🎭 On October 29, for the first time in Asia the 15th International Alina Children’s Rhythmic Gymnastics Charity Festival was held at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai. It is the flagship project of the charitable foundation established by Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva and one of the largest events in the world of rhythmic gymnastics. The festival was dedicated to Igor Stravinsky’s ballet The Firebird. The production brought together Russian fairy-tale traditions, music, choreography, theatre and rhythmic gymnastics, offering audiences a fresh stage interpretation of this renowned work. 🎶 A special feature of this year’s festival was the musical accompaniment provided by the Bolshoi Theatre Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of People’s Artist of Russia Valery Gergiev. 🎤 Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov attended the opening ceremony. In his welcoming address, the diplomat noted that sport, ballet and classical music are among Russia’s most recognisable cultural brands worldwide. The Ambassador emphasised that the festival helps promote the traditions of Russia’s renowned rhythmic gymnastics school and its cultural heritage, while also contributing to the further development of friendly relations between Russia and India. Denis Alipov also expressed hope that the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2027 would be marked by an extensive programme of events reflecting the depth and warmth of the friendship between the peoples of the two countries. The leading roles were performed by 2024 Russian all-around champion, World and European champion and Honoured Master of Sport Lala Kramarenko, First Soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre Denis Potaptsev and guest soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre, principal dancer with Alla Dukhova’s TODES Ballet Ildar Gainutdinov. 🇷🇺🇮🇳 Leading Russian and Indian rhythmic gymnasts took part in the production. The show was directed by Vyacheslav Kulaev, with choreography by Irina Zenovka and Alexander Mogilev. #Ballet #RussiaIndia #DruzhbaDosti