Havana, Cuba.- Plastic artist Jesus Lara Sotelo presented on Wednesday the illustrated poetry collection ”Alicia y la elección de la Fe” (Alicia and the Choice of Faith), inspired by legendary dancer Alicia Alonso, who will turn 98 on December 21.

Publishing house Punto Rojo Libros, of Seville, Spain, published the volume that was exhibited at the Documentation Center of Gran Teatro de la Habana, a coliseum that in 2015 was renamed Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso.

The author himself illustrated the book with pictorial tributes that he made to the artist during the last decade. According to the critic and essayist Virgilio Lopez Lemus, Lara Sotelo goes beyond the honored of a woman, to converse with the myth. While for the critic Francisco Lopez Sacha, this is a book that can occupy any shelf of contemporary Cuban poetry.

The poetry book includes a selection in English and, for greater tribute, within the act of this Wednesday, the renowned pianist Frank Fernandez will share his music as a gift to his friend Alonso.

The presentation of Alicia y la elección de la Fe is part of the recognition and tribute of Cuban artists for a new anniversary of Alonso’s life, on December 21.