Life Ball facts for kids
The Life Ball was a huge charity event held in Vienna, Austria. It was one of the biggest events in Europe that raised money to help people with HIV or AIDS. The event was started in 1992 by Gery Keszler and Torgom Petrosian, who created a group called AIDS LIFE to organize it.
The main goal of AIDS LIFE was to support organizations that help people who are HIV-positive or have AIDS. The team carefully reviewed every request for help to make sure the money went where it was needed most. Another important goal was to teach the public about HIV and AIDS and encourage people to be more understanding and supportive.
Contents
What Was the Life Ball?
The Life Ball was more than just a party; it was a major event with a serious mission: to fight against AIDS. It became famous all over the world.
The opening ceremony took place on a large square in front of Vienna's city hall. It included powerful speeches from international stars and moments of silence to remember the importance of the cause. Many famous people, like designers, actors, and musicians, came to show their support. They used their fame to send a strong message of hope and solidarity.
Getting a Ticket
Only 3,780 tickets were available for the Life Ball, which made them very hard to get. There were different types of tickets. "Style Tickets" were half-price for guests who wore creative costumes that matched the theme of the year's ball. These guests were the only ones, besides the stars, who could walk the famous red carpet.
Most people had to enter a lottery by text message to even get a chance to buy a ticket. For some events, as many as 60,000 people would try to get tickets. A few tickets were also sold through special auctions and campaigns.
The Main Event
The opening show was a spectacular event with all kinds of music, from operetta to pop. It featured a famous fashion show on a huge stage shaped like a Red Ribbon. For many years, anyone could watch the opening show for free from the city hall square, which held up to 45,000 people.
Inside the city hall, guests could dance in beautiful rooms and enjoy food and drinks. Many international stars also performed on different stages throughout the night.
The event was covered by TV stations and media from all over the world. The Austrian public channel ORF 1 broadcast the opening show live, and it was watched by about 400,000 people each year.
History of the Life Ball
The founder, Gery Keszler, is known as the "face" of the Life Ball. Thanks to his hard work, many famous people like Elton John, Catherine Deneuve, Sharon Stone, Heidi Klum, and Naomi Campbell attended the event. Some took part in the show, while others came to celebrate and show their support.
Keszler chose the Vienna City Hall as the location because he wanted the event to be part of Vienna's traditional ball season, but with a more modern and exciting feel. The mayor of Vienna at the time, Helmut Zilk, supported the idea, even though it was a new and bold concept.
The Early Years
The very first Life Ball was held on May 29, 1993. It raised over €79,000 for AIDS LIFE. A fashion show by designer Thierry Mugler was a key part of the event, and this became a tradition.
Each year, the event grew bigger. More people came, more journalists covered it, and more money was raised for AIDS projects. By 1995, TV stations from France and Spain, as well as MTV, were reporting on the Life Ball.
Growing into a Global Event
A major milestone was reached in 2000 when the event raised over €726,000. This was also the first year the opening show was held outside on the city hall square, open for everyone to see.
In 2001, the Life Ball started working with the Elton John Aids Foundation to support projects in Africa. Elton John was a regular guest and gave the opening speech for several years. By 2005, the event raised over €1 million in a single night. Half of the money went to international projects.
The Life Ball started as a small event but grew to welcome people from all walks of life. It celebrated diversity and inclusivity, sending a message that everyone should be treated with respect.
Special Campaigns and Features
Over the years, the Life Ball added many special campaigns to raise more money and awareness.
- Life Ball Express Train: A special party train brought guests from western Austria to Vienna.
- Life Ball Song: Each year, a new song was written for the event and performed at the opening ceremony.
- Special Stamps: Austria's postal service released limited-edition stamps featuring stars like Heidi Klum (2005) and Naomi Campbell (2006).
- Credit Card: A special "Diners Club Life Ball" credit card was created. A small percentage of every purchase made with the card was donated to AIDS LIFE.
The Famous Fashion Show
The fashion show was one of the highlights of the Life Ball. Each year, a world-famous designer was chosen to present their collection. Top models like Marcus Schenkenberg, Heidi Klum, and Naomi Campbell walked the runway alongside other stars and celebrities.
Some of the famous designers who have been featured at the Life Ball include:
- Jean-Paul Gaultier (1995)
- Vivienne Westwood (1997)
- Roberto Cavalli (2001)
- Missoni (2003)
- Donatella Versace (2005)
- DSquared² (2011)
- Givenchy (2014)
The Crystal of Hope Award
_Bill_Clinton,_Fran_Drescher_and_Elke_Winkens.jpg)
Since 2005, a special award called the "Crystal of Hope" has been presented during the opening ceremony. The award, a beautiful Red Ribbon sculpture made by Swarovski, came with a €100,000 prize. It was given to people or projects that made outstanding contributions to fighting HIV and AIDS.
Celebrities like Liza Minnelli, Catherine Deneuve, and Bill Clinton have presented the award. It has honored projects that help young people in Uganda, prevent the spread of HIV in Kenya, and support children in Ukraine.
The End of an Era
The Life Ball was held for the last time in 2019. After 26 years, the organizers decided it was time to end the event. However, the fight against HIV and AIDS continues. The Life Ball left a powerful legacy, having raised millions of euros and brought global attention to an important cause.
In November 2015, Gery Keszler announced there would be no Life Ball in 2016, with the next one planned for 2017. This break was intended to give the team time to refresh the event's concept.
Images for kids
-
The city of Vienna decorated trams with rainbow flags to show support for the Life Ball.
See also
In Spanish: Life Ball para niños
