Ein Ball in Linz

A Ball in LInz

As luck would have it, our travels recently took us to Linz, Austria -- the official 2009 European Culture Capitol.  For the occasion this historic city on the Danube has newly constructed, renovated, and literally put a fresh coat of paint on every surface in anticipation for their guests from around the world.  We relished the beautiful contrast between charming, well cared for old buildings (e.g., our 500 year old hotel), and creative new structures (e.g., the new ultra-modern Ars Electronica Center building). 

It was a short walk from our hotel to the streetcar stop on the city square.

Blue!  No, Pink!  Purple?  Now Yellow!  How about White?  Green means go.  We stood on the bridge over the Danube for several mesmerized minutes snapping pics of the Ars Electronica Center in its different color configurations.

Travis's favorite exhibit in Linz - the concrete Porsches under the Lentos Art Museum (note the Electronica Center in the background).

Our delightful Johannes Kepler University host, Christine, offered us a fantastic glimpse into campus life and introduced us to a variety of enthusiastic administrators, staff, and students.  Theirs is a true centralized campus, where all university buildings are in one 90-acre location – most unusual for Austria.  Also remarkable is that the university was only founded in 1966 (quite a contrast from most well-known European schools).  Despite its relative youth, JKU has established itself as a leader in computer science, math, and business.  Perhaps the university’s namesake, astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) could foresee JKU’s bright future?

JKU has a variety of interesting sculptures.  The ducks in the pond seemed to be particularly fond of this one.  (Note the classroom buildings and the lovely woods in the background.) 

We believe JKU's Vice Rektor for International Relations could create world peace using only his iPhone and his gregariousness.

Maybe it was Kepler’s lucky stars that led us to Linz on the weekend of January 17; our hosts, Christine, and the JKU Vice Rektor were kind enough to extend an invitation to the university ball!  How could we resist?  The memorable evening began with a champagne reception where we mingled with the “who’s who of JKU” crowd.  Then, as international guests, we had the honor of joining the formal procession to open the ball.  The opening parade included the aforementioned “who’s who at JKU,” government officials of all sorts, and international visitors.  As part of the opening party, we had front row seats during the welcoming speeches and special dances.   The JKU president concluded his remarks with a proclamation of how dancing is a good fit for students and professors because it has natural connections to history, math, physiology, etc., and how, through dancing, we can practice precision and proper technique.  At which point, the orchestra conductor excitedly announced “Now all those in the procession party will waltz!” 

A reminder:  the Jensen dancing method is far less meticulous and methodical than is required by a real waltz – we wiggle, shake, and twist.  Kepler’s astronomy inspired us to quickly determine that if we rotated in a counter-clockwise circle like a little planet, with all the other bigger planets, stars, and asteroids whooshing past us, we wouldn’t get creamed on the dance floor.  So we somehow whirled and twirled our way through our first real Austrian waltz in front of 3,000 people.  Our amazingly gracious host, Christine, then rescued us, congratulated us, took us to the best table in the room, and filled our glasses so we could toast to new friends, new experiences, and having a ball.  

Our view of one of the several special dances during the ball's opening ceremonies

Foxtrot, Tango, Waltz - you name it, the Austrians can dance it.  Several times during the evening we were told the following:  After birth, Austrians learn how to ski, how to dance, then how to walk.

Our delightful hosts, Christine, Petra, and their dancing spouses!  Unbeknownst to us, the woman whom Karla asked to take this photo was the wife of the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Austria.  This fact is particularly amusing since Karla gently suggested, "Maybe you'd get a better angle if you stood up to take the picture?"  Well, ta-da.  Here is the picture she took!

When we said "Wiedersehen" at 2 a.m., we estimated not even half the dancers had gone.  We suppose they are just in better shape than we are!