Cuban National Ballet Turns 60

The 21st Havana International Ballet Festival opened its doors on Tuesday night with a gala at the Garcia Lorca Gran Teatro in the Cuban capital attended by Cuban President Raul Castro.

Days before, Alicia Alonso, director of the Cuban National Ballet, received a hand written letter from Fidel Castro congratulating her on the 60th anniversary of the Cuban National Ballet, which she co-founded.

Minister of Culture Abel Prieto gave the opening address in which he summarized the immense history of the ballet company and its founders.

All of the generations of dancers, from current young students to the seasoned stars of the company, paraded on the stage of the Gran Teatro, climaxing with Alicia Alonso appearance escorted by Joel Carreño and Romel Frometa.

The opening night gala included the premiere of A la caida de la tarde (At sunset), with choreography by Alonso and Themes and Variations by Balanchine, as well as the screening of a documentary on the history of the Cuban National Ballet. The festival runs from October 28 to November 6.(Cubaminrex- Granma)