By CGTN Africa

Angela Malan is a prima ballerina from South Africa. In 2014, she was invited to perform at a charity gala in her country and that inspired her for idea she implemented in Ethiopia where she now lives.

“When I returned from that, I thought we really need to do the same thing here, we need to bring ballet to the people," said Malan.

In 2016, she held the first ballet charity gala, which she said went down well with Ethiopian theatergoers. It prompted her to scale up this year's show by bringing in international ballet dancers from the United States, Australia, South Africa, Mexico and Japan.

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"It’s always great to dance for a noble cause or something that can really change people's lives. It’s something I’m not a stranger to, I do charity gala back home every single year," said US ballet dancer Brooklyn Mack.   

"It’s absolutely a wonderful experience, and to be able to use my passion and love and talent for a cause like this is incredible and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I'm very thankful to be here," said ballerina Kristy Lee Donovan.   

Ethiopian dancers also joined the festivities, proving that having physical disability is not a hindrance to dancing.

“Dance brings people together. You don't need a language, it doesn't matter where you are from but it is the telling of story that brings people together, so ballet is a wonderful art form," said Li Ping Lo, Cultural Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Ethiopia.

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Ballet is still little known in Ethiopia, so some tickets are being sold for as little two dollars to attract first time theatergoers.

All the proceeds from the ticket sales will go to a home that supports 120 children living with HIV. And with a fully packed theater, Angela is optimistic that this year's collection will surpass the 2016 gala.