In a twenty-year performing life that spanned two decades, from 1909 to 1929, the Ballets Russes made a lasting impact on the performing arts, visual art and design, music, fashion and other spheres of culture. To explore and re-examine this legacy, Boston University's history department will host a three day international academic conference that will bring together the foremost researchers in diverse fields. A leading scholar on the Ballets Russes and Diaghilev, Professor Lynn Garafola, dance historian, Barnard College will chair this the conference, which will feature lectures, panel discussions, film screenings and ballet demonstrations.

Another event at Boston University will explore areas of Russian culture that inspired the creative team of the Ballets Russes. A two day long outdoor fair on the 'BU Beach' between Commonwealth Avenue and the Charles River, will include traditional street performers and balagan tents with puppet performances, stalls selling folk crafts, food and drink. The fair will open with a colorful procession of performers costumed as Ballets Russes characters, who will parade down Commonwealth Avenue into the city.

As a foretaster of the events to come, Ballets Russes 2009 will hold in May 2008 a pre-festival gala celebration that will include a mixed performance program of ballet, music and poetry at the Cutler-Majestic theater, followed by a gala dinner.