‘Enjoy the evening and now let's dance!’ With these words, the evening's host, Rector Horst Bischof, after a compact, warm welcome, immediately left the audience to the rousing rhythms that were already in the air. In keeping with tradition, the atmosphere and the desire to dance at the TU Graz Ball needed neither curtain-raiser nor alcohol. In his second year as host of the ball, the Rector also ventured onto the dance floor himself – or was I dreaming? In any case, like everyone else, he took ‘Gaudeamus igitur!’ at its word: So let's rejoice!
The motto of the ball spoke volumes: Technology moves us. Besides dance and entertainment, the TU Graz Ball always provides an insight into the latest – and often existential – developments in the technical sciences. This time, mechanical engineering was represented. The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Economic Sciences is also celebrating its 160th anniversary this year, making it just as old as the ball itself.
Dancing trains – foreshadowing the future
In the TU Graz theme room, inexperienced guests like me marvelled at hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, smart production methods and innovative railway systems. The Digital Rail Lab presented a miniaturised pioneering railway scenery. The TU Graz Racing Team also presented its latest racer – an all-electric racing car. Surprisingly, the trombone that mesmerised us that evening came from a 3D printer, as did the ladies' tiaras – small butterfly-shaped crowns. The main sponsor of the evening was Magna.
A piece from ‘The Time of My Life’
Not enough praise can be given to the dance bands, which enveloped the evening with their magical sounds in rooms with the most diverse atmospheres – above all the Big Band Bad Gleichenberg and the Graz Salon Orchestra. Anyone who hires such professional musicians with such catchy, cheerful and romantic repertoires knows that they will make dancers happy. ‘You’re the one that I want’ whispered the woman in the man's ear; ‘Can't take my eyes off you’ he replied. And they continued with ‘You are the dancing queen’, ‘Let's get loud’ and ‘The time of my life’.
‘You make the ball so colourful!’
The dance floors were full at all times, the atmosphere got better with every hour, and midnight dawned with intoxicating rhythms. As a midnight interlude, Tanzfabrik Graz presented an energetic performance of dance and music with FLASHMOBility. Young people, very present at all levels, not only make this ball exciting and colourful, but shape it with their unconventional touch. This ball is one where young and old alike can discover occasional extravagances. This proves that technologists have innovative minds.
‘The woman goes to the new partner’
As every year, a special highlight was the quadrille, charmingly presented by Conny (dance school Conny & Dado). From the balcony, I watched the packed Stefaniensaal and the hundreds of smiling faces. The midnight quadrille brings everyone together and provides moments of fun, togetherness and joy. Magical! Next year, I won't just be watching from above.
Taking the ball at its word
Dancing at a ball is a given. ‘Ball’ means a dance event and comes from the French word ‘bal’, which in turn goes back to the Latin ‘ballare’, meaning ‘to dance’. However, no one dances as much, as enthusiastically, as untiringly and as thrillingly as at the TU Graz Ball. With around 2300 guests, it was completely sold out again this year.
Further information at https://balldertechnik.at.
