2024-02-16 04:00:00
The Vienna Academic Ball takes place on Friday evening in the Hofburg. As part of the controversial ball, five demonstrations, a police closure and several adjustments to the Wiener Linien timetable are planned.
VIENNA. The most controversial dance of this year’s Vienna ball season is probably the Vienna Academic Ball. This will take place on Friday, February 16th in the Vienna Hofburg. Like every year, the event has an impact on Vienna’s city center.
Traditionally, as part of the Academic Ball, there are several larger and smaller demonstrations, which lead to square and road closures, traffic jams and changes to public transport timetables. MeinBezirk.at answers the most important questions regarding the ball.
Which demos are planned?
Five larger and smaller demonstrations and stand rallies are planned as part of the Academic Ball on Friday followingnoon and evening.
The “offensive once morest the right” has called for a march under the name “No place for fascists! Demo once morest the FPÖ fraternity ball” from the University of Vienna via Wipplingerstrasse, Hohen Markt and Rotenturmstrasse to Stephansplatz. Several hundred participants are expected. The event starts at 5 p.m. at the Schottentor and the final rally takes place at St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
An hour and a half later there is the “Anti-Fascist Booth Bummel” at the ramp of the main building of the University of Vienna. This was announced by the students’ association at the TU Vienna together with the ÖH BOKU.
What are the police planning?
The Vienna police told MeinBezirk.at that around 900 officers will be on duty. As was the case last year, there will also be support from the federal states. This year colleagues from Lower Austria, Burgenland, Upper Austria and Styria are on site.
A large-scale security police ban has been imposed around the Heldenplatz area. When entering the Hofburg event venue, the police will search clothing and any containers brought along. You can see the plan for the court closure, which comes into force at 5 p.m., above.
Where are blockages and traffic jams to be expected?
From 4 p.m. there will be a ring closure for vehicle traffic; the closure affects the part from Operngasse to Schottengasse. According to the ÖAMTC traffic experts, there may be delays, stops and traffic jams in the city center area from 5 p.m. The section of the ring between Schwarzenbergplatz and the university, the alternative route over the two-passenger line and the access roads to the ring are particularly affected. It is recommended to avoid large areas, for example along the Danube Canal or across the Belt.
Several Wiener Linien tram and bus lines are also affected by the demonstrations and police measures. You can find out which ones here:
These changes are available at Bim and Bus in Vienna
When does the ball start?
According to organizers, entry for dinner guests opens at 5 p.m. From 8 p.m. there is a champagne reception for guests of honor and admission for all ball guests. The ball begins at 9 p.m. with the entry of the guests of honor accompanied by fanfares. The plan is to have a fan polonaise by the Young Women’s and Young Men’s Committee, the ceremonial opening speech, dance performance and the opening waltz.
From 9:30 p.m. there will be live and dance music. The audience quadrille is planned for around midnight: Bat Quadrille by Johann Strauss Sohn. The final waltz is danced at 4 a.m. and then at 7:30 a.m. it’s time for a hangover breakfast in the “Schwarzenberg” café.
According to media reports, FPÖ Ombudsman Walter Rosenkranz will be the keynote speaker for the second time. The third President of the National Council, Norbert Hofer, might also be there, but FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl is not there.
The police, together with the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, are also giving some safety tips for businesses and residents in the city center. You can read which ones below.
More regarding the Academic Ball 2024:
The police and the Chamber of Commerce provide safety tips
Those were the biggest excitement of the WKR balls
New details regarding demos and ban on seating at the Vienna Academic Ball
Police investigate “call for violence” at Vienna Academic Ball
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