United in Diversity

The last Life Ball

On 8 June 2019, the 26^th Life Ball celebrated life in and around Vienna City Hall for the last time. Outsiders and homeless in a society, “freaks” remain only as long as they hide in their niches. For this reason the Life Ball 2019 went on a journey across the rainbow. The starting point of the journey was a circus troupe that set up their tent in front of the town hall. A colourful family, border crossers on the margins of society, obeying the commandment of the different, the magical and the risky. A whirlwind came up and the circus performance, which Conchita WURST led through as circus director, took an unusual course. When finally Diane Brill, muse of Andy Warhole, appeared as a good fairy and pointed the way across a yellow road, a journey through the world of colors began. From station to station more and more people joined, but the emerald city was not the end point, the way, the yellow road, led far out around the whole world. The LIFE+ Award presented by M-A-C Cosmetics and the M-A-C AIDS Fund was presented during the opening ceremony in 2019. The project Circus Zambia by the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, which supports young people in leading a self-determined life, was the winner.

The Sound of Music

25 years Life Ball

Life Ball was celebrating its 25th anniversary with an homage to “The Sound of Music”. The heart-warming, relatable story of the von Trapp family was building the expressive setting and a conscious reference to Austria. In addition to Conchita as Fräulein Maria, actor and theater director Herbert Föttinger played the role of Captain Georg von Trapp. For the first time M·A·C Cosmetics and the M·A·C AIDS Fund were donating 150.000 EUR to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

Life Ball

Creative break

For the first time in over 23 years there’s no Life Ball, only the Ribbon Celebration Concert at Burgtheater is being held. A novum: Cardinal Christoph Schönborn held a personal speech and paved the way for the memorial service that took place at St. Stephens cathedral on World-AIDS-Day the year after.

Garden of lust

Love is a bloom growing anywhere.

The Vienna City Hall is converted into a garden of lust. Guests like Bill Clinton, Sänger Ricky Martin, actress Marcia Cross and singer Courtney Love are visiting the sea of blossoms. In the run-up to Life Ball the poster with transgender model Carmen Carrera was a public dispute. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is new political partner on an international level. Highlight of the evening was the performance of Conchita Wurst and the Songcontest winner song Rise like a Phoenix. As a perfect ending to Life Ball a fashion show hosted by head of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani took place.

Fighting the Flames of Ignorance

Motto cycle: Fire

The 20th anniversary is being celebrated with several events: The evening before Life Ball a gala concert at Burgtheater is taking place, a day later the AIDS Solidarity Gala at the Hofburg. The four year long cycle is being closed with the element fire. The evening before the ball the gala concert at Burgtheater is taking place, followed by the AIDS Solidarity Gala at the Hofburg. Bill Clinton, Model Milla Jovovich and actor Antonio Banderas are wishing a happy anniversary. The anniversary ball is achieving net proceeds of 2.1 million Euro.

Sow the Seeds of Solidarity!

Motto cycle: Earth

Sow the Seeds of Solidarity! – dedicated to the element of earth, Life Ball is the kick-off for the XVIII. International AIDS Conference in Vienna. With delegates from 139 countries it’s the biggest congress that year. In solidarity three special organizations are hosting three events: the amfAR gala at the parliament, the Elton John AIDS Foundation at the Red Ribbon Cotillion at Burgtheater as well as the Clinton Health Access Initiative at the traditional Life Ball at the Vienna city hall. New political partner on an international level since 2010 is UNAIDS – the HIV/AIDS program of the united nations. Among others actress Whoopi Goldberg, the Norwegian crown princess Mette-Marit and star violist David Garrett are showing solidarity with people affected by HIV/AIDS. Because of strong thunderstorms the opening show unfortunately had to be abrupted half time.

Let Love flow

Motto cycle: Water

In 2009 a quartered Life Ball motto cycle begins, that leads through the four elements, with a crowning finale at the 20^th anniversary in the year of 2012. The first element of that cycle is water and Life Ball 2009 is being held under the motto “Let Love flow” with a production in and on water. Among the prominent guests are Bill Clinton, who followed the invitation for the first time, as well as Katy Perry, Eva Longoria, Pamela Anderson, Ivana Trump and Fran Drescher. For the first time Life Ball was opened with debutant couples on the red carpet, just like Operaball, in a traditional way.

Landing on Planet Life Ball

Life Ball is held under the motto Landing on Planet Life Ball with a bombastic opening show that is composed like a theatre play. Models are presenting exclusive lingerie by Agent Provocateur on the Red Ribbon Catwalk. Again, guests at the ball are Sharon Stone, Kim Cattral, Rose McGowan and Deborah Harry. The net proceeds of Planet Life Ball are 1.4 million Euro.

The Sound of Life Ball

A choir of love

Sharon Stone is visiting Life Ball as the acting president of amfAR. Various other celebrity guests are travelling to Vienna from New York with the Life Ball plane by Austrian Airlines. As part of the Motto A Choir of Love against an Army of Ignorance guests like Catherine Deneuve and Naomi Campbell are celebrating the feast of life. Superstar Anastacia is thrilling the audience with her musical performance.

Style Bible

For the first time styling terms are being established and the Style Bible introduced. Elegant evening wardrobe or a creative styling is a must, otherwise the city hall cannot be entered for the ball. The Style Police is checking the guest’s wardrobe.

Now Life Ball has made the international breakthrough: For the first time Life Ball is working with an international organization and is supporting the Elton John Aids Fundation (EJAF) as well as implementing projects in South Africa. Elton John is personally attending Life Ball, giving the opening speech.

Life Ball in der Hofburg

Because of renovations Life Ball is not able to take place at the Vienna City Hall, but is being held at the Hofburg. For the first time the event raised donations in the amount of 10 million Schillings (Euro 726.728,00).

Future, Space, Techno and Barbarella

In the meanwhile, Life Ball has become a spectacular phenomenon, the tickets are sold out immediately. Under the title Future, Space, Techno and Barbarella star-designer Paco Rabanne is hosting the fashion show.

The Austrian Federal Chancellor and other political representatives are attending Life Ball. What before was noticed as a scene event, is receiving attention now as a major event raising attention for HIV/AIDS far above Austria’s borders. At the Vienna City Hall fashion designer John Galliano is thrilling the ball guests with his creations.

Founding AIDS LIFE

Gery Keszler and Torgom Petrosian († 1994) established the charitable association AIDS LIFE (today LIFE+) with the goal, to build a platform that is raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and to raise donations for aid projects.