Havana, September 16 (RHC) -- Leaders of the Cuban University Students Federation - FEU- paid tribute to prima ballerina assoluta, Alicia Alonso, on Sunday to commemorate an event which historically links her to the organization. FEU’s President, José Ángel Fernández, and the organization’s Culture Secretary, María Claudia Torres, expressed admiration and respect for the artist and presented her with a red rose bouquet at the famous ballet legend’s home in the Cuban capital.

At the same time they recalled the 63rd anniversary of the rally organized by FEU to give her satisfaction in 1956, when then dictator, Fulgencio Batista, withdrew the low economic subsidy from the company, known today as the National Ballet of Cuba –BNC-, because Alonso refused to collaborate with propaganda in favor of the regime. The ballet ensemble’s then director and husband, Fernando Alonso, also refused to collaborate and both Alicia and Fernando decided to leave the Caribbean country until the victory of the Revolution led by Fidel Castro in 1959.

Fernández and Torres expressed their willingness to keep alive and tighten the links between FEU and the national ballet company, which current BNC director, Alicia Alonso, once called 'a happy marriage'. The prima ballerina assoluta will turn 99 in December, so several events will be dedicated to celebrating the centenary of her birthday in 2020. A successful season of Giselle by the Cuban ensemble wound up on Sunday, starring premier dancers Grettel Morejón, Anette Delgado, Viengsay Valdés, Dani Hernández and Rafael Quenedit, as well as leading company figures, such as Raúl Abreu, Claudia García, Ernesto Díaz, Chavela Riera and ElyRegina Hernández.