The current cast of Contemporary Dance of Cuba is made up of young dancers who graduated from the art education system. They are young people who are barely over 20 years old. But the halls in which they now work, at the National Theater of Cuba, carry a lot of history. These artists and their teachers are the continuators of an artistic tradition that began 65 years ago, when a group of founders decided to bet on a style and a technique of their own that, over time, placed the company at the forefront of choreographic creation on the continent. Those teachers not only created a way of doing dance, but they also laid the foundations of an identity A stage performance that has transcended generations. Today, the current dancers not only carry in their bodies the technique bequeathed to them, but also the commitment to keep that tradition alive and keep on enriching the panorama of Cuban dance.

The founders, led by Ramiro Guerra, did not limit themselves to replicating imported styles, but rather set out to create their own language, integrating elements of modern dance, ballet and Afro-Cuban roots. This innovative approach placed the company in a prominent place on the map of international contemporary dance and marked a before and after in Cuban stage creation. Heirs to that legacy, the current creators are responsible not only for preserving, but also renewing and adapting this tradition to current times, maintaining the avant-garde and experimental spirit that defined their teachers.

Contemporary Dance of Cuba remains faithful to an integrative vision of dance, in which diverse trends and styles converge, enriched by the uniqueness of Cuban culture. This vocation has marked not only the work of the company, but also the development of other groups on the island. It has been said: Contemporary Dance is the mother of modern Cuban dance. The company is distinguished by its ability to dialogue with different trends without losing its essence, always reaffirming its commitment to experimentation and high-quality artistic creation. This is the goal of its current director, maestro Miguel Iglesias.

The celebration of the 65th anniversary of CDC is an opportunity to reflect on the path taken and to pay tribute to the founders and all those who have contributed to making this company an international benchmark. The current performances respond to a continuity that does not renounce innovation, betting on a constant dialogue between the past and the present of Cuban dance. And with the great universal heritage of this art. In each show, this deep connection with tradition is felt, but also an impulse towards the future, towards new ways of expression that keep the essence of the company alive.

To celebrate, Carmina Burana

Carmina Burana, George Céspedes' choreography based on Carl Orff's iconic cantata that will be presented from this Friday at the National Theater, is the main axis of a major show that integrates symphonic music and choirs in a total sensory experience. However, it’s possible to appreciate it independently for its choreographic values, which stand out for the precise use of unisons and canon, together with an alternation of formations that generate a complex and dynamic spatial design.

The use of symbolic force in this work allows for the construction of bridges to contemporaneity. These choreographic elements not only resonate with Orff's music, but also offer an updated reading of the piece, turning movement into a vehicle that explores universal themes, such as the duality between the sacred and the profane, which Carmina Burana, the reference, suggests.

Precisely, the ability to build these bridges has been a hallmark of Danza Contemporánea de Cuba during its 65 years of existence. The company has managed to integrate diverse aesthetics and complex concepts in a proposal that not only dialogues with tradition, but reinterprets it in light of these times.

Performances are cheduled for Friday 27 and Saturday 28, at 7:00 p.m.; and on Sunday 29, at 5:00 p.m.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff