It is a long-standing tradition of the Bailliage to participate in the annual “Wiener Kaffeesiederball”. This ball represents the best Viennese coffee house culture and takes place in Vienna’s glorious Hofburg Palace.

It is one of the most beautiful, atmospheric balls in Vienna where this year some 4,000 guests from 20 nations including celebrities from politics, economics and culture enjoyed the ball-motto: “café modern - yesterday-today-tomorrow” dancing into the early hours.

In keeping with tradition, Bailli Délégué Norbert Simon and Hannes Sailer, Bailli of Vienna, welcomed members from Austria, Germany and a group from Liechtenstein including their Bailli Délégué Daniel Jäggi.

Champagne was served at the so-called “staircase of the Ambassadors” (Botschafterstiege), located in one of the oldest parts of the Hofburg Palace. Since the 18th century, as a result of the Swiss Guard serving there as a palace guard, it is called the “Schweizerhof” (Swiss wing).

The Vienna State Opera Ballet opened their dance performance to a Polonaise by Frédéric Chopin followed by Ravel’s Bolero. Everyone joined in the traditional and popular midnight quadrille. This brilliant ball will be remembered for a long time.

The Kaffeesiederball was first held in 1956. The atmospheric event is certainly the highlight of Vienna’s Ball Season. In 2011 UNESCO included the Viennese coffeehouse culture in the list of intangible cultural heritage.

We, of the Bailliage of Austria, would be pleased to welcome Chaîne members and their guests to the 62nd Wiener Kaffeesiederball on February 22, 2019.

Werner Scheibenpflug
Chargé de Presse