Comedian Ulises Toirac shared a post on his Facebook profile, hours after his colleague Andy Vázquez offered him a room in his Florida home if he decides to leave Cuba.
Without naming names or events, Ulises revealed that he has friends who have helped him "without publicizing it" and emphasized that such gestures should be made quietly. "Folks, I love you all and embrace you all, but don't use me for show. I have many friends who have helped me. And they have done it without publishing a word. Friends who have helped with the little they can and friends who have spent a considerable amount from their pocket. Not one has published a word," he stated.
"The first thing someone who is going to help does is communicate it to the one they are helping, not publicize it without having contacted them. Social media is not real life. Real life is outside. A kiss and a hug and I still love you as always," he added.
This week, Ulises gave an interview to the Observatory of Cultural Rights where he mentioned that there are days when he is ready to leave the country and others when he is determined to stay. "Here you have a room in my house available," Andy offered in a post on CiberCuba's Facebook wall, a gesture that apparently did not sit well with his colleague.
Ulises Toirac's Dilemma: To Stay or To Go
In his interview, Toirac spoke about the censorship he faces in Cuba and detailed the dilemma he has about deciding whether to emigrate. On one hand, in his country, "artistically, there's nothing left for me to do," and on the other, "starting anywhere at 60 is an epic challenge," he said.
The comedian has traveled to Miami several times in the past but always chose to return to his country. In 2022, he had to address rumors that spread on social media saying he had emigrated, and he shared a post on Facebook to clarify that he had not left. "I’m still here (...) partly by my own will and partly due to circumstances. I am not a champion of exaggerated patriotism; simply, the center of my work and my family has remained in Cuba," he clarified then.
For his part, Andy Vázquez emigrated to the United States in 2019 after being expelled from Cuban television for his opinions on social media. At that time, Ulises publicly stated that Cuban television "will not get out of its labyrinth," and that the situation had spiraled out of control by trying to blame the creators of Vivir del Cuento, when in fact, they "opposed the measure with all their strength."
The actor who plays 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 his second daughter is due to be born in the coming days.
Ulises Toirac's Challenges and Decisions
In light of the recent events and interviews, here are some common questions and answers about Ulises Toirac's situation and decisions.
Why did Ulises Toirac reject Andy Vázquez's public offer?
Ulises Toirac felt that gestures of help should be made privately and not publicized on social media, as he believes real life happens outside of these platforms.
What is Ulises Toirac's main reason for considering emigration?
Ulises Toirac faces censorship in Cuba and feels that artistically, there is nothing left for him to achieve in the country. However, starting anew at 60 is a significant challenge.
What did Ulises Toirac say about Cuban television?
Ulises Toirac criticized Cuban television, stating that it "will not get out of its labyrinth" and that the creators of Vivir del Cuento were wrongfully blamed for opposing certain measures.