The prestigious U.S. magazine Dance awarded its 2020 Prize to Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta, in recognition of his brilliant performances on the international scene and commitment to the development of dance in his country.

Considered since its establishment, in 1954, as one of the most valued awards in this field worldwide, Acosta is the third Cuban to receive this coveted distinction, granted, in 1958, by the great ballerina Alicia Alonso, and in 2004 to José Manuel Carreño.

In announcing the award, the magazine emphasized how Acosta, in addition to dancing with some of the world's most prominent companies, such as The Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and the Houston Ballet, has contributed important choreographies - Don Quixote, Carmen, and Guys and Dolls for London's West End scene - and is currently extending his leadership with the Acosta Danza company, founded in Havana in 2016, and the Birmingham Royal Ballet, in England, where he assumed the responsibility of artistic director this past January.

Acosta won Cuba’s 2011 National Prize for Dance and the 2011 Benois, and was awarded the National Dance Award in the United Kingdom in 2014, and in received the 2018 the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award, in that country.

This year's awards include those in the names of U.S. dancer Debbie Allen, known for her starring role in the two versions of the film Fame; Camille A. Brown, choreographer well known for incorporating African heritage in contemporary dance; Laurieann Gibson, notable for her contributions to live shows and video clips by Michael Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga; and Alonzo King, choreographer and founding director of the Lines Ballet, with a history of close to four decades.

It is no accident that 2020 laureates reflect in their skin color the pigmentation of their African ancestors. Dance Magazine described its verdict with the following words: "This year, in light of the profound reflections on racial equality inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, the selection committee decided to take a close look at exactly who the magazine has honored over the past seven decades. As expected, the list is overwhelmingly white. Although it has become more diverse in recent years, many brilliant black artists have been left out for too long.