The Viennese Opera Ball in Washington, DC

The second annual Viennese Opera Ball in Washington, DC will take place on September 25, 1998 under the Honorary Chairmanship of the Federal President of Austria, Thomas Klestil.

It will be orchestrated in the manner of the world-famous Opera Ball which has been held in the State Opera House of Vienna, Austria, for more than a hundred years. In Vienna the ball is a most prestigious social and cultural even which is attended by prominent people from all over the world. Beautiful waltzes are played by the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of a famous conductor; a specially prepared cotillion of young ladies and gentlemen performs a formal opening dance; the elegant attire of the participants, floral displays and brilliant decorations against the backdrop of splendid architecture create an intoxicating atmosphere that expresses the love of life of the Viennese. The arrival of the President and members of the Government, the entry of the Committee of Honor and waltz performances by the Vienna State Opera Ballet make the Opera Ball the high point of the social season in Vienna.

The Viennese Opera Ball in Washington, organized by the non-profit Austrian-American Alliance for the Children, aims to raise funds for SOS Children's Villages USA. This is the American sister organization of SOS Children's Villages, an Austrian-based international charitable organization which has been doing remarkable work for orphaned, abandoned, neglected and abused children worldwide for over fifty years. SOS Children's Villages USA helps needy children in the United States. Its innovative approach, based on the belief that every child deserves to grow up in a caring family, offers significant hope for dealing effectively with one of the greatest and most pressing problems in America today.

The Viennese Opera Ball in Washington is sponsored by American and Austrian organizations. It is intended as a forum for leaders of industry and culture from both countries to meet with representatives of Congress and the American Administration. High-ranking government officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps will be invited to the ball as guests of honor. The Viennese Opera Ball in Washington, and other activities planned in conjunction with it, promise to become an annual meeting place for prominent people from Austria and the United States and a significant addition to Washington's social and cultural life.