Ten years ago, ahead of the milestone of 20 years of Turkmenistan’s independence, Ashgabat hosted the first Viennese ball, one of the most outstanding and spectacular events of the anniversary year. A proud tradition in Austria, but entirely new to Turkmenistan, the ball was initiated by the Austrian-Turkmen Society in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan. The Austrian capital has been renowned for its lavish balls for several centuries. Following in its footsteps, the celebration of music, waltz and elegance is now held in many other cities around the world. The Viennese ball has been inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The square in front of the Mukam Palace of the National Cultural Center of Turkmenistan provided the venue for the first Viennese ball in Ashgabat in September of 2011. It had played host to performances by artists from different countries. Members of our country’s government and national parliament, representatives of public and creative organizations, diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited to Turkmenistan, ministries and agencies, the mass media and young people from the capital attended the ball as guests of honor. The Republic of Austria’s delegation had arrived in Ashgabat to take part in the first Viennese ball. Conducted by famous Austrian musician, Professor Wolfgang Harrer, the Johann Strauss Orchestra, one of Vienna’s leading musical ensembles, had been specially invited to perform at the event.
A welcome message from President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, under whose patronage the first Viennese ball was organized in Ashgabat, was read during the joint cultural event’s official opening ceremony. The head of state highlighted the important role of the international event in strengthening the Turkmen-Austrian dialogue, fostering creative collaboration between the two nations, and promoting their rich cultural heritage. President of the Austrian-Turkmen Society Neda Berger and the head of the official delegation from the city of Vienna Senator Walter Nettig welcomed the guests at the ball that featured popular pieces of the world’s and national classical music, fragments from the famous operettas by Franz Lehár and Imre Kálmán. Dancers were dancing in pairs to the waltzes by Johann Strauss, creating a romantic atmosphere of the musical celebration. The Radetzky March, Johann Strauss’s most famous piece, brought the festive evening to a spectacular end. It traditionally closes an annual New Year’s Day concert performed by the Vienna Philharmonic, one of the world’s best orchestras.
Over the years, the Viennese ball has become a tradition for the Turkmen-Austrian cultural dialogue to mark important occasions of the ever-growing bilateral cooperation with. In October of 2019, Ashgabat hosted the fourth Viennese ball in celebration of the anniversary of the Galkynysh Turkmen-Austrian Symphony Orchestra, the only joint orchestra in Europe. A delegation from Austria had arrived in the Turkmen capital to take part in the Viennese ball. It was composed of famous Austrian opera singers and dancing couples. The evening featured pieces by Johann Straus, and Turkmen composers, such as Veli Mukhatov, Aman Agajikov, Danatar Ovezov, Chary Nurymov, among others.
Ogulgozel Rejepova
