The Concordia Ball on Friday, June 8th 2018

Austria's traditional ball for media professionals
Press Club Concordia, an organisation of Austrian journalists and writers, has been holding a traditional Viennese ball at the Vienna City Hall each June for over 150 years. As one of the few summer balls in Vienna, around 2,000 guests attend every year, including well-known representatives from politics, business, arts & culture and the media. The elegance of the occasion with glittering decoration, elegant dresses and an ambience of fun and relaxation prove to be a spectacular attraction for our foreign guests. Similar to the 'Opera Ball' held in winter, the Concordia Ball offers attendees the very best in fine Viennese tradition and the classic spirit of a summer ball.

Scholarships and social fund
The ball always used profits to fund humanitarian services connected to Press Club Concordia, which was founded in 1859 as a social club for the writer's guild. At that time the surpluses filled the pension fund. Today, revenue goes exclusively to the Social Fund and Egon Erwin Kisch's scholarship fund. Since 2012, Press Club Concordia has awarded scholarships for investigative research projects, named after the 'speedy reporter' Egon Erwin Kisch.

Tradition...
The Concordia Ball has been a central part of Viennese society since the 19th century, and remains true to the original with a selection of young ladies and gentlemen forming an opening committee, the arrival and entrance of guests of honour, and compliance with traditional clothing etiquette.

... and modernity
Avid dancers flock to the Concordia Ball due to the varied musical program. The exquisitely decorated halls of Vienna's City Hall provide plenty of room for dancing the night away, or alternatively, the inner courtyard magically transforms into an outdoor dance floor.

History

After the journalists and writers association 'Concordia' was established in 1859, it was agreed that the occasion deserved its own ball. On January 19th 1863, the first 'Concordia Ball' was held at the Sofiensäle. The ball soon became an annual highlight in the calendars of Viennese society. From its conception, it was visited by figures from politics, society and art. In its second year was referred to in the 'Morning Post' as the 'crown of elite balls'. Until the 50th Anniversary Ball in 1914, the only year in which the Concordia Ball did not take place was 1889 following the death of Crown Prince Rudolf, who regularly frequented the ball.

After the First World War and the collapse of the monarchy, the importance of the Concordia Ball waned. In the early 1930s the ball fell prey to the tumultuous political and economic conditions. After the 'Anschluss', Press Club Concordia was forcibly disbanded by the Nazis. Despite the reactivation of Press Club Concordia after the war, the mood to hold a ball was not quick to return.

In 1960 came the revival of the Concordia Ball under the president of the Press Club, Rudolf Kalmar, with the support of Hans Mandl, Vienna's Vice Mayor. It was at this time that the Concordia Ball found its new home at Vienna's City Hall during the 'Vienna Festival'.

Source:
Felix Czeike: Historical Dictionary of Vienna. (Volume 1). Publisher Kremayr & Scheriau, Vienna 1992, page 589
Felix Czeike: Concordiaball. In: Wochenspiegel 6 (1986), page 5
Picture
Uschi Pöttler-Fellner, Publisher and Editor in Chief of look! and Die Bundesländerinnen

Since 2015, the well-known Austrian media producer Uschi Pöttler-Fellner serves as  Concordia Ball Ambassador. The Publisher and Editor in Chief of 'look!' and 'Die Bundesländerinnen' is "very pleased that the 'writing guild' is in the spotlight of a major event for once."
    
  

Dress Code

In keeping with tradition, compliance with ball etiquette is strictly required. Although Rudolf Kalmar, former president of the Press Club, once joked to a newspaper (Die Presse) about how strict the Concordia Ball was regarding its adherence to formality, he also noted that 'the ball speaker's speech carried the same weight as a formal policy statement. The way the cosmopolitan city respected the Concordia Ball, was the respect to it's mind.'

In keeping with the venue and ambience of the ball, the following dress code applies:

Ladies: Floor-length evening dresses 
Gentlemen: Dark tuxedo, dinner jacket, military uniform and bow tie 

The ball committee reserves the right to refuse entry to any guest who does not honour these dress rules.

Venue

As one of the few summer balls the Concordia Ball takes place in Vienna's City Hall during the 'Vienna Festival'. The exquisitely decorated halls of Vienna's City Hall provide plenty of room for dancing the night away, or alternatively, the inner courtyard magically transforms into an outdoor dance floor.

Vienna City Hall Address:
Entrance Lichtenfelsgasse 2
1010 Vienna

Directions to Vienna's City Hall by public transport:
Subway: U2 Rathaus, U3 Volkstheater
Trams: 1, 71 or D to Rathausplatz/Burgtheater, 2 to Rathaus

For precise timetable inquiries please check Vienna's public transportation website.

Parking around Vienna's City Hall:
Due to the strict parking regulations enforced around the venue, it is recommended that guests arrive by public transport or taxi. Should you wish to arrive by car, there is limited parking available in the town hall's underground car park.