Harder than all three of my childbirths combined has been interviewing someone I consider one of the greatest Cuban comedians of all time; someone who makes you "break" into laughter just by seeing him. When you combine that with his excellence as a human being and friend, his sincerity - even if it costs him -, and his unmistakable way of doing and saying things, it can only be Ulises Toirac, my dear "Matute" from forever.
How and when did Ulises Toirac realize that making the most of being unattractive would bring him profits? Have you always made people laugh?
From a very early age. We always had a mirror in the house and, in addition, I was aware of what I provoked in others. I remember saying things that were utterly serious but prompted laughter. I have never taken myself too seriously.
As for whether my appearance is liked or not... bah! It's just a tool. Making people laugh is a Herculean task. One of his famous 12 labors. People relax when they see that I don’t take myself too seriously; it allows me to pursue other, less superficial goals.
What do you think about humor on Cuban television?
The humor on Cuban TV has always been in crisis, as it relies on the "benevolence" of its governing body, the Ideological Department of the PCC.
There have been more or less relaxed moments, but two phenomena have developed that significantly influence the situation: on one hand, the ideological struggle has become much more acidic to the point of enacting laws that directly punish humor. It is legislated. It's not a joke, you cannot use humor to refer to anything governmental because it is a crime.
On the other hand, the spiritual and intellectual level has systematically declined over the last 20 years, reaching a depressing point. True humor is intelligence.
Programs that you consider to be benchmarks.
There are many. “Do you swear to tell the truth?” was full of spectacular moments. Both from the guests and from specific scripts that addressed sensitive topics we managed to tackle. There were also spectacular moments behind the scenes, with decisions and actions off-screen.
It would be unfair to refer to just a couple of them. I think he achieved his goal. I remember I lived in Marianao, at 112 between 51 and 49. On the nights we broadcast (I had already recorded the episode, reviewed it, edited it, presented it... I was already tired of the episode), I would go for a stroll around the neighborhood.
Solo... walking slowly for half an hour down the street! To listen to the crowd. And it was the most beautiful thing I could have done. There are few things that touch me as much as those laughs, that unity turning on the televisions!
There are many comedians living and working outside the country. Haven't you thought about embarking on an adventure?
There was a time when I traveled a lot to the U.S. I had my parents here and my whole family. I was doing well in Cuba. I had no pressing reasons to leave. As for my colleagues, they all have my respect. And of course, they all have my support.
Favorite characters of Ulises Toirac..
Matute, Chivichana, others who didn't appear on TV back then; more recent ones, Pirolo (a “seemingly slow-witted handyman”), Manolito Santo (a cultured man of great sophistication). Each serves a purpose and has allowed me to express myself in different ways, even for different audiences. I love them all!
One fine day, the beloved comedian left Cuban television, much to the dismay of the viewing audience. Did you leave, or were you let go?
I left. There were many problems. But at that moment, what was clear to me was that a program should not remain on the air beyond what reason and intelligence dictated. Extending the decline is detrimental to the memory that people are left with afterward. Furthermore, it was becoming increasingly difficult to persuade, to maintain high standards, to create.
Do you still live in Playa?
Yes, I still live in Playa, but I actually spend more time inside the house and when I go out, I spend more time in Santos Suárez, El Cerro, Luyanó, La Lisa, and El Vedado. Although I naturally walk around my neighborhood, the balance of time doesn't favor it. I enjoy walking and I like talking to people (and getting involved with them).
And of course, people get involved with him. This is Ulises Toirac, one of the greats, someone who will always be mentioned when discussing Cuban humor.
Tell me about that primary humor: the Galician, the little black boy, the mulatto... Arredondo, Candita… From "Alegrías de sobremesa," "Detrás de la fachada," "San Nicolás del Peladero," "Casos y cosas de casa"; more recently, "¿Jura decir la verdad?", "Pateando la lata," "Vivir del cuento"…
The theme of humor found in bufo theater and its successors, mainly in radio, has been, like today's, a step in an ongoing development.
The humor primarily came from Spain during "the colonial era," incorporating characters and situations inherent to life on the island. It was a long period.
There was a time when humorous pieces were even performed in the tents. In other words, there was a great variety. Television arrived late to this process, and like other media, it imposed a language and certain "formats."
How does a humorous gentleman like you put a meal on the table these days?
If I tell you, you'll burst out laughing. That thing they call resilience. I make books, I sell some advertising, I’m working on an online store, in short... Less bowing my head and giving up on my ideas, whatever comes.
Have there been any repercussions for you because of your sharp comments, those that you throw out randomly from time to time, and that describe perfectly what is happening in Cuba?
I can't prove that it's true, but... yes!
Precisely, regarding those many insightful and accurate comments, what is your opinion on the current situation in Cuba?
There are many things that worry me... To begin with, I worry about “myself,” which is the foundation of everything and not the lemon, at least for me.
But we are in a kind of intellectual and, therefore, physical stagnation. There has been a growing detachment from information (not only in Cuba but worldwide). Many say, "Information comes to us without us seeking it," and I believe that is the worst of mistakes.
That is not the information. Out of 20 posts I see on social media about general topics, politics, science, technology, etc., 19 are total falsehoods or conceal the reality. In fact, I have been able to confirm that the titles and leads are crafted to attract more than to convey what is actually written in an article.
Why am I worried? I'm going for the Master's: "Being educated is the only way to be free."
We are being bombarded by interests and we are becoming victims of those interests. Without even inquiring. Without questioning how truthful the information we are fed is. And in the end, they use us! They use our acceptance of the information.
I am still proud of many qualities of Cuban identity, of being Cuban. But increasingly, I feel a heavy heart; I do not recognize myself in the way of thinking and acting of many Cubans. Both inside and outside the island.
But inside, they are the ones I have close... And I think that the situation with the Nation is really messed up: thanks to letting us be used, to not questioning, to spoon-feeding us.
It will take a long time for the interests of others to stop being the interests that drive every Cuban. There is a long "education" that prevents this. And (forgive my pessimism) I see no end to it. Not in my lifetime nor in the lifetime of those who live today.
The latest explanation for why we have achieved nothing and everything remains the same... lies in this!
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