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It was a landmark event that took place in Lviv, in the Western part of
Ukraine, when, for the Orthodox New Year, Jacques-Henri Auclair organised
the first "Lviv Royal Ball". The profts of the Ball were given to the Lviv
hospitals to benefit to Ukrainian children.
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Chaired by H.R.H Prince Charles-Philippe d'Orleans, Mr Yankiv, the Lviv
region Governor, Mr Bouniak, Lviv city mayor, and Jacques-Henri Auclair,
President of French Association pour l'Unite Capetienne, the ball started
with a stunning concert by Oleg Kultchilysky held at the Opera. Comtesse
Elisabeth d'Udekem d'Acoz came purposely from Belgium. All Lviv's socialites
also attended the evening.
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After the concert, a dinner was held in the gallery of this magnificent
opera house, looking very much like Chateau de Versailles. Then, after the
fireworks, the ball was opened by Prince Charles-Philippe and Countess
Elisabeth.
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La comtesse Elisabeth d'Udekem d'Acoz, soeur de la Princesse héritière de Belgique,
Son Altesse Royale le Prince Charles-Philippe d'Orléans,
le Professeur-Interprète Hélène Ostaptchouk et le Président Jacques-Henri Auclair
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Notwithstanding its very busy eight-day programme, made up of press
conferences, visits to museums, hospitals and churches, traditional art
performances and official and social receptions (Government, City Hall,
Ordre de chevalerie de l'Archange Saint-Michel), the French group found some
time to go skiing and get some rest in the Carpats.
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This charity ball, in rememberance of Princess Anne of Kiev, who became
Queen of France in 1051, was also the place where people involved in Lviv
charity organisations towards children in hospitals were given decorations.
Evidencing the close relationships existing between France and Ukraine,
Prince Charles-Philippe and Jacques-Henri Auclair were appointed "Count et
Grand-Croix" of the Order of Queen Ann of Kiev.
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Benefiting from a very wide TV, radio and newspaper coverage, this first
roayl ball was a tremendous success and also the opportunity to levy
important funds to help children suffering from health consequences from the
Tchernobyl catastrophe.
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As usual, Prince CHarles-Philippe's legendary humour, kindness, simplicity
and generosity seduced Ukrainians, who were left under Comtesse Elisabeth's
charm.
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