What’s happening?

The Akademikerball is a glitzy yearly event involving people from Austria’s far-right scene gathering at the grand Hofburg Palace in central Vienna. It has been hosted by the the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) since 2013, but has a history dating back decades. 

It is one of Austria’s most controversial events, drawing thousands of protesters. Critics describe the event as “an international networking meeting of right-wing extremists”, broadcaster ORF reported.

Organisers describe it as a “classic Viennese nobel ball”.

Why does it take place – and why is it controversial?

The ball has repeatedly been accompanied by protests that sometimes turn violent due to its reputation as a social gathering for far-right politicians and supporters. Many of the guests come from mostly male student fraternities, known as Burschenschaften in German, that are linked to German nationalism ideology. 

The event had been organised since 1952 until 2012 by the controversial Wiener Korporationsring (WKR).

After differences with the Vienna Hofburg, the FPÖ Vienna took over the organisation, and it was renamed the Akademikerball or Academics’ Ball.

In 2014 protests against the event resulted in severe damage to property and a considerable number of injured demonstrators and police officers. In the years that followed, however, the situation has calmed down somewhat.

At the last event in 2020, guests included Martin Sellner, head of the Identitarian Movement, which is is classified as right-wing extremist by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. In 2012, the participation of the French far-right populist Marine Le Pen also caused a stir.

Ball organiser Udo Guggenbichler voiced concerns this week about protesters threatening violence in the run-up to the ball and filed a report with the Vienna public prosecutor’s office.

The FPÖ will be strongly represented at the event, although party leader Herbert Kickl will not be attending – he is on the campaign trail for the Carinthian state elections, and, according to Austrian press, it is claimed that Kickl is “generally not a big ball-goer”.

Kickl’s predecessors at the top of the party, former Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache and the current Third President of the National Council Norbert Hofer, attended the ball in the past and also appeared as speakers.

Hofer and former FPÖ public prosecutor Walter Rosenkranz, who will also give the opening speech this year, will be attending.

The legitimacy of the ball has been debated fiercely in Austria. Some are convinced that the far-right scene should not be allowed to meet in such a historically significant place. Others – mainly FPÖ members and sympathisers – argue that a democracy should allow it and that it is their right as a party to organise a ball.

READ ALSO: Is Austria’s Freedom Party a ‘far-right’ party?

How does it impact Vienna?

Expect a heavy police presence in the centre of Vienna. As has been the case in previous years, rallies have been announced, including from the Offensive gegen Rechts (Offensive against the Right) and other organisations. Protesters said they expected 2,000 to 3,500 people at their march. 

At past events, demonstrators have held signs protesting against Nazism and racism.

Due to the demos and road closures, there will be traffic disruption in and around the city centre, according to police.

The Ring will be closed to traffic from 4:30 pm from Schwarzenbergplatz to Schottentor on Friday February 24th.

Tram traffic in this area will also be affected – but not the subway. However, subway access to Minoritenplatz will be closed at the Herrengasse station. 

According to police, extensive searches will take place for those who are attending the event. Access to the Hofburg itself is “conditional on the willingness to have clothing and carried containers searched”, police said.