Cuban Actor Luis Alberto Garcรญaโค Defends โArtistic Value Amidst Criticism & national Crisis
Cuban actor Luis alberto Garcรญa, known for his roles in films like Clandestine, โฃrecently responded to online criticism questioning the value of art andโข his contributions to Cuba, particularly as โขtheโค nation grapples withโค widespread blackouts, epidemic outbreaks, and shortages of โessential goods. The exchange unfolded on facebook following Garcรญa’s commentary on government-sponsored rallies supporting foreign governments while domestic issues remain unresolved.
Garcรญa had expressed dismay over โคthe prioritization of events demonstrating support for allies like โฃPalestine and Venezuela, suggesting resources would be better directed towards addressing the health and energy crisis within Cuba. He specifically questioned the rationale of holdingโฃ “parades” while “the countryโ isโ falling apart.” He also lamented the lack of empathy from authorities regarding โคthe ongoing hardships.
A Facebook user responded by asserting that artists lack the โฃlogicalโข reasoningโฃ skills of scientists, claiming their “rightโ hemisphere”โฃ is โขdeveloped at the expenseโข of the “left hemisphere”โค responsible for logic and intelligence. The user โfurther stated Garcรญa “has not done anything for the country.”
Garcรญa countered with a lengthy post โฃtitled “God save theโฃ ‘Queen'”,defending both his career and the broader role of artists โin โsociety. He recounted being pressured to pursue a scientific career rather of art while attendingโ theโ Vladimir Ilich Lenin Vocational School, ultimately choosing to leave as โartistic study wasn’t permitted. He โthen detailed completing his pre-university studies in El Cerro before graduating “with honors” โfrom the Higher Institute of art (ISA) with a university degree.
“asโ long before I graduated and untill today,it has been an honor to put the talent I received in โthe distribution at theโฃ service of the audiovisual and performing arts of the country where I was born,” Garcรญa wrote.
He also addressed the assertion of artistic illogicalityโ with pointed โirony, stating, “I’m already making an appointment with a neurologist. And then, to the psychiatrist. Is this defect of artists congenital orโ do peopel like you decide whoโ is saved from suffering from it?”
Garcรญa concluded his response with a defiant message: “From my sinister hemisphere I send your opinion โto the above-mentioned interlinings. you areโ not the queen โof thought. I will continue to give my opinion โขwhat I believe โขbecause this archipelago is mine.”
Considered one of the most respected actors in Cuban cinema and theater, Garcรญa hasโ increasingly โbecome a vocal critic of theโฃ Cuban government in recent years, using โsocial media to question censorship, the deterioration of โpublic services,โ and theโค politicization of culture. His recent posts expressing โconcern over the ongoing crises haveโ garnered both meaningfulโ support and criticism from pro-government users.
Garcรญa has repeatedlyโ affirmed his commitmentโค to Cuba, stating, “I didn’t leave, I’m still here,” and emphasizing that his continued presence on the island does not equate to silence or acceptance of the status quo.