Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac has revealed that there are days when he wakes up ready to leave the country, while on other days, he remains determined to stay. In an interview with Hyper Media Magazine, he discussed the obstacles that have been placed in his path in Cuba and the censorship he currently faces. The actor detailed the two main factors he considers in his decision to emigrate or not. On one hand, he noted, "artistically, there's nothing left for me to do here," and on the other, "starting over anywhere at 60 is an epic challenge."
Toirac mentioned the unwritten prohibition against him performing in theater shows, explaining that he doesn't know who is acting as the censor because he hasn't seen an official, signed ban. "One only sees one refusal after another and a sepulchral silence when the modus operandi is made public. It's a Machiavellian mechanism, and that's when you understand the State's desire to monopolize opinion venues: from newspapers and radio stations to stages," he said.
The comedian and screenwriter also spoke about the regime's old practice of filling theaters with government workers when a "problematic" artist performs, selling fewer tickets to the public. In his view, this is a "tool of intimidation against artists." "I've seen this mechanism at play in the Acapulco, the Mella Theater, and the Karl Marx Theater. Entire sections of the auditorium are reserved for government workers, filled with individuals 'combatively ready to repel contrary expressions.' Sometimes, I even greeted these spectators from the stage," he recalled.
"On one occasion, I had to threaten to cancel a show in the Acapulco's video room because, even before the public from the queue had entered, the room was already 50% filled with members of the Rapid Response Brigades. Things were getting heated. And the artist on stage feels that," he added.
Toirac stressed that for a healthy relationship between the State and culture, it is essential for creators to have freedom of expression, both formally and conceptually. "There should be no specific laws for artists. Society's laws should be enough," he noted.
Finally, he reiterated his belief that a dialogue between artists and authorities is possible. "The issue is that the terms of that dialogue change. It depends on the intelligence, the survival capacity, and the awareness of what it means when the dialogue ends," he emphasized.
Challenges Faced by Cuban Artists
In this section, we address some common questions about the challenges faced by Cuban artists, particularly those related to censorship and government control.
What are the main obstacles faced by Cuban artists like Ulises Toirac?
Cuban artists often face censorship, unwritten prohibitions, and government practices designed to intimidate and control creative expression. These obstacles can severely limit their ability to perform and share their work.
How does the Cuban government control artistic expression?
The Cuban government controls artistic expression through censorship, refusal of performance permissions, and filling theaters with government workers to prevent public dissent. These actions create an environment of fear and limit the freedom of artists.