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Cuban dancers defect
Herald.com / The Miami Herald ^
| Thu, Oct. 16, 2003
| TERE FIGUERAS
Posted on 10/16/2003 1:56:21 PM PDT by The Bronze Titan
The day before the renowned Cuban National Ballet took to the stage in Daytona Beach, two of its young dancers slipped away in a startling pas de deux, hoping for a new life in America.
Gema Díaz, 21, and Cervilio Amador, 20, were supposed to perform in the company's production of Don Quixote on Sunday.
But the pair had already defected, spirited away Saturday in a taxi that ferried them to West Palm Beach.
By Wednesday, they were meeting with an immigration attorney in Coral Gables, preparing to officially ask for political asylum.
''This is an extraordinary story,'' said attorney Nelson Rodriguez-Varela. ``This is a very nice couple that were up-and-coming dancers with the national ballet, but artists in Cuba are extremely suppressed.''
Amador, who spoke to reporters at Rodriguez-Varela's office Wednesday, said the company's tours through the United States and Europe inspired him to defect.
''I began to see how people around the world live, what their individual capacities can achieve in an atmosphere of freedom,'' he told El Nuevo Herald.
The ballet company is on a seven-week, 20-city tour and now is in New York. Daytona Beach was the closest it came to Miami.
''They feel they have a lot of support here in the exile community and that people will help them realize their dreams,'' said Rodriguez-Varela, who said he was referred to the couple by friends in Miami.
The ballet company didn't acknowledge the pair's absence Sunday in Daytona Beach: Díaz and Amador were still listed in the programs for Don Quixote, based on Cervantes' tale of idealism in the face of ridiculous odds.
Díaz was to dance the role of Dulcinea, Don Quixote's ideal love. Amador was to dance the part of a young gypsy. And as of Wednesday, the Cuban National Ballet's website made no mention of the defections: Diaz and Amador were still listed on the company's roster.
TOPICS: Breaking News; Cuba; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: cuba; defectors; freedom
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To: The Bronze Titan
I bet Martin Sheen is upset.
2
posted on
10/16/2003 1:58:05 PM PDT
by
Paleo Conservative
(Do not remove this tag under penalty of law.)
To: The Bronze Titan
Impossible! Cuba is a paradise on Earth where everyone can read and has a job and free health care. Ed Asner said so. This is a capitalist lie!
3
posted on
10/16/2003 1:58:07 PM PDT
by
TheBigB
("If my country calls, I will answer. Unless I'm screening."--Homer J. Simpson)
To: The Bronze Titan
I'd like to get a picture of the girl dancer.
I'd bet she's smokin!
To: The Bronze Titan
A great quote:
"I began to see how people around the world live, what their individual capacities can achieve in an atmosphere of freedom," he told El Nuevo Herald.
5
posted on
10/16/2003 1:59:31 PM PDT
by
Yardstick
To: The Bronze Titan
...the renowned Cuban National Ballet... Renowned for the number of new positions open every time they return to Cuba.
6
posted on
10/16/2003 2:00:08 PM PDT
by
theDentist
(Liberals can sugarcoat sh** all they want. I'm not biting.)
To: theDentist
What is it with Commies and the Ballet anyway?
To: The Bronze Titan
renowned Cuban National Ballet
Renowned for the torture?
8
posted on
10/16/2003 2:02:00 PM PDT
by
July 4th
To: Paleo Conservative
Talk about happy feet.
Or is it feet do your stuff?
I could have danced all night,
I could have danced all night
As long as I danced a-way. . .
(to freedom, that is!)
9
posted on
10/16/2003 2:02:47 PM PDT
by
No Truce With Kings
(The opinions expressed are mine! Mine! MINE! All Mine!)
To: The Bronze Titan
I bet Janet Reno is pissed.
10
posted on
10/16/2003 2:02:59 PM PDT
by
lawnguy
To: The Bronze Titan
Quick!
Somebody lock up Janet Reno!
Tia
11
posted on
10/16/2003 2:03:03 PM PDT
by
tiamat
("Just a Bronze-Age Gal, Trapped in a Techno World!")
To: The Bronze Titan
...Praise GOD that...
...President BUSH has promised...
...FREEDOM's Return to:
Communist Cuba
Communist Vietnam
Communist North Korea
...during a BUSH Presidency.
CLARITY is as CLARITY does..?
12
posted on
10/16/2003 2:03:12 PM PDT
by
ALOHA RONNIE
(Vet-Battle of IA DRANG-1965 www.LZXRAY.)
To: The Bronze Titan
Quick! Ship them back to Cuba to dance for Elian. Where's my assault rifle? /goofy
To: The Bronze Titan
George Steinbrenner just signed them both, hoping at least one of them is a guy. How do you spell RELIEF in Cuban?
To: nuffsenuff
To: nuffsenuff
Balance. It gives them the feeling of culture and peace while henchmen are beating and shooting the locals.
16
posted on
10/16/2003 2:15:46 PM PDT
by
theDentist
(Liberals can sugarcoat sh** all they want. I'm not biting.)
To: Slicksadick
The one in red!
Classic!
To: The Bronze Titan
Cuban dancers defect
Maybe I missed it somewhere in the text. So, what was the dancer's defect anyway, fallen arches, bunions, pigeon toes?
To: Slicksadick
Gee...thanks for the clarification.
19
posted on
10/16/2003 2:18:40 PM PDT
by
David1
To: Slicksadick
Looks like a Robert Palmer video.
R.I.P.
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