Ukrainian ballet star, Vladimir Malakhov, said in Havana that the high level of dance in Cuba made him increase his artistic proposals for the country.

said he was surprised to see the high quality of the 75 competitors registered for the First International North Atlantic Dance Competition he sponsored in the eastern Cuban city of Holguín, which has just wound up. He added that the experience was so enriching and the quality of dancers was so high that is was impossible to present only one award. Rather than a single Vladimir Malakhov Grand Prix, he granted two and created another four special prizes which, in his words, were not enough to recognize the quality of all the good dancers and works in competition at Holguín’s Eddy Suñol Theater.

The top prizes granted by the world ballet star at the competition were for Cuba’s Lisbeth Saad, with her performance of Edith Piaf in Non, choreographed by Osnel Delgado; and Cuba’s Carlos Carbonell, with the piece Pasajera la lluvia, by choreographer Nelson Reyes.Malakhov added that he will include an Audience’s Award for next year’s competition in September 2015, and another prize for the best company. For its part, the Holguín based contemporary dance ensemble, Codanza, presented Joel González with the Grand Prix of Choreography for his piece Estáticos.