Nieves María Torres Scull, known in the entertainment world as Nieves Nivis, The Whirlwind, passed away on the afternoon of Friday, May 8th, at La Dependiente Hospital in Havana after enduring a prolonged and painful illness.
Her remains were laid to rest at the Santa Catalina Funeral Home in La Víbora, located in the 10 de Octubre municipality.
The announcement was made by Ángel Ernesto García Brito, a communicator and artistic director who supported her in her later years. He publicly addressed the Ministry of Culture, ICRT, Cubavisión, and other cultural institutions in Cuba, criticizing their neglect towards her.
Nieves Nivis was a beloved figure for millions of Cubans as part of the second winning couple on the popular TV dance show Para Bailar, alongside her partner Alfredo.
The duo belonged to the University of Havana's dance group and clinched the competition in 1979. The final took place at the Juan Abrantes stadium due to overwhelming public interest that exceeded the television studio's capacity.
The program, broadcast on Sundays at 2 PM on Cuba's Channel 6, was a national sensation. As Nieves herself recounted in an interview, "The show broke all molds and wasn't a copy of anything foreign."
Her passion for dance, ignited by this experience, led her to dedicate her life to the art form. Yet, her career extended far beyond this celebrated moment on television.
Legacy Beyond Dance
Nieves Nivis was the First Ballerina of the National Folkloric Ensemble of Cuba, held a degree in Physical Culture, taught at the Camilitos, sang with the EPCME Adolfo Guzmán company, and was trained in oral storytelling by Mayra Navarro.
She was honored with the Raúl Gómez García Medal for her tireless cultural contributions and numerous free community activities.
Her death was compounded by a double tragedy. Just months before, she lost her son, who had suffered from a childhood illness. Her family shielded her from the news to protect her fragile health. "She lost her son just months earlier, and we kept it from her to preserve her health as long as possible," García Brito revealed.
In a Facebook video posted shortly before her passing, Nieves shared with her followers that her health was deteriorating: "The ailments have significantly worsened. I need a walker, and my son is in an excellent institution with caring nuns."
Community Support Amid Institutional Failure
In her later years, a small group of friends and supporters formed a WhatsApp chat named "Por Nuestra Nieves" to provide her with food, medicine, financial assistance, and companionship—services that Cuban cultural institutions failed to deliver.
García Brito publicly denounced this neglect and suggested that her death might have been hastened by hospital negligence. "We'll discuss later the mistreatment by today's nursing shift at that hospital, starting with the person in charge. I hope her farewell wasn't expedited by negligence," he stated.
Nieves Nivis's case is emblematic of a recurring and painful pattern in Cuba. Actor Jorge Losada died on April 5 in similar institutional neglect, and Samuel Claxton passed away in May 2025 without basic medical supplies. In each instance, it was citizen networks, not the state, that supported these artists in their final days.
The neglect of those who dedicated their lives to Cuba's cultural revolution has sparked growing outrage among the island's artists and intellectuals. Colleagues of Samuel Claxton also voiced their grievances, yet institutional changes remain absent.
"To the institutions that should have cared but didn't, I urge you to support those who gave everything. Don't abandon them when they need you the most," García Brito implored. He concluded with a poignant note of irony: "She left on the Day of the Son, a genre she fiercely championed."
The State of Cultural Legacy in Cuba
Who was Nieves Nivis?
Nieves Nivis, born Nieves María Torres Scull, was a celebrated Cuban dancer, known for her performance on the popular TV show Para Bailar. She also held various roles in Cuba's cultural scene, including First Ballerina of the National Folkloric Ensemble.
What led to the public criticism of Cuban cultural institutions?
The criticism arose from the perceived neglect and lack of support for Nieves Nivis during her illness, highlighting a broader pattern of institutional failure to care for artists who have dedicated their lives to Cuba's cultural heritage.
How did the community support Nieves Nivis?
A group of friends and supporters organized a WhatsApp chat called "Por Nuestra Nieves" to provide her with essential supplies and emotional support, stepping in where institutional aid was lacking.