One may or may not agree with the awards, the long list of awards of North Atlantic Grand Prix Vladimir Malakhov Dance Contest. It is known that in dance and art all competition is often scope of subjectivities. Some would prefer, in fact, that emulation is deleted and the appointment was simply a meeting between dance lovers. But this writer very humbly believes that the contest has an undeniable appeal. Many of the dancers, choreographers and companies that arrive each year to Holguin are called precisely by symbolic recognition and material prize. These awards are putting the city on the festival circuit of dance. This is the beginning.
Thanks to the efforts and achievements of members of the Codanza Company Holguin has been a stronghold for the Cuban dance lately. But the almost proverbial meeting of Maricel Godoy (director and founder of this company), businessman Paul Seaquist and Ballet Star Vladimir Malakhov gave concrete bases to something that a few years ago would have seemed a dream: a meeting of international projection, more than 800 kilometers from the Cuban capital. That is far -geographically and also from the point of view of the concept of events- of major meetings of the performing arts in the country.
Holguin can boast of having one of the most varied artistic programs in the country. Thanks to this call, the audience can enjoy proposals that could hardly meet on one stage, without convening a figure as Vladimir Malakhov.
There is much to thank to Malakhov, Paul Seaquist, Maricel Godoy and Codanza, the host company. But nothing would be possible without the participation of the cultural institutions of the country, especially the Provincial Council of Performing Arts, who have shown great organizational skills.
Ready to dream are many: there are those who talk that Holguin can become in the Cuban capital- even Latin American - of dance. Big words. But beyond such high aspirations, the cultural movement of the city can already be proud of having one of the most dynamic performing arts festivals in the country. And that is something.
