The Cuban National Ballet, directed by prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, dedicates today the premiere of the piece entitled "Vilma" to the 55th anniversary of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC). The Teatro Nacional de Cuba's Avellaneda hall in the capital will host the performance, with choreography by Eduardo Blanco and inspired in the life of one of the heroines of the Cuban Revolution, Vilma Espin.

According to Alonso, when the dance tribute was conceived, they tried to retell the great contributions of that woman, who led for many years an association of females in this island.

Vilma contributed to the construction of a new world and we wanted, through a ballet, to recalls her beautiful journey since she was young, and her struggle for the vindication of women, the prima ballerina assoluta said in a press release.

The piece tries to cover in a single act, a whole rich life in events, Alonso said.

This gala tribute for the 85th anniversary of Vilma's birthday and the 55th anniversary of the FMC will be a respectful approach to the essence of that so beloved heroin, and remembered by our people, she said.

Vilma Espin was a member of the July 26 Movement and fought in the Sierra Maestra mountain range to overthrow the Fulgencio Batista dictatorship. After the triumph of the Revolution, she became the president of the Federation of Cuban Women until her death in 2007, at the age of 77.