Costumes from the famous Bolshoi theatre, and Russian Museum of Ethnography, are being shown in the UK for the first time.

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Fifty costumes are on display at the former Crumlin Road jail in Belfast. This is the first time that many of the costumes have been seen outside Russia.

Image copyright Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Curator Lidya Kharina said: "It charts the fascinating journey of the world's most famous theatre. It shows how the rich history of Russian peasant life, and the beauty and intrigue of Russian culture, have influenced the Bolshoi designs."

Image copyright Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Belfast previously hosted a Russian costume exhibition in the White Linen Hall in 1895, as part of the Belfast art and industrial exhibition. The Crumlin Road jail was a working prison from 1845 until 1996. It is now a visitor attraction.

Image copyright Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

Bolshoi means 'grand' or 'large' in Russian. The Bolshoi theatre is the world's largest ballet company with over 200 dancers. Tchaikovsky's famous ballet, Swan Lake, premiered at the theatre on 4 March 1877.

Image copyright Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

The exhibition, called From Bolshoi to Belfast: the Theatre of Costume, is accompanied by a full programme of activities including a film season, public talks, debates and workshops.

Image copyright Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

The exhibition will run until 13 December.