Maricel Godoy again made history in Cuba with the recent presentation of the great Russian dancer Vladimir Malakhov in two galas along with Codanza company. The group she founded in 1992 became the benchmark for others in the island and after two decades of work it just reaffirmed its commitment to a dance free from prejudice and elitism.
The director and choreographer opened Holguin doors to receive in that city from the east the recognized artist of Ukrainian origin, star of American Ballet Theatre in the United States, and director of the Ballet of the Opera of Berlin, Germany. It also welcomed with a bow directors and dancers of the Ballet of Camagüey and Endedans, of the same province, Ad Libitum from Santiago de Cuba and Dance Fragmentada from Guantanamo, who attended her art festival.
Although no one formally thought of it, the event had range of a fetsival . Malakhov taught stretching classes for all dancers, danced in two of the three functions and the various companies presented works and artists of portentous qualities. The Lyric Theatre gave a concert for Holguin participants which delighted some emblematic arias of operettas and operas as The Magic Flute, The Merry Widow, La Traviata , Cecilia Valdés and Maria la O. Two dance themed photo exhibitions were opened and rounded out the event.
The people of Holguin chanted: Malakhov , Malakhov , Malakhov , at the entrance of the Eddy Sunol Theatre , the first time the dancer entered through the front door . Hours before he had marveled them at a ballet class, since it left all dancers ready to take on any physical demands, as they said. Minutes later no one spoke of him as a teacher, only Malakhov , Malakhov , Malakhov , capable of surprising with his laugh and sharing as a child.
“He has a nobility and simplicity. When asked: how does it feel to be a star? He says star who, I’m not star, I am one like you all, I’m not and I do not believe it, just try to enjoy life and give the best of me, ” Maricel, artistic director of all galas, said.
The multi-award winning artist thanked each colleague with a kiss on, signed autographs and shared photos with all who wanted to collect memories of his presence in that city about 700 kilometers from the capital. For Godoy, that loving blond was and remains a hope, first because he dreamed to meet and convene a national scale event where almost dance to. And the dance was done, and all who participated were especially pleased.
Second, Vladimir-as Cubans call him upclose-will help them make an International Dance Festival to be held in Holguin, dream of Maricel to give more opportunities and enhance the artistic work of the center and east of the country, often relegated from festivals. However, the director insists that this dream will be open to all companies that want to take part, without exception. The last week of September 2014 seems a likely date to turn words into actions and enjoy the freedoms granted.
“Best of the dance is that we can resort to other means of expression to develop ours with that of contemporary creator own freedom to make use of any element of everyday life. Me for example I’m interested in making use of everything around us. Stories that I know or have lived inspire me, ” this directive who started staging choreographies when she was a master at the Art School of Holguin says.
“I always found refuge in events I lived, I vented them through dance, and the contemporary one has no limitation, anything goes, you can dip into whatever motivates you and create from that,” she says.
This philosophy marks the work of Codanza dancers, authentic interpreters beings delivered to plasticity of gesture and staging the slightest movement.
“From the beginning I dreamed of a dancer who knew how to use different forms of expression, not only dance but also singing and theater, so my dancers trained voice and performance,” she explained.
The teacher confessed that she loves to surprise the audience with different elements and never closes the doors to innovation, although some gaps impose limits. Godoy has seen staging made with modern technologies and support and considered them wonderful.
“I’m all for progress and wish I could have all the means to make them also. But dance as an art form can absolutely live without technology, “the educator says and her serene face show through a thought with the image of the pillars in the early twentieth century scattered the seeds of modern dance. This art keep making headlines for their continued insubordination and at the same time, it helps to return to nature the likes of Vladimir Malakhov.
