Polyball

The Polyball is the most prestigious public event of the ETH Zurich. It has a long tradition since the 1880s and takes place annually at the end of November. The Polyball is the biggest decorated ball in Europe with approximately 9000 visitors and is a classic dance event.

History The exact year and the location of the first Polyball - then known as Akademie - is unknown. A general assumption is that the first ball took place in 1880. In 1929, the name changed from Akademie to Polyball. Since the 1940s each Polyball has its one theme with respective decorations of the ballrooms.Andrea Westermann,"Der Polyball", History Department of the ETH Zurich, May 25th 2005. Retrieved 2018-01-21. (German) Since its beginning in the Stadttheater Zürich (municipal theatre, now Zürich Opera House) the location has changed several times, such as Tonhalle Zürich, Grand Hotel Dolder, Zürcher Messegelände (Zürich fair areal) as well as the ETH main building, where it takes place today.

The ball The Polyball takes place within the main building of the ETH including the multifunctional hall. It starts at 19:00 on the last Saturday in November and ends at 05:00 on Sunday morning. The ball comprises 16 to 20 ballrooms decorated according to the ball theme. A variety of bands, from street performer to ballroom orchestra, entertain the dancers.

Organisation The Polyball is organized by the KOSTA foundation. It is an officially approved organisation of the VSETH and the University of Zurich (UZH) student societies. Students and former students of ETH, UZH and other colleges form the functional body of KOSTA. The planning and preparation of the ball takes place throughout the year. The decorations are created within 4 weeks in November by numerous students who in return earn their tickets for the Polyball. The decoration includes the interior as well as the exterior of the ETH main building.

List of themes 2026 - Confoederatio Polytechnica 2025 - Von der Muse geküsst 2024 – Zwischen Göttern und Menschen 2023 – Paillettes Illuminées 2022 – Tanz im Tal der Könige 2019 – Chasing Northern Lights 2018 – Eine Nacht wie im Märchen 2017 – A Rather British Night 2016 – PolybAll – A Light Year in a Night 2015 – Weltenbummler 2014 – Tanz der Elemente 2013 – New York Nights 2012 – Scheherazade – 1000 Geschichten und eine Nacht 2011 – Auf der Suche nach Eldorado 2010 – Night out in the *20’s 2009 – Une Merveille 2008 – Winterwelt 2007 – Mit Säbel und Sextant 2006 – Die Stadt 2005 – Sternenwerfer 2004 – Ball-alaika 2003 – Kitsch as Kitsch can 2002 – Roma – Baci Antichi 2001 – Feuerball 2000 – Tanz der Sinne 1999 – Latente Talente 1998 – Versunkene Welten 1997 – Le palais dance 1996 – Das Experiment 1995 – Bal des Arts 1994 – Ballo Magico 1993 – Bal des Jeux 1992 – Metropolys 1991 – Time Machine 1990 – CH 90 1989 – Spaceball 1988 – Shakesbier 1987 – Vulcano Forte 1986 – Globetrotter 1985 – Polywood 1984 – Märliball 1983 – Polympia 1982 – Polyairball 1981 – Aquarius 1980 – Traumhochzeit hoch drei 1979 – Hannibal 1978 – Ali Baba 1977 – Goldrausch 1976 – Polyklinisches (cancelled) 1975 – Odyssee 1974 – Münchhausen 1973 – Walpurgisnacht 1972 – Gulliver 1971 – Contrast 1970 – Land in Sicht 1969 – Heureka 1968 – Time Out 1967 – Vivat Vamp 1966 – Arche Noah 1965 – Grieche sucht Griechin 1964 – Hans im Glück 1963 – Perpetuum mobile 1962 – Mit Lackschuh und Zylinder 1961 – Fata Morgana 1960 – Farbe! 1959 – Unterm Dach juhee 1958 – Latente magica 1957 – *1953 unknown 1952 – Spinnen am Abend 1951 – Polyball – Zauberball 1950 – *1949 unknown 1948 – Katzenjammer 1947 – Waldburgisnacht 1946 – Seid fröhlich, denn die Fröhlicheit schmückt Feste 1945 – Dämonenspuck 1944 – Aquarium 1943 – Fröhliche Wissenschaft 1942 – Skorpion

Polyball

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