Life Ball 2015
The Life Ball is one of the biggest AIDS charity events in the world and an internationally unique ball. One question that keeps being asked at the Life Ball this year is if we all can expect or look forward to many more years of this grand event… My answer is, I certainly hope not; if it continues, it means that there has been no guaranteed cure for those infected. Lest we forget, the Life Ball is an exuberant festivity with extraordinary performances that year after year celebrates life and makes a loud and sounding statement in the fight against HIV and AIDS – resounding far across the boundaries of Vienna and Austria. In this way the event sets an example of tolerance and sends the signals of solidarity to society and the whole world. Yes, we are all here to celebrate life, but we are also here to raise funds for a cure for those infected with what is still today a life-threatening illness. I hope the in the near future our global medical leaders and research specialists are able to save those who are infected and put a stop to its spread for current and future generations. People sometimes focus on what they can’t do and forget that it is all the little things they can that are the most important on holding a real impact on the world. Everyone deserves a reason to get up in the morning and be happy; let’s fight to find a cure for those in need and give them a reason to wake up each day and celebrate the gift of life. Together we can all save the world, even if that world is one person’s.
The first day was filled with pictures, interviews – gallons of Redbull – fittings for the big event and The Red Ribbon Ceremony.
On the eve of the Life Ball, there is the Red Ribbon Celebration Concert in the Vienna Burgtheater. For the forth time already, the Red Ribbon Celebration Concert takes place as a prelude to the Life Ball Weekend. Under the motto Building Bridges for Peace, it is part of the official festivities on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Austrian State Treaty and the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, which are held in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Europe, Integration, and Foreign Affairs. Our common goal to build bridges for peace and humanity is the fundamental condition for a tolerant society. Cooperating in an open way is a prerequisite forsuccessfully fighting HIV and AIDS and their sociopolitical consequences.
The net proceeds of the concert will go to the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), which helps to stem the mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
On the eve of the Life Ball there is the Life Ball AIDS Solidarity Gala which is held in Hofburg Palace. The world is facing an epidemic that is getting worse, not better. I ask you to extend the hand of solidarity. ALL people deserve to be treated with with dignity, respect and love.
The red carpet was magical with people dressed as golden Adonis and mythical creations, ferries or anything that related to this year’s theme, Gold, revolving around the ancient celebration of spring as the giver of life – course some people were simply naked and painted their entire bodies. There’s something incredibly beautiful about this red carpet filled with the creativity of guests who have spent a year designing their elaborate costumes to attend that ball.
The fashion host for the show was Jean Paul Gautier – who I was set to be walking for in the show!
Europe’s biggest charity event, is as fun as it is serious: raising money for AIDS and HIV research. But as in previous years, the 23rd Life Ball continued it’s tradition of a free-for-all gala with an emphasis on diversity. This type of event would never be able to happen in the US, which is unfortunate. In America there is too much censorship and people are far too conservative. In all honesty that is disappointing to me that an event like this could never be brought home. People should embrace their bodies and themselves, not be afraid or ashamed of them. Maybe part of the reason AIDS is still an epidemic is because people don’t talk about sex, what’s normal and what’s not with the body and are poorly educated about sex.
