The Cuban comedian Jardiel reflected in a TikTok video on the lack of young comedians in Cuba and the reasons behind this artistic crisis. In his post, the comedian presents a harsh reality about the state of humor on the island and attributes it to several factors, including censorship, lack of opportunities, and the economic crisis.
"Why are there no comedians in Cuba? Because the majority have left, due to the absurd censorship that has always existed here. Young people become scared and shy away from it, as it's more profitable to be a repairman than a comedian. Those with a sense of humor have never been given a place in society. It's been ages since they shut it all down, are you crazy? First, because they take opportunities away from the older generation, and second, because why would there be more jesters and critics? They're already caught up in that struggle with the powers that be, dealing with... you know."
Jardiel also points out the impact of the crisis on the lack of humor in Cuban society: "With the low cultural level of the new population in Cuba, who is going to feel like laughing when they are hungry?" Furthermore, he compares traditional comedy on stage with social media, emphasizing that many comedians have chosen to produce digital content instead of performing in theaters or cabarets. "On social media, it doesn't matter whether you're in a video doing advertising or performing in a theater or cabaret; it's the same money, sitting at home with a phone, just as good as throwing yourself in front of an audience."
The comedian also lamented the lack of generational change in Cuban humor: "In Cuba, I am still considered a young comedian; they still call me for 15-year-old parties, can you believe that? And now that I’m in my prime, the grandfather of the party, that’s who we are now, the grandfathers of humor, the old jokers of laughter. Go out to the cabarets, go to those places where one performs in bars, and find me a comedian who can stay on stage for more than 45 minutes and is under 40. When will we say instead of 'the delivery has arrived,' 'the humor has arrived'? That’s already dead, or rather, it was killed; it was really killed."
Reactions on social media were immediate. One user expressed, "They killed him just like everything in my country," while another praised Jardiel saying, "You're amazing, my bro, I met you in person and I can tell you there’s no one like you."
Jardiel is no stranger to controversy. In January of this year, his visit to the dollar store at 3rd and 70 highlighted the inaccessibility of products for most Cubans. Shortly after, he humorously announced his departure from Cuba on Instagram, which sparked speculation among his followers about his destination. Just a few days later, he surprised everyone with his return to the island, leveraging the controversy of his departure to reaffirm his style and connect with his audience.
With this new video, Jardiel brings to light a harsh reality: the crisis of humor in Cuba and the lack of opportunities for new generations of comedians. His message is not only a reflection on his profession but also a depiction of the difficult cultural and social situation in the country.
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