Discover Germany | Culture | Attraction of the Month, Austria
AT T R A C T I O N O F T H E M O N T H , A U S T R I A
A ball straight out of a fairy-tale Every year the Association of Legal Professionals hosts the lavish JuristenBall in the heart of beautiful Vienna. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the association hosting this marvellous event, which is set to take place on 10 February 2018 in the historic state rooms of the Imperial Palace (Hofburg Vienna). TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE I PHOTOS: JURISTEN-BALL
Beautiful ball gowns, marvellous music and smiling faces all around, that is how the annual Juristen-Ball is best described. For those of us who are secretly dreaming about a Cinderella-like experience, this is the place to be. “The Juristen-Ball starts straight away with melodies by Strauss to get the dancers into the right mood. 150 years ago Johann Strauss (father) dedicated the ‘Aeaciden Waltz’, Josef Strauss the ‘Lock Polka’ and Johann Strauss (son) the ‘Juristen-Ball Polka (fast)’ to the legal professionals,” says spokesperson Susanne 36 | Issue 58 | January 2018
Schöner. She continues: “This Viennese ball tradition is now over 200 years old and the Association of Legal Professionals started hosting this event when they were founded in 1948.” This long tradition, the host’s dedication and a genuine shared passion for this special ball do not go unnoticed and tickets are always selling fast. Each year the ball also marks Vienna’s debutante season and many novice dancers come from far and wide to put on beautiful white dresses and sweep across the parquet flooring for the very first time.
Schöner adds: “Before the ceremonious ball opening, guests can enjoy exquisite delicacies during the pre-ball in the stunning rooms of the Hofburg Vienna, which are full of history.” Various other bars make sure the guests’ needs are catered for all night long, from champagne to oysters. “The Herreninsel in the side gallery promises to be a true highlight with professional dancers, just like the midnight quadrille and the galopp at around 1.30am,” Schöner says with a smile. Afterwards the festivities are far from over and the night will continue into the wee hours of the morning. This elite ball is an absolute gem, for everyone who wants to experience the grandeur of a night spent like royals. www.juristenball.at