Havana, October 29 (RHC) –The contribution that the Cuban National Ballet has made to national culture was at the center of President Miguel Díaz-Canel's words Sunday night in Havana as he spoke during the Festival's opening at the city's Alicia Alonso Grand Theater.

The opening of the Festival, at the National Ballet's traditional venue in Havana's Grand Theater, took place exactly on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment by Alicia Alonso of the Cuban National Ballet Company. That day, legendary dancer, choreographer and director Alicia Alonso, along with cofounders Fernando and Alberto Alonso, set a milestone in dance on the island with the creation also of the renowned National Ballet School of Cuba, where dancers from around the world have come to train.

The Havana International Ballet Festival also celebrates this year the 75th anniversary of Alicia Alonso’s debut in Giselle at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, marking the beginning of her successful career.

Several international companies and dancers are on hand at the Festival on its 26th edition (http://www.radiohc.cu/en/noticias/cultura/175041-havana-the-world%E2%80%99s-ballet-capital-as-of-sunday).