Cuban comedian Andy Vázquez made a generous offer to his colleague and fellow countryman Ulises Toirac, should he finally decide to leave the island. Ulises, in an interview with the Cultural Rights Observatory, admitted that there are days when he feels ready to leave Cuba, while on other days, he remains determined to stay.
"You have a room in my house available," Andy offered in a CiberCuba post on his Facebook wall. The post featured numerous messages of support from exiled artists.
"Oh, my friend, how tough, unfair, and outrageous it all is, because a bunch of kidnappers and bandits decided so," stated actor Armando Tomey.
"Get out of hellish Cuba; the PCC is a terrorist and criminal organization," declared broadcaster Yunior Morales.
"I arrived in Spain at 58 and managed to get ahead," emphasized María Victoria Gil Fernández, remembered by viewers for her years as the host of the TV show De la Gran Escena.
In his recent interview, Ulises Toirac discussed the censorship he faces in Cuba and the dilemma he faces in deciding whether to emigrate. On one hand, he feels that "artistically, there's nothing left for me to do" in Cuba, while on the other hand, "starting over anywhere at 60 is an epic challenge," he shared.
Andy Vázquez, who faced severe censorship on the island, was expelled from Cuban television in 2019 due to his social media opinions, prompting his permanent move to the United States. At that time, Ulises publicly stated that Cuban television "will never get out of its labyrinth," and the situation had spiraled out of control as they tried to blame the creators of Vivir del Cuento, when in reality, they "fought against the measure with all their might."
The actor, known for his role as Facundo Correcto, managed to bring his wife and daughter with him in August 2021, almost two years after his departure. Earlier this year, he moved to Cape Coral with his family, and they are expecting the birth of their second daughter in the coming days.
FAQs About Cuban Artists in Exile
Below are some frequently asked questions about the situation faced by Cuban artists who choose to leave their homeland, and the challenges they encounter.
Why did Andy Vázquez leave Cuba?
Andy Vázquez left Cuba after being expelled from Cuban television in 2019 due to his opinions shared on social media, which led to severe censorship.
What challenges do Cuban artists face when they decide to emigrate?
Cuban artists who choose to emigrate face challenges such as starting over in a new country, finding new opportunities, and dealing with the emotional and cultural adjustments of leaving their homeland.