Havana, January 2 (RHC)--A sculpture of the legendary Cuban ballerina Alicia Alonso was unveiled in Havana Monday. The art piece, a work by Jose Villa Soberon, is located in the Gran Teatro that bears her name and depicts the internationally acclaimed diva in the role of Giselle, one of her iconic portrayals.

Alonso, who just turned 97, was on hand for the ceremony that was attended by first Cuban Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel, and the Minister of Culture, Abel Prieto.

According to Granma newspaper, Havana´s Historian Eusebio Leal spoke during the unveiling. He described the life of the prima ballerina assoluta as an artist, as a woman and as a Cuban who took the glory of her art to the highest possible grounds with serenity, simplicity and poise.

He commended her creation of the Cuban Ballet School, which she forged with her own vitality.

Speaking about the sculpture, Leal said that Jose Villa´s bronze statue captures an important moment of Alonso’s artistic creation, and he described the piece as the tribute of the Cuban nation to one of her most outstanding daughters.

After the ceremony, the Cuban National Ballet offered a Gala on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution.

The show included the famous classic Don Quixote, the awards ceremony of the Grand Theater’s Grand Prix, and the shows registered on the theater’s book of honor for 2017.