Hail a partner: Vienna ‘taxi dancers’ waltz in for ball season

Edgar Kogler, 49-year-old “taxi dancer,” dances with a partner during a dance ball at Hofburg palace in Vienna, Austria, on February 2, 2018. (AFP)
Updated 19 February 2018
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Hail a partner: Vienna ‘taxi dancers’ waltz in for ball season

VIENNA: It’s her third Vienna ball of the season and Renate Drabek plans to dance until the small hours. Tango, waltz, rumba, boogie: her dance partner can’t say ‘no’ as she’s hired him for the evening.
Vienna’s famous ball season, which peaks in January and February, is where hard-headed business sense meets more than 100 years of tradition, whether it’s hiring someone to dance with, taking a crash course in waltzing or handing out promotional freebies.
Some 450 balls organized in the Austrian capital through the winter are expected to attract more than 500,000 revellers, mostly from Vienna, while about 55,000 of them are visitors from abroad.
All the while, thousands will earn their living in the flourishing sector, in hotels, restaurants, fashioning evening wear, hairdressing, floristry as well as the all-important ballroom orchestras.
Rono Alam is one of the season’s entrepreneurs: several times a week he’s a “taxi dancer,” accompanying female ball lovers who need a partner.
Fifty-something and impeccably dressed, Alam was formerly a keen participant in dance competitions and set up his own company around 10 years ago when he realized that “many women couldn’t find a partner to dance with.”
Working for a rival outfit, 49-year-old “taxi dancer” Edgar Kogler is the quintessential Viennese waltzer: trained in the capital’s dance schools and a youth spent opening some of its most famed balls.

A secondary schoolteacher by day, by night Kogler indulges his love of dancing, taking to the ballroom floor and carefully attuning himself to his partner’s level, tastes and conversation.
Drabek feels at ease with the dancers she “hires” for a cost of around 150 euros an evening several times during the season, ever since the death of her husband.
“I love dancing, it’s my sort of sport,” says the retiree, resplendent in a daring bustier gown.
“And I adore this atmosphere,” she says, pointing to the marble columns, chandeliers, bouquets of fresh flowers and majestic staircase at the Hofburg palace, former residence of the Habsburg emperors and one of the most sought-after ball venues.
Austria’s chamber of commerce expects ball guests to spend a record 139 million euros ($172 million) this season — eight million more than last year, or 275 euros more on average per guest.
Every ball has an entry charge, with greatly varying ticket prices that rise according to the evening’s prestige. Students pay 25 euros for a university ball held at the Hofburg, compared to 70 euros for a full-price guest.
“Some balls have become big business,” says Ronan Svabek, master of ceremonies at the most famous of them all, the Opera Ball, which took place on February 8 and where the cheapest ticket costs 290 euros.
The ball season can prove a useful way to wine and dine important business contacts, especially from abroad.
“In many business branches it is a perfect tool to get close contact to business people,” said the manager of a family-owned Austrian milling and farming company who declined to be named.
Although many of his business partners are local and are ball-goers anyway, he said he did invite certain colleagues who are keen hunters to the hunters’ ball.
These days, ball sponsors, along with press offices and product placement, are the norm.
Ball-goers at the “BonbonBall” (“Vienna’s Sweetest“) received samples and freebies from an array of biscuit, ice cream and confectionery makers.
But Svabek stresses that there are still “lots of small neighborhood balls, school balls, balls for co-workers” which all embody the essence of the Viennese institution of “gathering different people together in one place, who don’t know each other but who spend the evening together, they talk and they get to know each other, all through the sheer love of dance.”
The tradition originates in the 18th century, when the balls of the Habsburg royal court ceased to be reserved for the aristocracy alone. The Viennese began adopting court customs and ways for their own soirées.
Now there is a ball for every taste.
Hunters, café owners, florists, butchers, building caretakers, vegans, hip-hop lovers and fans of space exploration can all find a dedicated event.
Certain customs, however, unite them, such as a strict dress code, an imperial ambiance, a choreographed opening dance by young, hand-picked débutants or first-time ball attendees, a succession of dance styles and musical genres, all capped off with a midnight quadrille.
It is no longer de rigueur for attendees to have gone to a formal dance school, whose numbers in Vienna have dropped from 70 in 1998 to around 20.
Many prefer instead to take a few hours’ instruction when they can, or even a crash course in waltzing before the ball.
Though, cautions Svabek, they risk missing out on learning the finer points of Viennese manners, the key to being ball-ready.
“How to approach someone, how to get to know them, how far one should persevere, at what point one should accept,” he said, referring to ball etiquette.
“Useful rules for dancing but also in society, for our way of living together,” he says.


Art under the stars: Noor Riyadh returns to dazzle Kingdom’s capital

Updated 28 November 2024
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Art under the stars: Noor Riyadh returns to dazzle Kingdom’s capital

  • Fleet of drones illuminates Saudi capital for Noor Riyadh
  • 18 Saudi, 43 international talents present light artworks themed ‘Light Years Apart’

RIYADH: The courtyards of the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in central Riyadh came alive on Tuesday evening with the launch of the Noor Riyadh Festival, attended by creatives from around the world.

London-based artist collective United Visual Artists transformed the night sky into a living canvas with a preview of their drone show “Aether.”

Featuring 1,500 drones, the seven-minute performance explored the silent harmony of the stars and planets.

Noor Riyadh Festival, a key initiative of the Riyadh Art, is being held under the theme “Light Years Apart” and will continue until Dec. 14.

This year, the festival will feature artworks by over 60 artists across three hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifa, and Jax district.

Architect Khalid Al-Hazani, director of the Riyadh Art Program, said Noor Riyadh is designed to transform the city into an open-air art exhibition.

Festival director Nouf Al-Moneef told Arab News: “What’s great about these three is the connection between art, heritage, culture, nature — and also contemporary creativity in Jax.

“The most important thing in Noor Riyadh is accessibility for people. Noor Riyadh is under the umbrella of Riyadh Art, whose mission is to transform the city into a gallery without walls. Wherever you go and whatever locations or hubs that you go to, you find these spectacular art pieces.”

The festival aims to enhance the quality of life in the Kingdom’s capital and contribute to fostering creativity and presenting art to the community, he added.

It serves as a platform for artistic and cultural exchange in line with Riyadh Art’s objective to nurture local talent and boost the cultural economy of the capital.

In addition to 18 Saudi artists, 43 international artists are representing countries including Australia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Turkiye, the UK, the UAE, and the US.

Speaking about the theme, Al-Moneef said that “Light Years Apart” is inspired by the connection between the Earth and the sky, praising the curatorial team who came up with the idea.

The festival invites citizens, residents, and visitors to explore the city and to celebrate the deep connection between heritage and creativity.

Mohammed Al-Bahri, an Omani journalist, said what caught his attention the most during the opening ceremony was the stunning harmony between the lights and music, which created a unique and immersive sensory experience for the viewers.

In recent years, the Kingdom has witnessed cultural and artistic development, which has contributed to enhancing its position on the global art scene, he added.

“I expect that interest in artistic creativity will continue to grow in the future, especially with the increasing government support for arts and culture, as well as the growing awareness of the importance of art in people’s lives,” Al-Bahri said.

“Art will thus become an integral part of the social fabric. Moreover, the younger generation is more open and has a deeper appreciation for the arts, signaling a bright future for artistic creativity in the Kingdom,” he said.

Munirah Abdulrazaq, a Bahraini beautician, said: “The Noor Riyadh Festival is a remarkable celebration of light and art, transforming Riyadh into a luminous canvas that bridges the gap between tradition and modernity.

“The fusion of creativity, technology, and heritage enhances the cultural landscape and positions Saudi Arabia as a burgeoning hub for contemporary and public art. By celebrating local and global artists, the festival fosters a deep appreciation for artistic expression and cultural dialogue, highlighting the Kingdom’s dedication to nurturing creativity and inspiring future generations.”


Diriyah Art Futures opens doors with tech-savvy exhibit

Updated 28 November 2024
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Diriyah Art Futures opens doors with tech-savvy exhibit

  • Exhibition features works by more than 30 international and regional artists exploring the history of computer art from the 1960s to the present day
  • Director of Diriyah Art Futures Haytham Nawar: The art hub is transforming Saudi Arabia into a global center of exchange and discourse in these emergent fields

RIYADH: Diriyah Art Futures, a new media arts hub in the region, has opened its doors with its inaugural exhibition, “Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts,” running until Feb. 15.

Curated by Jerome Neutres, former director at the Reunion des Musees Nationaux-Grand Palais in Paris, the exhibition features works by more than 30 international and regional artists exploring the history of computer art from the 1960s to the present day.

Haytham Nawar, director of Diriyah Art Futures, told Arab News that the art hub is “transforming Saudi Arabia into a global center of exchange and discourse in these emergent fields.”

The exhibit includes pieces by Saudi artists Lulwah Al-Homoud, Muhannad Shono and Nasser Al-Shemimry, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning contributions to new media and digital art.

International artists include Frieder Nake (Germany), Vera Molnar (Hungary/France) alongside contemporary innovators like Refik Anadol (Turkiye) and Ryoji Ikeda (Japan).

“By placing works from different geographic regions, eras and mediums alongside one another, we aim to introduce the region to the immense power of new media art, while shining a light on its remarkable depth and potential,” said Nawar.

He added that the exhibition brings “a much-needed regional perspective to the conversation, allowing the works to be experienced, understood and perceived in new ways.”

Speaking about new media art explorations in the Saudi context, the hub director added: “Interestingly, with the word ‘algorithm’ originating from the Islamic world, the exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the relevance of these themes to Saudi Arabia, a country with a very young and technologically literate population, currently experiencing a dramatic transformation.”

Alongside its opening, the hub is also launching the Emerging New Media Artists Programme, developed in collaboration with Le Fresnoy — Studio National des Arts Contemporains in France.

The initiative will last one year, equipping emerging artists with advanced equipment, mentorship and funding to create innovative multidisciplinary works.

Nawar says Diriyah Art Futures selected a group of emerging artists from diverse backgrounds, hailing from across the world and representing a broad range of mediums.

“We wanted to work with artists whose work already stands out, but would benefit from a one-year program, under the mentorship of world-class artists.”

In addition, the hub has announced the Mazra’ah Media Art Residency, which will run from February to April next year. This three-month program invites established artists and scholars to engage with its resources to create works reflecting on the relationship between nature, technology and society.

Mona Khazindar, adviser to the Ministry of Culture, said that the hub is creating “a space for diverse perspectives and creative expressions to meet, converse and flourish — breaking down barriers and demonstrating the power of art to connect humanity.”

“DAF embodies Saudi Arabia’s commitment to facilitating cultural exchange and international collaboration, while creating opportunities for shared learning, innovation and mutual understanding,” Khazinder added. “Through our embrace of these principles, we aim to not only celebrate regional heritage, but also contribute to the global conversation about the role of culture in shaping a more connected and creative future.”

Developed by the Saudi Museums Commission in partnership with Diriyah Co., Diriyah Art Futures contributes to the global new media and digital art landscape by integrating regional voices and pioneering practices in art, technology and innovation.

The launch of Diriyah Art Futures aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s commitment to advancing innovation, driving global collaboration and positioning the country as a leader in the global creative economy.


Saudi Culture Ministry selects 20 research proposals for camel studies grant

Updated 27 November 2024
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Saudi Culture Ministry selects 20 research proposals for camel studies grant

  • Grant targets researchers interested in camel-related studies, with a focus on boosting cultural research output
  • Out of 405 applications from 15 countries, the ministry chose 20 research proposals that met the necessary criteria

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has completed the assessment and selection process for the camel studies grant, introduced last June in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, as well as King Faisal University.

This grant targets researchers interested in camel-related studies, with a focus on boosting cultural research output in areas connected to cultural, social and economic aspects through scientific exploration across diverse specialized fields within the camel sector.

Out of 405 applications from 15 countries, the ministry chose 20 research proposals that met the necessary criteria, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The selected researchers will receive financial and scientific assistance throughout their work, which will lead to the publication of scientific papers.

The grant is part of activities carried out under the “2024, The Year of the Camel” initiative, which coincides with the UN General Assembly declaring 2024 as the International Year of Camelids.

The grant aims to encourage the study of the camel as a cultural symbol of Saudi Arabia, preserve national cultural heritage, highlight the intangible heritage linked to camels in Saudi Arabia, strengthen national identity, and promote Saudi culture internationally.

The grant covers six key areas: Historical, cultural, social, economic, environmental, and health dimensions. The objective is to examine relevant subjects with modern concepts, theories and methodologies.

The historical dimension includes studies comparing the importance of camels across civilizations, analyzing camel-related traditions, and exploring methods to preserve this heritage.

The cultural dimension focuses on the artistic and literary representation of camels in Arabic and Saudi literature, children’s books and various artistic media, including visual arts, cinema, engravings and sculptures.

The social dimension explores the role of camels in Arab and Islamic societies, including their social impact, traditions linked to ownership, and the influence of camel events on local and global communities.

The economic dimension examines the financial contributions of camels, including the use of camel wool and leather in fashion and furniture, the sustainability of camel products, and the financial impact of camel festivals.

The environmental dimension covers research on sustainable grazing practices, carbon emissions and camels’ role in maintaining ecological balance in arid regions.

The health dimension focuses on the medical applications of camel products, technologies for measuring camel meat quality, and the preservation of camel breeds through genetic mapping.


Global Harmony event concludes with celebration of Egyptian culture in Riyadh

Updated 29 November 2024
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Global Harmony event concludes with celebration of Egyptian culture in Riyadh

  • Saudi Arabia and Egypt continue to strengthen their political relationship through agreements in trade, tourism, energy and culture

RIYADH: The Global Harmony initiative concludes its week-long celebration of Egyptian music, art and tradition in Suwaidi Park as part of Riyadh Season.

Running from Nov. 24-30 and organized by the Ministry of Media, the event invites visitors to experience Egypt’s rich heritage through a range of cultural activities.

Speaking to Arab News, Egyptian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Tarek El-Meligy highlighted the deep-rooted connection between the two nations. “The Egyptian community is the most harmonious, coexistent and understanding in a positive way within Saudi society,” he said.

“If you ask any Egyptian which country they would like to live in after Egypt, they will say Saudi Arabia.”

The Egyptian ambassador to Saudi Arabia visits the Egyptian festival at Riyadh’s Suwaidi Park, held as part of the Global Harmony initiative on Nov. 24, 2024. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

Sarry Shaaban, an executive and consultant at the General Entertainment Authority, said: “We are talking about millions of visitors, both residents and Saudis, entering the park. Whether I’m a resident, a Saudi or from a country hosting the event, it provides an opportunity for residents to learn about your culture, colors, explore its arts, food, crafts, and traditional industries.”

Live music and dance performances displaying Egypt’s cultural traditions, with the rhythm of drums and flutes and performers in traditional costumes, have brought the life and spirit of Cairo’s streets to Riyadh.

A separate bazaar area has been set up featuring Egyptian cuisine, traditional clothing and handcrafted items.

Performers showcase traditional Egyptian folk costumes and dances during celebrations at Riyadh’s Suwaidi Park, part of the Global Harmony Initiative, on Nov. 24, 2024. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

“An event like this carries positive messages and highlights something we strive to emphasize every day, that we are one people, united by love and affection,” said El-Meligy.

Egyptian Sameh Nabil emphasized the feel of unity: “This initiative brought us closer together as Egyptians, and with Saudis here, I feel like we are brothers. I always feel like we are not expatriates.”

And visitor Khaled Zahir said: “This event reflects the love, connection and affection between Egyptians living in the Kingdom and Saudis.”

Performers in Egyptian attire take part in a parade at Riyadh’s Suwaidi Park, celebrating Egyptian culture as part of the Global Harmony initiative on Nov. 24, 2024. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)

Egyptians make up 11 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population, according to the Saudi Census, meaning such exhibitions are important in promoting mutual respect and harmony.

El-Meligy said Saudi Arabia hosted the largest Egyptian expatriate community abroad, with remittances from those in the Kingdom forming a significant part of their home nation’s income.

“In recent months, remittances from Egyptians abroad have increased substantially, thanks to the facilities between the two countries and the confidence in both the Saudi and Egyptian economies,” he added.

Performers in Egyptian attire take part in a parade at Riyadh’s Suwaidi Park, celebrating Egyptian culture as part of the Global Harmony initiative on Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo/@RiyadhSeason)

Saudi Arabia and Egypt continue to strengthen their political relationship through agreements in trade, tourism, energy and culture. In his October visit to Cairo, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to discuss investment opportunities and the establishment of a supreme coordination council to deepen bilateral relations.

Trade between Saudi Arabia and Egypt saw a 35.16 percent annual increase in the first half of 2024, according to the General Authority of Statistics. The increase was driven by a 73.44 percent surge in Saudi imports from Egypt, totaling $4.18 billion.

Egypt has also shown a growing interest in investing in Saudi Arabia, with a 71 percent rise in licenses granted to Egyptian firms in the second quarter of 2024.

The festival, which began in October, highlights the lives, contributions and cultural integration of its residents. So far, it has celebrated cultures including Indian heritage and moving through Philippine, Indonesian, Pakistani, Yemeni, Sudanese, Bangladeshi, Jordanian, Lebanese and Syrian traditions.


Made with love — Saudi commission presents works by global artisans

Updated 27 November 2024
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Made with love — Saudi commission presents works by global artisans

  • Northern Ireland, Japan and Mexico among countries represented in International Handicrafts Week
  • Through Banan and other initiatives, the Heritage Commission raises awareness about the importance of handicrafts as part of cultural heritage

RIYADH: The second Saudi International Handicrafts Week — known as Banan — is offering a wealth of live music, interactive experiences and artisanal works from around the world in Riyadh this week.

Running until Nov. 29, the event is organized by the Saudi Heritage Commission and features artists and representatives from over 20 countries, exhibiting alongside the Kingdom’s own talent.

Katherine McDonald, director of Crafts Northern Ireland, told Arab News: “I think the craft of any country (paints) a picture about the people, the landscape, the culture … it’s an important part of the identity of a country. That's why it’s important that we can allow craft makers to flourish, to pass on skills, to train new craft makers, because they’re as important as the food, as the economy.”

The collective, exhibiting in Saudi Arabia for the first time, represents artisans in Northern Ireland whose work ranges from textiles and jewelry to ceramics and furniture. Items from 13 of them are on display at Banan.

“We try to have a range of work that's representative of what makers are doing in Northern Ireland,” McDonald said. “We have textiles made from local wool, ceramics ... there’s always something that allows an artist to express themselves and for people to find something they really like that suits their style.”

Award-winning contemporary silversmith Cara Murphy is largely inspired by the environment to create unique pieces such as bowls, clocks, and candle holders. She is the designer behind the past four Randox Grand National awards, often called the world’s greatest steeplechase.

Jakki Trainor crafts clay works that focus on the word “figment” to depict real or imaginative flora, fauna and folklore, while Joel Smyth creates eclectic pieces of jewelry inspired by European minimalist design, multifunctionality and interaction. 

McDonald said: “Jewelry is always popular for gifting and for yourself. And we also have glass and some wooden articles as well. So, it’s a range of materials.

“This is what’s so interesting to see, what different countries and different artisans have done with the same materials. There’s such diversity. Everything is unique.”  

In addition to the 500 artisans marketing and selling their work, the event features multiple interactive and immersive zones including the handicrafts arts village, a live craft performances pavilion, crafts exhibition and workshops pavilion, a platform for entrepreneurs and craft organizations, and a children’s activities pavilion.

Hailing from Hungary, woodworker Bela Zalai has been honing his craft for over 20 years. For his first visit to the Kingdom, he is exhibiting an array of his work including flutes, bowls, pots, jewelry and chairs. 

Carving a flute at his booth, he told Arab News: “In Hungary, handicrafts is a very rich culture … it’s a very popular thing — pottery and leather work and a lot of things. In these times, everything is too modern and fast … handwork is very personal, unique and valuable.” 

Zalai works as a zoologist, but since he started his handcrafting journey the day-job has taken second place: “Hand work is much more important for me than biology at the moment,” he said.

Through Banan and other initiatives, the Heritage Commission raises awareness about the importance of handicrafts as part of cultural heritage, ensuring they are preserved and passed on.

Saudi International Handicrafts Week is open to the public from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., except on Monday and Wednesday when hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.