The National Dance Award for 2014 has been conferred upon National Folk Dance Ensemble dancer and teacher, Silvina Fabars, in recognition of the work of her entire artistic life.

Born in 1944 at II Frente Oriental Frank País, Fabars was a Rebel Army member since age 14 until the Revolution took power and was a founding member of the Oriente Folk Dance Ensemble. In 1966 she joined the National Folk Dance Ensemble as a dancer and singer, and due to her technique and artistic values, became one of the company’s leading dancers. She was baptized as the Ebony God in the folk dance group.

In 1986 Fabars began to work at the Art Instructors School in the central city of Villa Clara and the Samuel Feijó Provincial Art School and has taught Afro-Cuban arts in several universities of Canada, Britain and Japan. A member of the Cuban Writers and Artists Association –UNEAC- since 1968, Fabars has been awarded several decorations, including the Alejo Carpentier Medal and the Cuban Culture Distinction.

Silvina Fabars is currently training professional dancers of the Maraguán Dance Ensemble based in the eastern city of Camagüey.