The sold-out officers’ ball was a complete success
Vienna (OTS) – The 75th Officers’ Ball took place this year on Friday, January 19, 2024, in 23 historic halls of the Vienna Hofburg. Under the motto “SoundS of Music” the officers of the Austrian Armed Forces invited everyone to a special ball night. The motto of the ball, which is based on the famous musical, emphasized the musical diversity and at the same time the partnership with the “Vermont National Guard”. Among the 3,400 guests were Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner and the Chief of the General Staff, General Rudolf Striedinger, as well as well-known guests from home and abroad.
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: “The Officers’ Ball was, like every year, an impressive experience for me and is part of the tradition of the Federal Army. I am particularly pleased that the Vermont National Guard was this year’s ball partner because, in addition to the military partnership, we are also connected by musical history. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the organization and especially the musical performances, dances and shows, which were simply unforgettable.”
Among the 3,400 guests were international military officials, including generals of the US Armed Forces such as General Hokanson, General Christopher Cavoli and Lieutenant General Steven Basham as well as Major General Knight, as well as representatives of US diplomacy, including the United States Ambassador to Austria, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, as well as numerous personalities from business, politics, sport and culture.
“It was an honor for us that the Austrian Armed Forces invited the United States of America and the Vermont State National Guard as guests of honor to the 75th anniversary of the Officers’ Ball. Our strong bilateral relationships and shared transatlantic partnership are more important than ever in these turbulent and dangerous times. “I would like to thank you for the wonderful evening of friendship and celebration as part of such an unforgettable Viennese tradition,” said Ambassador Kennedy.
Georg Ritter von Trapp’s granddaughter and her family, who had come especially from Vermont, were also welcomed as guests of honor. The officers’ ball was opened with the “Star-Spangled Banner March” under the direction of the Elmayer Dance School. A special connection between Austria and the USA was expressed by the presence of the “Vermont National Guard”. The “40th Army Band” and the “US Army Europe and Africa Band & Chorus” provided musical highlights at the 75th Officers’ Ball.
Further musical entertainment was provided by, among others, the string orchestra and the Gardemusik gala band US Army Europe and Africa Band & Chorus, the 40th Army Band of the Vermont National Guard, a women’s string orchestra, a disco as well a folk music ensemble,
who invited people to dance. In addition, Carinthia’s military bandmaster, Colonel Dietmar Pranter, created a great atmosphere on the piano with a “Tribute to Billy, Elton & Udo”. The musical midnight interlude “SoundS of Music” was based on the famous Broadway musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Of course, the obligatory midnight quadrille, which brings together guests from all nations, could not be missed. The evening also offered a varied program after midnight with the opportunity for folk dances and dance performances. The ball night ended early in the morning with the military horn signal “Zapfenstreich”.
The officers’ ball is organized annually in cooperation between the Austrian Armed Forces and the “Alt-Neustadt” association, the graduates of the Theresian Military Academy. Austria’s officers invite people from different social, professional and age groups to the traditional event and social gathering. The uniforms from all over the world illustrate the embeddedness of the armed forces and their officers in Austrian society and the international community.
All pictures from the Officers’ Ball can be found at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBaYHU
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