Herend's name is synonymous with Anna Ball

This year’s ball was more popular than ever, with more than 600 guests. The very special, mouth-watering dishes were served on Herend porcelain tableware, the value of the 3,300-piece porcelain set was nearly 110 million forints. The women’s necks were decorated with Herend porcelain hearts painted in emerald green. The green colour pays tribute to the Apponyi pattern, the first green Apponyi pattern was brought to the market by Herend 90 years ago, and the first customer was Count Albert Apponyi.

The 17-year-old Anna Viktória Kemecsey from Budapest was chosen as the Belle of the 197th Anna Ball. The 1st runner-up became the 19-year-old Zóra Zelena from Miskolc, and the 2nd runner-up the 17-year-old Csenge Janovszki from Nagyigmánd. The ornamental vases depicting the renewed colour schemes of the Victoria, Rothschild and Apponyi patterns were handed over to the belle of the ball and the runners-up after midnight by CEO Dr. Attila Simon.

The Kiss Ernő Prize, a Herend porcelain statuette depicting the hussar captain himself, was given to Kossuth and Jászai Mari Prize-winning actor Károly Eperjes. The prize is given every year to a person who has enriched the cultural and intellectual life of Balatonfüred with their work and profession.

The ball, which provided an unforgettable experience, was watched by millions of people either on the spot or on TV.