Celebrated Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac recently turned 63, marking the occasion with an emotional Facebook post. In his message, he expressed gratitude for the flood of birthday wishes and reflected on the pivotal choice that shaped his life: leaving behind engineering to embrace the world of comedy.
Toirac began his post with candid remarks about the challenges of aging.
"Sixty-three is no joke. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. In the time it used to take to get somewhere, now you're still thinking about getting up to run. After three attempts to get out of your chair, you realize the first was just to go to the bathroom," he humorously detailed.
However, his tone shifted when speaking about the overwhelming affection he received.
The actor shared that he made an effort to read each message sent his way through various platforms: wall posts, SMS—starting precisely at 12:00:01 AM—Messenger, and WhatsApp, despite Cuba's notorious connectivity issues.
"Connectivity hasn't been on my side all day, but I've read every single one," he wrote, acknowledging that responding to each message was an impossible task, even under normal circumstances.
A Life Dedicated to Comedy
The crux of his post was a reflection on his life at 63.
"If there's one thing I did right, it was stepping away from engineering and dedicating myself to comedy. It's brought unimaginable challenges, but it's also allowed me to do what I love, to grow, explore, dare, succeed, and make mistakes," he expressed.
Though Toirac graduated with a degree in Electroenergetic Engineering from the José Antonio Echeverría Technological University of Havana (CUJAE) in 1986, his passion for the arts led him down a different path from the start.
He embarked on his entertainment career in 1981 and celebrated 45 continuous years in theater, television, radio, and film this past March.
The Privilege of Connecting with an Audience
In his post, he also reflected on what he considers his greatest privilege: "Finding resonance with people through my work. Seeing that it has impacted them, that they get the joke, that they conspire... leading to a mutual appreciation."
Looking back, he was resolute: "If I were born again, I'd do exactly the same, mistakes included. I know I'm privileged. And it's a privilege one can show without shame, without fear of being accused of corruption."
On several occasions, Toirac has acknowledged the efforts of his former colleagues in the electrical sector, admiring their work amidst the dire situation plaguing the Cuban people due to the government's inability to provide adequate service.
Last November, he noted that those involved: linemen, repairers, dispatch managers... are "wizards" who, when the system collapses, "multiply hours and magic."
"My former colleagues are going through a rough patch and deserve more than just diplomas and flowers. They aren't part of the problem, but the only solution at hand," he emphasized.
In an earlier post, Ulises made it clear how much he values those striving to keep the SEN alive. "It's not that they aren't at fault. On the contrary, they have the courage."
"My respect, admiration, and embrace go out to all of them," he reiterated, showing support for those who keep the SEN running, despite immense sacrifices.
This birthday comes during a period of significant public activity for Toirac, who recently proclaimed on Familia Cubana TV that "Cuba is in a maze with no solution" within his lifetime, marking one of his most direct criticisms of the regime.
On his 62nd birthday, Toirac also shared a public reflection, stating, "I'm in love with what I've achieved and proud of how I achieved it."
He concluded his thank-you message this Tuesday with a declaration that encapsulates his relationship with the Cuban audience: "I always say that without me, you'd have another favorite artist, another comedian to share the conspiracy with. But without you, I wouldn't have been able to exist."