Held every four years since 1969, this is the 11th International Moscow Ballet Competition and about 120 of the top aspiring dancers from across the world were in competition for the gold medals. Bolshoi Theatre. June 2009. REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov

Thousands of people spent four nights in the open air, sometimes under heavy rain storm, to enjoy alternative arts and music during “Pustiye Holmi” (Empty Hills) hippie-style festival . Five years ago (in 2003) a successful open-air gathering of 300 people gave birth to the event which later turned into a festival and finally into a movement demonstrating an advanced alternative to the “main stream” approach to music and art in general. Bulgakovo settlement, 250 km southwest of Moscow. June 2009.  REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov