In January, Bratislava transformed into a city that breathed elegance. Historic Reduta, the only authentic ballroom in the capital, sa January 17, 2026 she again dressed in a festive dress to welcome the guests to XXII. Prešporský ball. An exceptional event that this year opened the entire prom season in Slovakia. The ball, which has been one of the irreplaceable holidays of nobility and social culture for more than a quarter of a century, is sought after by visitors from all over Slovakia and abroad. In 2026, it also symbolically reminded 110th anniversary of the first ball in Redutawhich even more strongly followed the traditions dating back to the times of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
Famous Slovak faces starred at the ball. The Gypsy Devils performed – the beautiful Silvia Šarközi showed off a tight black dress decorated with thousands of sequins and was made special by a white pleated element that stretched from the shoulders to the floor. She completed the outfit with massive silver earrings, a silver handbag and bold red lipstick. Her daughter Vanessa Šarközi chose a soft cream dress also with sequins, which had a wider skirt. She completed her look with a pearl handbag, a massive silver ring and matched her manicure. She made the expressive make-up special with glued diamonds in the outer corners of the eyes.
The opera diva Sisa Lelkes Sklovská with her husband Juraj caught the eye the most. Sklovská chose a distinctive yellow dress on which her husband’s image was depicted in red. She completed the outfit with an interesting handbag, which was pink on top and the color gradually darkened downwards. She had several gold bracelets on her hands and also on her arm. Her make-up, which she matched to the color of the dress, looked very youthful, as did her hairstyle. Lelkes chose a suit studded with gold patterns, along with a tie with a brooch attached to it. His belt with a gold buckle was also distinctive. PHOTO can be found in the gallery.
The Prešporský ball is also unique in Slovakia in that it is the only one that cares to strict prom etiquette and protocol, while maintaining its openness – everyone is welcome who wants to be a part of a big social night, observe its traditions and support the civic association Prešporský bál as a donor. Thanks to this, it remains an evening in which generations, social circles and nationalities naturally meet – exactly as it used to be in the old Prešpork.
The program also included a traditional one welcoming young ladies and gentlemen to the companyfollowing the family heritage of etiquette, which once included dance schools and home education. At a time when society is once again aware of the need for cultured demeanor and “good manners”, this gesture is of particular importance.
This year had a theme “Woman – Woman Power – Femininity”which combined delicacy and determination, beauty and character, elegance and inner stability. “Female power is not noisy. She is cultured, patient, inspiring. It is a force that creates, unites, inspires. We dedicate this year’s Prešporské Ball to women – their elegance, their courage, their creative spirit. It is our effort to highlight their irreplaceable role in culture and society,” explains the organizer of the ball JUDr. Vladimír Vondrák, LL.M.. He also welcomed guests with him M.Sc. Art. Marian Turnergeneral director of the Slovak Philharmonic, for whom Reduta is the natural home of this extraordinary event.
The motif of femininity was reflected in the program, scenography and decoration. It was created in 2026 by a renowned florist Michal Skinwho chose the symbolic flower of the evening – amarylisa flower of pride, courage, elegance and radiant beauty. Its majesty and ability to bloom in winter are a metaphor for feminine strength, which often manifests quietly, but unwaveringly.
The Prešporský ball is also special in that the guests have fun simultaneously on several dance floorssimilar to how it used to be at the great imperial balls. This year, too, the music program was varied, generous and colorful in terms of genres:
- Big Band Gustava Broma under the leadership Government of Valovič
- Peter Bič Project
- Gypsy Devils
- Dara Rollins – a special gala concert
- Kmeťoband
- Silent Trio
- DJ Karol
- …and other performers who were the surprise of the evening.
The guests were accompanied throughout the evening by a popular pair of presenters Janette Štefánková and Ľubomír Bajaníkwhich is inextricably linked to the bale.
It belongs to the inseparable moments of the Prešporské ball presentation of the Július Satinský Prize – Bratislava Blueberry 2026 in two categories Idea/Action a Personality. The ceremony reminds that the essence of the city’s cultural life lies in the people who give it humor, creativity, values and humanity.
Guests were also waiting dancing in Venetian maskstraditional baled newspapers after midnight and large midnight surprisewhich is revealed only during the evening.
The chef took care of the gastronomic dimension of the evening Peter Slačkawho prepared dishes inspired by the cuisine of old Prešpork – a place where cultures, nationalities and religions have been mixing for centuries. The meals were accompanied by exceptional champagne, which refers to the fact that Bratislava was 200 years ago second city in the worldwhere this rare wine was produced.
The Prešporský ball is not only one of the highlights of the prom season, but also trendsetterom – in communication, decoration, program or strict adherence to the dress code (minimum black tieideally white tie). Every year, it is an inspiration for many other social events, which is a confirmation that its mission – to maintain the tradition while encouraging the cultural elegance of the whole society – fulfills its purpose. It promises a night full of elegance, floral scents, music, light and feminine charm – a night in which Bratislava will once again fall in love with nobility
XXII. Prešporský bál is created in cooperation between the civil association Prešporský bál and the production agency FLOK. Technical support is provided by LIFEPARK, the artistic management prepares the evening Vlado Kriška.
