The glamour and poetry of a Vienna Ball
For the uninitiated, a whole lot of mystery surrounds the rarefied world of the Vienna balls. Are they as decadent as they seem? (Even more, darling). Will I need to be able to Waltz? (Kind of). Can I let my hair down? (Wear it big, and let it loose, honey!).
A million miles away from the stuffy atmosphere that you might have expected, these gloriously maximalist soirees – of which there are over 400 held in the city each year – bring together the avant-garde and the traditional in a city that thrives from the energy of both.
The tradition of the balls traces its history to the 18thCentury when Emperor Joseph II first opened up the Redoute Room in the Hofburg palace for dances that could be attended by the general public, and not just the ruling classes.
These days Vienna plays host to every kind of ball you can think of and getting in on the tradition is somewhat of a rite of passage for the younger generation growing up in the city.
Held in February each year and hosted by Julius Meinl, the Kaffeesieder Ball is a spectacle which showcases poetry, glamour and the very best of coffee culture. Here are five things HUNGER learned at our first ever ball.
The dress code is FABULOUS
If you aren’t wearing an evening gown and silk gloves, or your best tuxedo – you can forget it. You simply won’t be allowed in to the building. The ball is not the place to be a shrinking violet, darling. That sequinned backless Ashish dress? This is the place to wear it. Green taffeta, Indian robes, Chanel couture – it is all on display here. You’ll see some amazing wigs and hair pieces too.
Everyone knows how to dance in Vienna
Preparing for your first ball is a ritual that starts in your teenage years in Vienna with lessons in waltzing. There are several intricately choreographed numbers throughout the evening, that are a sight to behold. Once the formality is dispensed of, the floor is open for you to let loose. Expect a whole lot of swinging around under the chandeliers and a soundtrack that covers everything from jazz and salsa, to R&B and pop.
The coffee house is where the party starts, and ends
Before the ball, revellers often meet at one of the city’s many beautiful coffee houses. A world away from faceless chains, these elegant establishments hold an important place in the heritage and energy of the city.
Historically, the coffee house was a place where some of the world’s greatest thinkers, artists and creatives would come together to put the world to rights.
For Sigmund Freud, Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele and more they were a hub of inspiration, a safe space to work and develop ideas and to debate with like minds.
One of the city’s most famous exports, coffee brand Julius Meinl continues to support local artists, poetry and spoken word with special events around city. (This year, for International Poetry Day – they’re even letting you pay for your coffee with a hand-written poem of your own).
After the ball, it’s a regular sight to see ball goers in full length gowns and fur capes having a sip of Julius Meinl’s magical blends late into the night, debating every subject you can imagine until the sun rises.
The people watching is amazing
People come to the ball to be seen and they are not at all shy about it. Expect to see mini photo shoots happening all over the building. From art school teenagers to the most fabulous octogenarians, age ain’t nothing but a number in Vienna.
Once you are in the main ballroom, there are many vantage points to view the action on the floor from. If you want to just sit back and take it all in, you can. You’ll be provided with a specially designed fan to use for the night – perfect for throwing some subtle shade.
The night goes into the wee hours.
You will need stamina if you want to keep pace with the Viennese. A typical ball starts around 9pm and goes on until 4am. Thankfully, there’s plenty of food on offer with a host of complementary chocolate treats and traditional dishes including gulash soup and schnitzel which you can enjoy beside the dance floor.
You will have a Cinderella moment
After your belle of the ball experience, regular nights out are sadly going to seem incredibly basic to you from now on.
Julius Meinl is the hosts of the the Kaffeesieder Ball.
Every year, the brand’ Pay with a Poem campaign on International Poetry Day allows you to use a hand-written poem to pay for a coffee or tea at participating coffee houses in the city of Vienna, and at 40 locations around the world – find out more.
