Havana, Nov 15 (Prensa Latina) Cuban prima ballerina assoluta, Alicia Alonso, who received a long, standing ovation during a homage gala held in southeastern Mexico has returned to Havana today.

According to the press department of the Cuban National Ballet (BNC), during the show, held yesterday at the Fernandez Gutierrez Barrios Theater in Boca del Rio, the rector of the University of Veracruz, Sara Ladron de Guevara, handed Alonso a plaque of recognition.

Cries of Bravo Alicia! and Long Live Alicia!, accompanied by a prolonged standing ovation, closed the show in which some fragments of Giselle, Don Quixote, La fille mal gardee (The Poorly Guarded Girl), Grand pas de quatre, 'Cascanueces' (Nutcracker), Coppelia and Carmen were performed.

The Conchis Fustes Flamenco Company, the Folk Ballet of the Port of Veracruz and the Mariachi University, among others, also participated.

Alicia Alonso arrived in Mexico on November 9th to open the first intensive course of the dance department at the BNC in the southeast region of the country. The course will be held in Veracruz until November 22nd.

A team of teachers from the Cuban school of ballet are giving an extensive program of classes, video exhibitions and lectures.

Before traveling to Mexico, Alonso directed the 25th Havana International Ballet Festival, which was given her name for the first time; dancers from 16 countries participated in the festival.