Grant Australian Artist Visa to esteemed, talented Cuban dance teacher: Dayan Sanchez Marsilli

 

As passionate learners of Cuban dance and culture, we are facing a disappointing challenge. 

An important figure within the international Cuban dance industry; Dayan Sanchez Marsilli has had his temporary artist visa to Australia unfairly rejected twice. 

Dayan lives in Havana and is an exceptional and versatile Cuban artist and instructor.

Reputable schools, including ours, have invited Dayan to inspire and train passionate students in a variety of Cuban dance genres from traditional afro roots, rumba to classic salon dances: son, cha cha cha and mambo. Dayan also specialises in teaching popular street styles such as salsa, timba, rueda de casino and reggaeton.

Please note that this is a fully sponsored visa, meaning the financial commitment is wholly taken care of by organisations here in Australia. 

More than 80 of us have had the privilege to learn from Dayan since 2015 during our annual La Bomba cultural dance tours to Cuba.

Each year we have developed stronger ties and a sincere friendship with our Cuban dance instructor has flourished so we yearn for an opportunity for him to finally come and teach us in Australia for a few months and proudly show him our beloved country and traditions.

Sadly our desire to educate ourselves about the rich tapestry of Cuban culture is being hindered by this recurrent denial of a temporary artist visa.

Australia has a long cultural history of welcoming artists of varying nationalities. It's known as a land that cherishes diversity and appreciates international talent, as verified by Australia Council for the Arts report stating that around 695 visas were granted to international artists in 2018-19.

It is unjust and upsetting that our Cuban counterpart is being rejected on account of his countries economic and political conditions. Art is not bound by nationality and wealth, and it should never be. We hope the Australian immigration authorities reevaluate and allow this invaluable cultural exchange to happen.

We as a local dance community are diligent and will take responsibility that no artist that we bring over will be one to break the Visa rule or overstay as this is the repeated reason that is being stated for denial of Dayans Visa.

 

La Bomba Productions has organised 'CUBATA FEST' an inaugral Afro Cuban Dance Festival happening in Adelaide, October long weekend. Dayan is the headline artist to be featured and we are excited to have him here for this important cultural event.

 

PLEASE/ POR FAVOR SIGN THIS PETITION to support our call for fair consideration of Cuban artist visas and help bring our cherished dance teacher: Dayan to Australia