This is SBT's first European tour since its founding ten years ago.

SBT created Romeo and Juliet in 2016, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. Showing great originality, it was soon designated by the Chinese government as a project for cultural dissemination and exchange under the support of China National Arts Fund.

According to Li Ying, SBT's art director, the incorporation of Chinese and western elements is the biggest highlight of the ballet, which is expected to help the European audiences gain a better understanding of Chinese culture in the story that they are quite familiar with.

"In addition, a series of lectures and salon sessions will be held to offer the local audiences a chance to learn about Chinese facial makeup in operas, the connection of the Mid-Autumn Festival with the moon, the cucurbit art, traditional Chinese medicine and other Chinese cultural ingredients," Li added.