“The Silver Lake,” composed by Kurt Weill in 1933 amidst a crisis-ridden era of the Weimar Republic, is a three-part stage play that delves deep into the social and political unrest of the time—a world defined by injustice. The Silver Lake itself serves as a symbolic space for power and wealth, where desire and conflicts flare up between the oppressed and the powerful. The play impresses with its amalgamation of folk melodies and avant-garde elements. Continue reading The ball overture
From Busua in Ghana to Pongau in Salzburg, BEX has carved her path right into the heart of the Vienna music scene, culminating in a performance at the 2024 Vienna Science Ball.
A sneak peek into the sounds by Chiara Joos
It’s not just the different locations that characterize BEX, it’s also her passionate dedication to music. About two years ago, her musical journey began at a demonstration in Vienna, where she has been residing since 2019. It was there that the paths of the now 25-year-old BEX and the singer Aengl (formerly W1ze) crossed. Their connection extends beyond political protests – both not only faced racist experiences but also shared a musical taste. Progressing swiftly, two collaborative songs emerged, earning a spot on Aengl’s EP „Down Low.“ The initial performances followed suit. In 2022, a year later, not only was the joint EP nominated for the Best Sound category at the Amadeus Austrian Music Awards, but BEX also stood on stage as a live act, attracting national attention for the first time. Continue reading Bex/Beats/Body
Vegetarian diets are not only healthy for the individual – but also for the planet. To be tasted at the science ball.
A tasting session by Chiara Joos
(PR) Environmental vegetarianism is a current trend that goes beyond the sustainability scene and Insta-influencers. The Oxford study of the Livestock, Environment and People (LEAP) project conducted research into this. This is not just about satisfying hunger, but about a lifestyle that aims to protect the planet. Continue reading Veggie food tasting
In January, large-format works by two students from the Academy of Fine Arts decorate the ball discotheque. From April onwards, the entire city will become a gallery when the first Climate Biennale addresses change through art
A tour by Chiara Joos
From the beginning of April to mid-July, Vienna will be the venue for the first Climate Biennale. The focus is on one mission: enabling a paradigm shift for a livable future on our planet. The Biennale relies on participation, cooperation and awareness-raising as central elements in order to jointly shape answers to the urgent challenges of the climate crisis. Similarly, but on a disco scale of the science ball, two students from the Academy of Fine Arts, Olesia Bieliavtseva (left in the picture) and Alisa Efremova (right), also want to make their artistic contribution to climate awareness.
Artificial intelligence in the form of machine learning, large language models such as ChatGPT is currently revolutionizing society and the economy, as well as universities and science. The basic techniques such as neural networks or large language models have been around for a long time, but in recent years a disruptive process has begun through which AI is massively penetrating all areas. Continue reading Georg Gottlob: Natural intelligence is having a ball
The changing climate is also transforming Vienna’s green spaces. New species are designed to withstand higher temperatures. At the Science Ball 2024, olives and pomegranates will decorate the tables.
A visit to the tree nursery by Chiara Joos
An evening that captivates the senses and gets people dancing requires a decoration that is just as unique. This year the table decorations are all about the climate, or more precisely: the olive. The trees with the small, round stone fruits are the winners from climate change. Cultivated and processed in a variety of ways in the Mediterranean region for thousands of years, they could soon triumph here too. The florists at the Vienna City Gardens are already setting the trend by decorating the banquet hall tables with small olive trees. But these Mediterranean trees are not only in miniature format, but also in large format in some places in Austria. Continue reading Change takes root
After high school, I spent a year at art school before starting my physics degree. I realised in the first few weeks of studying physics that something wasn’t right. 80% of my year were men, UK students were almost exclusively white, and most students were from more affluent socioeconomic backgrounds. Continue reading Jessica Wade: Help others to become scientists
It’s literally a box office hit! Again, this ball season the Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus am Karlsplatz is our host. Thanks to their hospitality we are distributing our tickets at this well-located address in the inner city centre from the 8 to 26 January, on workdays from 15.00 until 18.00.
Please note that we cannot accept creditcards, cash only! The exact address: Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus, 1010 Wien, Akademiestraße 13. You can reach the ticket office via U1, U4; Straßenbahnen 1, 2, 62, 71, D, U2Z; Badner Bahn; Busse 3A, 4A, 59A; Regionalbus 360.
Photo: R. Ferrigato
The ball team uses its Christmas party at the excellent Ludwig & Adele to inspect the pop-up ball office in Vienna’s Stadtkino (open from 8 January 2024). In a festive mood from left to right: Martin Mühl (Monopol Verlag), Chiara Joos (Ball Editor), Claudia Spitz and Emilie Kleinszig (Producers), Petra Eckhart (Ball Management), Thomas Pani (Web Management) and Oliver Lehmann (Ball Organizer). We wish you happy holidays!
Photo: Roland Ferrigato
The excitement is great, as is the interest: tickets for the 9th Vienna Ball of Sciences on 27 January 2024 are now available in the webshop.
The Chairman of the Ball Committee, Oliver Lehmann, recorded extremely high interest even before tickets went on sale, both from Austria and abroad. Tickets can be booked immediately at https://www.wissenschaftsball.at/shop/. The prices: € 100 for regular tickets, € 40 for students. Tables and boxes can also be booked at https://www.wissenschaftsball.at/shop/.
Lehmann: “What was apparent last year has been confirmed again this season: interest in the Science Ball is extremely high. Even before tickets went on sale, we were flooded with enquiries! The Science Ball represents the diversity, size and excellence of the universities, universities of applied sciences, private universities and research institutions in the greater Vienna area.”
The programme in the ballrooms on the Beletage and – for the first time since 2020 – also in the Volkshalle of the town hall presents a stimulating mix of amazing scientific presentations, surprising tastings and music ranging from waltzes and jazz to soul and tango, including the opening committee and midnight quadrille. Thanks to the commitment of the 400 orchestra and band musicians, dancers, event technicians and catering staff, the Science Ball makes a significant contribution to Vienna’s cultural and event scene.
Lehmann: “Music from all genres, from waltz to swing, world and tango to hip hop, awaits you on five stages from 8.00 pm to 4.00 am. Presentations from the world of science will transform the town hall into an open-plan laboratory of enlightened pleasure.”
Once again, the rectors, presidents and heads of all Viennese universities, private universities, universities of applied sciences as well as the Austrian Academy of Sciences, IIASA, ISTA and WPI will form the committee of honour, underlining the relevance of Vienna as the most important university and research location in Central Europe. Highlights of the programme will be announced over the coming weeks, as will the ball ambassadors from science, business, culture and society.
The marketing activities for the ball are now in full swing.
The main source of information is the website www.wissenschaftsball.at and the social media channels @SciBall.
Free photos of the Ball 2023 for download
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Oliver Lehmann, ball organiser
E-mail: lehmann@wissenschaftsball.at
Homepage: www.wissenschaftsball.at
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @SciBall