Life Ball

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Life Ball 2007

The Life Ball ( English for Ball of Life ) in Vienna was the largest benefit event in Europe for HIV- infected and AIDS- infected people.

Behind the Life Ball stood the charitable association LIFE + (previously Aids Life), founded in 1992 by those affected themselves, make-up artist Gery Keszler and doctor Torgom Petrosian  († 1993). The ball took place annually from 1993 to 2019 in the Vienna City Hall or at Rathausplatz , with the exception of a break in 2016. LIFE + and AIDS Life supported non-profit organizations that support HIV-positive people and people suffering from AIDS. In addition, it was a declared aim of LIFE + or AIDS Life to educate the public about the dangers of HIV / AIDS and to raise their awareness of the disease.

The show was supported by many national and international celebrities , actors , politicians , singers , fashion designers , models, etc. It was the biggest event for the LGBT community in Austria .

ball

Artists of the show Africa! Africa! during the opening of the Life Ball 2008
Performance artist from Celestial Tableau (2013)

The Life Ball met with great international interest and public attention. In the foreground of the ball, however, were not only the hustle and bustle of the "party people" or sensational live performances, but v. a. the fight against AIDS. Speeches by international star guests at the opening ceremony on Rathausplatz reminded of the serious background, who usually got involved in various aid and charity projects.

Since the ball was founded, designers, actors, singers, politicians and models have taken part in the opening show to promote the cause.

The number of tickets for the Life Ball was limited to 3780, not least because of the space available in the town hall. In order to maintain the extravagant style that is characteristic and important for the festival , there have been two different ticket contingents over the years. A fixed number of tickets at half price, the “Style Tickets”, were intended for those who wanted to orientate themselves on the dress code , the so-called Life Bible. The costumes should correspond to the respective motto of the ball. In addition to the star guests, these visitors were also granted access to the Life Ball via the red carpet , which led from the ring across the entire town hall square to the main stage in front of the town hall. Visitors in normal evening attire paid the full ticket price. These cards were registered by SMS between 2001 and 2009 , and around 60,000 registrations were received within 48 hours. From 2010 it was possible to register using the web registration form. A random generator then selected the participants from both contingents. Smaller contingents were awarded through various campaigns (for example, Life Ball Warm Up , eBay auction, distributed in lots in condom packs that were sold in selected restaurants, and the like). For international visitors there were Life Ball Packages with flight and hotel and there were also table reservations in the four to five-digit euro range, the otherwise early reservation of which came to a standstill in 2009 due to the anti-corruption law that came into force in 2008.

Erwin Schrott and Eva Riccobono , music and fashion show for the opening (2013)

The opening show with music from operettas to pop music and national and international stars, as well as the fashion show, could be attended free of charge on the Rathausplatz, which can hold up to 12,000 spectators. Since 2017, however, a Rathausplatz ticket was required for security reasons, which could previously be purchased online or at the box office for free or for a free donation. For the ball goers, there were various dance opportunities, numerous bars and buffets and concert stages in various courtyards and halls of the town hall, on which some of the international stars who had traveled also performed.

The glamorous benefit event was recently known far beyond Austria's borders. Every year, more than 70 TV stations and around 500 media representatives from Germany and abroad reported on the event. In the case of repeated accreditation , attention was paid to whether the topic of AIDS was also addressed in the reports or, for example, only about the celebrities. From 2007, ORF 1 reported live from the opening in a theme evening, followed by interviews with prominent guests, which was followed by around 400,000 viewers. From 2007 this was also broadcast on 3sat with a time delay. Puls 4 only brought live reports from the ball after the ORF broadcast in 2008. The new German television broadcaster TIMM broadcast over four hours of programming from the Life Ball in 2009, with some of the ORF's signal being used. With the live broadcast of the Life Ball 2014 by ORF, there was a record audience with a peak of 662,000 viewers. More than 130,000 viewers worldwide followed the opening via live streaming on the Internet.

In 2017, the Life Ball itself reported on its official Facebook page via livestream about the various events during the Life Ball week: from the arrival of the Life Ball plane at the airport, the exclusive welcome cocktail at Le Meridien , the international press conference and directly from Red carpet at the Life Ball. Around the Life Ball Week, more than a million viewers could be reached via Facebook alone.

history

Gery Keszler and Sharon Stone (2007)
Ballroom of the town hall (2014)

The Life Ball organizer and founder Gery Keszler was seen as the “face” and engine . It is largely due to him that at the opening show of the Life Ball, in addition to representatives from the fashion industry, celebrities from the entertainment industry such as Bill Clinton , Elton John , Katy Perry , Janet Jackson , Barbara Eden , Antonio Banderas , Whoopi Goldberg , Anna Netrebko , Hilary Swank, among others , Dionne Warwick , Roseanne Barr , Falco , Catherine Deneuve , Liza Minnelli , Melanie Griffith , Pamela Anderson , Sharon Stone , Dita Von Teese , Lorna Luft , Anastacia , Niki Lauda , Brigitte Nielsen , Heidi Klum , Charlize Theron , Vivienne Westwood , Naomi Campbell , Nadja Auermann , Jenna Jameson and Katie Holmes came, partly to actively participate in the ball program, partly to celebrate as guests. The ball should be in the tradition of the Viennese balls, only more provocative, exciting and glamorous. Keszler had the opportunity to present his project to the then Mayor of Vienna , Helmut Zilk . He was convinced of the positive meaning, agreed to an attempt, left the town hall to Keszler and supported him against all odds.

The first Life Ball took place on May 29, 1993. Besides the city government, there were only two sponsors at the time. A result of 1,100,000 Austrian schillings (79,940 euros ) was achieved, which went to the “LIFE +” association. A fashion show, presented by Thierry Mugler , has been an integral part of the event since the first Life Ball . In the second year, the Life Ball on May 28, 1994, the proceeds from donations, sponsorship and entrance fees were doubled. After the first two balls had been reported on Austrian and German television, the third Life Ball on May 6, 1995 also attracted attention from French and Spanish TV stations and MTV . The number of visitors to the opening show and the ball, as well as the reporting journalists, radio stations and press articles as well as sponsors increased continuously in the following years - and with it the proceeds that were distributed to AIDS aid projects via the Life Ball. In 1999 the town hall was renovated and the ball took place in the Vienna Hofburg .

With the 8th Life Ball on May 13, 2000, the sum of 10,000,000 schillings (726,728 euros) was reached for the first time. At the same time it was the first Life Ball, the opening show of which took place on the Rathausplatz and was open to the public. In the following year, the first cooperation with the Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAF) - he himself was a regular guest from 2001 to 2005 and gave the opening speeches - also supported projects in Africa (see HIV / AIDS in Africa ). The 13th Life Ball on May 21, 2005 exceeded the million euro mark for the first time with total proceeds of 1,017,600 euros through ticket sales, gastronomy, auctions, raffles , postage stamp and record sales as well as numerous donors and sponsors. Half of the proceeds go to international projects. The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), which was founded by Elizabeth Taylor , has been the Life Ball's new cooperation partner since 2006. The main focus in 2006 was the fight against HIV and AIDS in babies and young children. LIFE + has also been cooperating with UNAIDS since 2011.

The ball began as a small event from the gay scene compared to today. In contrast to the events that Keszler experienced at the time, it was not conceived from the start as either a gay scene or a “jet set ghetto ” event. In addition to the Viennese ball tradition, it also follows on from the tradition of the costumed tuna balls . Areas of the gay scene have given the project vigorous support, especially in the early days, such as Café Berg since it opened. In recent years there has been a small contingent of tickets for the lesbian and gay scene to counter the fear of some critics that an event based on the gay scene could take place without them because of the strong heterosexual rush. The ball had long since outgrown its social significance, especially since Austria's same-sex lovers alone would be too few to elicit such donations from companies.

From 2000 to 2007, a “Wedding Chapel” with well-known “Showpriests” for couples of all sexual orientation was operated with the television station ATV in order to draw attention to the legal unequal treatment between heterosexual and homosexual couples.

In 2010, the Life Ball kicked off the XVIII on July 17th. International AIDS Conference, with 19,300 delegates from 139 countries by far the largest congress in Vienna this year. That is why that night, in addition to the town hall and town hall square, the Burgtheater opposite and the parliament building were all under the sign of the Red Ribbon. The “Three Houses Concept” combined three extraordinary events and important organizations that evening: the amfAR gala in Parliament, the Elton John AIDS Foundation at the Red Ribbon Cotillion in the Burgtheater and the William J. Clinton Foundation at the traditional Life Ball in the City Hall. The opening had to be canceled about halfway due to a strong thunderstorm , despite being moved an hour forward .

The Life Ball 2011 generated provisional net proceeds of more than 1.9 million euros. National AIDS aid projects as well as amfAR - The Foundation for AIDS Research and CHAI and the William J. Clinton Foundation were each supported with half a million euros. UNAIDS , the United Nations joint program on HIV / AIDS, received half of the proceeds from table sales from the AIDS Solidarity Gala . The Vienna-based UN organization UNODC received 100,000 euros for a Ukrainian HIV prevention project by women for women. The Crystal of Hope and the associated financial support of EUR 100,000 went to the Russian Andrey Rylkov Foundation for Health and Social Justice. The income made it possible to secure prevention and early test programs, avoidance of mother-to-child transmission, creation of infrastructure, supply of medication and the fight against social AIDS for tens of thousands for one year.

During his speech at the Life Ball 2015, Gery Keszler announced to the surprise of the visitors that there would be no Life Ball in the following year. After the rapid rise and steady growth of the Life Ball, after 23 years it was time for a breather and a moment of reflection. The break in 2016 was used by the organizers to ask themselves two questions: What are the goals for the future and how can they be achieved effectively?

The Aids Life association then became the new umbrella brand LIFE +, which offers a year-round platform for relevant topics beyond the Life Ball. In 2017 and 2018, LIFE + concentrated on the “Know Your Status” campaign : Knowledge of one's own immune status should become as natural as knowledge of one's own blood group. A clearly understandable message with a quickly understandable goal that not only makes itself heard around the time around the Life Ball, but throughout the year with advertising campaigns, awareness-raising work and solutions. The visual communication of the topic was supported by the internationally renowned photographer Peter Lindbergh with a photo poster campaign.

The content of the campaign was also reflected in the theme of the Life Ball 2017. With the motto "Recognize the Danger" (German Recognize the danger ) was reminiscent of the days of the 30s and announces a socio-political message. “Recognize the danger - in every area, whether in health or within society. Let’s open our eyes and face the danger - this is the only way we can act in good time - for our society, for our health, for our future! ”Says Gery Keszler. Moderated by singer Conchita Wurst and ORF - presenter Verena Scheitz .

This was followed by the 25th Anniversary Life Ball 2018, which, under the motto " The Sound of Music " (based on the musical about the Trapp family ), recalled the emigration and persecution of people under the Nazi regime . It was moderated by singer Conchita Wurst (as Maria von Trapp ) together with the director of the theater in der Josefstadt , Herbert Föttinger (as Georg von Trapp ), who even got married as a highlight .

The last Life Ball took place in 2019. In addition to the rainbow parade, it was the highlight of EuroPride Vienna 2019 . The theme was “United in Diversity” - combined with a “journey across the rainbow”. In the colors of the rainbow , lesbians , gays , bisexuals , transgender and queer people ( LGBTQ ) were celebrated as an important part of society. The show and the Style Bible were developed in collaboration with Circus Roncalli and its boss Bernhard Paul . The stage, which was modeled on a circus tent, and also shrill artists and freaks ran like a red thread through the program. 50 years of Stonewall protests at the Stonewall Inn on New York's Christopher Street was also an issue. The show was moderated by singer Conchita Wurst (as circus director), together with Andy Warhol - muse Dianne Brill (as fairy godmother). The Mayor of Vienna Michael Ludwig advocated a continuation of the event. In his speech at the Life Ball 2019, he also emphasized that this must go on.

Actions

Red Ribbon on the Parliament Building (2010)

There were also various activities related to the event. In 2006 there was for the first time an " Ö3 Life Ball Express" special train with a party car and shuttle service to the City Hall for visitors from western Austria , while American guests and media representatives were flown from New York to Vienna for the first time with a specially converted "Life Ball Flyer" and put both groups in a party mood. In the not far away discotheque in the Volksgarten the ball party took place for those who didn't get tickets, and there was an after hour in the morning. These proceeds also benefited the Life Ball. There was also a “ Diners Club Life Ball credit card” in a red ribbon design, with which 0.5 percent of the respective turnover was automatically transferred to the club.

After the temporary end of the Life Ball, his warehouse will be cleared. In the course of the Ideenwelt fair from October 24 to 27, 2019, in the Vienna Exhibition Center, Hall C, costumes, props and sometimes very large decorative objects can be purchased for a free donation. A ticket to the Ideenwelt fair is required.

Life Ball flea market at the Ideenwelt fair, October 24-27, 2019, Messe Wien, Hall C, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (on Sunday until 5 p.m.)

Special postage stamp

From 2005 to 2007 there was a limited edition Life Ball commemorative stamp. In 2005, the model Heidi Klum was featured on this stamp , followed by Naomi Campbell in 2006 . For the first time in 2006 there was also another, strictly limited, special stamp with Naomi Campbell in comic style, which was auctioned on eBay . In 2007, the German model Nadja Auermann followed as a "stamp model". 100% of the proceeds went to AIDS LIFE AIDS relief projects.

Life Ball Song

2013: Adam Lambert
2014: Candice Glover

The Life Ball was officially opened with the performance of the Life Ball Song performers:

" Garden of Earthly Delights " in the Arkadenhof (2014)

From 2006 to 2015 as well as 2018 and 2019, a Life Ball fanfare composed by Béla Fischer was played at the beginning of the opening . In 2017, Richard Strauss played a deliberately provocative composition.

Fashion show

2007: Heatherette
2009: The Blonds with Katy Perry
2013: Roberto Cavalli

Every year one or more well-known designers are responsible for the fashion show. Both professional models ( e.g. Marcus Schenkenberg , Alek Wek , Nadja Auermann , Heidi Klum , Eva Padberg , Naomi Campbell ) and various international models ( e.g. Udo Kier , Olivia Jones , Til Schweiger , Kylie Minogue , Cyndi Lauper , Dolly Buster ) and Austrian (e.g. Lotte Tobisch , Markus Rogan , Dagmar Koller , Zabine , 2007 also the then Health Minister Andrea Kdolsky ) guests from film, music, sport, politics and the like. with. In 2017 there was no classic fashion show, instead the creations were integrated into the entire opening show.

The designers over the years:

Awards

The Red Ribbon , symbol of the "Crystal of Hope" (2013)

Life Ball Crystal of Hope

Alie Eleveld (2014)

From 2005 to 2015, during the opening of the Life Ball, outstanding projects in the fight against HIV / AIDS were awarded the "Life Ball Crystal of Hope". The prize was donated by the Tyrolean company Swarovski and endowed with 100,000 euros and was always presented by a celebrity to the founders or representatives of the respective aid organization.

LIFE + Award

The LIFE + Award was presented from 2017 to 2019, which also went to outstanding projects in the fight against HIV / AIDS and is associated with special financial support from LIFE +.

  • 2017: Greg Owen and Will Nutland with "I Want PrEP Now" and "Prepster" - presented by Conchita Wurst and Verena Scheitz
  • 2018: Paris Jackson and Joyce Jere for The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
  • 2019: Bill Roedy and Gift Chansa for “Circus Zambia” from the Staying Alive Foundation presented by Lili Paul Roncalli

Facts and topics

  • Press = total number of accreditations issued
  • Radio = number of radio stations below
  • TV = number of TV stations including Internet TV
No. year date motto Opening address Press radio TV
1 1993 May 29th - - 150 - AT & DE
2 1994 28th of May If you have nothing to do - don't do it here - 260 - AT & DE
3 1995 May 6th The most beautiful movement in the fight against AIDS is dance - 380 - 11
4th 1996 May 11th The future holds hope. But how do you get to the future without it? - 430 7th 15th
5 1997 10th of May Where hope is no longer valid, life and death are no longer valid either. - 450 6th 20th
6th 1998 May 9 All power to life. All power to life. - 530 22nd 20th
7th 1999 June 26th A night of shine. A morning full of hope. - 530 17th 30th
8th 2000 May 13th Give hope. Think different. - 600 30th 35
9 2001 June 16 The one thing we all have in common is to be different. Elton John ~ 700 22nd 40
10 2002 May 19th A decade for Life, a decade against AIDS.
A decade for life, a decade against AIDS. 		Elton John ~ 600 22nd 39
11 2003 May 24th Don't look back in anger, or forward in fear, but around in awareness.
Do not look back in resentment or forward in fear, but with awareness around you. 		Neil Tennant
Elton John 		500 16 44
12 2004 May 15 Agreeing to hope, gives life every chance.
Agreeing with hope gives life every chance. 		Elton John
Luc Montagnier 		500 16 63
13 2005 May 21 Vienna Rocks! Let Hope Infect the Virus.
Vienna trembles! Let hope infect the virus. 		Elton John 500 14th 64
14th 2006 May 20th A Choir of Love against an Army of Ignorance.
A chorus of love against an army of ignorance. (Operetta) 		Sharon Stone 500 11 62
15th 2007 May 26 Once upon a time (there was a princess called hope)
Once upon a time (a princess named Hope) (Fairy Tale) 		Sharon Stone 500 13 65
16 2008 17th of May Love is infinite. Life is universal. (Landing on planet Life Ball)
Love is limitless. Life is general. (Landing on the planet Life Ball) (Aliens, Utopia) 		Sharon Stone 500 60
17th 2009 May 16 Let love flow!
Let love flow! ( Four elements - water; beginning of life; " baroque moated castle") 		Eva Longoria Parker 500 60
18th 2010 17th July Sow the seeds of Solidarity!
Sow the seeds of connectedness! (Four elements - earth; nutrition)
(Start of the World AIDS Conference in Vienna from July 18 to 23) 		Whoopi Goldberg , Bill Clinton , Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby 500 12 62
19th 2011 May 21 Spread the Wings of Tolerance!
Spread the wings of tolerance! (Four elements - air; mythological figures, angels) 		Instead of an opening speech, speeches ( Bill Clinton , Michel Sidibé , Janet Jackson , Peter Sellars and others), musical interludes ( Holly Johnson : The Power of Love , Natasha Bedingfield : Unwritten , Natalia Kills ) and video recordings ( Elizabeth Taylor , Kofi Annan , Lady Gaga ) presents a review of 30 years of HIV / AIDS research and control. 500 6th 67
20th 2012 May 19th Fight the Flames of Ignorance!
Fight the flames of ignorance! (Four elements - fire) 		Milla Jovovich (for amfAR - American Foundation for AIDS Research ), Bill Clinton (for William J. Clinton Foundation ), Antonio Banderas , Naomi Campbell , Franca Sozzani 500
21st 2013 25. May It takes the night to see the stars It takes the night to see the stars
( 1001 nights ) 		Elton John , Bill Clinton (for the William J. Clinton Foundation ), Hilary Swank , Roberto Cavalli , Karolína Kurková 500
22nd 2014 31. May Love is a bloom growing anywhere
Love is a flower that can grow anywhere ( Garden of Earthly Delights ) 		Bill Clinton , Mark R. Dybul and Anna Netrebko (for the Global Fund ) 500 8th 72
23 2015 May 16 Gold - VER SACRUM
("Gold is the color of the sun, enthusiasm and radiance - and it is eternal", inspiration: Ver sacrum ( Ver Sacrum turn of the century) / Santa Primavera / Sacre du Printemps, Art Nouveau , Vienna Secessionists with Gustav Klimt ) 		Charlize Theron , Mary J. Blige , Sean Penn , Graham Norton 500 65
24 2017 June 10th Recognize The Danger:

("Recognize the danger - in every area, whether in health or within society. Let us open our eyes and face the danger - this is the only way we can act in good time - for our society, for our health, for our future ! ")

Naomi Campbell (for Elton John Aids Foundation), Joss Stone (for Sentebale), Greg Owen and Will Nutland (for I Want PrEP Now , Prepster ) 500 60
25th 2018 2th of June Sound of Music Charlize Theron , Paris Jackson , Adrien Brody , Caitlyn Jenner , Kelly Osbourne , Mary J. Blige , Mark R. Dybul (for the Global Fund ) 500 60
26th 2019 8th June United in Diversity
"Walking on the yellow brick road towards an end to AIDS" on the occasion of EuroPride 2019 in Vienna and 50 years of Stonewall
ULF Tramway of Wiener Linien as an advertising medium of the Life Ball

In 1995, television coverage went European with Paris Premiere and a Spanish television crew. In 1999, television coverage with American channels (in addition to MTV) became intercontinental. Internet television crews were added in 2001. From 2002 the stricter accreditation guidelines were applied and the number was capped at around 500 media representatives for reasons of resources. South African television teams were present for the first time in 2004.

Except for Sunday in 2002, the ball always took place on a Saturday. With the exception of 1999, when the Hofburg was relocated for renovation work , it always took place in the Vienna City Hall. The opening and the fashion show have been taking place on Rathausplatz since 2000. Since 2001 there have been opening addresses by internationally known personalities.

At the Life Ball 2010, recordings for the television series Schnell were determined with the visitors as extras , which were then processed by Klaus Karner (eighth of the third season).

On May 11, 2015, on the occasion of the ball, the song contest and the rainbow parade, Ampelmännchen at 120 pedestrian crossings in Vienna were officially exchanged by couples with a heart, including women & women and men & men, which triggered press coverage in many countries. Numerous people, including HOSI, are demanding that the campaign, which was only planned for 7 weeks, be left as a tourist advertising sign of the openness of Vienna. According to the City Councilor Vassilakou (Greens), this concern should be checked, according to MA 33 - “Vienna lights up”, the StVO would only prescribe the color, but not the motif. - The SPÖ tourism spokesman Max Unterrainer spoke out in favor of preserving the couple as a “tourist brand” for a cosmopolitan Vienna; “The pairs of traffic lights stand for togetherness.” The Viennese FPÖ go the subjects “far too far” and seek the prosecution of Vassilakou for violating the StVO and locate “a waste of tax money”. ÖVP state party chairman and city councilor Manfred Juraczka finds the new Ampelmännchen pairs “not exactly cheap” and describes the discussion about it as “people's idiocy”.

Donations

The Life Ball was not the only, but the most important source of income for the LIFE + association. Differences between the annual revenues and the total amount of the funded projects have been invested profitably since the beginning in order to be able to support the national projects for another year if the Life Ball does not take place. Because the amount of the proceeds could never be predicted, no infrastructure costs such as rent, personnel, operating costs and the like were financed. Failure to receive funding from AIDS LIFE should not lead to the breakdown of the organization of a project.

Fran Drescher , Bill Clinton and presenter Elke Winkens (2009)
Elton John with Barbara Eden and presenter Cornelius Obonya (2013)
Mark Dybul with Anna Netrebko and presenter Manuel Rubey (2014)
year Sponsors Net proceeds in euros Spending on projects Funded
international projects
Life Ball national internat.
1993 3 63,193.98 41,685.14 - -
1994 167,365.31 111,763.65 - -
1995 240,149.12 143,448.77 - -
1996 130 335,598.50 289,026.98 - -
1997 140 323,789.07 224,575.07 - -
1998 135 516,731.42 317,103.29 - -
1999 150 691,084.00 325,276.25 25,944.20 Neighbor in need
Austrian village in Turkey
2000 185 684,942.00 398,493.64 - -
2001 190 558,392.33 347,735.02 420,875.42 Elton John Aids Foundation
2002 179 750,470.00 473,238.27 272,000.00 Elton John Aids Foundation
2003 199 739,472.83 434,067.44 374,145.85 Elton John Aids Foundation
2004 184 938,621.04 497,183.65 406,283.94 Elton John Aids Foundation
2005 215 1,089,705.81 452,696.43 607,005.42 Crystal of Hope
Elton John Aids Foundation
amfAR
2006 217 1,076,547.86 486,638.88 685,988.42 Crystal of Hope
Impilo South Africa
amfAR (TREAT Asia project)
2007 280 1,821,139.53 522,759.59 1,343,687.71 Crystal of Hope
amfAR (TREAT Asia Project)
Clinton Foundation HIV / AIDS (CHAI)
2008 188 1,845,028.06 490,551.24 655,000.00 Crystal of Hope
amfAR (TREAT Asia Project)
German Aids Foundation (DREAM Mozambique)
2009 1,640,181.66 373,866.03 1,529,127.79 Clinton Foundation HIV / AIDS (CHAI)
amfAR (TREAT Asia Project)
New Hope for Cambodian Children
German Foundation for World Population (MYSA, Kenya)
Elton John Aids Foundation f. South Africa
2010 1,654,247.08 446,073.53 1,114,252.59 Clinton Foundation HIV / AIDS (CHAI)
amfAR (TREAT Asia Project)
New Hope for Cambodian Children
Elton John Aids Foundation f. Ukraine
2011 2,000,234.33 462,543.30 1,721,010.20 Clinton Foundation HIV / AIDS (CHAI)
amfAR
UNODC f. Ukrainian women's prevention
Crystal of Hope
2012 2,000,058.52 458,938.43 1,238,239.77 Clinton Foundation HIV / AIDS (CHAI)
amfAR
Crystal of Hope
...
2013 2,382,393.40 515,442.48 1,877,901.39 Clinton Foundation HIV / AIDS (CHAI)
Elton John AIDS Foundation
Foundation for AIDS Research
Crystal of Hope
2014 2,106,161.93 564,240.78 1,331,687.32 Clinton Foundation HIV / AIDS (CHAI)
Elton John AIDS Foundation
Foundation for AIDS Research
Crystal of Hope
2015 2,397,061.06 513,075.84 1,883,985.22 Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR)

Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)

UNAID

Sentebale

Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF)

2016 ?
2017 1,554,000.00 (provisional net proceeds)
2018 ?
2019 ? Flea market decoration

Source project support 1993–2014

On May 24, 2007, two days before the Life Ball, a gala dinner with Bill Clinton took place in the Great Gallery of Schönbrunn Palace , to which Federal President Heinz Fischer and Federal Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer also appeared. With the support of well-known Austrian companies, an additional amount was raised. After dinner, the guests attended the Concert for Europe of the Vienna Philharmonic in the palace gardens, where Clinton was presented with a check for $ 1 million for the HIV / AIDS Initiative (CHAI) of the William J. Clinton Foundation . A rerun in 2008 had to be canceled by the US primaries due to Clinton's scheduling problems .

In 2008 there were nine full-time Life Ball employees who are busy for over a year with the acquisition of material and monetary donations, as well as the coordination of all parties involved. In the catering sector alone, there are almost 1000 partners and employees involved. In 2009 the financial compliance was subjected to a special audit by the accounting firm Hübner & Hübner from 1994 to 2008 and a proper financial compliance was determined. At a press conference, Andreas Röthlin also stated that “Unlike many other associations, AIDS LIFE works very economically, especially when it comes to expenses.” In this context, the AIDS LIFE sponsoring association was awarded the Austrian seal of approval with effect from August 24, 2009 (Reg.Nr. 05685) awarded.

Awards

Opening of the Life Ball 2010
Gery Keszler with Hilary Swank (2013)
  • 1997: Austrian Tourism Prize (Vienna Chamber of Commerce)
  • 1997: Event Award GOLD - Category "Event Marketing" (Event Workshop: Austrian Event Award)
  • 1999: ÖKI Fundraising & Social Marketing Prize GOLD
  • 2000: Special prize from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Labor in the “Advertising Film” category of the 1999 “Life Ball 99” State Prize for Advertising
  • 2003: Gery Keszler: Communicator of the year 2002 (Public Relations Association Austria)
  • 2003: Flair de Parfum (Austrian Chamber of Commerce - retail of perfumery)
  • 2004: Event Award GOLD - Category "Public Event" (Event Workshop: Austrian Event Award)
  • 2005: Project Management Institute - "Project Excellence & Innovation" for humanitarian commitment
  • 2006: Gery Keszler: Golden Medal of Honor of the City of Vienna
  • 2006: Event Award GOLD - Category "Best Event of the Last 10 Years" (Event Workshop: Austrian Event Award)
  • 2008: Gery Keszler: Gold Medal of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria
  • 2011: Gery Keszler: Fundraiser of the year
  • 2012: Gery Keszler: Reminders Day Award, Berlin
  • 2012: Gery Keszler: Hope Award, Dresden

criticism

“Because Gery Keszler's 14th AIDS Charity Night was great. Although: That means nothing. Because one of the essential characteristics of the Life Ball is to be great. Through and through: The Life Ball is uncritical. Reporting means cheering. Partly rightly. "

- Der Standard , May 21, 2006

"Some political gay activists and 'fundamentalists' see the 'Verlifestylung' and watering down of concept and ball with skepticism, but no one expresses loud criticism." Gery Keszler walks the tightrope between the fun factor of attracting people and companies and creating publicity and ultimately to get as many donations as possible, as well as being very aware of the message to be conveyed. One measure, for example, is that only those journalists who report not only about celebrities, but also about HIV and AIDS are re-accredited. Sometimes it is criticized that in the meantime certain conservative and / or right-wing politicians appear as guests or announce it. Keszler is of the opinion that a ball against exclusion should not exclude anyone. If those come to a ticket and think they are comfortable at the ball, they will not be denied entry. And Keszler finds it naive if they think they can fraternize and everything would be fine again.

Dealing with sponsors

Although the City of Vienna supported the ball extensively (rooms in the town hall free, construction and dismantling of 180,000 EUR, annual funding of 900,000 EUR), in 2019 the organizer also demanded up to 1 million EUR plus a 300,000 EUR failure guarantee from the city. The type of communication is said to have been described by the decision-makers in the municipality of Vienna as "emotional blackmail" and further cooperation was therefore refused.

The net proceeds of the Life Ball 2019 will be € 611,000 for international and € 126,000 for national projects, i.e. H. in total € 737,000, which is significantly less than the subsidy from the City of Vienna.

Business partners criticized the sponsors for being "insulted and degraded" every year. The AUA aircraft , which had flown in the star guests of the ball free of charge for years, were then repeatedly devastated and had to undergo special cleaning due to cocaine found, used condoms and syringes. Since they did not want to burden flight operations with “things like that”, the airline finally - like other partners from the private sector - terminated its cooperation with Keszler.

Web links

Commons : Life Ball  - Collection of Images

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ LIFE +: Vission & Mission ( Memento of the original dated August 10, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / lifeplus.at
  2. ↑ HIV-Outing: Respect for Gery Keszler , kronehit.at
  3. ↑ Gery Keszler: Between Glamor and Mourning. derstandard.at, May 17, 2015
  4. ↑ ORF at / Agencies red: Colorful opening show: Last Life Ball under the sign of the rainbow. June 9, 2019, accessed June 9, 2019 .
  5. ↑ Life Ball will not take place in 2016. November 2, 2015, accessed June 9, 2019 .
  6. ↑ Hanna Kordik: Bribery: Law against corruption will be relaxed , Die Presse, June 16, 2008
  7. ↑ APA: Party mood - Life Ball defies the economic crisis , derstandard.at, April 24, 2009
  8. ↑ Christopher Wurmdobler: Good annoyance, Falter 21/03 of May 21, 2003 ( Memento of September 17, 2009 in the Internet Archive )
  9. ^ Doris Priesching: Germans look with , derstandard.at, May 15, 2009; The standard, 16./17. May 2009
  10. ↑ Life Ball 2007 - Conversation with Gery Keszler ( Memento of the original from May 28, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , wieninternational.at, April 24, 2007 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.wieninternational.at
  11. ↑ a b c d Petra Stuiber: "I feel that is a coward" - Interview with Gery Keszler, derstandard.at & print edition, February 14, 2008
  12. ↑ a b c Thomas Rottenberg: Heteros Freude with the Homo label , derstandard.at, May 16, 2008; Print edition 17./18. June 2008
  13. ↑ Ranking of the congress cities: Vienna in first place worldwide , diepresse.com, May 18, 2011; The press, May 19, 2011
  14. ^ Diluted major charity event , July 17, 2010, orf.at
  15. ↑ Life Ball becomes “almost like a musical”. May 22, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2019 .
  16. ↑ Life Ball: Proposal of marriage and words of warning. June 11, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2019 .
  17. ↑ Life Ball as a wedding spectacle. May 16, 2018, accessed June 9, 2019 .
  18. ↑ doma, ORF.at, mars, ORF.at: Life Ball is getting married properly. June 3, 2018, accessed June 9, 2019 .
  19. ↑ Keszler announces the end of Life Ball. May 10, 2019, accessed June 9, 2019 .
  20. ↑ Life Ball: A glittering farewell party. June 9, 2019, accessed June 9, 2019 .
  21. ↑ EuroPride starts with a street party. June 1, 2019, accessed June 9, 2019 .
  22. ↑ Life Ball on "Journey across the Rainbow". February 10, 2019, accessed June 9, 2019 .
  23. ↑ ORF at / Agencies red: 26 years: Clear the arena for the last Life Ball. June 8, 2019, accessed on June 9, 2019 .
  24. ↑ Johannes Luxner, ORF.at: Stonewall Riots: When the queer scene struck back. June 1, 2019, accessed June 9, 2019 .
  25. ↑ ORF at / Agencies red: Colorful opening show: Last Life Ball under the sign of the rainbow. June 9, 2019, accessed June 9, 2019 .
  26. ↑ Life Ball could be continued. May 28, 2019, accessed June 9, 2019 .
  27. ↑ Life Ball: A glittering farewell party. June 9, 2019, accessed June 9, 2019 .
  28. ↑ Lifestyle: Life Ball Flea Market at Messe Wien orf.at, October 24, 2019, accessed October 24, 2019.
  29. ↑ Song Contest / Life Ball - A Song for two events , wien.orf.at, March 7, 2007
  30. ↑ What became of ... Andrea Kdolsky? In: diepresse.com. March 21, 2011, accessed March 21, 2016 .
  31. ↑ Life Ball 2015 shines in fine gold. In: Small newspaper . November 29, 2014, accessed June 25, 2020 .
  32. ↑ Homosexual traffic light couples should stay , ORF.at, May 15, 2015. Accessed May 16, 2015.
  33. ↑ Pair of traffic lights attract international attention , ORF.at, May 13, 2015. Accessed May 16, 2015.
  34. ↑ Life Ball: Funding and supported projects ( Memento from July 21, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
  35. ↑ Life Ball 2013 with a provisional record net profit of 2.43 million euros ( memento of the original from August 8, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . Article dated June 2013, accessed June 5, 2014 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.lifeball.org
  36. ↑ diepresse.com - Life Ball achieved net proceeds of 2.3 million euros . Article dated June 5, 2014, accessed June 5, 2014
  37. ↑ Project support-1993-2014 . lifeplus.org. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  38. ↑ AIDS Charity Gala - Bill Clinton on a short visit to Vienna ( Memento of the original from July 25, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , wien.orf.at, May 24, 2007 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / wien.orf.at
  39. ↑ People - Bill Clinton Postpones Aids Life Charity Gala May 14, 2008
  40. ↑ Auditing exempts Life Ball organizer , DiePresse.com, September 2, 2009
  41. ↑ Marion Hauser: "Resign as Aids-Life-Chairman" ( Memento from September 3, 2009 in the Internet Archive ), Kurier.at, September 2, 2009
  42. ↑ Christoph Schwarz: End of the Life Ball: The decline of the "Keszler system". In: kurier.at. May 15, 2019, accessed May 21, 2019 .
  43. ↑ Lifestyle: Life Ball: One million euros in net profit. In: wien.orf.at. June 19, 2019, accessed August 2, 2019 .
  44. ↑ Christoph Schwarz: Life-Ball-Aus: Party excesses in the AUA plane. In: kurier.at. May 16, 2019, accessed May 21, 2019 .