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Osvaldo Betancourt, connected to the cultural sector, published a public reflection this weekend in which he openly acknowledged the shortcomings threatening the survival of the Ballet de Camagüey, describing the hardships of the company as "visible and painful."
The text, spread on social media after attending a performance of "Friday of Dance," describes a scene of deterioration that includes a lack of shoes, costumes in poor condition, and a critical construction situation at the company's headquarters, especially in its dance halls.
"Nearly fifty-nine years of its existence have not shielded the company from the wear and tear of time, the ongoing exodus of young talent, the lack of shoes and costumes, and the challenging construction situation of its headquarters, particularly its dance halls," wrote Betancourt.
Moreover, she described the "Dance Friday" as an initiative created by the general director Regina Balaguer and her artistic team to keep stage performances alive despite the scarcity of resources.
During the event, he remarked, "the constant dialogue was about the daily hardships faced by the company, visible and painful, but with a tremendous love that seeks to erase them."
The statement is unusual in the Cuban official discourse, where the decline of state cultural institutions is rarely acknowledged in public.
Betancourt appealed to the urgency of protecting what he called "the miracle" of this provincial company: "Safeguarding this company is not an act of provincial romanticism; it is a necessity for Cuban culture."
Founded on December 1, 1967, the Camagüey Ballet is regarded as the first classical ballet company established by the Cuban Revolution and has a repertoire of over 200 classical and contemporary works.
The crisis facing this institution is not an isolated case.
The sustained exodus of Cuban dancers abroad has reduced the National Ballet of Cuba's roster to about 55 members, according to data from September 2025, while in November of that year, the National Ballet suspended performances due to an outbreak of arboviral disease.
The deep economic crisis that Cuba is facing—characterized by prolonged blackouts, inflation, and widespread shortages—affects provincial cultural institutions especially hard, as they operate with smaller budgets and less visibility than those in the capital.
Despite the described scenario, Betancourt concluded his text with an acknowledgment of those who support the company: "The Ballet of Camagüey is a statement of principles of resilience from a province; continuing to exist in such difficult times is a testament to the nobility of all its members."
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