This letter is devoted to St Petersburg.Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, Saint Petersburg remains one of the most romantic cities in Russia. Among the many poetical names applied to St. Petersburg the most common is "Northern Venice" . The fascinating palaces and cathedrals, beautiful bridges over Venice-like canals, spacious squares and wide streets decorated with edifices of flourished baroque and impressive classical styles, monumental sculpture and lacy iron grilles and, of course, the special spirituality of this city infects everyone who visits it. In 1991 the city was placed on the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage.

Sincerely,
Helen Isaeva

News of the Cultural Capital of Russia St. Petersburg

The 16th Season of the International Ballet Festival "Dance Open" will take place in Alexandrinsky Theatre of St. Petersburg on April 20-24, 2017 and promises to be extensive and versatile.

DANCE OPEN International Ballet Festival is the largest Russian ballet forum, which attracts the world's ballet stars, well-known teachers and students of ballet schools from different countries.

Alexandrinsky Theatre, the oldest theater in St. Petersburg, opens the annual International Festival of Ballet "Dance Open", which has earned worldwide recognition. Traditionally, it brings together the most eminent artists and choreographers.

Year by year, the festival brings more and more new troupes, that are appreciated by the public, together under one roof. On the stage are both classic performances that have become the standard of ballet, as well as contemporary stagings, which can be pacing and revive the imagination of the audience. All the performances and theatrical productions participating in the Dance Open festival have traditionally received the highest critical acclaim. A visit to this international event has already become a part of the compulsory program for devotees of high art.

As for the traditional Star Gala - nothing has changed. Only the best of the best performed by the best.
Welcome to Dance Open-2017!

A Week of Germany in St. Petersburg
On April 5 - 14, 2017 a traditional week of Germany in St. Petersburg is taking place. This important event attracts thousands of participants and spectators each year. The week comprises exhibitions, meetings, master-classes, quests and thematic lessosn of the German language. Among the cultural events of the week are: Gala concert of the National Youth Ballet of John Neumeier, exhibition at the Hermitage etc.

John Neumeier founded a ballet company in order to inspire young public with dance. At the opening ceremony of the Week of Germany The National Youth Thatre will present an hour long parogram with extracts of productions by John Neumeier, Kevin Hagen, Masha Kolar and many of the prominent choreographers.

Salvador Dali. Surrealist and Classicist

For the first time in St. Petersburg such a large exposition will be offered to the attention of public. The exhibition named "Salvador Dali. Surrealist and Classicist." will take place at the Faberge Museum in St. Petersburg and will last from April 1 till July 2, 2017. It includes more than 150 painting and grapgic artworks by Dali, presented by the fund "Gala - Salvador Dali" (Catalonia, Spain) and other museums and private collections. The exhibition allows to define the creative development of the artist starting from the surrealistic works of the 1930s, which made him famous, to his classical works of the 1980s.

Also the exhibition presents paintings created by Salvador Dali at the beginning of 1980s and dedicated to Michelangelo Buonarroti. Some of these works have been exposed to public for the first time only last year during the the themed exhibition in Italy and will be brought to Russia for the first time. The exhibition "Salvador Dali. Surrealist and Classicist." will last from April 1 till July 2, 2017.

Excursions off the Beaten Track in St. Petersburg

Segway Tour
Have you ever tried Segway? If not, then there is an amazing chance for you! Segway is a two-wheel, self-balancing and ecology friendly electric vehicle. No need for a permit or lisence to use it. It is absolutely safe. Before the tour guests get instructions and safety advice. They travel with experienced guides and move only along sidewalks. The tour includes sightseeing of the best sites in the city and can vary depending on the guests wishes and the program.

Rooftop Tour
Everybody knows that St. Petrsburg is famous for its magnificent sights: Nevsky Prospect, the Hermitage, Saint Isaac's Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, Church on the Spilled Blood. It is possible to see all these sights from the ordinary walk tours of city sightseeing buses, but only rooftop tours will let you see famous sights from the different point and in a new fashion. There is no better way to enjoy Saint Petersburg. It is absolutely safe. All roofs are provided with special equipment to ensure tourists staying on the roof safe and comfortable.