An Cosantóir

10 | Officers Ball Vienna, Austria Report by: Lt Christopher Bonus (1 MIC, DFTC) Photos: 1st by author, remainder courtesy of BdO: Foto: ��Josef HARTL O n the 17th of January 2012 the Austrian Armed Forces (AAF) held its annual Officers Ball (Ball der Offiziere) in the magnificent Hofburg in Vienna. I was invited to attend by the Language Institute of the AAF (Sprachinstitut des Bundesheeres, Landesverteidigungsakademie, Wien) where I am currently studying German. The entire event brims with class and elegance, with an almost unfathomable size and scale. The ball is organised each year by graduates from the Theresian Military Academy which was founded in 1751 and started its classes in 1752, which makes it the oldest military academy in the world. The event could easily see over 1,500 people, all clad in their finest of dress, ranging from tuxedos, ball dresses to probably one of the most elaborate collection of uniforms that is possible to be seen in one night. The large hall plays host to the opening ceremony, which consists of a number of professional dancing displays, the introduction of the VIP guests and invited guests, a marching and musical display from the Austrian Military Guards, a number of short speeches and then the ball���s main opening dance. The opening dance is made up of Cadets from the Military Academy in Wiener Neustadt who dance with civilian partners and also invited guests from other militaries around the world. The cadets and guests open with a dazzling Vienna Waltz that simply does nothing less than captivate, with perfectly straight and narrow rows that suddenly burst out into life and energy and intricately intertwine through each other. The dancers progress onto other famous and popular dances to great applause from the onlookers. The Austrian Chief of Staff, General Edmund Entacher then officially opens the ball to the delight of the guests who at this stage are plump with the desire to dance and waltz. After the opening ceremony there is still much more to be seen, the first floor of the Hofburg consists of more than 20 rooms, all with their own particular feel, atmosphere, drink and food selection and music. An exploration of this chasm of elegance is a must; many people instantly fall in love with a certain room and atmosphere while others continue to wander in order to fully experience the amazing grandeur of the ball. The sensation of this night is truly remarkable, and entirely unimaginable until lived, something that is difficult to find outside of Austria, where the people truly know how to inject a real sense of grace and sophistication to a social gathering. Pictured at the da U.S. Army Capt an The AAF Guards B the main hall. Professional dancers performing in the main hall. General Edmund E the Austrian Arme speech. Onlooking Defence and Sport side sitting. An Cosant��ir March 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie

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