Panama, June 5, 2026. With a night full of art, talent and emotion, the City of the Arts was the stage of the opening of Panama Ballet Fest, the first International Ballet Festival organized by the Ministry of Culture in honor of Dame Margot Fonteyn, one of the great figures of classical world dance, whose legacy continues to inspire generations of dancers around the world.

With the participation of more than a hundred artists from 11 countries, the opening night did not only dazzle with its technical and artistic display but became an historic act of cultural justice by recognizing the merit, trajectory and tirelessly work of dance professionals in Panama.

The high hour of the evening was dedicated to honoring those who have dedicated their lives to the development, teaching and management of this art in the country, setting the foundations for the present and future generations.

The recognition gala included the surrender of important institutional medals with the name of great reference points of national dance history.

The best distinction from the festival, the Margot Fonteyn Medal to the Special Course at the Ballet, was awarded to the teachers Raisa Gutiérrez, Brenda Arias, Josefina Nicoletti and Alberto González, in recognition of their outstanding careers and their invaluable contribution to the classical ballet.

Also, the Teresa ManN Medal for Cultural Management was awarded to Josefina Nicoletti and Patricia Galindo. That distinction was given by Carlos Guevara Mann, who moved the public by recalling his mother's profound educational legacy and expressing his pride at the establishment of this prize that perpetuates his memory.

For its part, the Joyce Vives Medal for Modern Dance was awarded to outstanding professional Mireya Navarro, celebrating its impact on the evolution of dance in the country, while the Julio Araúz Medal for Young Promises was given to Anna Sofia Calvo, meeting the festival's commitment to generational relief and impetus to the new Panamanian talent.

During this event, the Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, gave a profound thank-you to the honors and emphasized the value of their constancy and the sense of community that united the guild and noted that while the path had been an easy one, these great figures have opened up the gates to celebrate and share this historic moment and have called them to continue to inspire new generations.

The evening also featured the premiere of a piece by the choreographer Eduardo Blanco and the presence of leading international figures such as Viengsay Valdés, General Director of the National Ballet of Cuba.

That activity closed the night with different presentations by the guest companies highlighting Panama Ballet Fest as the official space for the fair recognition of the human heritage of national dance and to give impetus to new spaces for the development of performing arts, strengthening dance as a fundamental expression of culture.

The National Ballet of Panama, under the artistic direction of Sasa Adamovic, invites them to enjoy this historic International Ballet Meeting, which brings leading national and international artists up to June 7 at the Torrijos Aurea Multifunctional Auditorium. Take your tickets through Panateckets and be a part of this great dance celebration.