Carnival was always the time of amusement. It is time to break the endless queue of long, dark evenings with resplendence, ethereal dance, and innocent philanders. The social events of these times are traditionally about unclouded pleasance and indulgence which everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime.

In Hungary, the most elegant balls usually follow the etiquette of Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The most famous social event is the Opera Ball (this year it will be on February 13), which has its roots in the late 19th century. Its forebear was a charitable event, with the attendance of the highest dignitaries of the country. Nowadays, it is the most traditional social event and the attendance is formed from artists, politicians and influential business people.

Certainly, Opera Ball is the most conventional social event of the country. There are, however, many other chances to enjoy the parade of elegant dresses, music and dance. Ball of Hungarian Wines (January 16) is a quite new event, but is a good opportunity to get to know the traditional Hungarian derring-do and taste the greatest wares of the most well-known wine traders. The programs are usually a bit more facile than Opera Ball’s, the whirl of pleasures are performed by popular singers, dancers, artists.

Businessmen’s Ball (January 30) is about cloudless diversion, building contacts and doing charity. Alike Ball of Wines it is also a popular event, where the top-leaders of Hungarian business life celebrate together. The income of the program always advocates foundations for children.

In these dorky times it is worth travelling a little bit in order to be absorbed in the special feeling of the different balls. Budapest and Vienna has a common past of more than a hundred years, so if you missed something in Hungary, Vienna helps to make up for. Johann Strauss ball is, of course, one of the most authentic events. The greatest celebration of waltz provides classic amusement in Kursalon, one of the most beautiful saloons of the city. This year the festival will be on the lucky day of 13th February.

Carnival was always the time of amusement. It is time to break the endless queue of long, dark evenings with resplendence, ethereal dance, and innocent philanders. The social events of these times are traditionally about unclouded pleasance and indulgence which everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime.

In Hungary, the most elegant balls usually follow the etiquette of Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The most famous social event is the Opera Ball (this year it will be on February 13), which has its roots in the late 19th century. Its forebear was a charitable event, with the attendance of the highest dignitaries of the country. Nowadays, it is the most traditional social event and the attendance is formed from artists, politicians and influential business people.

Certainly, Opera Ball is the most conventional social event of the country. There are, however, many other chances to enjoy the parade of elegant dresses, music and dance. Ball of Hungarian Wines (January 16) is a quite new event, but is a good opportunity to get to know the traditional Hungarian derring-do and taste the greatest wares of the most well-known wine traders. The programs are usually a bit more facile than Opera Ball’s, the whirl of pleasures are performed by popular singers, dancers, artists.

Businessmen’s Ball (January 30) is about cloudless diversion, building contacts and doing charity. Alike Ball of Wines it is also a popular event, where the top-leaders of Hungarian business life celebrate together. The income of the program always advocates foundations for children.

In these dorky times it is worth travelling a little bit in order to be absorbed in the special feeling of the different balls. Budapest and Vienna has a common past of more than a hundred years, so if you missed something in Hungary, Vienna helps to make up for. Johann Strauss ball is, of course, one of the most authentic events. The greatest celebration of waltz provides classic amusement in Kursalon, one of the most beautiful saloons of the city. This year the festival will be on the lucky day of 13th February.

It is a mistake to believe that a so strictly affable nation as the English does not have some really bohemian traditions in connection with balls. Even the royal family was (and still is) a usual guest at the most elegant events. Of course, these parties were the hot-beds of gossips and flirt, so the history is full of spicy anecdotes. Who would dare to imagine, that the Most Noble Order of the Garter has strong connection to a ball? Its founder, King Edward III., tried to catch the slipping garter of Countess Salisbury. The movement accidentally raised the skirt of the noble woman. To help the unpleasant situation, Edward III. promised to give absolute adoration to the garter.

We cannot talk about balls without mentioning the Carnival in Venice. Actually, it is not a ball in the classic meaning of the word, however, it is one of the events which must be seen before death. The parade all along the alleyways, in front of the Doge’s Palace and under Campanile with the mysterious, hidden faces, the shiny masks and airy tulles is something, which will never be forgotten. This year the Carnival is organized between February6-16, of course in Venice again, in the most romantic city of Italy.

St. Petersburg’s War and Peace ball, held in the former residence of tsars, is a really standalone event. The idea is given from the famous book, War and Peace, of Leo Tolstoy. This year, the ball is even more unique: the event, described in the novel, has its 200th anniversary. The ball has been held year by year since 1990, which means that it is the 200th and the 20th anniversary at the same time, and it takes place in its original environment, in Russia, for the first time on May 28.

A ball, whether in the far-away Russia or at home in Budapest, is always a life-time experience. These carefully organized events are completely about the perfect pleasure. The carnival is the best time to go out with our partners hand in hand, and merge in the sound of music and gentle whizz of evening dresses and enjoy the romanticism of tradition and beauty.