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COVETED BY THE WORLD’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS CHOREOGRAPHERS FOR HER HISTRIONICS AND TECHNICAL POWER, SENSUALITY AND MUSICALITY, THE PRIMA BALLERINA OF CUBA’S NATIONAL BALLET COMPANY WILL ONCE AGAIN PLAY THE LEADING ROLE IN PREMIERES AND CLASSIC PLAYS DURING THE 25TH HAVANA INTERNATIONAL BALLET FESTIVAL

In between festivals, Viengsay Valdes’ life passes by like a twister, so there’s nothing more similar to a hurricane than the presence of this extraordinary world-class prima ballerina during Havana International Festival, when the whole city zeroes in on the event founded by Alicia Alonso back in 1960.
“When a festival begins (the 25th is scheduled to be held from October 28 to November 7), a top dancer of Cuba’s National Ballet (BNC is the Spanish acronym) has already spent a lot of time under different types of strains, physical and emotional endurance, intellectual stress.
“The truth is that you almost start training two years in advance, which means that one event comes to an end and you have to get set for the next edition. Therefore, in an effort to make it “alive” through the end, you have to be physically and mentally strong, which can only be achieved by means of total devotion to your work, otherwise you won’t be resistant enough.
“Just consider that the festival takes place for over a week, with daily performances (sometimes with double shows for dancers) and different ballets, which requires different levels of concentration, full familiarization with the characters. So, you have to know how to switch quickly, even between performances.
“Of course, you have already taken lessons, engaged in rehearsals in the morning, and other general activities before every performance. So, we’re under huge stress, but we have to be psychologically quiet, take on everything with responsibility and rigor because you could get hurt if you don’t pay attention.
“Anyway, from an artistic approach, Havana International Ballet Festival is the top moment when dancers can show the public their versatility, all of their facets, both as artists and performers.
“It’s great because your repertoire is renewed in every edition of the event and sometimes you are even given the opportunity to premiere pieces, which is excellent because it means that outstanding choreographers from other countries want to work with us, as it’s happened to me several times. I’m very happy in that sense since I deal with a very complete work."

You are a privileged dancer in this aspect. You always premiere at least one
piece in every festival...
“That’s right. It’s an honor to see how a renowned foreign choreographer, who has worked with prestigious international companies, comes here, auditions us and handpicks me.
“I’m very pleased to feel that I meet their artistic, intellectual, cultural and technical requirements, their expectations. That’s happened with Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, who gave me the opportunity to perform the leading role in Celeste during the past festival and now, once again for my pleasure, she has summoned me for Oscurio.
“You feel great when you become the human material used by these sensitive creators to go throughout the complex and difficult realm of art. I’m so flattered that Annabelle had thought about me, just like Peter Quanz did, for example, with Double Bounce and Le Papillon. It’s a privilege because it means I’m well prepared and I can also collaborate with those magnificent authors that have another view of what dance is all about”.

In addition to the world premiere of Oscurio, what are we going to see in the 25th Festival?
“I won’t stop dancing as usual. And although you know that the program can vary, I’m certainly going to perform The Lake of the Swans with Matthew Golding from the London Royal Ballet, and Don Quixote with Patricio Reve (BNC), who I’ll be also joining in Paquita Grand Pas.
“Osiel Gouneo is set to meet his public again and he’s going to be my partner in Diana & Acteon. Likewise, I’ll be glad to share the limelight with Brooklyn Mack and play the leading role in A Concerto in Back and White, which is going to pay tribute to the 90th anniversary of its choreographer, Jose Pares.”
The love for Viengsay Valdes will certainly grow stronger during the upcoming edition of this prestigious event, a gift that has accompanied her since the beginning of her rock-solid career as a member of BNC.