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“WHAT WOULD THE FATE OF HUMAN BEINGS BE LIKE WITHOUT MUSIC, COLORS, RAINBOW, WITHOUT THE SMELL OF FRESH GRASS RECENTLY MOWED DOWN?”, CHOREOGRAPHER AND DIRECTOR LIZT ALFONSO WONDERS. THAT IS WHY SHE DEVOTES HER LIFE TO ART, CULTURE, TO FILL THE SOUL WITH JOY

Her lips have never pressed a cigar, but Lizt Alfonso perfectly knows what the dazzling aroma of the best cigar on earth stands for, its evocative fragrance. This great artist labels just about everything that inspires or comes out of that peculiar product as art, which has not only taken the nutrients from this fertile land, but also its traditions and culture.
“I’ve always seen it as a sort of magic act, the way women —since they are mainly in charge of that centennial trade— apply the cigar hand-rolling technique...”, the director of Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba admits, one of the most outstanding cultural institutions on the island nation that represents far more than an amazing musical company and group.
“I’m also impressed by the range colors, the tonalities of our Habanos, which contrast with imaginative rings that are internationally acclaimed for their high historic value and stand out as true artistic gems. Collectors go crazy about them... That is what happens with the gorgeous lithographic printings that, since the 19th century, have characterized the boxes that contain this treasure”, Mrs. Lizt says. Once again, her famous company will be in charge of the International Habano Festival’s gala.
Repeatedly asked to bring about that blend of admiration and joy among those who witness her elegant shows, Mrs. Lizt always tries to have a space in her busy agenda to attend an important event. She does it without putting her admirable choreographic work aside, which makes people think about her when it comes to organizing a gala for Heads of State in Havana or giving the final touch to such a video clip as super popular Bailando, starred by Enrique Iglesias, Gente de Zona and Descemer Bueno.
Likewise, Mrs. Alfonso knows that she cannot neglect the meaningful community work they carry out with hundreds of children and youngsters, so the UNICEF appointed her Ambassador of Good Will. In the same breath, she cannot stop amazing her countless fans over the five continents, who eagerly wait for the premiere of Latido. With this show, the only Cuban dance company that has performed at the prestigious Latin Grammy ceremony will keep on celebrating its 25 years of fruitful existence.

—You have always believed that culture has the power to save…
—Of course, I totally believe that culture, the soul of people, helps us prevail over so many wars, famines, desperation and sadness. Those who attend a show by Chavela Vargas, Joan Manuel Serrat or Bolshoi Ballet, walk out of the theater with a rejoiced spirit, ready to face life and thinking that we are still capable of somehow changing the order of things in the world. Yes, culture saves. What would the fate of human beings be like without music, colors, rainbow, without the smell of fresh grass recently mowed down?
“The world would be totally different if everybody wakes up with that spirit fostered by Serrat: It could be a great day today / impossible to get back / just one of a kind / do not let it get away.”

—How did the idea of creating the company come up?
—The idea was always there... My first intention was to join one of the companies in the country as a choreographer. My relations with Ivan Tenorio and Alberto Mendez were great..., and I tried to get closer to Cuba’s National Ballet, but all doors were closed. Therefore, I had no other choice but to find a way to express myself as an artist, or I would die. Fortunately, the creators have the gift to transform any frustration.
“I started to work with Havana’s Theater Ballet, with Caridad Martinez, but that project passed away. After I got my degree in Theatrology, I began to work with Laura Alonso in Prodanza, where I created the genesis of what Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba presently is. It was named Danzas Ibéricas at the time.
“When I was at the pre-university level and even before that, I used to tell my friends that I would found a dance company and succeed in Broadway. They told me I was crazy. The idea was already there and you must believe when I tell you that I was even crazier when I founded the company (she smiles), because it was 1991 and the special period had just kicked off. We didn’t have breakfast, but we did have the will to dance and the spirit to move forward. And it was worth it “. 

—The work carried out by Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba with children has been increasingly praised...
—I must say that in 2017 we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the creation of the company’s vocational workshops, the amateur school. I wasn’t born at the wonderful venue we presently have, but where the Concepción Arenal Student’s Association is based. We were moved by the need to think about the future. But we believed that there was nothing good out in the streets, so we decided to take all applicants instead of having a rigorous selection. We rather have them in a hall learning dance and music, which entails discipline, rigor, having a goal in life, looking up to the future... You educate the family and even your neighbors...
“I remember that the number of students wasn’t higher than 60 in the first year. It was doubled a year later and we have grown up to 1,200: we have all races, religions, walks of life... We must offer those children all opportunities so they can decide how far the want to go.
“With that idea in mind, we decided to create a Children Ballet, where we handpick those who actually have talent to become professionals. That’s where you ask for more. The very best of them go to the Youth Ballet and they later develop a professional career... Yes, we work tirelessly, but we always believe that more can be done.”