Back to Cuba: The Ballet Nacional

The artist and the people

Among the best ballerinas in the world, Alonso quit the American Ballet Theater to return to Cuba, her homeland. She was confronted many times about the reason behind her decision to leave the U.S. Alonso says that art is universal, but not the artist. "I chose to come back to Cuba because artists have roots, and my roots are here. I came back because my country needed me" (The Washington Post, May 20, 1978)

Ballet Nacional de Cuba: the beginning

Back in Cuba, Alicia started the Ballet Alicia Alonso, in 1948, which later changed its name to Ballet de Cuba, at Alicia's request. With the help of Fidel Castro, it later became the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

The stories of Alicia Alonso and the National Ballet of Cuba are tightly intertwined. The images below are fragments of both of these stories.

Fidel Castro said: "I'll give you $200,000 - but it better be a good ballet!" (The Washington Post, May 28, 1978)

Alonso's quote (typed by Beatrice Siegel): "I believe that the artist has a social mission to accomplish, and this mission has to be carried out in service of the area one is born and to which one belongs their entire life"

"Cuba is a country in which people have expressed themselves not just with the word, but with the body"

This signed postcard by the National Ballet of Cuba presents Alicia Alonso. The prima ballerina kept her position of director for more than six decades.

This poster from the National Ballet of Cuba reflects Alonso's belief: "Art from the people to the people"

Alicia Alonso as Carmen

This poster by the Ballet Nacional de Cuba graciously shows Alicia Alonso at the front, its director and prima ballerina

Alicia Alonso was honored with stamps several times in Cuba. This signed copy is from 1957