various dance floors ranging from disco to modern beats. However, musical modernization does not please everyone.
Selmani, for instance, expressed his reservations: “I’m quite old-fashioned and don’t favor changes at these balls. Too much change might dilute their cultural essence.”
Nevertheless, dress codes persist as rigorously as ever: men are expected to wear tailcoats or tuxedos, while women must adorn evening gowns. Many attendees choose to rent their outfits from Lambert Hofer, a historic costume provider established in 1862, renting out hundreds of exquisite gowns each season.
For many in Austria, the magic of a ball does not conclude on the dance floor but rather extends to Vienna’s renowned sausage stands found on the street. On these occasions, gloves are taken off once more, now to savor a beloved culinary tradition.
