Zoran Kalabić Gathered the Jet Set at the St. Sava's Ball at the Hofburg

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• February 7, 2025
• Posted by: zoran

The Svetosavski Ball, the most prestigious event of the Serbian diaspora in Europe, once again captivated audiences with its elegance and tradition. The golden splendor of the imperial palace, the sounds of waltzes and the Serbian Quadrille, elegant evening wear and distinguished guests – all of this created the magic of the 26th Svetosavski Ball in Vienna. And behind the lavish halls and ceremonial greetings lies a deeper story about preserving cultural identity, nurturing tradition, and above all, the power of togetherness and humanity.

This year, all proceeds from ticket sales and the charity auction of artworks were dedicated to single mother Ljiljana Dukić from Obrenovac, who lives in difficult circumstances with her three daughters. Thanks to the organizers, the Serbian Cultural Centre in Vienna, donations, and the organization 'Srbi za Srbe' (Serbs for Serbs), this brave woman will soon receive a home of her own.

As part of the ball, an auction of paintings and other items was also organized, and our distinguished businessman from Vienna, Zoran Kalabić, placed the winning bid on the 'Miroslav Gospel'.

Hofburg to the rhythm of waltzes, jazz and tamburica players

This year, the Hofburg opened no fewer than 14 ballrooms for more than 2,500 guests. Each room had its own unique atmosphere – from the sound of tamburica players in the Agape space, to classical music in the grand hall, to jazz rhythms in the campari bar.

At midnight came a special moment – the traditional Serbian Quadrille accompanied by the music of Johann Strauss the Younger, who composed this piece back in 1846, inspired by Serbian folklore.

This year's Svetosavski Ball in Vienna became a veritable monument to the bonds between people of different backgrounds, thanks to one man – Zoran Kalabić, a successful Viennese businessman of Serbian origin, who, as is tradition, gathered numerous guests in his box, all distinguished in their respective fields.

Kalabić is a qualified economist, one of the most successful Serbian entrepreneurs in the diaspora and a prominent representative of the Serbian community in Vienna. At the ball, he gathered around him an impressive group of as many as 74 guests from a variety of professions, talents and walks of life – diplomats, businesspeople, current and former beauty queens, cultural figures, journalists and members of the jet set, from Austria and all parts of the former Yugoslavia.

– It is not the one who has, but the one who gives, who is truly rich – says Kalabić, one of the pioneers of the St. Sava Ball in Vienna and a man whose name has for decades been associated with Serbian and diaspora elites from across the entire former Yugoslavia. Kalabić attends the ball exclusively as a guest and each year has his own special guests and his own private boxes.

– I am happy that I was able to bring together such high-calibre people – decent, respected individuals. I was one of the founders of the SKC and the organiser of the first balls in Vienna when we started out, and I was the driving force behind the first 10 balls. Back then it was difficult to say you were Serbian in Vienna, whereas today our diaspora and other guests gather with pride – emphasises Kalabić, owner of the company "4M Immobilien", who now, as a guest of the Sava Ball, introduces Serbian culture in Vienna to his own guests.

Kalabić was born in Paraćin and has lived in Vienna since 1987, where he has built a successful career in real estate and become known for his contribution to the preservation of Serbian culture and tradition in the diaspora. He is the recipient of numerous accolades and decorations. In recognition of his outstanding services in strengthening relations between Serbia and Austria in the fields of public affairs and business, the President of Serbia awarded him the Order of the Star of Karađorđe. For his longstanding humanitarian work he has received many honours, among them the Tesla Gold Medal of the Nikola Tesla Science Foundation from Philadelphia, the Austrian Senator award, the October Prize of the City of Jagodina, and the title of Knight of the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem.

His presence and engagement at the St. Sava Ball, as well as the gathering of distinguished guests from the region, have contributed to strengthening cultural ties and promoting Serbian tradition in an international context. He first welcomed his guests at the premises of his company, where a party went on until the early hours of the morning, with accordionist Aleksandar Karić adding to the festivities. The following day, ahead of the ball, those interested had the opportunity to visit the Albertina art museum and the "Serbian Wine Fest".

The three days he gave as a gift to his guests would not have been so magical and glamorous were it not for his wife Adrianne Lushezy, a recognisable name in the world of cosmetics and aesthetics in Vienna. As the owner of the prestigious Kosmetik-Schönheitspflege Salon, she is dedicated to helping every woman shine and discover her authentic beauty.

– Every woman carries her own story, but true beauty comes when she tells it with pride. The Sava Ball is an opportunity to unite tradition and elegance. It is a story of glamour and brilliance, as well as of togetherness, love for heritage, and beauty that comes from within. That evening, beneath the lights of the Hofburg, every lady is the queen of her own style, and every smile tells a story of strength, femininity and success. I am grateful to my husband for his selfless support and for bringing together wonderful people at this prestigious event – said Adrianna, whose elegance and beauty left many breathless at this year's St. Sava Ball.

Kalabić – a bridge between tradition and the modern world

Zoran Kalabić is not only a respected businessman, but also an indispensable figure at all significant events in Vienna that bring together the Serbian elite. His charisma, networking ability and sense of community have long established him as an informal ambassador of the Serbian diaspora. The guests he gathered this year are testament to that.

Miroljub Radovanović, owner of the company "Jela" from Jagodina, makes no secret of his admiration for his host.

– This is my third time at the ball and Zoran Kalabić's organisation is of a high standard. He loves connecting people and he is number one at that. I have known him for over 20 years, we have socialised a great deal and he has earned serious standing in Vienna. He is our man and a Serb, and I like to highlight our values abroad. You never know what life will bring – he deals in selling houses, I in furnishing them, but friendship and cooperation are always there – said Radovanović.

Journalist and producer Vesna De Vinča, attending the ball for the 10th time, particularly emphasized the symbolism of this event.

– The essence of the ball is a return to tradition and history, to the beauty of life. Many women spent months choosing their gowns and having them tailored for this occasion. This is a festive event that celebrates elegance and refinement in communication. Kalabić has an incredible ability to bring people together – when he comes to Belgrade, we all gather around him, and then, when he leaves, we scatter again. He respects my media influence and we promote shared values: family life, Christian ideals, and respect for one's neighbour. He is a man with a mission, a philanthropist who does not like to talk about it – said De Vinča.

A blend of business networking and glamorous entertainment

RTRS journalist Slavica Brkić from Banja Luka, who has been collaborating with Kalabić for more than six years, highlighted his selflessness and dedication to the diaspora.

– He is a knight of the Order of Tsar Lazar and a great humanitarian, although he never draws attention to it. His hospitality was something I expected, because I know what kind of man he is. The ball itself is magnificent, but what Kalabić arranged for his guests – the additional programmes and the experience of Vienna – made it an unforgettable experience – she admitted.

Iva Peranović, a journalist from Zagreb, attended the ball for the first time and did not hide her enthusiasm.

– Zoran Kalabić is a man who needs no special introduction – charismatic, meticulous, and passionate about everything he sets his mind to. I look forward to the collaboration that lies ahead – said Peranović.

The musical elite was also present – opera director Tadija Miletić highlighted the special moment when the Saint Sava Hymn resonated through the Hofburg.

– It is an incredible feeling. I did not expect such a large turnout and such impressive organisation. Kalabić is the main benefactor of the largest opera competition in the Balkans, which only confirms his dedication to culture – explains Miletić, who came with his wife Dina, a pianist, with whom he has realised several joint media projects with Kalabić over the past period.

The ball as a place of gathering and inspiration

The well-known singer and long-time friend and godfather of Zoran Kalabić, Nenad Knežević Knez, reflected on his tireless energy.

– Zoran and I have known each other for more than 32 years, and the first time I performed was in his club in Vienna. He is a man with a big heart, dedicated to charitable work and organizing events that bring our diaspora together. This is one of the biggest balls in Europe – says the popular Knez.

Dr. Aleksandar Urošević from Belgrade, a world-renowned aesthetic surgeon, sums up the atmosphere with words that best describe the magic of this event.

– He has made us all like a bouquet of joy, and we are all intertwined and happy together. The way he recognizes that, I am fascinated by his energy. I promised my little daughter that when she turns 18 I will take her to the Saint Sava Ball and buy her a ball gown – said Dr. Urošević.

Maja Rakita, journalist and host of TV Ekovizija – Telekom Srbija, one of 74 special guests of Kalabić whom he called 'Svetosavci', noted that so many positive people and so much energy in one place is rarely seen anywhere.

– I know many people, but I had the opportunity to meet other wonderful people as well, which is precisely the purpose of this celebration – for people to socialize, exchange opinions, make new contacts and partnerships, and to keep alive the tradition of the Sava Ball, which has endured through the centuries – she added.

Bojana Šarović arrived from East Sarajevo, whose presence further enriched the diversity of the guests.

– I am very grateful to be his guest and to be the only one from East Sarajevo and from Sarajevo in general. Everything was perfect, from the Ball to the party we had the day before, the tours – everything was magical and like something out of a film – she shared her first impressions of this prestigious event.

Among the guests was also Aleksandra Rutović, the reigning Miss Serbia, who experienced the ball from a special perspective.

– It is my first time at the Hofburg, as a guest of Zoran Kalabić. He hosted us for three days, and every second was filled with activity. The gathering of people is extremely interesting – from each person something new can be heard and learned – said this young lady.

Stojan Stevanović, president of the Association of Serbian Entrepreneurs in Switzerland, attended the Sava Ball in Vienna for the first time and does not hide his enthusiasm.

– I have known Zoran for a few years and he is a regular guest at fairs and forums in Zurich. Over the past three years we have been seeing each other at the Saint Sava Ball in Paris – he invited me, I am truly honored. I thank the whole team for their hospitality, it is fantastically organized and I have never experienced a ball like this before – said Stevan Stevanović.

The richness of the Saint Sava Ball lies not only in the dazzling gowns and the grand halls of the Hofburg. Its true value lies in the people who gather here, connect and build bridges between Serbia, the diaspora and the world, regardless of language or faith.

Zoran Kalabić has once again shown that he is much more than an organizer – he is a visionary who, through his hard work and dedication, strengthens the bonds between people. Among the many guests of various backgrounds and professions was also actor Milan Bosiljčić, known for his various workshops and projects related to the culture of speech, the preservation of the Cyrillic script and the Serbian language.

In the magnificent halls of the Hofburg, that evening it was not only the crystal chandeliers that shone – there also shone that special light of togetherness which Zoran Kalabić has been nurturing and spreading for years among his friends, associates and business partners on all seven continents. Every year he hosts his own guests at the ball, even though he has not been the organizer of this event for years.