A young Cuban shared on TikTok the difficulties many families on the island face when celebrating a birthday, a basic event that, as she stated, thousands of people cannot enjoy due to the lack of food and resources.
"In Cuba, you can't even celebrate a birthday; it's something very basic. We all like to have a cake on our birthday, right? I dare say there are thousands of Cubans who on that day don't even have a cake to eat," said the user identified as @yaneisycanta_98.
The young woman stated that she traveled to San Ramón, in the municipality of Puerto Padre, Las Tunas province, to attend her cousin's birthday.
To get there, she had to wait in a long line looking for transportation to take her to the village, where her grandmother was also waiting for her—someone she hadn't seen in a long time.
"I love birthdays in the countryside, we had a wonderful time," the Cuban added in her post, which quickly drew reactions from her followers.
The testimony reflects the harsh reality of daily life in Cuba, where food scarcity, precarious transportation, and high prices make even the celebration of a special occasion like a birthday challenging.
Frequently Asked Questions about Birthday Celebrations in Cuba
Why is it difficult to celebrate a birthday in Cuba?
Celebrating a birthday in Cuba is complicated due to the lack of food and basic resources. The scarcity of products, precarious transportation, and high prices make even organizing a small celebration a challenge for many Cuban families. The current economic situation turns a common event into a luxury that not everyone can afford.
What options do Cuban families have to celebrate a birthday?
Facing economic difficulties, many Cuban families choose to celebrate in simpler ways. Some prioritize buying clothes or shoes instead of throwing a big party, while others focus on organizing small family gatherings with simple, homemade meals. Sometimes, families receive help from relatives abroad or seek alternative resources to make the day special without incurring large expenses.
How does the economic crisis in Cuba affect the celebration of family events?
The economic crisis in Cuba severely impacts families' ability to celebrate family events, as salaries are insufficient to cover the basic costs of daily life, including food and party supplies. This forces many families to scale back their celebrations or forgo them entirely. Living conditions, such as access to electricity and water, can also affect the feasibility of organizing these gatherings.
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