2024-01-14 10:30:23
Traditional ball as a meeting point for business, society, politics and culture in rural areas
Vienna (OTS) – The first Farmers’ Union Ball, organized by Leopold Figl, took place on January 13, 1934. Exactly 90 years later, Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association Chairman LH-Deputy. Stephan Pernkopf invited people to the 80th ball and was able to welcome over 4,000 visitors and many high-profile guests of honor following a three-year break.
“The Lower Austrian Farmers’ Association Ball is a strong exclamation mark for the culture in rural areas that we are bringing to the city. We’re not just talking regarding home, tradition and customs. We live these values. It is these values that give us all security, stability and support in these challenging times,” said Farmers’ Association Chairman Stephan Pernkopf and Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner at the welcome and opening, which was initiated by 60 folk dance groups and the flag-raising by agricultural colleges from Lower Austria.
High-class honorary protection and impressive floral decorations
State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who together with Tanner, Pernkopf and other high-ranking political representatives and business representatives also took over the protection of the ball, demonstrated the great importance of farming work for Lower Austria and Austria: “To our farmers You can rely on farmers. They work 365 days a year for our food and provide our country with the most valuable things. This makes them true top performers and farming families form the foundation of values in Austria. We thank them for this and will continue to take all political measures to ensure that this systemically important area of our country remains strong.”
The floral decoration was designed by Lower Austrian gardeners and young gardeners. Thousands of flowers were painstakingly transformed by hand into an impressive arrangement and work of art. Popular meeting places this year were once once more the So Tastes Lower Austria “Most meets Wine” lounge and the ORF Radio Lower Austria Disco. The Lower Austrian Regional Youth organized the milk and regional wine winner bar as well as the young farmers’ reception.
There for the young farmers since Leopold Figl
Since the ball was founded, one idea has been at the center. Support and training for youth from rural areas and equal opportunities for children from farming families. Through Leopold Figl’s initiative, over 15,000 scholarships have already been awarded, thereby supporting vocational training and further education.
The net proceeds from the ball will go entirely to this purpose and around 300 pupils and students will be supported in the coming year.
Ball chairman Stefan Jauk and Pernkopf underlined the strong cooperation in the organization: “Many helping hands worked together to create a great experience for all visitors. I would like to thank everyone who actively worked here and all our visitors, donors and supporters for so generously supporting our rural youth in their education.”
Women’s donation with heart
Instead of the traditional women’s donation, this amount was converted into a donation for the “Help in Your Own Country” initiative. This initiative provides financial support to families in difficult life situations, following disasters and strokes of fate.
“Deaths, illnesses or accidents often hit families unprepared and out of the blue. In the farming environment, work in the fields and in the stables doesn’t stop when life is otherwise turned upside down. With financial support from the organization “Help in Your Own Country,” at least one burden can be lifted. In such a socially challenging time, we see it as our mission to put the good cause at the center of the ball evening,” emphasized the ball organizers, Paul Nemecek and ball chairman Stefan Jauk.
In collaboration with the farmers, a conscious signal was given for voluntary work and charity. As a culinary welcome at the ball, the ladies present received gingerbread hearts, which were handmade by the farmers of Lower Austria.
Questions & Contact:
Lower Austria Farmers’ Union Ball
Press relations Benjamin Lorenzer
presse@noebauernbundball.at
1705228419
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