800 guest danced at the 2025 University Ball

Even before the official welcome by moderator Jonas Schumann, the dance floor at the Gutmann dance school was filled with festively dressed guests. In keeping with the “Glamour of the 20s” theme, many appeared in stylish attire with glitter, feathers and flat caps. In her speech, principal Prof. Dr Kerstin Krieglstein expressed her delight at the huge popularity of the University Ball: “I am all the more pleased because the University Ball’s “re”-launch after such a long time is something very close to my heart.”

She explained the evening’s reference to the 1920s as a moment of new beginnings: “The 1920s were a golden age for innovation and art, for scientific progress and intellectual freedom, even if it came to an abrupt end. Because what followed was the loss of diversity and democracy. But we want to counteract similar tendencies, learn from past mistakes and collectively stand for openness and tolerance.”

Guests of honour and first-year students

In addition to prominent guests such as Martin Horn, Lord Mayor of the City of Freiburg, Prof. Dr Dr Hans-Jochen Schiewer, former rector of the University of Freiburg, and other guests of honour, numerous students also attended. “We liked the idea of a university ball and are here to have fun and are quite impressed by how good the dancers are here. We are not professional dancers, but we just wanted to give it a try,” said two first-year students, Celia and Esther.

The evening was rounded off by further programme highlights, such as performances by the rope skipping group Skip Attack, the show programme of the group “Matrix” from the Department of Sport and Sport Science, a performance by the student band Dudu Projekt, and a DJ set by Prof. Dr Stefan Rensing, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation.

Some lucky guests won raffle prizes, including a sightseeing flight over Freiburg. The proceeds will go to the scholarship fund for new students and the emergency student assistance fund.