Sixteenth charity Vienna ball in Moscow through the eyes of a debutant

In the largest hall in Moscow - Gostiny Dvor - the Sixteenth charity Vienna Ball was held in Moscow. This is not only a secular, but also a significant cultural and social event of an international level - the largest and most famous ball in Russia and one of the largest balls in the world. Each year, about two thousand guests from different cities and countries come to it, including famous artists, politicians and businessmen.

According to tradition, 120 couples of debutants opened the aristocratic holiday. White dresses on the floor, graceful bouquets and tiaras - every newcomer was obliged to withstand such a dress code, cavaliers dressed in tailcoats and bow ties.

This year, Alexander Belov, an international style expert, laureate of the Stylist of the Year award, waltz among the debutants. He helped to choose the outfit for the ball to many guests.

“I was pleased to be a guest and debutant of this gala event. I am impressed by how strictly the organizers relate to the dress code, not missing even the most seemingly minor inconsistencies. I highly appreciate the level of preparation of the guests: the ladies present danced in luxurious dresses on the floor, gentlemen in tailcoats or tuxedos, bow ties and snow-white shirts waltzed with their couples. Particular attention is paid to the debutants, because we are given the honor to open the ceremony. Only the whitetie dress code is appropriate here: starting from a white butterfly, ending with gloves, ”Alexander Belov shares his impressions.

Alexander Smagin, Director of the Vienna Ball, spoke about the preparation of the debutants: “The Vienna Ball plays a very important role in educating young people and introducing young people to classical culture. Here, of course, I, first of all, mean debutants. Each year, the Ball Committee selects 240 girls and boys as newcomers. For three months, they learn to dance under the guidance of the most important specialist in ballroom dancing in Russia - the legendary Stanislav Popov, then to participate in the ball ceremony. This is the real color of youth, not only from Russia, but also from countries near and far abroad. Thanks to the media, they are becoming role models for many young people. This is extremely important, because today in the youth environment there are a lot of alarming processes that are dangerous for the future. ”

Details of the selection of debutants were disclosed by Alexander Belov: “The procedure for the selection of debutants takes place in an interview format, during which members of the Ball Committee communicate which books candidates read, what interests they have, whether they know foreign languages, whether they attend theaters and art exhibitions. Evaluate the level of education: knowledge of famous composers, artists, writers and poets. Those who survive the competition will receive an invitation letter to the ball. ”

The Vienna Ball is not just high-class entertainment, although it is also important in itself. At a traditional gala concert, world stars of opera and ballet perform. It is enough to name such names as Roberto Alanya, Dmitry Hvorostovsky, Christina Opoleis, Maria Aleksanrova and many others.

“The Vienna Ball is manners, it is a dress code, the formation of a high culture of communication between people. These are new acquaintances and business contacts, strengthening international relations, this is charity. You can list for quite some time. And the level of popularity and interest in the event is growing every year, ”says the director of the Vienna Ball.

The 16th Vienna Ball was dedicated to Russian ballet. On this occasion, the organizers prepared a surprise: a ballet gala with the participation of world ballet stars - Evgenia Obraztsova (Bolshoi Theater), Kristina Shapran and Timur Askerov (Mariinsky Theater), Natalya Somova, Georgi Smilevsky and Dmitry Sobolevsky (Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Theater). Throughout the evening, viewers enjoyed the dance performances of world stars.

A special gift was the performance of two superstar couples of Argentine tango: Russian and European champions Dmitry Vasin and Sagdiana Khamzina and European champions Kirill Parshakov and Anna Gudyno.

Vienna Ball in Moscow - a charity event. This year, the beneficiaries were the Ilze Liepa Foundation “Culture for Children” and the “Life Line” foundation.

The ball’s dance program was rich and varied. Orchestras succeeded each other. After the Moscow Symphony Orchestra “Russian Philharmonic”, the famous jazz band Semen Milshtein “Dance Land” played on stage. And on the very morning, languid rumbas, incendiary cha-cha-cha and samba guests danced to the music of the wonderful group "Seven Winds". The ball lasted until five in the morning.