Founded in 1948 by the legendary prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, Ballet Nacional de Cuba stands as one of the world's most prestigious classical ballet companies. Originally established as Ballet Alicia Alonso, the company was renamed Ballet Nacional de Cuba in 1959 following Fidel Castro's revolution, transforming it into Cuba's official national ballet institution. Housed at the iconic Gran Teatro de La Habana (Great Theatre of Havana), the company has become a cultural ambassador for Cuba on the global stage.
The company is celebrated for its distinctive Cuban School of Ballet, which blends rigorous classical European technique with vibrant expressivity rooted in Cuban culture. This unique approach incorporates influences from Spanish, African, and Caribbean dance traditions, creating a dynamic and emotionally resonant style that distinguishes Cuban ballet from its European counterparts. The Ballet Nacional de Cuba maintains an extensive classical repertoire including masterworks such as Giselle, Swan Lake, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, and Don Quixote, many of which have been reinterpreted through the Cuban lens under Alicia Alonso's choreographic vision.
Under the current artistic direction of Viengsay Valdés—herself a principal dancer who was appointed General Director in 2020—the company continues to evolve while preserving its classical heritage. Valdés, designated Deputy Artistic Director by Alicia Alonso in January 2019, has been recognized internationally for her artistic contributions, including receiving the National Prize of Dance in 2025. The Ballet Nacional de Cuba remains committed to technical excellence, artistic innovation, and the transmission of Cuba's unique ballet tradition to new generations of dancers through its affiliated National School of Ballet.