This Monday the 28th edition of the Alicia Alonso International Ballet Festival of Havana was inaugurated, a celebration of art and, in many ways, a celebration of hope.

At times when Cuba is going through very complex and demanding times, the preservation of the Festival is an act of faith in the transformative power of art.

The conviction that art can save and elevate the spirit, even in harsh times, is one of the pillars that supports a meeting that has become one of the most prestigious events in world ballet.

The Havana Ballet Festival is also an expression of the tradition that puts Cuba at the forefront of choreographic creation on the continent.

Through the work of Alicia, Alberto, and Fernando Alonso, founders of the National Ballet of Cuba, and with the determined support of the Revolution, ballet has become a deeply popular art in the country.

Here, ballet is not an elitist art; it’s part of a cultural heritage shared by a diverse public. The Festival has been an invaluable platform for several generations of Cubans to approach this expression.

With more than six decades of history, the Havana Ballet Festival has established itself as one of the most important showcases for dance in the country and throughout Latin America.

Over the years, it has allowed the Cuban public to enjoy the performances of the greatest companies and stars of world dance.

This edition will not be the exception, with a program that will include outstanding artists and companies from more than a dozen countries, convened by the National Ballet of Cuba.

The Avellaneda and Covarrubias wards of the National Theater of Cuba, together with the emblematic Martí Theater, will be the main venues of the event. Plays will be presented that range from classics to modern and contemporary proposals, and folkloric recreations.

This is the aim of a competition that has sought to transcend patterns: dance is assumed to be an integrating art.

The Festival will become a space for the diversity of styles within dance. The main Cuban companies will be present, demonstrating their technical level and their capacity for innovation.

In this edition, one of the greatest attractions will be the staging of Swan Lake, an iconic work that will feature the participation of leading figures in dance, both from Cuba and abroad.

This cultural event, which takes place every two years, is a true celebration for everyone, reaffirming Cuba as one of the most important places for dance in the international arena.

The celebration of the Festival contributes to strengthening the cultural identity of the country and to reaffirming the value of ballet as an artistic and popular expression, something that has always been a source of pride for Cubans.

The start of the program this Monday marks the beginning of two weeks of intense days of shows, which also articulate a collateral program of literary presentations, film seasons and visual arts exhibitions.

The diversity of the participating artists and companies ensures a rich and varied program that will capture the attention of different audiences.

At a time when the country faces significant challenges, the realization of this event is an affirmation of the power of culture to unite, inspire and give hope. For dancers, the public and all those involved in its organization, the Festival is a reminder of the importance of preserving art, which connects us with the best of human beings.

In our website we will offer a diary of the main events and with the updated programming, allowing readers to stay informed about the details of each day.

We're starting! Have a good Festival!

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff