The troupe of the Taras Shevchenko National Opera of Ukraine were hosted at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre on Saturday during day three of this year’s Tbilisi Ballet Festival, in a show dedicated to Ukraine and involving international ballet talents Marcelo Gomes and Alejandro Martinez.

One-act ballets Spring and Fall by John Neumeier and 5 Tangos by Hans Van Manen were performed by the Kyiv-based company in the evening, where Gomes, an acclaimed dancer and choreographer, and the Semperoper Dresden’s Martinez featured in Faun(e) choreographed by David Dawson.

Nino Samadashvili and Papuna Kapanadze, two of the State Ballet of Georgia’s soloists, took to the stage to bring the Adagio from the Yuri Possokhov-choreographed Sagalobeli for the audience.

In the penultimate show of the Festival, ballet classic Giselle will feature former Royal Ballet principal Alina Cojocaru, with the orchestra to be led by Ukrainian conductor Alexei Baklan on Wednesday.

This year’s event will close on the weekend with an evening of Carmina Burana by Ilia Jivoy, featuring soloists and corps of the Tbilisi troupe, along with the theatre venue’s chorus and orchestra.

Launched by Ananiashvili, the State Ballet of Georgia Artistic Director, in 2017, the Festival brings selections of internationally recognised performers, Georgian dancers pursuing careers abroad, and artistic talent from Georgian-based companies.