Stars of the 21st Century annual International Ballet Gala took place at David H. Koch Theater of New York's famed Lincoln Center on Thursday.

This year’s Gala featured international ballet superstars from leading ballet companies of the world, including Russia’s Bolshoi and Mariinsky theaters, the Ukrainian National Opera and Ballet Theater and the Staatsballett Berlin.

“Dancing knows no borders; it creates a common cultural space with a universal language of gestures and emotions,” said Maxim Volkov, general director of PhosAgro, Russia’s largest producer of phosphate fertilizers that sponsored the Gala.

The company supports cultural, art and education projects and promotes Russia’s positive image abroad as a priority of its charity activities.

Russian, US, and Canadian businessmen and investors, as well as diplomats, art and culture figures are in attendance at the New York Gala.

Stars of the 21st Century has taken the world-renowned stages of Paris, Cannes, New York, Toronto, Bucharest, Moscow and Panama City by storm since its debut in 1993. Featuring first class line-ups in both classical and cutting edge contemporary dance from around the globe, Stars of the 21st Century has become the most prestigious ballet gala and one of the most important cultural events in the world.