According to sources from the organizing committee, companies and dancers from 23 countries, including the Royal Ballet of London and the Paris Opera, will participate in this year's festival.

In addition, outstanding Latin American companies, such as Ballet Estable del Teatro Colón, Ballet de Santiago de Chile and Mexico's National Dance Company, will participate in the festival.

Among the guest personalities are Tamara Rojo (Spain) and Johan Kobborg (the Netherlands) from the Royal Ballet of London, Rasta Thomas (Dance Theater of Harlem), Australian orchestra conductor Richard Bonynge and Leticia Pujol from the Paris Opera.

One of the most important sessions of the festival will be dedicated to Spanish dancer and choreographer Antonio Gades, who passed away in July. The tribute will include staging one of its most relevant works, "Bodas de Sangre" (Blood Wedding).

For the first time, the festival will also be held in Havana's historic heart, since the Old Square (Plaza Vieja) will become an open-air stage where "Shakespeare and His Masks", choreographed by prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, will be performed.

By: Dtcuba