Cuba’s cherished ballet tradition endures through daily blackouts and shortages

HAVANA (AP) — Daily blackouts and shortages have plagued Cuba for months, with two-thirds of the island experiencing no electricity at night. Some neighborhoods in Havana, the capital, have been without running water for over two weeks. Transportation is limited, and basic necessities like eggs, bread, and cooking oil are scarce.

Despite these challenges, the National Ballet School in Havana continues to function. About 178 young students attend the school each morning, combining rigorous dance training with academic classes in math, Spanish, history, and science. 14-year-old Roxana Pérez de La Mora walks 20 kilometers (12 miles) from her home to the school every day, knowing that missing class could hinder her progress in training.

Her dream is to become a prima ballerina. Ballet remains a source of national pride in Cuba, despite the country's ongoing crises. The Cuban National Ballet, founded in the 1940s by ballerina Alicia Alonso and her husband Fernando, is considered one of the world's most prestigious companies. The company's performances are relatively affordable, costing less than $1, compared to $300 for similar shows in other countries.

Despite fuel shortages and other difficulties, the company presented a gala performance in August, starring Dani Hernández, a principal dancer and teacher at the National Ballet School. The demanding leadership at the school and the rigorous training at the public institution have produced numerous prominent dancers who have gone on to become principals at renowned companies such as the Paris Opera Ballet, the Royal Ballet in London, and American Ballet Theatre in New York.