Alicia Alonso, a Candidate for Prince of Asturias Prize

Havana, May 2. -The director of the Cuban National Ballet (BNC), Alicia Alonso, is among the candidates for the Prince of Asturias Arts Award 2011, to be unveiled on May 4 in Oviedo, northern Spain.

Some 34 candidates are competing for this prize, which will be the first of eight awards given by the Prince of Asturias Foundation, the Spanish news agency EFE reported.

The Arts Award is granted to the person, group of persons or institution whose work in architecture, dance, music, film, sculpture, painting or other art form constitutes a significant contribution to the cultural heritage of humanity.

The eight Prince of Asturias prizes, each endowed with 50,000 Euros and a sculpture by Joan Miro, will be presented by Spainâ�Ös Prince Felipe de Borbon in a solemn ceremony in late October at the Campoamor Theater in Oviedo.

Prima Ballerina Assoluta Alicia Alonso is considered a top ballet figure in Ibero-America and one of the greatest dance legends in history.

During her career, Alonso has received several national and international recognitions, and was named in 2002 as a goodwill ambassador of UNESCO. (Prensa Latina)