The twelfth edition of the Debutant Ball and International Maltese Weekend took place on 29-31 August 2025 under the High Patronage of Ambassador Niels Carl A. Lorijn and Mrs Eva Lorijn, and with the presence of HH.II.RR.HH. Imre and Kathleen von Habsburg-Lothringen, Archduke and Archduchess of Austria as guests of honour.
The 750 guests, including representatives of the world of arts, academia, business, politics, and diplomacy came together to symbolically introduce 74 debutants and debutantes into adulthood. This highly anticipated biennial event serves as a platform for promoting values that give meaning to life and action, in accordance with centuries-old traditions. The two weeks of intense preparation, including dance rehearsals, conferences, evening gatherings and cultural visits, provided the debutants with a unique opportunity to expand their horizons, deepen their sense of Polish heritage, culture and social responsibility, and build lifelong friendships along the way.
The Debutants Ball itself took place at the at the Grand Theatre – National Opera of Warsaw on Saturday evening under the theme “Starry Night”. Guests were treated to a spectacular dance performance under the skilful direction of choreographer Artur Dobrzański and his team, followed by a gala dinner that went on until the early hours of the morning. Side events included a welcome cocktail at the Palace of the Commonwealth the night before, a tour of the Fryderyk Chopin Museum on Saturday morning, and a thanksgiving Mass at the Field Cathedral of the Polish Army on Sunday, followed by the traditional Farewell Brunch at the Kręglicki Fortress.
Countess Alexandra Konarska, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the Order of Malta in Poland and Chair of the Organising Committee commented: “The Polish edition of the Debutant Ball is receiving more and more international attention. Almost a third of this year’s debutants, many of whom already volunteer at the Order of Malta, came from abroad, including from France, Austria, Italy, Canada and the United States, in addition to the many guests that travelled from afar to Poland for the occasion.”
The Debutants Ball was launched in 1998 by Countess Jolanta Mycielska, President of the Association “POKOLENIA POKOLENIA” (https://baldebiutantow.eu/pokolenia-pokolenia/) and has become one of Warsaw’s most anticipated social events.
Each time, proceeds of the Debutants Ball and International Maltese Weekend go to supporting the works of the Order of Malta. This year’s chosen recipient is the John Paul II Nursery and Kindergarten in the municipality of Stronie Śląskie, an area heavily damaged by the 2024 floods in southern Poland.
To watch the Polonia 24 – TVP news coverage please visit: https://polonia24.tvp.pl/88743385/bal-debiutantow .
