A widespread blackout might be a serious issue elsewhere, but for Cubans, who are used to spending more time in the dark without electricity, it's often seen as a humorous situation. The power outage that hit Spain and other parts of Europe on April 28 became a source of jokes among Cubans, who expressed their solidarity with those affected through memes on social media. Yet, it was Cuban comedian Luis Silva, in his role as Pánfilo, who really nailed the comedic take on the situation.
In a fictional phone call with his friend Chequera, Pánfilo humorously analyzes the blackout, naturally drawing comparisons with the daily reality in Cuba. "Chequera, they say the whole power system in Spain and nearby areas went down. A bunch of thermoelectric plants, they say. The first to go was the Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra plant; it's like our Guiteras in Cuba," Pánfilo quips over the phone.
He adds, "But don't worry, Bernardo Espinosa is already on his way to Madrid. Who else but him, with all his experience on these topics, could report on this situation? He could practically teach a postgraduate course on it!" This joke pokes fun at the Cuban state media reporter, who is often the go-to figure when discussing Cuba's power issues.
Pánfilo continues, "People in Spain are upset because they've been without power for six hours. Six hours! Elevators are off, people are stuck, traffic lights are out, trains are halted. A blackout over there is chaos. But in Cuba, if the power's out for six hours, the worst that happens is a cucumber in the fridge starts to thaw." This punchline highlights how dire Cuba's economic situation is, to the point where even a major blackout hardly makes a difference.
Understanding Cuba's Perspective on Power Outages
Why do Cubans find humor in blackouts?
Cubans often use humor to cope with the frequent power outages they experience, turning a challenging situation into a source of laughter and solidarity.
Who is Bernardo Espinosa in the context of this joke?
Bernardo Espinosa is a Cuban journalist known for reporting on the country's energy issues. In the joke, he's humorously portrayed as the expert sent to report on Spain's blackout.
How does the economic situation in Cuba affect their view on blackouts?
Cuba's struggling economy means that frequent blackouts are a norm rather than an exception, making it difficult for power outages to significantly impact daily life, unlike in more developed countries.