ST.PETERSBURG-SAVONLINNA BALLET DAYS: choreographic workshops and ballet Gala "STARS OF SUMMER NIGHTS" 
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The international festival DANCE OPEN again expands the scope of cross-border cooperation between Russia and Finland: on its initiative, the Gala of the world stars of the ballet “Stars of Summer Nights” will be held in the old castle of Olavinlinna, and a program of master classes for young ballerinas will cover the new city.
Savonlinna, Mikkeli (Finland) July 9-14, 2013
The Finnish city of Savonlinna has been famous for more than a century for its opera festival, collecting the most interesting voices of the season. However, in recent years, he has more and more right to claim the title of a major European ballet center: for the third summer in a row, the St. Petersburg festival DANCE OPEN, recognized by many experts as one of the most influential forums in the choreographic world, brings the most interesting and colorful soloists to the ancient castle of Olavinlinna Russian and world troupes.
Iana Salenko. Photo by Vladimir Cherenkov
The highlight of these Galas is their absolute exclusivity: each program is assembled, as it is called by hand, representing those artists who are at the peak of their creative enthusiasm today. There are no empty seats at DANCE OPEN concerts both in St. Petersburg and abroad, because it is not often offered to see such a scattering of ballet diamonds on one stage.
This year is no exception: on July 14 Denis and Anastasia Matvienko will come to Savonlinna in the company of Anton Korsakov and Anastasia Kolegova representing the Mariinsky Theater; Irina Perren, Leonid Sarafanov, Marat Shemiunov and Sabina Yapparova, collecting full halls in the St. Petersburg Mikhailovsky Theater; passionate Jon Acosta from the National Ballet of England, refined Yana Salenko and noble Dinu Tamazlakaru dancing in the troupe of the Berlin Opera; unsurpassed Lucia Lacarra and courageous Marlon Dino - star couple of the Bavarian ballet; the delightful Anna Tsygankova and the charming Matthew Golding, stars of the Netherlands National Ballet.
Ekaterina Galanova, Head of the DANCE OPEN International Ballet Festival: “The most unique thing in these concerts is the stage itself. The unique authentic aura of a medieval castle is the best suited for ballet, emphasizing the fragility and grace of the dance, immersing in the atmosphere of ancient legends and lofty feelings… These are amazing feelings! ”
The Stars Gala is part of the St. Petersburg - Savonlinna Ballet Days project with the support of the Southeast Finland-Russia ENPI CBC Program.
The project as a whole carries a powerful educational charge: it not only brings together the cultural fields of Russia and Finland, but also includes a large educational part. Master classes by teachers of the Academy of Russian Ballet named after A.Ya. Vaganova are highly demanded throughout the world. Thanks to the support of the European Program, the best students of ballet studios and schools in Eastern Finland can attend them for free, approaching the realization of the dream of a solo career. At the end of the master classes, students not only give their own open concert, which will be held this year on July 13 in Mikkeli, but also get the opportunity to attend the Gala of Stars for free, as well as direct communication with their idols. It is difficult to evaluate what motivates future ballerinas and dancers more: classes in the classroom or a visual demonstration of the peaks that are worth striving for.
The St. Petersburg - Savonlinna Ballet Days project is designed for several years and was created to maintain the cultural ties existing between St. Petersburg and Southeast Finland. Organizer - International Ballet Festival DANCE OPEN in partnership with Savkor Ballet (Finland).