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The festival ends but ballet remains (+ Photos)

After ten intense days where Havana was the stage and dance the absolute protagonist, the International Ballet Festival that, for one time, took the name of the prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, ended its 26th edition.

8 de noviembre de 2018 - By Yuricel Romero

After ten intense days where Havana was the stage and dance the absolute protagonist, the International Ballet Festival that, for one time, took the name of the prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, ended its 26th edition.

Since 1960, this cultural event has gathered in Havana artists from several dozen countries, performing hundreds of works of the most diverse schools and dance styles without having a competitive nature.

Master classes taught by outstanding figures of the world ballet as part of the Fernando Alonso in Memorian teaching days, as well as shows by prestigious guest companies, and book presentations on ballet, were some of

the special moments this time.

The “Alicia Alonso” Havana's Grand Theater, couldn't be no other, was the venue for the closing gala of the festival, which included a concert program consisting of two works by the Catalan choreographer María Rovira (Dressed of night and Anima -the latter created for the first dancer Dani Hernández-) and the other named Enlightened City, by Cuban choreographer Pepe Hevia, dedicated to this city danced by Gretel Morejón and Aram León.

To close this special gala, pianist Frank Fernandez and First Dancer Viengsay Valdés shared the stage in ForAlicia, a collaboration of both artists along with choreographer Tania Vergara, a piece that pays homage to the Cuban prima ballerina assoluta.

Those attending the festival were also able to enjoy a video art by filmmaker Alejandro Pérez, acted out by the teacher herself.

Brushstrokes of that work and other performances by the artist, edited by José Ramón Neyra, were seen in the closing of the 26th edition of this event that confirms that the festival ended, but

ballet remains forever.