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The Civichana from “Do you swear to tell the truth?”, the Matute or the Liudmila from “Sabadazo”, the “skinny” and “ugly” one who constantly mocks himself in so many programs and stages, and with his sharp and carefree laughter, spreads joy to others; the “trickster” of social media who, with the same sharp humor, tosses out a “gusmolnin” and candidly comments on the absurdities and nonsense of Cuban life… That “file,” that “guy,” Ulises Toirac, has celebrated 45 years in the artistic world.
And if the figure is already impressive in itself, the fact that it coincided temporally with 36 years of “Special Period” [that euphemism used by Cuban politicians to refer to the economic crisis on the Island] and its even worse aftermath; the fact that it has helped generations of compatriots to cope with the daily struggles through intelligent humor and joyful laughter; is worthy of a place in the heart of its people.
Obviously, this was not about his post on FB, but rather about the recall of several projects he has participated in since he joined as a student in the Movement of Amateur Artists of the FEU at the José Antonio Echeverría University City (CUJAE-ISPJAE) until the current ones in the digital multiverse.
The creator recalled his time with the group Opera X and his connection, on the radio, with "El Programa de Ramón," "Contalco," "Juventud 2000," and "Quiero hablar contigo." Regarding his presence in film, he mentioned the movies Adorables mentiras, the censored Alicia en el Pueblo de Maravillas, and Un rey en La Habana.
Meanwhile, regarding television, undoubtedly the medium that has made him most popular, he reminisced about the previously mentioned "Sabadazo" and "Do You Swear to Tell the Truth?", as well as the highly memorable "And You, What Are You Laughing At?".
Regarding "Do you swear to say...?", he mentioned its more than seven seasons in theatrical version at the Karl Marx, "still today a sales record for a show." He also recalled works such as Miramar (four seasons), El Flaco, El Flaco II, and Con las tiras del pellejo.
In more recent times —the comedian pointed out— he has produced videos for social media, such as NNC Noticias or El rapidín matutino, “where I have not stopped embodying new characters.” He also mentioned his very popular book Locos de barrio, the second volume of which, he said, is in the process of editing and layout.
"I haven't worked these forty-five years; I've had fun, I've enjoyed every step with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, for mastery, for learning," Toirac stated, while emphasizing that even if it becomes impossible for him to live off his talent and experience, he will die creating.
Addressing poverty in Cuba, even if some do not see it; dealing with the trash in the streets and, if the army is willing, creating large shipments of biomass from it to illuminate the country that lives amidst blackouts; solving shortages with actions and not with slogans, have been some of the "shots" the actor has taken from his social media recently, echoing the overwhelmed sentiments of the public facing so many issues that sour daily life in Cuba.
However, he has always made it clear that his presence on social media is not that of “a politician. Not even that of a comedian. It is the profile of a person whose job is as a comedian and who has a political opinion.”
Hundreds of users, including colleagues from the art world such as the humorist Ángel Ramiz (Pantera), actress and radio host Laritza Camacho, and troubadour Erick Sánchez Rodríguez, joined in congratulating Ulises and wished him a long creative life—someone who, with humor at the ready, daily scratches the walls of the absurd.
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