On the evening of August 8, the much-anticipated Liaoning (Shenyang) Ballet Competition kicked off grandly at the Liaoning Grand Theatre. More than 400 contestants from over ten countries, such as China, the US, Russia, France, Italy, Argentina, and Mongolia, gathered in Shenyang to jointly present an art feast “on pointe”.

To ensure its professionalism and fairness, the competition invited more than 10 top experts from home and abroad to serve as judges, including Zhao Ruheng, the former director of the National Ballet of China, and Vladimir Malakhov, the Ukrainian ballet dancer hailed as the “Dancer of the Century”. Meanwhile, more highlights will be added to the competition: the principal dancers from the Bolshoi Theatre and the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich, Germany will present wonderful performances as guest performers; the world-renowned Chinese dancer Tan Yuanyuan will serve as an off-site judging panel guest. In addition, master classes taught by international ballet masters will also be offered to provide contestants with opportunities to improve their ballet skills.

At the opening ceremony, the ballet drama Qixi was performed by the Liaoning Ballet, which was conducted by the young Russian conductor Anton Torbeev, and accompanied by the Liaoning Symphony Orchestra. Qixi tells the poignant love story of Niulang, a cowherd, and Zhinyu, a weaver, in an international artistic language. Through the graceful dance, and touching melody, it vividly showcased the unique charm and profound heritage of Chinese culture to guests from home and abroad.

This competition has not only provided a platform for ballet dancers from various countries to exchange and present their ballet skills, but also promoted the exchange and integration of Chinese and international cultures, allowing ballet art to flourish in Liaoning. This competition will last till August 14.