I stumbled across a recent profile on Issac Hernandez, a ballet dancer from Mexico.  Here are a few excerpts:

Hernandez decided to stage his own professional performances in Mexico, and also traveled throughout the country to give workshops to students at universities and schools of the arts. “That has given me a sense of the reality and the needs that they have,” he said. “And one of the greatest needs that they have is to have somebody to look up to.”

…Hernandez hadn’t danced in his native country since he was 14, then last November he returned to the Bellas Artes theater in a program he called “A Moment to Dream,” referring to his desire to bring ballet to Mexico. Last week he was back, this time organizing a gala performance called “Awakenings” at Mexico’s much larger National Auditorium.

…Hernandez himself performed four numbers, including one with his brother Esteban, 18, who is also causing a stir in the dance world as he finishes his final year at the Royal Ballet [School]. The audience gave the company a standing ovation, cheering and shouting “bravo” each time their native son spun and flew across the stage.

…“Mexico and the world are full of problems more important than the loss of culture. But that’s what makes us so crazy, to lose the small things that at the end of the day make us more human, that thing called art.”  Read the rest of his story and interview over at Boys and Ballet.

~

As the article mentions, Mexico is known more for its ballet folklorico not for ballet.  But both art forms are beautiful and necessary.  As Issac points out, the small things – the arts – are what make us more human.  It is through art, culture, and dance that we discover the beauty of who we are and who we are called to be, individually and collectively.