GRAN TEATRO DE LA HABANA ALICIA ALONSO
HAVANA’S CENTRO GALLEGO
Standing next to Cuba’s Capitol building on the Paseo del Prado in Old Havana is the Grand Theater Alicia Alonso, but the building was originally Havana’s Centro Gallego. It is the most impressive social club built by Spanish immigrants from the Province of Galicia anywhere in the world. It served as their social club from 1915 until it was expropriated by the revolutionary communist government in 1960 and eventually became the Grand Theater of Havana. The original Centro Gallego was built over the Teatro Tacon, which had been on the site since 1840, but was left intact during the building of the Centro Gallego which commenced in 1908. It eventually became the home of the Cuban National Ballet and was recently renamed the Gran Teatro Alicia Alonso.
HAVANA’S GRAND THEATER ALICIA ALONSO
The Grand Theater of Havana faces the Paseo del Prado and San Rafael Boulevard runs along its southern side. Locals refer to it as the birthday cake because of its elaborate and ornate construction. After several years of restoration, it reopened its doors in 2016 and is currently open for guided tours Monday through Friday. From October 26th through October 28th, 2018 the Theater celebrated the Havana Ballet Festival and hosts foreign ballets and other musical events throughout the year.
By Dina GomGar & Frank Gonzalez