Photo: Jorge Luis Borges | CN360

Text: Cuba Newsroom 360

Cuban company Acosta Danza, directed by first dancer Carlos Acosta, toured the UK with 100% Cuban performances.

The work, which premiered last January in the halls of the Avellaneda National Theater of Cuba, had one of the main attractions of the premiere presentation of Liberto, by Raúl Reinoso, and Híbrido, a choreography by Norge Cedeño, with original music by Jenny Peña. and Randy Araújo.

The proposals include Paysage, soudain, la nuit, by Pontus Lidberg; Impronta, by María Rovira, and From end to end, choreography based on original ideas by Alexis Fernández.

Carlos Acosta has replaced the premiere of 100% Cubano with his job as artistic director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB), a prestigious company with which he prepares to present Don Quixote productions in the UK.

“We are mostly a tourism company. I can’t wait to bring Don Quixote to audiences across the UK. Hopefully we can leave the nightmare of these two years behind,” the famous dancer and director told Zonadeprensard, alluding to two years of the pandemic that forced cultural activities to stop in most countries.

“They have worked very hard; this is a ballet where you need the whole company to shine. I am so proud of how everyone came together,” he said of the Don Quixote staging.

Acosta believes in the importance of culture and dance to restore spirituality after difficult years around the world due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Cuban artist has always insisted on increasing the diversity of dancers, suggestions and languages ​​in dance.

“I’m always looking for talent from other parts of the world, especially from underdeveloped countries like South America. We need representation in dance and stage that reflects our eclectic society,” he said.

Acosta considers that its work with Acosta Danza continues to be important despite the fact that the Havana-based company thrives in a difficult context.

“It is difficult to return home for those with the pandemic. This is a third world country with a lot of financial and political difficulties”, said the dancer.

“But for us artists, work is a refuge. We are very good at immersing ourselves in dance. And traveling the world, experiencing new things, keeps your mind busy. Our art is our salvation,” he added.

Following the show in England, Acosta Danza will appear in France to present eight shows at the Chaillot Theater in Paris during the month of March.

Prior to that, the company will continue to maintain 100% Cuban status in the UK until March 5, a country whose dance circuit has succumbed to Acosta’s magic and talent and receives each installment of his Cuban company with admiration.