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Raul Castro Attends Inauguration of International Ballet Festival
Cuban President Raul Castro attended on Tuesday night the inauguration of the 21st International Ballet Festival at the Garcia Lorca Hall of the Great Theater of Havana.
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ACN
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Cuban President Raul Castro attended on Tuesday night the inauguration of the 21st International Ballet Festival at the Garcia Lorca Hall of the Great Theater of Havana.
During the opening gala, Culture Minister Abel Prieto read a letter sent by the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, congratulating the Cuban National Ballet on its 60th anniversary and its director and founder, prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso.
The letter praised the exceptional merits of Alicia Alonso, who won the highest laurels even before the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959.
For his part, Abel Prieto spoke of all the achievements of the Cuban National Ballet and the obstacles it had to overcome before the Revolution allowed it to attain its full development. In addition, the Culture Minister commended the transcending and prominent role that Alicia Alonso has played in Cuban culture.
Prieto also praised the Cuban International Ballet Festival, the oldest and most prestigious dance festival in the world, which was held even during the difficult times of the Cuban economic crisis of the 1990s or the so-called ‘Special Period’.
The Culture official recalled that 800 pieces have been premiered during the 48 years of the festival and that the Cuban public has been able to enjoy the performances of 60 world companies and top level dancers.
The inaugural gala of the 21st International Ballet Festival included the premiere of the documentary “60th Anniversary of the Cuban National Ballet” and the choreography “At Sunset”.
The gala was also attended by the President of the Cuban Parliament, Ricardo Alarcon, and by Venezuelan Culture Minister Hector Soto.
During the opening gala, Culture Minister Abel Prieto read a letter sent by the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, congratulating the Cuban National Ballet on its 60th anniversary and its director and founder, prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso.
The letter praised the exceptional merits of Alicia Alonso, who won the highest laurels even before the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959.
For his part, Abel Prieto spoke of all the achievements of the Cuban National Ballet and the obstacles it had to overcome before the Revolution allowed it to attain its full development. In addition, the Culture Minister commended the transcending and prominent role that Alicia Alonso has played in Cuban culture.
Prieto also praised the Cuban International Ballet Festival, the oldest and most prestigious dance festival in the world, which was held even during the difficult times of the Cuban economic crisis of the 1990s or the so-called ‘Special Period’.
The Culture official recalled that 800 pieces have been premiered during the 48 years of the festival and that the Cuban public has been able to enjoy the performances of 60 world companies and top level dancers.
The inaugural gala of the 21st International Ballet Festival included the premiere of the documentary “60th Anniversary of the Cuban National Ballet” and the choreography “At Sunset”.
The gala was also attended by the President of the Cuban Parliament, Ricardo Alarcon, and by Venezuelan Culture Minister Hector Soto.