The Debutants' Ball in Paris is among the most famous in the world. The tradition started in the mid-19th c. in England for the young aristocratic girls who were introduced into society. The eighteen-year-old maidens, dressed in white, were presented to the Queen. Later the tradition of this ball was transferred to Paris.

Twenty-three young ladies had their Debutants' Ball in the luxurious Hotel de Crillon with its prestigious guests. Aged between 16 and 21, the 2004 debutants were from 13 countries, among which Japan, USA, Russia, Greece, Egypt and, of course, France.

The major international event started with a haute couture defile, followed by dinner and dances. At the official dinner table, headed by Irina Virganskaya, daughter of Mikhail Gorbachev, were the financier of Formula 1, Bernard Eckelstone and his wife Slavica, Hristo Kurtev, president of the Bulgarian Tsar's Motor Club, Gorbachev's elder granddaughter Kseniya and her husband. Bernard Eckelstone is one of the richest men in Great Britain and his wealth is estimated at 200 million pounds, greater than that of the Queen. Hristo Kurtev said they talked about the ball, about politics and cars. Bernard Eckelstone shared that together with Moscow mayor Yuriy Luzhkov they plan to organize a round of Formula 1 in the Russian capital. His wife, the Croatian Slavica admitted, “Tonight I feel very proud and moved. My daughter is presented in society. The elder one, Tamara, was a debutant in 2000”. An emotion most mothers experience at the first ball of their daughters.