First Ball of the HSE Graduate School of Business
The event was organized by a student team — winners of the Student Group Project Contest — with the support of the HSE GSB Student Affairs Office. Preparations for the Ball lasted over four months and included designing an 18th-century inspired program, writing the event scenario, and creating thematic zones, activities, and workshops for guests. For a month leading up to the Ball, couples attended regular choreography rehearsals to showcase their performances on the big day.
The main goal of the Ball was to create a shared cultural space and strengthen the student community. The event gave students a chance to express themselves beyond the academic environment. Despite the novelty of the format, the GSB Ball sparked high interest — registration closed well before the event date.
The evening program featured ballroom dancing, the final round of the “Mr. and Mrs. GSB Ball” competition, workshops, a student art exhibition, and creative performances. Several themed stations were also set up: guests could craft their own boutonnieres, take a class in the art of fan flirting, write their impressions in a dance card, and take keepsake photos in a photo zone and photo booth.
The HSE GSB Ball was not only a vibrant highlight of the student spring but also a platform for implementing creative student ideas and strengthening the School’s internal community.
Alexander Gabriyelov
Deputy Director, HSE Graduate School of Business
The Graduate School of Business Ball was the first of its kind, but judging by the strong interest from students and guests, it certainly won’t be the last event of this kind we support. The atmosphere, the level of preparation, and especially the dance program exceeded all expectations. I want to extend a special thank you to our students for the exceptional organization and their significant contribution to student life.
Regina Gareeva
Head of the HSE GSB Student Affairs Office
The HSE GSB Ball wasn’t just a standout event — it was a meaningful moment in our students’ lives. It was a true celebration that showcased the talents of our students and strengthened the connections between students, faculty, and alumni. We are confident that the Ball will become a cherished tradition for the Graduate School of Business, and we look forward to future gatherings in this beautiful format!
Egor Pokidov
Manager at the HSE GSB Student Affairs Office, Project Mentor
The first GSB Ball was a dazzling, large-scale event: the program, creative performances, the décor — everything evoked a cultural richness and atmosphere we sometimes lack today. I’m immensely proud to have been a mentor for this project and of the team that brought it to life. I hope this becomes a lasting tradition at our university.
Vladimir Revin
1st-year student in the “Business Administration” program, Project Coordinator
When we started this project, we couldn’t have imagined the unforgettable journey ahead. I want to sincerely thank every debutant — you brought real magic to this evening. Your dedication, patience, and smiles, even during the toughest rehearsals, kept us moving forward. A special thanks to our incredible organizing team — over time, we truly became a family. Without your energy, creativity, and ability to solve any problem, none of this would have been possible.
Sofya Kuzmina
3rd-year student in the “Business Administration” program, Project Founder
The Ball was a long-awaited event not just for GSB students but also for the organizing team. Dozens of hours went into perfecting the dance routines, and hundreds more into preparing a program that let participants step into another era. I want to thank all the debutants for their dedication and carefully chosen outfits, and the organizers — the Made by UB and HSE DANCE teams — for their commitment and drive to turn a fairytale into reality.
Anastasia Shakhura
3rd-year student in the “Marketing and Market Analytics” program, Winner of the “Mrs. GSB Ball” nomination
The Court Ball will surely remain in our memories for a long time. It was magical, elegant, touching, and graceful — like a fairytale. An incredible evening and an unforgettable experience to be part of something like this! Every stage of the 'Mr. and Mrs. GSB Ball' competition taught us something new and tested our resilience :) It definitely brightened up our routine with preparations, rehearsals, and filming... Performing a solo number was a little nerve-wracking, but by the time the results were announced, excitement and joy were indistinguishable. Huge thanks to the organizers for this wonderful event! We’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a grand celebration and contribute to it.
