"The National Ballet of China first staged the masterpiece Don Quixote in 1985, with the legendary Rudolf Nureyev visiting China to help with rehearsals for the production he choreographed. Today, Spain's Compania Nacional de Danza is bringing a version of Don Quixote choreographed by former artistic director Jose Martinez," says Mu Zongshun, vice-president of the National Ballet of China.

This cross-continental connection, from the iconic works of Spanish literature to the artistic brilliance of top ballet dancers, demonstrates ballet's remarkable power to transcend time and space, uniting hearts and minds across cultures, he adds.