The Viennese ball culture has its origins in the festivities during the carnival season. These usually took place in the streets and often got out of hand. To better control the excesses, the festivities were moved indoors by imperial decree; they were no longer permitted to take place on the streets. In the 18th century, Emperor Joseph II opened the Hofburg balls to the public. This decision allowed a ball culture to develop in the nineteenth century in which balls were no longer reserved solely for the aristocracy, but in which many professional groups held their own balls. The carnival period also became the ball season. This gave rise to a unique ball culture, in which many young ladies and gentlemen make their debut every year.
The former Consul of Austria in the Netherlands had a daughter called Veronica who grew up in the Netherlands due to the profession of her father. After she studied in Vienna and upon her return to the Netherlands, she missed the excitement of the Viennese balls. Veronica von Brunner therefore took the initiative herself and organized her own ball for the first time in 1965 in the Kurhaus in Scheveningen. There were 10 couples who formed the Jungdamen and Jungherrenkomitee. The ladies wore dresses in pastel colours.
The ball was a roaring success, even though not all ball guests were familiar with Viennese customs. Inspired by the success and enthusiasm, a ball committee was formed with the aim of organising the ball annually, similar to those held in Vienna.
The ball, of course, had to be organized during the carnival period, so from 1966 to 1972, the “Ball der Osterreicher” was organized in the Kurhaus in Scheveningen, also known as the Viennese debutante ball.
Sadly, due to renovations in the Kurhaus, the ball had to be organized elsewhere. In the following years, the ball took place in Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin, in the Sonesta Hotel Amsterdam, the Concert Hall Amsterdam, and for nine years, ball guests amused themselves in the Stadsgehoorzaal in Leiden.
In 1992, the ball moved back to Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin in Noordwijk, and to this day it is still hosted here. This coming March, it will already be the 58th edition of the Wiener Ball, and it will be the 36th time that it is organized by the hotel.
At present, the Wiener Ball in the Netherlands is one of the biggest Viennese balls outside Austria, and it is praised for its warm welcome and inviting ambiance.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ball regretfully could not take place in February 2021 and 2022. To make up for the time lost, the 53rd edition was organized as a Wiener Summer Ball in 2022. This was unique for the Wiener Ball and had never occurred in all of its history.
In the past 57 editions, there have been many organizing committees. Today’s organizing committee was heralded in November 2022 and is rejoicing to continue the rich history of the Wiener Ball while preserving the old traditions.
We are now on our way to the 58th Wiener Ball and hope that you, too, have been inspired to join us in experiencing this unique ball in the Netherlands.
Sincerely,
Antoinette Nikkels van der Veen-Hermans
President of the Wiener Ball
