Life Ball 2012: The Opening Ceremony

Without lust, there is no life. — Gery Keszler

Photo credit: Life Ball © Markus Morianz

Above, the brilliant sujet of the 20th Life Ball, The Respect (left) and The Ignorance (right), styled by Gery Keszler, props by ART for ART, in Interspot studios.

Hi, it is quite remarkable what Gery Keszler has accomplished over the last 20 years. Out of nothing, he created the Life Ball, which has become the major lifestyle and charity event for HIV and AIDS.

The extraordinary event is also a lustful celebration of life, fighting (the flames of) ignorance and misconceptions, which arise from the fact that HIV/AIDS was first discovered in gay men and drug addicts.

However, the virus does not distinguish between sexual preferences, and today it is known that 90% of all infections happen by heterosexual intercourse.

After 30 years of research, there is still no cure for the pandemic virus, but HIV/AIDS can be prevented by safe sex and worldwide access to medication for AIDS patients. New drugs can slow the course of the disease and prevent infections, such as mother-to-child transmissions.

Because it is the 20th anniversary of the Life Ball and AIDS Life, the non-profit organization behind the Life Ball, I ask myself,

What will happen in 20 years from now? Will there still be a Life Ball?

Considering the current pace of research, it is possible (and I hope so) that eventually, a vaccine for HIV and a cure for AIDS is found, but would this make the Life Ball redundant?

No, I believe not, because even if a vaccine were found it would be expensive and would still need initiatives such as the Life Ball to spread it.

Besides that, new global health problems and viruses will arise, and new and old prejudices, that are worth to fight, are unlikely to go away.

So I wish the Life Ball all the best for the next twenty years and that it remains in its current form of both enjoying life and conveying an important message. Happy 20th anniversary :)

The Opening Ceremony

Photo credit: Life Ball © Rainer Eckharter

The two moderators of the opening ceremony, Nicholas Ofczarek and Ben Becker, were really amazing. Every word of the two famous Austrian actors, known from the play "Jedermann" (Everyman), was so thoughtfully chosen and pronounced, that they gave the Life Ball a noble and theatrical athmosphere.

Fernanda Brandao

Photo credit: Life Ball © Nadine Poncioni

Brazilian beauty, Fernanda Brandao.

Opening Song: Still I'll Rise

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
— Still I'll Rise by Maya Angelou

Photo credit: Life Ball © Nadine Poncioni

Musical highlight of this year was the dramatic interpretation of Maya Angelou's peom Still I'll Rise by the two singers Deborah Cox and Jon Secada.

Ballet Performance

Photo credit: Life Ball © Nadine Poncioni

Christmas Eve Polonaise

The Red Ribbon

Photo credit: Life Ball © Harald Klemm

The oversized red ribbon, Crystal of Hope donated by Swarovski, is brought to the stage.

Antonio Banderas and Naomi Campbell

Photo credit: Life Ball © Harald Klemm

Photo credit: Life Ball © Nadine Poncioni

The guest stars of the Life Ball, Antonio Banderas and Naomi Campbell, presented Operation Bobbi Bear, a touching project, helping sexually abused children in South Africa.

Life Ball Song: Blindfold

Photo credit: Life Ball © Nadine Poncioni

The Life Ball Song Blindfold, performed by Judith Hill, Melody Angel, Truth Hurts, and Natalia Kelly.

Milla Jovovich

Photo credit: Life Ball © Nadine Poncioni

Milla Jovovich represented amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

Bill Clinton

Photo credit: Life Ball © Rainer Eckharter

Bill Clinton, president of the William J. Clinton Foundation.

Franca Sozzani

Photo credit: Life Ball © Conny De Beauclair

The editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia and patron of this year's fashion show at the Life Ball, Franca Sozzani. Next to her, Gery Keszler, the organizer of the Life Ball.

Queen Award Nominees

Photo credit: Life Ball © Robert Tober

The real stars of the Life Ball are the guests, who put so much love and effort into their wonderful outfits. For the first time the Life Ball Queen Award was directly awarded on stage. And the winner is ...

Yozmit

Photo credit: Life Ball © Laurent Ziegler

The Queen Award went to Yozmit, male/female identity artist, costume designer and singer from New York, for his own wonderful creation.

Recommended Videos
Yozmit Documentary: Transcending Stonewall
Yozmit Music Video: Bath Of Dionysus

The Drummers

Photo credit: Life Ball © Laurent Ziegler

Drum performance with burning sticks.

Burlesque Live Act

Photo credit: Life Ball © Laurent Ziegler

Photo credit: Life Ball © Laurent Ziegler

The Venus Cave

The red hot venus dancers.

Photo credit: Life Ball © Laurent Ziegler

Photo credit: Life Ball © Robert Tober

Photo credit: Life Ball © Robert Tober

Photo credit: Life Ball © Robert Tober

Photo credit: Life Ball © Robert Tober

All photos courtesy of Life Ball | AIDS Life.

Continue to the Life Ball Fashion Show.

Life Ball 2012
The Magenta Carpet
The Fashion Show

Life Ball 2011
Dsquared