March 14-22, 2009

The International Ballet Festival Mariinsky was launched in 2001 with a mission to attract and present the stars of world ballet to St. Petersburg, Russia's cultural capital. The Mariinsky Ballet, world-reknown for nearly a century through its touring, now attracts thousands of international visitors to this unique ballet festival with a combination of its best productions and guest appearances by renowned illustrious international dancers.

The 2008 festival opened with a world premiere of Glass Heart, choreography by
Kirill Simonov and music by Alexander Zemlinsky. Swan Lake was featured with each performance presenting different international principal dancers.

The festival concluded on March 23, 2008 with a Grand Gala celebrated with the dance stars of the ballet world.

To purchase tickets: www.mariinsky.ru/en/fest225/balletfest