DESTINACIJA / DESTINATION
Johan Štraus Mlađi komponovao je srpski kadril na zahtev Miloša Obrenovića Johann Strauss II composed the Serbian Quadrille at the behest of Miloš Obrenović
For Serbia, however, the most significant fact is that the Serbian Quadrille, Op. 14, was first per- formed on 2 nd February 1846. Serbi- an Prince Miloš Obrenović, who re- sided in Vienna and attended balls, commissioned this composition and spared no expense in engag- ing the most popular waltz com- poser of the time. Just how many ducats he paid remains unknown, but it is known that he demanded of Strauss that the Serbian Quadrille be recognisable for the rhythms of Serbian music... The Serbian Centre’s organisers explain that the ball is dedicated to first Serbian archbishop and educa- tor Rastko (Sava) Nemanjić, which is why it opens with the Hymn to Saint Sava in the presence of a Ser- bian Orthodox priest. “An integral part of the pro- gramme is the performance of the Serbian Quadrille. The fun part of the ball opens with a Viennese waltz and continues with traditional Ser- bian dances. We have also shaped ar- chival materials and memories from the previous 20 St. Sava balls held in
Vienna to create a monograph,” ex- plains Bogdan Osmokrović, a med- ical doctor and one of the members of the Board of Directors of Vien- na’s Serbisches Zentrum, which was founded in 1995 with the aim of promoting Serbian cultural cre- ativity, education and humanitar- ian work. The humanitarian dimension has always been an important part of the commemorating of St. Sava celebra- tions, which is why this year’s ball will raise funds for the purchase and adaptation of a new home for single mother Ljiljana Dukić from Obren-
ovac and her three daughters. This humanitarian aspect of the 26 th St. Sava Ball is being organised in coop- eration with humanitarian organi- sation Serbs for Serbs, while Ljilja- na and her daughters will attend as official guests of the ball. It should also be noted in con- clusion that this ball is a celebra- tion with multiple elements, such that alongside dance, music and a special atmosphere with snacks and drinks, it also includes specific cloth- ing, given that it represents a kind of unforgettable excursion to another world. Floor-length ball gowns are prescribed for ladies, while gentle- men’s attire includes tailcoats, tux- edos, formal uniforms or dark suits with a bow tie. Don’t be surprised if you’re denied entry, despite having a ticket, if your outfit doesn’t conform to the prescribed dress code. So, don your most beautiful ball gown and spin to the music of the Viennese waltz or the Serbian Quadrille, en- joying yourself like people once did, in those bygone times that we to- day only hark back to occasionally, when attending a formal ball.
98 | Beč » Vienna
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