The Cuban activist Yamilka Laffita, known on social media as Lara Crofs, has proposed that the date of actor Carlos Massola's death be declared as "Disident Artist Day."
"The wretched, deafening silence from the island's establishment served no purpose. Their tremendous lack of humanity and sensitivity towards one of their own, who gave so much to this people through his art, has made him immortal. The people have mourned and felt the sudden departure of Carlos from this plane. Regardless of the tributes that were not made, he had the greatest tribute, the love and affection of his people," wrote Laffita about the absence of an official statement on the actor's death.
The activist suggested that from now on, July 3rd should be recognized in Cuba as Disident Artist Day in honor of Carlos Massola. "The people should unite once again to honor Carlos, an artist, yes, but also a Cuban of these times," Laffita concluded in a proposal that quickly went viral on social media. Just her post alone has garnered over 2,300 reactions and more than 400 comments so far. Many have shared the petition from their own profiles, and some even consider it a given that from now on, this date will commemorate Cuban dissident artists.
"The greatest tribute to Carlos was precisely the silence of the Dictatorship," accurately remarked a commenter regarding the official omission that has upset thousands of Cubans. The death of actor Carlos Massola, who in recent years had frequently raised his voice against the Cuban government, was completely ignored by the island's cultural authorities.
To date, no official cultural institution in Cuba has acknowledged the actor's death on their social media profiles. Neither the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), nor the Ministry of Culture (MINCULT), nor the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT), nor the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC) have made any statements about the artist's passing. The cultural news programs on television and the printed press have also made no references to the unfortunate event.
Amid the prevailing official silence following Carlos Massola's death, the Assembly of Cuban Filmmakers published a timid text on Thursday, more than 24 hours after his passing, lamenting the artist's death while using euphemisms on a couple of occasions to allude to the actor's political dissent.
Despite the official silence, Massola has not lacked recognition and spontaneous tributes from many of his colleagues, nor the affection of the people who appreciated the courage he had to express his political ideas without censorship or euphemisms.
Understanding the Impact of Carlos Massola's Death
In light of the recent events surrounding the death of Carlos Massola, here are some frequently asked questions to better understand the situation and its implications.
Why was Carlos Massola's death significant?
Carlos Massola was a prominent actor who openly criticized the Cuban government, making his death a significant event, especially given the official silence from cultural institutions.
What is the proposed Disident Artist Day?
Disident Artist Day, proposed to be on July 3rd, is a day to honor artists in Cuba who have spoken out against the government, in memory of Carlos Massola.
How has the public reacted to the proposal?
The proposal has quickly gone viral on social media, receiving widespread support and numerous reactions from the public.