The National Ballet of Cuba has launched its Russian tour in St. PetersburgThe company presented Giselle, choreographed by Alicia Alonso

The opening performance took place on 24 September 2026, on the historic stage of the Mariinsky Theatre as part of the 12th St. Petersburg International Forum of United Cultures. The company performed Giselle, choreographed by Alicia Alonso — the production that first brought Cuba onto the global ballet stage.

“This visit to Russia marks a significant milestone in our collaboration. It guarantees that we will continue to strengthen our ties, particularly in the sphere of culture. We have always admired Russian ballet.  The performance we are presenting to the audience today is the fruit of this long-standing cooperation,” said Viengsay Valdés, General Director of the National Ballet of Cuba.

The lead roles were performed by Annette Delgado (Giselle), Anyelo Montero (Albrecht), Ernesto Díaz (Hilarion), and Gabriela Druyet (Myrtha).

The tour of the Cuban troupe will continue on 27 September in Moscow at the New Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia. On 29 September, the artists will perform at the A. Pushkin State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in Nizhny Novgorod. On 3 October, the National Ballet of Cuba will conclude the Russian tour on stage of the Samara D. Shostakovich Academic Opera and Ballet.

The tour is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and organized by the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Culture ROSCONCERT.