MILANO UNICA presents ROBERTO BOLLE AND FRIENDS
October 21, 2014, Shanghai Grand Theatre
An exceptional event dedicated to Italian excellence in China
Shanghai, October 21, 2014 – Milano Unica, the unique Italian Textiles/Accessories Trade Show, will present
an exclusive evening in the heart of Shanghai featuring Roberto Bolle, one of the foremost ballet stars in the
world.
Celebrating its VI edition in China, Milano Unica will once again bridge the gap between Italy and China
through a comparison on creativity and exchange fronts, at both economic and cultural levels. The event that
will take place tonight, Tuesday, October 21, 2014, features an extraordinary performance for the first time in
China: “Roberto Bolle and Friends”.
“I am convinced that the development of our commercial exchange, of reciprocal interest, will contribute to the
reinforcement of the more complicated relations between our two countries. This is also the objective of the
extraordinary evening with Roberto Bolle, étoile of Teatro alla Scala in Milan and emissary of Made in Italy,
which Milano Unica wishes to dedicate to its guests”, declared Silvio Albini.
Inside the prestigious Shanghai Grand Theatre in People's Square, Roberto Bolle, one of the finest
examples of Italian excellence in the artistic field, has prepared a refined program featuring top talents in
international dance. Among these, Chinese prima ballerina Yuan Yuan Tan, together with unique dance
performances alternating between duets and solos, interpreting 20 th century and contemporary repertories
including Marius Petipa, Kenneth MacMillan, John Neumeier.
“I have always dreamed of bringing my Gala to China, therefore I am very grateful to Milano Unica for granting
me this opportunity, which is even more prestigious considering the exchange and cultural encounter which
the entire event is based upon. For this reason, I have selected the exceptional Yuan Yuan Tan, prima
ballerina at San Francisco Ballet to perform with me, the finest 'emissary' of Chinese dance in the world. I will
perform two of my favorite pieces with her, Romeo and Juliet and Apollo, stupendous examples of 20th century
repertory. I am also very content because the entire cast has come together for this project, and I truly hope
that the evening spent together will become the first step towards a precious and longlasting dialog.”
The key intention of this exclusive event, strongly supported by Bolle, is to pay tribute to the world of dance by
retracing a century-and-a-half of the history of ballet in one evening. The Gala has been successfully
performed in some of the most famous places in Italy – the Colosseum in Rome, Piazza Duomo in Milan, the
Greek Amphitheater in Taormina, Valley of Temples in Agrigento, St. Mark's Square in Venice and many
others – in renowned Italian and foreign theaters, thus becoming a highly acclaimed cultural event and
needless to say, every performance sold out.
The Gala will make its debut this evening in China, thanks to Milano Unica and the precious collaboration of
The Woolmark Company, along with the important supervision of Shijin Qian, Artistic Advisor of the Shanghai
Grand Theater and esteemed personality in the world of music and dance, dedicated to organizing
international artistic events and musical debuts in China. Furthermore, Milano Unica would like to thank the
professional support of Agenzia ICE, especially Claudio Pasqualucci, Director of the Shanghai office and his
staff, and special thanks to Sistema Moda Italia, Banca Sella and DHL.
Roberto Bolle
Étoile of La Scala Ballet in Milan and Principal Dancer of American Ballet Theatre in NY, Roberto Bolle is the
only Italian dancer to hold these two prestigious titles contemporaneously. Desired by theaters throughout the
world, he has received the honorable title of "Cavaliere dell'Ordine al Merito of the Italian Republic," from Italian
President Giorgio Napolitano, in virtue of merits acquired towards Italy in the cultural field. For his important role as
étoile and messenger of Italian culture throughout the world, Unesco awarded him the Gold Medal in 2013.
Yuan Yuan Tan
Born in Shanghai in 1974, Yuan Yuan Tan is the ètoile of San Francisco Ballet. She has performed in some of
the most important theaters in the world, receiving numerous international awards and is considered one of the
finest ballet dancers on an international level.
Press Contacts
Attila&Co. - Simona Demarchi – 02 34 97 0716 – simona.demarchi@attila.it
Milano Unica- Susi Castellino – 02 66101105 – s.castellino@milanounica.it