‘The Arabian Nights’ - with its tales of magic, mischief, and mayhem - has long held the Western imagination spellbound, along with the Eastern. So what story could be more fitting to bring together countries along the ancient Silk Road and to close out the fourth Xinjiang International Dance Festival?

It’s filled with genies, magic carpets, elixirs, and potions. And it makes for spectacular dance, as exemplified by the National Ballet of Belarus. Their rendition comprises three of the best-known tales - “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”, “The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor”, and “Aladdin’s Wonderful Lamp”.

“I’ve read the story of ‘The Arabian Nights’, and this ballet version is simply amazing,” said an audience member.

“This one is definitely my favorite of all the other performances. I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said another audience member.

The Xinjiang International Dance Festival began in 2008.