and set new standards of grace and set new standards of grace and athleticism in theatres around the world. having retired from the classical stage he set up his own cuban dance company, and is also a director of the berlin royal ballet. welcome. let s start in cuba, with your family, ballet. welcome. let s start in cuba, with yourfamily, your upbringing, a happy childhood? very happy, i must say, although in the 80s in cuba, ourfamily was i although in the 80s in cuba, our family was i would say, it was poorer than most families but still there was a big big sense of community, it was a good time for cuba, anybody could participate, do everything that society offers, obviously education was free, there was a lot of community parties that brought the community together. i was very restless as a kid and it was in the 80s where the breakdancing movement started in cuba and everything, so i was into breakdancing, obviously, later on in my family, my mother started to have some p
Me and filled me with confidence and that is the difference. there is so much difference. there is so much difference on whether you win or lose because if you have an everyday disconnection with your teacher, so much you dance for her. you just go and clap and so you did very well, and that took a lot of the pressure in that contest, always having her sayjust in that contest, always having her say just dance and in that contest, always having her sayjust dance and enjoy and just say, well, you do not need to win. andjust say, well, you do not need to win. need to win. just en oy. first time in europe, i need to win. just en oy. first time in europe, 16 i need to win. just enjoy. first time in europe, 16 and i need to win. just enjoy. first time in europe, 16 and a i need to win. just enjoy. first i time in europe, 16 and a major competition. what do you remember of that day and what did you dance? in remember of that day and what did you dance? did you dance? in loss and, donkey hot