National Ballet of Cuba Shines at Festival Cali, Colombia (+ Photo)

BOGOTA, Sept. 19 (Prensa Latina) The 13th International Ballet Festival of Cali Vinpa 2022 concluded on Sunday with the participation of famous actors, including the Cuban National Ballet, which were all fantastic.

In statements to Prensa Latina, Viengsay Valdés, General Manager of this Cuban company, declared it a cultural heritage of the nation, and highlighted the audience’s participation in this event which, in her words, is a true invitation to dance.

He stressed that groups of people from many parts of Colombia and other countries have come to Cali to enjoy the feast which is now celebrated every two years.

The notorious dancer commented that this festival is trying to spread the art of ballet, which is usually elitist in many countries, but that the goal in this city is to make it accessible to an audience who, though not knowing, can appreciate it.

“All this is a sign that dance has a great power to move a person,” said Fengsai, a dancer who is considered one of the greatest exponents of the Cuban School of Ballet and who continues the legacy of ballerina Asuluta Alicia Alonso.

He explained that the program opened with a dance by Colombian Annabelle Lopez Ochoa for the Metropolitan Ballet of Medellin by Colombian painter, sculptor and cartoonist Fernando Botero, followed by a series of bass de deo, solos, quartet, all of which allowed a balanced program.

He stressed that “the dancers who permeated each show showed their artistic strength and difference with the rest of the companies.”

He confirmed that the theater was designed in Cali Mayor Square, which succeeded in being a success for the audience because the call was so huge, and the performance was free, as the audience space was packed all the time.

Every time the Cuban dancers finished, the crowd’s demonstrations were very noisy, with frequent applause and “Bravo” expressions, said the director who danced and earned recognition on the most important stages in the world.

He explained that it is difficult on many occasions for a dancer to have to interpret “pas de deus” with great technical requirements on stage with these characteristics, but the Cubans vigorously defended their performance and defended in a way in which they distinguished themselves.

He noted that “the Cuban dancers were the highlight of Saturday night with a selection of their traditional classical repertoire, showing great mastery of technique and technical details of each style, resulting in audience acclaim.” .

Similarly, Cuban company historian Miguel Cabrera, in a conversation with Prensa Latina “in combination with pride”, confirmed that the show was a resounding success.

Three young and virtuous couples managed to attract the admiration of a large and warm audience: Maria Luisa Márquez and Yankel Vazquez in the presentation of the third act of Coppelia; Estefanía Hernández and Darío Hernández in The Nutcracker; And they concluded the ceremony, Don Quixote, with Chavela Riera and Yasil Hodelin,” he noted.

He highlighted the cleanliness and technical prowess, stylistic diversity and perfect communication with the audience, which were an endorsement of the thunderous warm applause they received.

“The National Ballet Company of Cuba and the Cuban Ballet School have restored their world rankings and the honor of being the cultural heritage of our nation. He emphasized a glorious tradition that does not die, but rather grows and multiplies in the new generations of dancers.

He stressed that it is a great honor for Cuban national culture and a special affection for him, 35 years after his first collaboration with the Colombian Institute of Classical Ballet and with this festival he helped found 15 years ago.

Among the companies that participated in Finba-2022, in addition to the Metropolitan Ballet of Medellín (Colombia), the National Ballet of Sodre (Uruguay); Balleto del Sud (Italy), the Dominican National Ballet, the Peruvian National Ballet and the Colombian Ballet.

According to educator Gloria Castro, director and founder of this Cali festival, despite efforts to implement it, organizers feel compensated for by the flow of audiences and the quality of presentations.

rgh / otf