The First Baltic Charity Ball held in the Presidential Library

On October 1, 2022 the First Baltic Charity Ball took place in the Presidential Library. The event, marking the International Music Day, has been organized with the support of the St. Petersburg Culture Committee.

The Baltic Ball has been held in the city, founded by Peter I on the shores of the Neva River, for a reason. St. Petersburg has always been known for its magnificent balls, the traditions of which were created by the Peter’s Assemblies.

The event has been attended by representatives of the public and business circles, science and culture, as well as lovers of ballroom dancing from various countries. The honourable guest of the event was Suzanne Massie, American scholar of Russian history, writer, public and political figure, Counselor to President of the USA Ronald Reagan in 1984-1988, who greatly contributed to the strengthening of Russian-American relations.

The Baltic Ball, a classic ball in the “Viennese” format, has been opened by 28 pairs of debutants – the best representatives of the St. Petersburg youth, who underwent the competitive selection, dance training under the supervision of experienced dancers and mastered the basics of ballroom etiquette. Boys and girls have performed a polonaise from the opera “Eugene Onegin” and the “Waltz of the Flowers” from the ballet “The Nutcracker” by P. I. Chaikovsky.

The event has continued with a traditional gala concert that featured music of famous Russian, French, Italian and Austrian composers. Accompanied by the St. Petersburg State Academic Symphonic Orchestra conducted by the Merited Artist of Russia Alexander Titov, stars of the world opera have performed for the guests: lead singer of the Vienna State Opera and St. Petersburg native Margarita Gritskova (mezzo-soprano), guest singer of the Mariinsky Theatre Pavel Yankovsky (baritone), as well as ballet soloists of the Mariinsky Theatre Renata Shakirova and Alexei Timofeev.

Hosts of the event were President of the Russian Dance Union, the Merited Worker of Arts of the Russian Federation Stanislav Popov and the People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, founder of the Russian National Ballet Academy Ilze Liepa.

A diverse dance program accompanied by the Symphonic Orchestra and the Semyon Milstein Jazz Orchestra “Dance-land” has been prepared for the guests. Participants have enjoyed the sounds of waltzes, tango, energetic melodies and rhythms of cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba, foxtrot. Famous jazz singer Anna Buturlina has performed within the program as well.

Musical surprises have been prepared for the guests by the famous bayan player and virtuoso, composer and showman, winner of international competitions Aydar Gaynullin.

The Baltic Ball is a charity event. The beneficiary in 2022 is the Life Line Charity Foundation for saving seriously ill children.