"Dreams come true when more people believe in them”, say the members of the Cultural Bridges association. Together with the America for Bulgaria Foundation and the Sofia Opera and Ballet House, for the fourth time they organize their dream come true - the American Ballet for Bulgaria project. On three consecutive nights – June 20, 21 and 22 a show composed of five ballet productions will be played. This year, the cycle presents Tom Gold – an emblematic name in world’s ballet choreography and founder of the dance company Tom Gold Dance.

"This is a very important step in the development of ballet cooperation between the two countries", says Momtchil Mladenov, principal concept initiator of the Cultural Bridges Association. "Every year the project American Ballet for Bulgaria presents something new and different. In the first edition we welcomed the muse of legendary choreographer George Balanchin - Suzanne Farrell and her ballet company. In the following edition, we saw a cycle of three exceptional performances premiering in Bulgaria. The new thing in 2013 were the two stages where the performances were played, and now our leading ballerinas dance together with soloists from the New York City Ballet and the Pacific Northwest Ballet. This happens for the first time. In one of the ballets, Gershwin Preludes, two Bulgarian violinists will make collaboration with two American dancers choreographed by Tom Gold. I want to thank our partners. We're together in the name of the advancement of Bulgarian dance. I'm happy to work for this cause and hope we will meet again and again in the coming decades."

A day after the rehearsal with their Bulgarian colleagues, the guests from America were excited and full of wonderful impressions. They said that for them it was something new and interesting, because they are from two different ballet companies and are for the first time working together. "For me and my dance company it is a privilege to be in your country", said the American choreographer and creator of Tom Gold Dance. Here's more from Tom Gold:

"One of the main missions of my dance company is to present to the world the best of American classical ballet over the years. With our performances we want not only to entertain but also to educate the public. I think that we are throwing a cultural bridge that shows both countries in the best light. In my career, I was fortunate to work with different choreographers and gain valuable experience. Creating my dance company, I have been always looking for the highest quality of performances presented by gifted dancers who work hard and have a big heart. My company is small, so the relations between people are important, people like each other, but I support and love them. For me, the biggest compliment is to hear after the show: "That's precisely your style". Bulgaria is the last country in the group’s European tour. For all of us who speak the language of ballet, the world seems small. We work hard and passionately love our profession. It's so everywhere I've been to, so it is in Bulgaria, the feeling is great."

The show opens with Apollo, with music by Igor Stravinsky. In the role of Apollo, the leader of the Muses, we see Seth Orza, premier soloist in the Pacific Northwest ballet. "This is one of my favourite ballets, but this time it will be different. We have cast dancers from two American and one Bulgarian companies and I cannot wait to go on stage”, Seth said. His partner is the prima ballerina of the New York City Ballet - Maria Kowrovski. She said that this is one of the key works produced in its theatre, so she is happy that the Bulgarian audience will also see it. And Tom Gold himself added that for more than 20 years he has been working with choreographer Willie Berman who rehearsed Apollo with the great Balanchine. Now they are together in Bulgaria and transmit their experience also to Bulgarian dancers. Four Bulgarian ballerinas will participate: Marta Petkova, Katerina Petrova, Vihra Madjarova and Veneta Hristova.

English Rossitsa Petcova