Argentina’s greatest living ballet dancer, Marianela Núñez, the principal of London's Royal Ballet, has been decorated with one of Britain’s highest honours by King Charles III.
Núñez, 43, was honoured as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her “services to dance” at a lush reception at Windsor Castle in west London on Tuesday.
The event, which the dancer’s parents also attended, was King Charles III’s first public engagement since a short spell in hospital last week for side effects from his cancer treatment.
“Twenty-eight years ago I arrived in this incredible country with my heart full of hopes, dreams and – the real source of it all – my love and passion for dance,” Núñez wrote in an emotional post on social media.
“Joining The Royal Ballet and becoming a Ballerina here was my childhood dream …but thanks to this institution and this country, I got to fulfil many other dreams too, beyond my wildest imagination.
“Today my journey was celebrated in the most special way receiving my OBE from His Majesty King Charles III – something I never imagined would happen but somehow it did!!!”
She also revealed that musicians were playing a classic tango tune as she entered Windsor Castle, a turn of events that left her parents emotional.
Núñez joined The Royal Ballet in 1998 and she was promoted to principal dancer in 2002, when she was just 20 years old.
The dancer, who was born in San Martín, Buenos Aires Province and is today a dual British citizen, began her training at the age of six at the famous Teatro Colón ballet school in Argentina’s capital, before joining the institution's company at 14.
Recognition of Núñez's career was enthusiastically cheered by The Royal Ballet. Kevin O’Hare CBE, its director, praised the dancer’s “dedication to her art.”
“Her phenomenal technique and artistry, combined with her devotion to the Company and unique ability to connect with audiences, make her a brilliant ambassador for ballet. She is a huge inspiration to performers and aspiring dancers worldwide. We couldn’t be prouder, he concluded.
Fátima Nollén, the president of the UK-based Anglo Argentine Society, founded in 1948, added her voice to the congratulations.
“For years, Marianela Núñez has been raising the name of Argentina on the stage of The Royal Ballet and the world,,” Nollén said in comments to the AFP news agency that praised the “undisputed virtuosity of her dancing.”
"For those of us who love art and dance in particular, we are very proud that she has been honoured and we know how much she deserves this distinction," she added.
Upon learning of the nomination back in January, Núñez said she was “deeply honoured and humbled.”
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this OBE. I have been privileged to make The Royal Ballet my dancing home for over a quarter-century and receiving one of this country’s most special honours means the world to me,” she said in a statement.
“I am indebted to everyone who has supported me over the years to help communicate the life-affirming power of dance,” added Núñez.
– TIMES/AFP
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