On March 28th, 2026, the Hotel Corinthia in the Hungarian capital, will host the long-awaited Sissi Ball. We’re pleased to share the news first reported by “International Web Post” by Attilio Miani: a professional dancer Livia Ghizzoni is organizing the Empress Sissi Ball.
Livia started her classical dance training in her hometown in Liguria, Italy. After that, she was admitted to the Princesse Grace Academy in Monaco-Montecarlo. Later, she specialized at the Victor Ullate Ballet in Madrid.
Upon returning to Italy, Livia Ghizzoni worked as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer for the Italian Operetta Company and the Italian Theater and Dance Company. She has been teaching dance in Genoa, Rome, Milan, and Alghero.
Livia Ghizzoni is organizing the Sissi Ball with her group, the Italian Theater and Dance Company. The event’s venue is meant to evoke the places frequented by Sissi. Budapest was, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire she governed, one of the most important cities in terms of politics, economy, and culture.
The Corinthia Hotel is, without a doubt, the most prestigious and renowned hotel in Budapest. The choice of the Hungarian capital for 2026 is symbolic: last year, 2025, the event took place in Vienna. Livia Ghizzoni aims to create an itinerary of the cities Sissi lived in and cared about. Trieste, where Sissi used to seek refuge, will also be part of the Grand Ball Tour dedicated to her.
Livia Ghizzoni wants to popularize not only the settings, but also the dances at the Empress’s court. That’s why, on the morning of March 28th, before inviting ladies and gentlemen to dance, her Company is organizing a workshop on 19th-century dances: those who are new to it can learn something, and those who already know the dances will enjoy it as an efficient and fascinating review.
For the Grand Sissi Ball in Budapest, ladies are supposed to wear a long dress, and gentlemen a suit. 19th-century attire is preferred, but if you don’t have one, please, wear your most elegant outfit.
The Grand Sissi Ball in Budapest will be attended by representatives of the Imperial Order of Elisabeth (Sissi’s full name is Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie von Wittelsbach, Empress of Austria). Through the intercession of Duchess Isabella D’Este, descendant of the Dukes of Este, this year His Royal Highness Archduke Sandor Habsburg will send a delegation from the Imperial Orders of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth to the ball, representing the Habsburg family.
It’s likely that His Royal Highness Sandor Habsburg will attend the next Sissi Ball in 2027, along with the ladies and gentlemen of his Imperial and Royal Order. For 2026, the presence of the Dukes of Este family is expected.
The ball can already be considered international, with attendees from Italy (Rome, Milan, Genoa, Trieste, Autonomous province of Trento, Sardinia, and Sicily), France (Bordeaux), Spain (Malaga, Madrid, the Principality of Asturias), Serbia (Belgrade), the UK, and Hungary.
The Grand Sissi Ball is not just a social event. Remembering the policies of Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sissi, and her soft power to unite the Hungarian aristocracy with the Viennese elite, organizer Livia Ghizzoni aims to bring together people from politically divided and/or warring countries in the unique cultural event, demonstrating that true peace comes from authentic dialogue between cultures.
For those who want to attend the Grand Sissi Ball in Budapest: there are still spots available, as the Corinthia Hotel’s Ballroom is quite large. Readers who want to participate are asked to contact Livia Ghizzoni at
compagniateatrodanza@libero.it.
The participation fee for the Ball and gala dinner is €250 per person – a small amount compared to other events of similar prestige and importance.
Spread the word about this ball and join us!
Olga Matsyna
