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The Organizing Committee of the Grand Prix de La Habana announced the postponement of the 2026 edition of the international ballet competition, citing as reasons the energy crisis that is paralyzing Cuba and the need to carry out repair work at the event venue.
The official statement, released by the National Ballet School of Cuba, indicates that the decision is due to "force majeure reasons" and that "the electric power situation currently affecting the country" prevents "ensuring the technical and comfort conditions required for the optimal development of an event of this category and international prestige."
The new proposed date is the third week of July 2027, according to the statement itself, which expresses "deep regret for any inconvenience this measure may cause to the dancers, choreographers, teachers, judges, and attending audience."
The suspension comes just two weeks after the announcement was published on May 4 by the Fernando Alonso National Ballet School, with registrations open until June 7 for dancers aged nine to 20 in the categories of Beginners, Small, Children, Youth, and Advanced.
The anticipated awards included scholarships, internships, and intensive courses in various countries, which makes the cancellation a direct blow to dozens of young talents who were already preparing to compete.
The energy backdrop that motivated the decision is devastating. Cuba broke records for blackouts on May 13, when the Electric Union reported a deficit of 2,153 MW, and this Sunday the situation barely improves: only 1,147 MW available against a demand of 3,200 MW.
The Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, acknowledged that in Havana there are circuits experiencing power outages of 20 to 22 hours a day and described the situation as "severe, critical," and "extremely tense."
Cuba did not receive any fuel ships between December 2025 and late March 2026. A Russian donation of 100,000 tons of crude oil in April briefly alleviated the crisis, but that supply ran out in early May without sufficient replacement.
The usual headquarters of the Cuban ballet, the Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso, is plagued by chronic structural problems: it closed in February 2023 due to termite damage and detachments in the upper slab, and in October 2025 it underwent renovations again due to serious structural damages, less than a decade after its major restoration.
The postponement of the Grand Prix adds to a series of cultural cancellations caused by the same crisis: the 34th International Book Fair of Havana was postponed without a new date in January 2026, and the 26th Festival del Habano, along with performances at the National Theater and Karl Marx, were also suspended.
The organizing committee concluded its statement by reaffirming its commitment to classical dance: "As soon as conditions permit, we will resume the organization of this competition, which is one of the most significant events in the world of ballet."
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