The Cuban actor Fernando Hechavarría, one of the most recognized figures in the island's theater, television, and cinema, expressed his concern about the deterioration of Cuban society and stated that the country he dreamed of for decades "is fading away."
The statements were made during an interview granted to the program Todos Hablan, from CubamasTV, published on July 24 and recorded in the private venue Salsa Río, by the banks of the Almendares River in Havana.
"I dreamed of a Cuba that is much more harmonious, a more beautiful Cuba, a more supportive Cuba. That Cuba I dreamed of is fading away," said the 71-year-old actor.
Far from attributing that reality solely to external factors, Hechavarría also called for individual responsibility.
"I say it again, it's also our own fault. I'm not taking on the role of a sniper, but I believe we need to take care of that, and we must do so from each individual's standpoint," he stated.
"Technocrats are doing us a lot of harm."
During the conversation, the artist questioned how culture is managed in Cuba, in his view, and criticized that many decisions are made by people who are distant from artistic creation.
"I believe that technocrats harm us greatly, they do a lot of damage. We need people leading the arts who understand the arts," he stated.
He also expressed his concern about the quality of television programming.
"I believe that right now we are not worrying about the quality of what comes out. What we are concerned about is the screen time. From a table with numbers, you can't manage that," he noted.
Hechavarría also lamented that artists are often not consulted when it comes to defining cultural policies, despite their ongoing interaction with the public.
"Sometimes I'm a bit worried that artists are not taken into account in terms of seeking their opinions," he commented.
"Art must convey truths."
The actor also reflected on the role of art in society and asserted that its function goes beyond entertainment.
"Art must convey the truths that surround it. Whether it pleases some or pains others," he stated.
Although he believes that art alone does not transform reality, he does see it as a catalyst for provoking change.
"Art does not change reality. Now, for me, it has a fundamental element, which is that it makes you think, and that is the first step towards change," he explained.
During the interview, he also described the challenges currently facing the cultural sector on the island. He recalled theater performances interrupted by power outages and productions that have had to continue lit only by the light of two mobile phones, a scene that reflects the limitations many Cuban cultural institutions face today.
A journey of more than five decades
Born in Holguín and graduated from the National School of Art in 1976, Fernando Hechavarría has developed a career spanning over half a century in theater, television, and film.
Among his most remembered performances is Nacho Capitán, a character from the telenovela Tierra Brava (1997), which he himself described as the major turning point in his career.
In January of this year, he was honored with the National Theater Award 2026, the highest recognition in the performing arts in Cuba, in tribute to a career characterized by dedication to acting.
When asked how he would like to be remembered, he replied with a phrase that captures the spirit of the interview:
"I would like people to think that I was someone consistent with what I believed in throughout life; in art, in family, in parenthood, in politics... in everything."
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