In the great, international world of ballet, gala events play an important role: they are a meeting place for the elite of the dance world; they are glamorous social events, and they serve as a melting pot for the new and the traditional, for young talent and big stars. Many trends which have shaped the history of ballet had their origins in a gala programme. The fact that dance in general, and ballet in particular, is traditionally imbued with a love of display may explain the success which is always enjoyed by the ballet gala MALAKHOV & FRIENDS. A theatre evening could hardly be any more ingenious, entertaining, or surprising. The mix is the thing: a rediscovered piece of bravura ballet may stand alongside a première performance, but both pieces immediately reveal to the audience the pure energy of dancers who are masters of their art form.

In January 2014, the gala MALAKHOV & FRIENDS will be dedicated to the 10-year jubilee of the Staatsballett Berlin, which was founded under the theatrical management of Vladimir Malakhov in January 2004 as part of the Stiftung Oper in Berlin (the Opera in Berlin Foundation).