A video posted on Instagram by the account @omgstudiosmiami has sparked a wave of nostalgic reactions among thousands of Cubans both on and off the island. In it, actors from the cast of the play El Condominio, currently being performed in Miami, answer the question: “If you could travel back in time, which place in Cuba would you return to for just 5 minutes?”.
The audiovisual piece features the actors sharing intimate memories, mostly related to family, childhood, and everyday spaces in Cuba. Their responses, brief yet full of meaning, quickly resonated with the audience.
The actress Susana Pérez said she would return to her father's arms. Roberto Sanmartín mentioned a Sunday afternoon at his grandmother's house in the nineties.
Yuliet Cruz, for her part, chose a Christmas Eve night when her family and friends were still gathered in Cuba, while Luis M. Bangán spoke about the afternoons on the Malecón with all his friends.
Omar Franco reminisced about the theater of his pre-university days, where he made his debut with the play "Take Me to the Game." Yusnel Suárez recalled the courtyard of his home, where his family would gather to make tomato puree. Rachel Cruz pinpointed her answer at the corner of Malecón and 23, while Alberto Pujol concluded by remembering his apartment at 21 and G and the exact time his grandmother would serve coffee for the entire family.
"And what if you could travel through time? THE CONDOMINIUM continues to captivate audiences at @teatrotrail with a star-studded cast," wrote OMG Studios Miami while sharing the video.
"One thinks that they heal, that it goes away, but it always comes back."
Reactions quickly filled the comments section. Many users shared their own responses to the question and expressed the emotional impact of the video. “Just reading ‘into my grandmother's arms’ made me burst into tears,” wrote one person. “I've watched it three times and I'm still crying,” commented another. “Now that I think about it, I once had it all and didn’t even know it,” was another frequently repeated message.
Among the memories, the 31st of December repeats, the Sunday lunches, the afternoons of coffee with the grandparents, the conversations on porches, the family gatherings, and the image of the family united before emigration separated them. One woman wrote: “This video brings me so much nostalgia. I returned to Cuba, and practically nothing of what I once had there could be found again.” Another comment stated: “One thinks they heal, that they move on, but they always come back.”
There were also more intense messages: “The Cuban government won't be able to compensate us for all the suffering we carry inside.” And others with a direct political tone: “I would go back to 1959 and make sure no Castro lived to tell the tale.”
The work that brings together the cast
The Condominium is a Cuban comedy currently being performed at the Teatro Trail in Coral Gables, Florida. The story revolves around a meeting of neighbors in a Miami building that turns into an unexpected confrontation when one of the residents decides whom to rent his apartment to. The play combines humor with social critique and features well-known figures from Cuban theater and television.
The cast includes Susana Pérez, Alberto Pujol, Omar Franco, Jeffry Batista, Yusnel Suárez, Rachel Cruz, Yuliet Cruz, and Roberto Sanmartín. Edith Obregón and Luis M. Bangán also participate in alternate performances.
The viral video that has sparked reactions on social media concludes with a direct invitation to the public to purchase tickets. However, what started as a marketing initiative has also turned into a collective emotional phenomenon.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Nostalgia and Family Reunions
Why has the video of the Cuban artists generated so much nostalgia?
The video has evoked nostalgia because it connects with intimate memories of childhood and family life in Cuba, bringing to mind moments that many Cubans have left behind due to emigration. The scenes depict artists sharing personal memories, which resonates emotionally with those who have experienced similar separations from their loved ones.
What do the reactions of Cubans on social media to the video express?
Reactions are filled with deep emotion and connection, with comments reflecting a mix of nostalgia, sadness, and longing. Many users share their own experiences of family separation, and the video has elicited emotionally charged responses, with people reminiscing about the happy moments they experienced before emigrating.
What role does the work "El Condominio" play in this emotional phenomenon?
"El Condominio" is not just a play, but a catalyst for emotions for the Cuban community in Miami, as it brings together actors who evoke feelings of belonging and nostalgia. The play tackles themes of humor and social criticism, allowing viewers to reconnect with aspects of their cultural and personal identity.
How is the reality of the Cuban diaspora reflected in this type of viral content?
The viral content reflects the constant longing and desire for connection of the Cuban diaspora with their homeland and loved ones. Through these videos, Cubans express their wish to return, even if just for a moment, to the times and places that shaped their lives, showcasing how exile has impacted their personal and family experiences.
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