Ballerinas take the stage in Riga festival

The 19th International Baltic Ballet Festival opens with a concert at the Riga Central Railroad Station at 5 p.m. on Monday, April 7, reports LETA.

Soloists from the Latvian National Ballet, dance ensemble "Dzirnas" and ballet studio "Grande" will participate in the performance Monday evening, said the festival's director Lita Beiris.

This year, the festival has a very long and varied program, including ballet performances, concerts, film screenings, exhibitions and other events. The most awaited festival event this year is the festival's gala concert at the Latvian National Opera on April 14, featuring performances by international ballet competition winners and soloists from the world's leading ballet companies.

The festival's concerts and performances will be held not only in Riga but also in Rezekne, Preili, Ventspils and Valmiera.

The aim of the festival is to enrich the culture life of Latvia by offering the public the latest innovations in dance art as well as to promote the ballet art by picturing its diverse spirit through choreography, techniques, story, music interpretation and emotional expressions.

The first International Baltic Ballet Festival was organized in 1996. The festival's cooperation partners are the Belgian Embassy in Latvia, Spanish Embassy in Latvia, French Institute in Latvia, Danish Institute in Latvia, Riga City Council, State Culture Capital Foundation, LatRosTrans, Latvijas Dzelzcels and shopping mall Origo.