The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism coordinated with the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Vietnam to organize an art performance by the Cuban National Ballet at the Ho Guom Theater to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the troupe's first performance in Vietnam in December 1964. This was also the opening event of a series of events towards the 65th anniversary of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations (December 2, 1960 - 2025).
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| General Secretary To Lam and his wife Ngo Phuong Ly attended the performance. (Source: CPV) |
Also attending the event were Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy, and Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Cuba to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes.
Speaking at the opening of the performance, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes welcomed General Secretary To Lam and his wife Ngo Phuong Ly, and representatives of Vietnamese ministries, departments and agencies to the performance. “This is a great source of encouragement and demonstrates the deep interest and high priority of the Party and State of Vietnam in cultural development, an indispensable part of the prosperity and spiritual life of the people. This also demonstrates the depth and diversity of the special relationship between Vietnam and Cuba,” said Mr. Rogelio Polanco Fuentes.
Introducing the National Ballet of Cuba, Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes said that the Theater is a national cultural heritage of Cuba, founded 76 years ago.
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| Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy and Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Cuba to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes presented flowers to the Artists of the National Ballet of Cuba. (Source: CPV) |
Cuban leader Fidel Castro Ruz affirmed that the Theater “is a wonderful testament to the talent and will of its founders: Alicia Alonso, Fernando Alonso and Alberto Alonso, who created an authentic dance movement in Cuba, inspired by the masses and with global influence.”
And 60 years ago, in December 1964, members of the Cuban National Ballet, led by Alicia Alonso, Director of the Theater and founder of the Cuban Ballet School, were received by President Ho Chi Minh. He expressed his firm belief that one day they would be able to perform in an independent and unified Vietnam. That finally became a reality in the troupe's subsequent performances in 1978 and 2016.
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| Performance by Vietnamese artists. (Source: CPV) |
Speaking at the performance, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy said the special art performance program of the National Ballet of Cuba continues to affirm that cultural cooperation is one of the important pillars for the friendship, overcoming the geographical distance between Vietnam and Cuba; it demonstrates the spirit of solidarity of the two nations where the language of art is a cultural bridge connecting the hearts of the Vietnamese and Cuban people more closely and firmly.
Following are photos from the performance:
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| Art performances at the event . (Source: CPV) |