Hunters' Ball in pictures

More political celebrities on the prowl than at the Opera Ball

Christa Kummer welcomed Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, and Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig, who believes: "The Hunters' Ball is the secret number one event in Vienna!"(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

On Monday, the 103rd Hunters' Ball of the Green Cross Association invited guests to dance: the Vienna Hofburg and the Spanish Riding School were the venues for exuberant celebrations under the motto "Sound of the Mountains – Dance of the Valleys." An elegant declaration of love to Salzburg and the Mozart Year 2026 – we show the most beautiful pictures of the evening.

The fact that more members of the government had announced their attendance at the 103rd Hunters' Ball than at the Opera Ball may have been due to this year's host. This time, the patronage was taken over by the province of Salzburg – under the leadership of Provincial Hunting Master Maximilian Mayr-Melnhof – and brought a real crowd-puller to the Vienna Hofburg in the form of one of its most famous sons.

Chancellor Christian Stocker and Ministers Norbert Totschnig ("The Jägerball is the secret number one event in Vienna!"), Peter Hanke, Klaudia Tanner, and Claudia Bauer did not want to miss out on this either. Salzburg's famous son was, of course, none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who would have celebrated his 270th birthday this year – today, to be precise, one day after the Hunters' Ball.

You can see the evening's prominent guests in our photo gallery:

Christa Kummer welcomed Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, and Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig, who believes: "The Jägerball is the secret number one event in Vienna!"(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

Actress Kristina Sprenger and Gerald Gerstbauer(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

Deputy Governor Marlene Svazek(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

Federal Minister Claudia Bauer(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

Former Minister Elisabeth Köstinger(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

Cathedral priest Toni Faber, accompanied by Natalie Nemec and Daniel Serafin(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly and Xenia Buchner(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

TV presenter and journalist Claudia Reiterer with her son Julian(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

This year's coveted Jägerball fan was designed by Salzburg artist Alexander Ragginger. Its motif depicts a majestic golden eagle – a symbol of freedom, strength, and Alpine nature.(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

Drag queen and fashion designer Tamara Mascara poses with host Christa Kummer(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

"Krone" publisher Christoph Dichand appeared with his wife Eva Dichand, as did Swarovski CEO Carina Schiestl-Swarovski with her husband Edi Fröschl.(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

In addition to the Hüttschlag traditional music band from the Großarl Valley and the hunting horn groups from all of Salzburg's districts – Pongau, Lungau, Tennengau, Flachgau, and Pinzgau – who played traditional signals before the official opening, musical highlights were guaranteed thanks to the "star guest."

Entrance of the traditional band(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

One of these was undoubtedly the virtuoso performance by exceptional violinist Lidia Baich, before the young ladies' and gentlemen's committee – led by Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer – performed a very special choreography to Mozart's "Rondo alla Turca" on the dance floor.

A special highlight was the performance by internationally renowned violinist Lidia Baich, whose performance was one of the musical highlights of the opening.(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

Relaxed hostess and prominent guests
With such a program, it was no surprise that host and president of the Green Cross, Christa Kummer, was able to start the evening in a relaxed manner. Relaxed and "proud that our commitment is once again helping numerous people in need in the hunting and forestry sectors, while at the same time contributing to the protection and preservation of our natural environment."

Host Christa Kummer was able to enjoy the evening in a relaxed manner.(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

No wonder, then, that this year's guest list once again featured such illustrious names as Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly, St. Margarethen director Daniel Serafin, "Krone" editor  Christoph Dichand, presenter Christine Reiler, former ORF lady Claudia Reiterer, cathedral priest Toni Faber, scene restaurateur Mario Plachutta, "Falstaff" editor Wolfgang Rosam, entrepreneur Hanno Soravia, and former minister Elisabeth Köstinger.

The young ladies perfectly adhered to the dress code: knee-length dirndls and traditional costumes – those still available traditionally show off their apron bows.(Bild: Alexander Tuma)

P.S.: Salzburg's governor Karoline Edtstadler had to decline due to scheduling conflicts (she will instead honor the Salzburg hunting community at the Pinzgauer Ball). Her deputy, Marlene Svazek, charmingly represented her in Vienna.