American Ballet Theatre to return to Cuba in November after 50-yr hiatus

New York, Aug 19(ANI): The New York-based American Ballet Theatre company will perform at the Havana International Ballet Festival in Cuba for the first time in 50 years in November.

The company has not performed in Cuba since the inaugural event in 1960 due to the US embargo imposed against the country.

However, the Obama administration has now given permission to the troupe to perform at the festival, to be held at the Karl Marx Theatre.

American Ballet executive director Rachel Moore said that the company would perform scenes from ballets including Alexei Ratmansky's Seven Sonatas and Fancy Free by Jerome Robbins.

When asked if it was a sign of an easing of relations between the US and Cuba, Moore said: "I can't speak for the politics, but I do believe that the arts are a tremendous bridge between communities."

"Dance is an art form that doesn't require a knowledge of language," The BBC quoted Moore, as saying.

According to reports, the Obama administration is also considering easing restrictions on travel for US students, researchers and educators as well as for religious and cultural groups. (ANI)