On 31 January 2025, Viennese Hofburg Palace hosted the 26th St Sava Ball. This ball brings together the Serbian community both within and beyond Austrian borders.

Guests from political, business, cultural, and sports domain attended the ball, which is also of a humanitarian nature.

The ball was attended by the President of the Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik, the Mayor of Vienna Michael Ludwig, the Ambassador of Serbia to Austria Marko Blagojević, the Ambassador of Serbia to international organizations in Vienna Žarko Obradović, the Ambassador of BiH to Austria Siniša Bencun, and representatives of Austria’s political and public life.

The guest of honor at this year’s St Sava Ball was Srpska’s President Milorad Dodik, who said that, above all, it was important for Serbs to gather, especially in a place that is synonymous with balls.

– The Viennese St Sava Academy resonates throughout Europe, especially in Serbian lands and among the Serbian people – said Dodik, expressing his satisfaction for having met during the evening many Serbs who live and work in Austria, but also in France, Germany, Switzerland, and Serbia, and for whom, according to him, it was important to celebrate their holidays.

He stated that St Sava was such an inspiring figure that there was always a way to admire him anew and interpret him.

The Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, who was among the guests, admitted that for him, the Serbian or St Sava Ball was among the most beautiful in the Viennese ball season.

– We are very pleased with the overall organization and the fact that this time we were able to welcome more than 2,500 visitors. Year after year, the ball is growing. We started with 1,500 guests, and we have reached 2,500 – said Milan Vidović, president of the Serbian Center association.

This year’s ball is again of humanitarian nature. The Serbian Center, together with the organization Serbs for Serbs, and with the help of the guests, decided to help the Dukić family from Obrenovac, mother Ljiljana and her daughters Slavica, Katarina and Iva.

– It was agreed with the Serbian Center that they donate to our organization 20,000 euros from the 26th St Sava Ball, and that we cover the remainder and provide a house for the Đukić family. We are looking for the adequate house for Ljiljana and her three daughters, but their new home will certainly be provided thanks to humane people and the Serbian Center – said Marija Morović from the Serbs for Serbs charity organization.

Source: RTRS

Photo: ZIPAPHOTO/Borislav Zdrinja