Vienna and Moscow have enjoyed particularly close diplomatic ties ever since the historic summit meetings between the USSR and USA were hosted in the nation’s capital. Nikita Kruschev and John F. Kennedy sat down at the negotiating table here in 1961. US President Jimmy Carter and USSR General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev signed the SALT II treaty in the Hofburg in 1979.
To this day the Hofburg Vienna continues to play a key role as an interface between East and West. From official state visits by Russian President Vladimir Putin, to international conferences such as the World Economic Forum on Europe and Central Asia 2011, and the Caucasus and Central Asia Ministerial Conference in September 2012 – the Hofburg Vienna continues to write history as a destination for high level international political meetings.
Leading figures from the world of business are also very much at home in the former imperial residence. On 30 November theRussian Business Gala will provide Russian and Austrian entrepreneurs an opportunity to network in a fine setting where they will also be treated to a performance by Vienna State Opera principle dancer Kirill Kourlaev. The Hofburg Vienna’s latest New Year’s Eve highlight, LE GRAND BAL, will feature performances by prima ballerina Olga Esina, soloist Roman Lazik and virtuoso musicians from the Vienna State Opera and Volksoper on 31 December 2012. And a Russian fairytale themed Russian Ball at the Hofburg on 7 February 2013 promises to be a night to remember.
