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On 28 January 2005 the 50th Viennese Opera Ball took place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, New York USA, and the beneficiary of its "Golden Jubilee" was Special Olympics.
"Special Olympics is proud to be the beneficiary of the 50th Viennese Opera Ball," said Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics. "The message of the 50th Viennese Opera Ball and the celebration of Austrian independence is well complemented by the message of our movement — that through participation in sport Special Olympics athletes continue to break down barriers and promote acceptance around the world."
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Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver was recognized by the Austrian government for her extraordinary contributions to the empowerment and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. Shriver (center) was presented with a decoration by Austria's Ambassador to the United States Eva Nowotny (left) and Austrian Counsel General Ambassador Michael Breitsky (right) at the Viennese Opera Ball's Golden Jubilee on 28 January. |
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics, attended the Ball, where she was recognized by the Austrian government for her extraordinary contributions to the empowerment and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. Joining Mrs. Shriver at the Ball were athletes from Special Olympics Austria and Special Olympics New York, who partnered on this exclusive event. The Ball's Honorary Committee, co-chaired by Austria's President and First Lady, H.E.and Mrs. Heinz Fischer, includes California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver.
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A choir of Special Olympics New York athletes backed Decca/Universal Classics recording artist Ronan Tynan as he sang "This is the Hour," a song he composed as a tribute to the athletes who competed in the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. |
A highlight of the January event was a choir of Special Olympics athletes backing Decca/Universal Classics recording artist Ronan Tynan as he sang "This is the Hour," a song he composed as a tribute to the athletes who competed in the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games (which took place in Ireland, his native country). Tynan, with Rita Connolly, the National Symphony Orchestra, many of Ireland's finest traditional musicians, a pipe band and a choir of 500, performed "May We Never Have to Say Goodbye" at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games, underscoring the highly emotive event. Their performance is captured on A Feeling Shared, a double video and DVD package documenting the Games.
Anticipation of the Ball was heightened by a political and cultural milestone evening on 6 December at the Austrian Consulate in New York City. The event commemorated the signing of the Austrian State Treaty (launching the 50th Anniversary year of independence) and heralded the upcoming Viennese Opera Ball. As a symbolic re-establishment of the historic 1955 Austrian State Treaty signing which recognized Austria's independence as a "Free State," a signed treaty was brought to the Consulate. Ambassadors from the four signatory countries — Ambassador Stuart Holliday (United States), Sir Emyr Jones Parry, KCMG (United Kingdom), Ambassador Jean Marc de la Sabliere (France) and Ambassador Andrey Denisov (Russia) joined Austrian Ambassadors Eva Nowotny, Gerhard Pfanzelter and Michael Breisky in a ceremony marking the significance of the occasion. Among the representatives of the movement was 2002 Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger Rodney Hankins.
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Left-right: Among those in attendance at the Viennese Opera Ball was Miss Universe 2004, Jennifer Hawkins (second from right), who posed with Special Olympics New Jersey athlete Kristen Clark, Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Special Olympics Austria athlete Charlie Supan. |
Austria's rich cultural traditions have long been recognized and internationally acclaimed. The Viennese Opera Ball in New York has been a showcase for Strauss waltzes and has become a social highlight and annual tradition. On 28 January the Waldorf Astoria overflowed with music and color (dress code for men was white tie and decorations while women donned long ball dresses) well into the early hours of the 29th. After an 8:00 p.m. reception, Peter Duchin and his Orchestra entertained in the Grand Ballroom from 9:00 p.m.–1 a.m. After-hours music was provided in the Tanz Bar from 1–4 a.m., and by Paul Sevigny in the Astor Room and by The Hayes Kavanagh Band in the Jade Room. In addition to dancing, the Ball featured a Silent Auction.
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As a symbolic re-establishment of the historic 1955 Austrian State Treaty signing which recognized Austria's independence as a "Free State," a signed treaty was brought to the Austrian Consulate on 6 December at an event heralding the upcoming Viennese Opera Ball. |
The 6 December reception also featured a fashion presentation including designers from Austria and the signatory countries, giving the Ball Committees their first glimpse of some of the exquisite items being donated for the Silent Auction at the Viennese Opera Ball. Featured designers included Emanuel Ungaro, Zandra Rhodes, St. Johns and Michel Mayer.
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Opening Ceremonies for the 1993 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Schladming, Austria, the first time they took place outside the United States. The 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games will take place 26 February – 5 March 2005 in Nagano, Japan
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Austria holds a unique place in the memories of the movement: the Fifth Special Olympics World Winter Games were held outside the United States for the first time in Salzburg and Schladming on 20-27 March 1993. More than 1,700 athletes from 64 countries tackled the Alps, forever changing the attitudes of the Austrian citizenry. Dr. Thomas Klestil, then-President of Austria, galvanized his countrymen with his statement issued prior to the Games: "Athletes with disabilities are a big example for all individuals. They deserve our respect and our affection, because they, through their optimism and their self-victory, set an example."
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Special Olympics New York athlete Rodney Hankins and Johannes P. Hofer of Connex Consulting Corp., U.S.-Austrian Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee President, at the 6 December reception. The January 2005 Ball in New York will mark the 50th consecutive Viennese Opera Ball held under the auspices of the Chamber.
Hankins is an accomplished athlete, having won medals at all levels of Special Olympics competition in athletic. He participated in the 1996 Paralympic Trials in Atlanta and won gold medals in the 200m and 400m dash at the Goodwill Games Special Olympics exhibition races. As a Global Messenger for Special Olympics New York, Hankins speaks to numerous groups about the benefits of Special Olympics. He is employed by ABC-TV in Manhattan, New York and enjoys electric slot cars, bowling and writing music. |
In an 1997 interview for Spirit magazine, Eunice Kennedy Shriver said, "Those Games in Austria created something revolutionary. Why did the Mayor of Salzburg and the Governor General participate, giving speeches, going to competitions, giving out medals? Why did the Austrian government begin so strong a campaign to act on the needs of their citizens with [intellectual disabilities]? Why is the Austrian government working to convince neighboring nations to do the same? Because Special Olympics athletes deliver. They deliver in their competitions; they deliver with humor; they deliver with appreciation; they deliver with laughter; and their families deliver with pride. These are the reasons Special Olympics World Games can and do change not only individual lives, but change political and societal views and conceptions of people with [intellectual disabilities]...Special Olympics is one 'issue' any local or national government can and will support once they have the unique experience of hosting a World Games and learning more about these athletes. I say this emphatically because it has happened after every World Games in our history. It always happens."
The earliest Viennese Opera Balls can be traced to the late 18th century; today the Viennese Opera Ball remains an international social landmark. The January 2005 Ball in New York marked the 50th consecutive Viennese Opera Ball held under the auspices of the U.S.-Austrian Chamber of Commerce. Founded by Austrian immigrants, the Chamber continues to support the business and commercial interests of the U.S.-Austrian community. The establishment of the nonprofit Viennese Opera Ball in New York became the perfect way of preserving the memory of the Vienna and the culture that they loved. |
