The renowned Cuban humorist Andy Vázquez took to social media to express his dismay over the silence from certain individuals and institutions following the sudden death of actor Carlos Massola last week.
"It is impossible to ignore so much talent and dedication, so much passion in every character he portrayed. It is impossible to forget someone who discovered freedom and stood firm in it, who faced the real communist monster from within," Andy wrote on his Facebook profile.
Additionally, Andy questioned, "How can we ignore your passage to immortality? How could a free Cuban forget one of their free artists? No, Carlos Massola, you are not dead yet, brother, and I doubt, like millions of Cubans, that you ever will be," he asserted in a post that has already garnered more than 14,000 reactions and over 800 comments.
The death of Massola, which occurred last Wednesday, June 3, left family, artists, friends, and fans of the actor in a state of emotional shock. In recent years, Massola had frequently raised his voice against the Cuban government.
However, the silence from the island's Cultural Authorities has been notable. These entities, under the regime's control, were often criticized by Massola himself. No official Cuban cultural institution has acknowledged the actor's death on their social media profiles, a fact that has drawn significant criticism.
Due to this lack of response, the son of the late Cuban actor Enrique Molina, Pavel Molina Ruiz, sent a strong message to artists who have remained silent following Massola's unexpected death. Without mincing words, Pavel called all silent artists cowards, highlighting Massola's fearlessness in expressing his feelings.
Massola's mother, Gladys Escandell Pérez, expressed gratitude for the respect and solidarity shown by her son's friends, including unnamed directors and actors. However, she also criticized those who have voiced malicious opinions.
Despite the Cuban authorities' secrecy, their cyber trolls have been given the green light to attempt to denigrate the actor. Their efforts have been unsuccessful, as Andy Vázquez himself has stepped up to confront them.
In a live session on his Facebook profile, Andy recalled that upon learning of Massola's death this week, he shared a message of condolences. Disrespectfully, regime supporters criticized him in that post, accusing him of forgetting Massola and not offering his help. In response, Andy released audio recordings of two conversations they had months ago, proving that he sent money to his friend.
Carlos Massola's Legacy and Impact on Cuban Culture
In light of Carlos Massola's recent passing and the reaction it has generated, here are some frequently asked questions to provide more context on his legacy and impact.
Who was Carlos Massola?
Carlos Massola was a Cuban actor known for his talent, dedication, and vocal criticism of the Cuban government. He passed away suddenly on June 3, leaving a significant mark on Cuban culture.
Why is Andy Vázquez's tribute to Carlos Massola significant?
Andy Vázquez's tribute highlights Massola's courage and dedication to freedom, contrasting sharply with the silence from official Cuban cultural institutions. It underscores the broader issues of artistic expression and political repression in Cuba.
What has been the response from Cuban authorities to Massola's death?
Cuban authorities and official cultural institutions have remained silent about Massola's death, a response that has drawn significant criticism from the public and fellow artists.