As a small gift for our ball guests, we have put together a preview of the #SciBall25 program and presented it to Mayor Michael Ludwig and City Councilor for Science  Veronica Kaup-Hasler at a photo opportunity in the town hall. Here is the corresponding press release with the official ball photo:

From experiment to event

The Science Ball will celebrate its anniversary on January 25, 2025 in the City Hall with attractions from the world of research and excellent models of science communication

Vienna (OTS) – The 10th Vienna Science Ball on January 25, 2025 in the Vienna City Hall has been completely sold out for two weeks. Participation in events is still possible for the supporting program that complements the ball. Mayor Dr. Michael Ludwig: “What began as an experiment ten years ago has developed into an extraordinarily remarkable successful concept that is also attracting great international attention. I would like to congratulate the organizing team very warmly on this.”

• With “Sounds of Entanglement”, the phenomenon of entanglement from quantum physics can be experienced sensually. To mark the International Year of Quantum Physics 2025 and the establishment of the Austrian research network quantA, a team led by young physicist Philipp Haslinger from the Vienna University of Technology has developed a fascinating experiment with live music and visuals that will be shown live in the town hall.
• The Californian neuroscientist and multimedia artist Saki from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria is designing magnificent ball gowns and chandeliers from laboratory waste in collaboration with the GreenLabsAustria initiative.
• Astonishing close-ups of colorful poison dart frogs, a dancing axolotl and “cute” mosses from the laboratories of the IMBA and the GMI as well as from the collection of the Natural History Museum Vienna result in absolutely Instagram-worthy photo wallpapers that will be on display in the town hall.
• Classics are returning to the ballroom as floral decorations: the carnivorous Venus flytraps – absolute favorites of the first Science Ball in 2015 – will decorate the tables and boxes. They illustrate the extremely important role that moors play as habitats in preserving biodiversity and storing CO2.
• The highlight of the packed music program on five stages with waltz, swing, world music tango and hip hop is the performance of the celebrated Carmen from the Volksoper, Katia Ledoux. The mezzo-soprano is appearing for the very first time as part of a midnight performance at a Viennese ball – true to the motto of one of her signature roles, Prince Orlofsky from “The Fledermaus”: “Ich lade gern mir Gäste ein”

Scientists from Vienna and all over the world are expected at the ball. The ball ambassadors give a good impression of the diversity and competence of research and science communication: quantum physicist Markus Aspelmeyer (U Wien), transformation researcher Maja Göbel (U Lüneburg), biologist Sylvia Kerschbaum-Gruber aka @molecular.sylvia (MedU Wien), Hedy Lamarr Prize winner 2024 and computer scientist Laura Koesten (U Wien), Salzburger-Stier winner and cabaret artist Malarina, artistic director Karl Regensburger (Impulstanz), podcast star and pathologist Christian Reiter, ÖH chairwoman Sarah Rossmann, MINT representative of the City of Vienna Sabine Seidler (TU Wien), molecular biologist and scientific director EllyTanaka (IMBA), philosopher and wrestler Sophie Juliane Veigl (U Wien), writer Barbara Zeman and criminal lawyer Ingeborg Zerbes (U Wien).

The official organizer of the ball is the Wolfgang Pauli Institute, organized by the Wien Wissen association. The honorary patron is once again Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, the chairman of the honorary presidium is Mayor Dr. Michael Ludwig, members are Vice Mayor Christoph Wiederkehr and City Councilor Veronica Kaup-Hasler. The ball is supported by the honorary committee, in which all rectors, presidents and managing directors of Vienna’s scientific institutions are represented.

Mayor Michael Ludwig: “With more than 20 university institutions, Vienna is the largest university city in the German-speaking world. The universities, technical colleges, private universities and teacher training colleges form the basis of Vienna’s success as a European knowledge metropolis. And settlements such as the recent establishment of the AITHYRA Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Biomedicine – made possible in large part by the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation with 150 million euros – prove that research ultimately also strengthens the business location. The Science Ball and its remarkable success is an expression of this dynamism.”

City Councilor for Science Veronica Kaup-Hasler: “The present is marked by global challenges. These developments underline the need for an ambitious science policy and well-founded scientific thinking. The City of Vienna supports this approach, not least through a wide range of science communication measures. I am delighted that the very successful Science Ball is now getting an impressive addition with the Vienna Lecture on Science Communication.”

Even if the ball is sold out, it is still possible to take part in these events:

Vienna Science Ball Gown Swap

Swap a ball gown or tuxedo? Rent a vintage model or even buy one for a bargain price? No problem: The clothing swap party at the Vienna BioCenter has an impressive collection of tried and tested models. Registration: www.surveymonkey.com/r/VBCBallGownSwap25
Date: January 9, 2025, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Campus-Vienna-BioCenter 1, 1030 Vienna

Vienna Lecture on Science Communication 2025 with Maja Göpel

The German political and media scientist Maja Göpel will speak about the need for good science communication, especially in challenging times. An event organized by the organizing committee together with the Austrian Academy of Sciences. First come, first serve. Registration required: www.wissenschaftsball.at/maja-goepel-vienna-lecture-25/
Date: January 24, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
Location: ÖAW ball hall, Dr.-Ignaz-Seipel-Platz 2, 1010 Vienna

Ball organizer Oliver Lehmann: “We are overwhelmed by the enormous interest in the ball at home and abroad. For next year, we recommend registering for our newsletter on our homepage to be informed early about the start of advance ticket sales, additional events and the highlights of the program.”