Drinks, delicious appetisers served on tiered serving dishes and a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere. The TU Graz Ball gets off to a good start – especially for those who are among the guests of honour or, like me, are allowed to mingle with them. Not ostentatious, but stylish. That I now feel quite comfortable in this arena is shown by the fact that I am promptly mistaken for a state minister. I’m a guest at the TU Graz Ball for the third time as a writer in residence. And I’ve arrived!
TU Graz knows how to celebrate
The evening is opened by Rector Horst Bischof together with Gustav Spener from the Chamber of Civil Engineers for Styria and Carinthia, the main sponsor of the evening. ‘The ball is a highlight of the Graz ball season and has been sold out for weeks,’ says the Rector. And then: ‘With this ball, TU Graz shows what it can do. And partying is definitely part of it!’ The applause was loud and heartfelt.
It becomes even louder when the TU Graz student union is welcomed. ‘That's why I like this ball so much,’ replies Bischof, touched. ‘Because there are so many students here.’ Not an obligatory sentence, even if he says it every year. Technology/ TU Graz as a generational project, perceptible in every word, right down to the last row.
Technology needs stamina
The ball takes place as a green event. Guests who travelled on the Koralm railway are expressly welcomed. The Rector also recounts a meeting with now retired Professor Rießberger from the Institute of Railway Engineering and Transport Economy on the day the Koralm railway was opened. He asked him if he was happy about it. Yes, Rießberger answered. In his inaugural speech more than 25 years ago, he said that he would one day travel through the mountain with his grandchildren. ‘Technology needs vision and stamina. And we want to prove that tonight as well,’ says Bischof.
Let the waltz begin – almost
The final word belongs to Gustav Spener, and it is short and to the point: ‘See you on the dance floor, Horst!’ Laughter in the hall. Laughter that shows how much the question of whether the Rector will dare to dance has already become a running gag.
‘Alles Walzer!’ (let the waltz begin) is finally heard. Only ‘Your Magnificence’ (is the formal style of address of an Austrian Rector) didn’t hear it. He was pouring glasses of wine at his table. And this is also part of it: Styrian hospitality! Who would go selfishly waltzing while the guests are thirsty?
Unity on the floor
The polonaise came from Conny & Dado and is elegant and playful. Joachim Lampel, multiple medallist at the Special Olympics, is also on the dance floor. Unity! An inclusive university culture, ball culture, thinking culture!
From tap dancing to dancing the Schuhplattler
The midnight interlude is performed by burlesque and vintage dancer Dixie Dynamite, and she surprises everyone. Schuhplattler meets tap dance, vaudeville meets clowning. Virtuoso, self-deprecating, rhythmic – a great choice for a ball that doesn't take itself too seriously.
When technology becomes sensuous
In terms of design, the evening’s theme is Sustainable Construction, organised by the Faculties of Architecture and Civil Engineering Sciences at TU Graz together with the Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering at FH Joanneum. I particularly remember the knitted light sculpture ‘Looma’, as well as ‘Umbrellier’, a poetic homage to transformation and material cycles.
The best thing: the dance couples
‘The dancers are amazing!’ shouts Juan Carlos Sungurlian from the band Montevideo into the microphone. He is right. The best thing about this ball is the wonderful diversity of the dancing couples! Their perseverance, their joy. ‘Couples dancing together are the happiest people. (There is hidden advice in this)’, I write enthusiastically to my son at 11.24 pm. Sustainability is not only evident in construction, but also in how long you dance together.
Further information and foto review at https://balldertechnik.at.
You can find this article and other articles to browse through in TU Graz people #95, the magazine for TU Graz employees and interested parties.
