Mass in memory of Alicia Alonso at the Cathedral of La Habana

December 14, 2020

Lyric artists and the orchestra of the Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso will perform today, December 14, in the cathedral of this capital during a mass in memory of Cuba's prima ballerina assoluta.

In this unique way Alicia Alonso is distinguished in the world, and she will be remembered on the occasion of the centennial of her birth.

The soprano Johana Simón and members of the choir of the Teatro Lírico Nacional will participate, at 16:00, local time, in the tribute mass to Cuba's most universal artist, whose death moved the world on October 17, 2019.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation this year of various tributes to Alonso that were planned in her native land and several countries to celebrate her centennial.

For that reason, the Ballet Nacional de Cuba decided to extend the tribute to the prima ballerina assoluta until her birthday in 2021, 'in order to be able to honor the glory that is rightfully hers', insisted Viengsay Valdés, Alonso's successor in the position of general director of the company.

A few days ago, the foreign ministers of the Iberoamerican nations declared December 21 as Iberoamerican Dance Day, in tribute to the centennial of Alonso's birth, for her unforgettable artistic legacy.

The Ballet Nacional de Cuba will dedicate the upcoming season to her, in which it plans to share the stage with other companies.