Carlos Acosta: Honored to Receive Cuban National Dance Prize 2011
News from Cuba | Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Cuban ballet dancer Carlos Acosta said to be honored to receive the Cuban National Dance Prize, which was given to him Monday evening in a gala at Havana's Grand Theater.
The island's Minister of Culture Abel Prieto handed down the prize to the dancer, who at 38 becomes the youngest Cuban artist to win this award.
Acosta said the recognition was the fruit of the hard work and efforts of his professors. He also thanked his parents and dance figures Alicia Alonso and Fernando Alonso for their support.
In handing down the award, Abel Prieto was accompanied by the respective presidents of the Cuban Association of Writers and Artists and of the National Council of Stage Arts, Miguel Barnet and Julian Gonzalez.
The gala directed by choreographer Alberto Mendez included the performance of the National Ballet, the Santiago Alfonso Dance Company, and Danzabierta featuring musician X Alfonso. There was also the Contemporary Dance company of Cuba na and the JJ Company.
Acosta has built a successful career both in Cuba and abroad since he entered Cuba?s National Ballet Company (BNC) in 1991. He was received international awards in England, Switzerland, France, Italy and United States.
