US ballet building bridges with Cuba
Source: Agencies |
November 4, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE American Ballet Theatre, making its first appearance in Cuba in 50 years, will pay tribute this week to ballet legend Alicia Alonso in the latest attempt at cultural diplomacy to bridge the political divide between the United States and the island.
Alonso, who turns 90 next month, danced with the New York-based troupe in the 1940s and 1950s and performed some of its most famous works.
American Ballet Theatre dancers and executives said on Tuesday they were pleased to be in Cuba because of Alonso's historic role in their company and the symbolic importance of their return to the country 145km from Florida after so many years.
"It's very difficult to say what political impact our presence could have here because we are not politicians," artistic director Kevin McKenzie said in a news conference.
But, he said, the US ballet company has "a cultural depth to reach across all differences, to a culture of like mind."
"It is not our purpose to do anything but to speak of our cultural sameness," he said. "I think that dialogue is what will expand to brighter and more positive horizons in the future."
Alonso returned to Cuba after the 1959 revolution that put Fidel Castro in power and took charge of the Cuban National Ballet, where she has groomed dancers who now perform around the world.
The US-based company's Cuban performances are part of Havana's International Ballet Festival. Members of the New York Ballet are also dancing in the festival.
Alonso, who turns 90 next month, danced with the New York-based troupe in the 1940s and 1950s and performed some of its most famous works.
American Ballet Theatre dancers and executives said on Tuesday they were pleased to be in Cuba because of Alonso's historic role in their company and the symbolic importance of their return to the country 145km from Florida after so many years.
"It's very difficult to say what political impact our presence could have here because we are not politicians," artistic director Kevin McKenzie said in a news conference.
But, he said, the US ballet company has "a cultural depth to reach across all differences, to a culture of like mind."
"It is not our purpose to do anything but to speak of our cultural sameness," he said. "I think that dialogue is what will expand to brighter and more positive horizons in the future."
Alonso returned to Cuba after the 1959 revolution that put Fidel Castro in power and took charge of the Cuban National Ballet, where she has groomed dancers who now perform around the world.
The US-based company's Cuban performances are part of Havana's International Ballet Festival. Members of the New York Ballet are also dancing in the festival.
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