The beautiful and classic Viennese ballroom culture was transposed to Bangkok when the Austrian embassy recently held the “Vienna Ball Bangkok” at Siam Kempinski Hotel. This was the first time after a lapse of seven years that the embassy has hosted the Vienna Ball.
Guests in ballgowns and other evening attire were greeted by Austrian ambassador Enno Drofenik and his beautiful wife, Juri Sekiguchi-Drofenik, and enjoyed a champagne reception in the foyer until the ballroom doors opened.
The evening was as Austrian as could be, with a menu comprising Wiener schnitzel as the featured delicacy. The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra was on hand to perform traditional Viennese waltzes, led by Russell McGregor, concertmaster and conductor with the Schonbrunn Palace Orchestra in Austria.
Guests also enjoyed a ballet pas de deux on the large ballroom floor by Raffaela Pegani and Alexandru Tcacenco from the Vienna State Opera and a performance by renowned Austrian opera singer Daniel Serafin.
Finally it was time for the highlight of the evening, the introduction of the debutantes, following an age-old court tradition dating back to imperial Austria when the young ladies who came of age were formally introduced into prominent society.
A total of 25 couples, including four couples from Austria, stepped across the floor in a grand formation to the strains of classical music.
The four young Austrian couples then took to the floor to perform the quadrille, a courtly dance in a rectangular formation. They were then joined by the Thai couples, all beautifully outfitted in bouffant white gowns, white gloves and Swarovski tiaras, their partners in formal tailcoats. They included young ladies from prominent Thai families, such as Apinara Srikarnchana who partnered with Daych Srifuengfung, ML Churaimas Diskul with Thitiwat Ongsangkoon, Ingfah Damrongchaitam with Krit Osathanugrah, Nandhini Amranand with Thanu Vajrabhaya, Nichanal Lamsam with Sittikorn Assavanives, Panpatchara Wattanavekin with Aditat Panupong, Parva Nakasai with Katikakorn Voravarn Na Ayuthaya, Rasavadi Kuonsongtham with Patarasak Manorompatrasal, Sarisa Lamsam with Supakorn Kornvichitkul, Si Qi Yeo with Ratchapol Asvinvichit, Sirinada Preechawitayakul with Krittapas Pipitprapath, Suratiporn Leeswadtrakul with Yodpol Akaraphan and Suthidarat Leeswadtrakul with Athit Krittayaphongphun.
Under the tutelage of Elmayer dance school in Vienna, they performed a sedate version of the Viennese waltz, which is just as well because their long bridal gowns with trains threatened to cause mishaps with one wrong step.
To open the floor to the guests were the Austrian ambassador and his wife. Ballroom dance enthusiasts were also waiting for the moment they could take to the floor, and soon the floor was a flurry of whirling gowns in an assortment of candy colours. The quadrille was once again presented, this time with all guests joining in after a quick demonstration by the professionals.
The proceeds from the evening, including money raised from a silent auction held during the evening from the sale of items donated by sponsors and guests, as well as the revenue from ticket sales, will be donated to the Royal Project “Kamlangjai” (Inspire Project) under the royal patronage of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha, and to two child charities in Pattaya: the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Abuse Centre and the Child Protection and Development Centre Pattaya. n
