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The teachings, knowledge, and practices of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba (CFNC) were declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation during the closing of the II International Congress on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, held in Havana from June 30 to July 2.
The recognition was awarded by the National Council of Cultural Heritage of Cuba, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana, at an event held at the National Museum of Fine Arts, which included the I International Symposium on Intangible Cultural Heritage, featuring participation from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Leiván García Valle, artistic and general director of the CFNC, shared the news this Friday through his social media: "Yesterday was one of those days that I will always cherish among the most special of my life. After several years of work, commitment, and perseverance, we achieved the declaration of the teachings, knowledge, and practices of the National Folkloric Ensemble as Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation."
García Valle, who took over the leadership of the institution in February 2023, succeeding Maestro Manolo Micler —who led it for over 20 years— emphasized the collective nature of the achievement: "This is an award for Cuba and for all those who, with dedication, passion, and sacrifice, have left their sweat on the ground of the National Folkloric Ensemble. It is recognition for those who were there, those who are here, and those who will be, supporting and enriching this invaluable legacy."
The declaration encompasses not only the artistic repertoire of the company but specifically its teachings, knowledge, and practices, thereby acknowledging the pedagogical and cultural transmission dimension that the institution has upheld for over six decades.
The announcement generated a wide response in the Cuban cultural world. Viengsay Valdés, principal dancer and general director of the National Ballet of Cuba, sent a public letter of congratulations to García Valle, in which she described the appointment as "very fair and necessary, not only as a recognition of years of perseverance, dedication, consistency, and commitment, but also because the Ensemble has been, since its founding days, one of our most valuable institutions dedicated to rescuing, preserving, and safeguarding the most authentic aspects of our culture and traditions."
Founded on May 7, 1962 by the ethnologist Rogelio Martínez Furé and the Mexican choreographer Rodolfo Reyes Cortés, the CFNC was established with the mission of systematizing the dance and musical roots of Cuba —particularly those of African origin: Yoruba, Congo, and Abakuá— within a modern theatrical presentation. Its first public performance took place on July 25, 1963, at the Teatro Mella. In its more than 64 years of existence, the institution has completed over 80 international tours.
The declaration comes at a time of successive recognitions for Cuba's intangible heritage: rumba was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in November 2016, and Son Cubano received the same honor in December 2025. The recognition of the CFNC also follows recent losses for the island's folklore: Alfredo O'Farrill, an indispensable figure of the institution with over 30 years in its ranks, passed away in Havana in 2025, and Amado Dedeu Hernández, founder of Clave and Guaguancó and winner of a Latin Grammy in 2001, died on February 15, 2026.
"We celebrate a collective achievement that recognizes the strength of our roots, the richness of our traditions, and the value of an institution that has dedicated its life to preserving and transmitting Cuban culture," wrote García Valle to conclude his message.
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