Tribute to Cuban Ballerina Ana Gallardo, Principal Dancer of the Royal New Zealand Ballet

Wellington, 19 November 2025 — The Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in New Zealand paid a special tribute to Cuban ballerina Ana Gallardo, distinguished artist and Principal Dancer of the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB), at an event held at the company’s headquarters in Wellington.

The recognition was presided over by the Cuban Ambassador, Luis Ernesto Morejón Rodríguez, who expressed gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the RNZB’s Artistic Director, Ty King-Wall, the Executive Director, Tobias Perkins, as well as the entire management, artistic, and technical team of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. The Ambassador also conveyed his appreciation for the opportunity to attend a company rehearsal and share this simple yet meaningful tribute with its members.

In his remarks, Ambassador Morejón Rodríguez highlighted that Ana Gallardo is a graduate of Cuba’s national system of art schools, institutions widely recognized for the excellence of their training, technical rigor, and the transmission of values such as discipline, dedication, artistic sensitivity, and cultural commitment. He emphasized that Ana proudly embodies these educational traditions and projects them through her performance as one of the leading figures in the New Zealand dance scene.

As a symbol of Cuba’s recognition of her career, Ana was presented with a work by Cuban visual artist Yosvany Martínez Pérez, whose creation incorporates contemporary elements of Cuban artistic identity. This work was recently exhibited at the Tūranga Library in Christchurch during the Cuban Culture Day in New Zealand.

During the meeting, the Ambassador also officially presented the letter of invitation sent by the President of the Organizing Committee of the Havana International Ballet Festival, addressed to the Royal New Zealand Ballet. This communication opens a valuable opportunity to strengthen cultural ties and explore future avenues of artistic cooperation between the companies of both countries in the fields of ballet and dance.

The tribute concluded in an atmosphere of cordiality, mutual respect, and admiration for Ana Gallardo’s talent, who serves as a natural bridge between the dance traditions of Cuba and New Zealand and as an example of the contribution of Cuban artists to the international stage.