World class ballet dancers to perform at Shanghai Oriental Art Center

A ballet gala on Nov 26 at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center will bring together some of the best dancers from the Dance Open festival in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Founded by Vasily Medvedev and Ekaterina Galanova in 2001, Dance Open is one of the most important ballet and dance festivals in the world. Last year, the festival brought to Shanghai 14 dancers from six renowned ballet companies in Russia and presented the first Gala of St. Petersburg Ballet Stars, winning acclaim from audiences and critics in Shanghai.

This year, the gala show in Shanghai will consist of classical episodes and creations by modern choreographers. According to Galanova, the event will not only be a festival for art and dance lovers, but also "a strong bounding for the two cities - St. Petersburg and Shanghai".

More than 190 dancers and choreographers from 13 countries and areas have participated in the Dance Open festival over the past 19 years. Its gala shows have been performed in 23 countries.