The National Dance Award for 2014 was presented to Folk Dance Ensemble dancer and teacher, Silvina Fabars, in recognition of the work of her entire artistic life.

The ceremony took place at Havana’s Mella Theater with the performance of most of the Cuban capital’s dance troupes. Born in 1944 at Realengo 18, today known as II Frente Oriental Frank País, Fabars was a founding member of the Oriente Folk Dance Troupe and in 1966 she joined the National Folk Dance Ensemble, becoming one of the company’s leading dancers and singers due to her technique and artistic values. She was baptized as the Ebony Goddess 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.