Alicia Alonso Recalls Fidel Castro Contibution to Cuban Ballet

Prima ballerina assoluta, Alicia Alonso has today recalled the support given by the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, to the development of ballet on this island.

Through a statement, the general director of the National Ballet of Cuba (BNC) expressed her gratitude to Fidel and congratulated him on the occasion of his birthday in August.

“Now, on his 90th birthday, it is fair to remember what he gave us and say once again, along with all the people, “Thank you, Fidel!”

Alonso also recalled that the triumph of the Revolution brought for the first time a cultural policy to support the development of all artistic expressions.

She stated, “the Commander in Chief Fidel Castro’s thought and action were a special boost to our work.”

The creator of the BNC referred to the understanding and unprejudiced and enthusiastic vision of Fidel towards ballet.

(Prensa Latina)

Andy Montañez Receives Miguel Matamoros Intl. Prize

Puerto Rican singer Andy Montañez received today in this capital the Miguel Matamoros International Award, one of the highest honors given by the Association of Cuban Writers and Artists (UNEAC).

In the presence of Abel Prieto, advisor to the President of the Councils of State and Ministers, and handed over by Miguel Barnet, president of UNEAC, the Puerto Rican son rhythm performer deserved the condition that includes him in the select list of personalities who have previously received the prize.

Barnet, in a ceremony held at the Villena Hall of the institution, highlighted the special bond that Montañez has with the Cuban people, and recalled his unconditional support after the passage of the hurricanes that hit the island in 2008.

The Miguel Matamoros International Prize is awarded exceptionally to outstanding foreign personalities who have left an imprint on Cuban culture and traditions.

Puerto Rican Danny Rivera and Dominican Johnny Ventura have previously received the award.

(Cuban News Agency)

Fidel Castro´s Spanish roots on upcoming photo exhibit

A photo exhibit depicting the Spanish roots of Cuban leader Fidel Castro will be displayed August 12, on the eve of his 90th birthday, at Havana´s Revolution Palace.

The exhibit is a compilation by Cuban researcher Miguel Angel Alvelo, who said that many Spanish diplomats and presidents had given him photos of Fidel during official visits to that country. Alvelo said that the exhibit aims at showing the friendly bonds between Spaniards and Cubans and to stress Fidel Castro´s Spanish
roots.

The researcher expects to make this exhibit into a book stressing Cuba-Spain diplomatic relations with a prolog by former Spanish foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.

The exhibit includes 30 stills and videos about the visits paid by Fidel to Spanish territories such as Seville, Canary Islands, Galicia, Extremadura and others, and his meetings with local personalities in Spain.

Alvelo is also a Physical Education professor; he led the Canary Swimming Federation and founded the first Havana´s Rosalia de Castro Swimming C

(Cuban News Agency)

Los Van Van Brings Cuban Music to the United States

The orchestra Los Van Van monopolizes today the attention of all Cuban music lovers during its US tour, when it will be performing in more than 10 cities in addition to Puerto Rico.

The media, particularly the specialized music magazine Billboard, praised the presentation of the legendary group, which has remained it popularity since its founding over 40 years ago.

According to reports from that publication, Los Van Van are one of the essential groups in Cuban musical history, an icon in the soundscape of the island.

The group will perform this month in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Then, it will travel to New York, New Jersey and Washington; and will end the tour at the amphitheater Tito Puentes, of Puerto Rico, on July 9.

This is the second time Los Van Van made a US tour, after the death of its creator, Juan Formell. It is still remembered its concert in Miami last year, before an audience of more than 5.000 spectators.

(Prensa Latina)

Descemer Bueno Sings for Cuba

Singer and songwriter Descemer Bueno -famous for songs such as Bailando- begins a tour of Cuba, the first solo undertaken since his compositions became international hits.

In addition to promoting new songs from his latest album “Cuerpo y Alma,” the journey will include a repertoire consisting of songs well known in the charts and popularized by singers such Enrique Iglesias and Juan Luis Guerra.

The tour begins today at the Multicultural Square, in the eastern province of Guantanamo, then at Mariana Grajales Amphitheater, in Santiago de Cuba, on June 17, and the Calixto Garcia Stadium, in Holguin, on June 19.

Then, he will sing at the Casino Campestre in Camagüey on June 22 and will perform at the Amphitheater of Varadero, in western Matanzas, on June 2.

The tour will conclude on June 30 in the parking lot of the Latinoamericano Stadium in Havana.

(Prensa Latina)

Photo Exhibition of Fidel Castro Opens in China

“Fidel es Fidel,” a photographic exhibition by Roberto Chile, has opened today in Beijing, on the occasion of the 90th birthday of the leader of the Cuban Revolution. Fidel Castro is a promoter of relationships between the Caribbean nation and Asia.

The exhibition was opened in the presence of Deputy Culture Minister of china, Ding Wei, senior members of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Latin American and Caribbean ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives. It will remained open at Beijing Library until June 16th.

Read more:

http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4973191&Itemid=1

U.S. Museum To Present Cuba with Replica of José Martí Sculpture in New York’s Central Park

Cuban Ambassador to the U.S. José Ramón Cabañas announced that the country will receive a replica of Anna Hyatt Huntington’s monumental sculpture, José Martí, in New York’s Central Park.

Cabañas wrote on his twitter account that the sculpture will be presented as a gift to the Cuban people. He added that it is an initiative of the Bronx Museum of the Arts, a leading museum of contemporary art with a three-decade history of cultural exchange with Cuba.

Hyatt Huntington’s sculpture, completed in 1958, celebrates the significance of Martí as a man of arts and letters, committed to the cause of Cuban independence.

Through its Friends of José Martí Sculpture Project, the museum raised $2.5 million to fabricate the bronze replica, organize its installation and dedication in Havana, and also to conduct a series of accompanying public and educational programs in the United States and Cuba to introduce new generations to the importance of José Martí and a life inseparably devoted to the arts and social justice.

The Office of the Historian of the City of Havana has enthusiastically stated that it will accept the monument with gratitude and permanently set it on the Paseo de Prado, also known as Paseo de Marti o Prado – in the historic section of Old Havana, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.

(Radio Havana Cuba)

Cuban Artist Roberto Chile Opens Exhibition in New York

Cuban artist Roberto Chile inaugurated his photographic exhibition on Thursday at the Cuban Art Space Gallery of the Center for Cuban Studies in New York.

The exhibition, entitled “Somos,” will be opened until July 10, with images revealing small life stories of the inhabitants of Guanabacoa and other regions of the Caribbean island that used to be destinations for black slaves.

The exhibition consists of 40 color and black and white images, captured by the artist between 2010 and 2015 in different regions of the country.

Roberto Chile is a filmmaker and a curator. His work as documentary maker was closely linked to the work of the Cuban Revolution leader Fidel Castro.

A Communications Engineer, he also worked in television in 1977 as part of a video team he founded with other colleagues at the Cuban Fishing Fleet.

(Cuban News Agency)

Havana: Wonder City of the World

“Fortunately, (…) the city is in tact, run-down in parts, but when you pull back the veil of this apparent decline, its splendor appears in every building, everywhere. You have to have eyes to see its wonder and a heart that never loses faith,” stated Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler, Havana City Historian speaking to the press just moments before the official unveiling of the monument and commemorative plaque declaring Havana a Wonder City of the World, at the Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta.

During the act presided over by Mercedes López Acea, a member of the Party Political Bureau, Council of State vice president, and first Party Secretary in the capital; Marta Hernández, president of the Provincial Assembly of People’s Power noted that the distinction reaffirms the illustrious and visionary idea of Fidel, and dedicated the recognition to the leader of the Revolution on his 90th birthday, on behalf of the people of Havana.

Read more:

http://en.granma.cu/cuba/2016-06-08/havana-wonder-city-of-the-world

 

Cuban to chair First International Meeting of Masters to dance Son and Casino

The Cuban musician Adalberto Álvarez will chair the First International Meeting of Masters to dance Son and Casino, which will be held from October 28 to 30 in Spain, reported Prensa Latina.

The organizing committee chose the Cuban musician by the more than 30 years he has devoted to promote those sonorities.

The first edition of the event in Madrid will host followers and instructors of both dance genres of Cuban popular music.

Read more:

http://www.cubanews.acn.cu/culture/5201-cuban-to-chair-first-international-meeting-of-masters-to-dance-son-and-casino