Yesterday, January 17, 2025, the Federal Army and the “Alt Neustadt” alumni association invited people to the 76th Officers’ Ball in the Vienna Hofburg. The three anniversaries: 210 years of the Congress of Vienna, 70 years of the Federal Army and 30 years of EU accession were celebrated under the motto “Europe is dancing”. Accordingly, the specially formed gala orchestra of the Armed Forces accompanied the ball guests on a musical journey through diverse Europe. The evening opened with welcome remarks from Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner and the Chief of the General Staff and the President of the “Alt-Neustadt Association”, General Rudolf Striedinger. The 3,400 visitors included international guests from member states of the European Union and all over the world.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: “This year’s officers’ ball shows that cohesion is not just an idea, but a lived reality in Europe. In moments like these we realize what unites us – a common goal, mutual trust and the power of diversity. Europe dances and every step tells the story of our unity. This feeling of community and strength should inspire our actions far beyond this evening.”
This year’s ball evening was heralded with an opening fanfare, the entry of the Young Women’s and Young Men’s Committees and the guests of honor. A musical start followed with Claire Craig and Martin Lechleitner, who presented works by the Hungarian composer Emmerich Kálmán. As part of this year’s anniversary celebrations “70 Years of the Federal Army”, the premiere of Colonel Hannes Apfolterer’s “Parade March” took place. The opening waltz, a piece by Johann Strauss Sohn, got the ball guests in the mood for the subsequent midnight performance: On the occasion of this, the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss Sohn was celebrated, surrounded by a waltz formation from the Elmayer Dance School. Afterwards, the military music show orchestra with Ms. Fausta Gallelli and the Combo Camouflage led a musical tour of Europe before the ball night ended with folk dances, the late night show “Bella Italia” and the traditional tattoo.
The Officers’ Ball is organized annually in cooperation between the Federal Army and the “Alt-Neustadt” association, the graduates of the Theresian Military Academy. Since 1926, Austria’s officers have been inviting people from all areas of society, different professional groups and different ages to traditional events that create a platform for exchange and sociable togetherness. The variety of uniforms from all over the world not only underlines the deep roots of the Federal Army and its officers in Austrian society, but also their strong connection to the international community.
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