On Saturday, January 25, 2025, the International University Ball opened Hanover's ball season. Over 500 guests in festive gowns celebrated the traditional event, which took place for the 13th time in the atrium of Leibniz University (LUH).
After the doors opened, the guests were immersed in a glamorous ball atmosphere. The decorated atrium amazed all dance enthusiasts and invited them to dance. Prof. Dr. Regina Nogueira, Vice President for International Affairs at LUH, opened the event. She recapitulated the history of how the International University Ball came into being in 2009 from two events. She was delighted to announce that the world was dancing in Hanover and appealed to the guests that the challenges of our time could only be met through social cohesion, a willingness to cooperate and respect.
The opening speech was followed by the opening dance. This began with dancers from the university's standard and Latin courses, led by long-standing instructors Alexander and Stefanie Meier, who delighted the audience with a challenging choreography to Quickstep and Charleston. Afterwards, the guests, many of whom were participants in the university sports dance courses, were allowed to conquer the dance floor.
Later in the evening, the dancers from the contemporary dance course for beginners impressively demonstrated what they have already learned in a short period of one semester. The Oriental Dance group celebrated the 25th anniversary of their trainer Simone Paulyn in university sports with their performance and Jule Petsch enchanted the guests with her performance on the Cyr Wheel. The costume design student and 2018 world champion gave an impressive demonstration of the possibilities offered by a single ring of steel. The Unihoppers then rocked the floor and presented Lindy Hop, a rousing swing dance style.
Finally, we would like to thank all the volunteers, the technical team and all the supporters who made the 13th International University Ball possible and once again unique. We look forward to welcoming numerous guests again next year when it will once again be called: The world dances in Hanover.
Further impressions of the event can be found on the Instagram channel @hochschulsporthannover.
