A large-scale urban dance event held at Céspedes Park in Manzanillo, as part of the city's 234th anniversary celebrations, became the subject of online mockery and criticism. Images of the event, shared on Facebook, quickly went viral, drawing a flood of sarcastic remarks.
Art instructor Loumaris Lopez posted photos of the event on his profile, captioning them: "Grand Urban Dance Event at Céspedes Park, celebrating the 234th anniversary of the city."
This gathering, seemingly organized by the Casa de Cultura de Manzanillo, attracted numerous dancers performing reggaetón, dancehall, and reparto moves in front of the park's historic neoclassical building, entertaining an audience of children, teenagers, and adults.
The most circulated comment came from a user who remarked, "The first girl looks like she's having an exorcism," a statement that became the unofficial title of the video on social media, drawing a significant amount of reactions.
Other netizens used sarcasm to express their bewilderment. One comment read, "Honestly, I don't know what to say, so I'll count to a thousand. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5..." Another simply stated, "Bread and circuses..." A third quipped, "But were they the dancers or the audience?"
Criticism and Cultural References
Cultural references were plentiful. A commentator invoked the Mexican singer Marco Antonio Solís with the question, "Where are we headed?" while another wrote, "Oh, Martí, if you could only see this."
Animal comparisons also surfaced, such as "Peter the Eel's sister" and "Tiringallos when Abate is poured," which were among the most shared.
Deeper Concerns Amidst Celebrations
Several comments linked the event to the broader crisis plaguing the Island. One user lamented, "What horror, so much malnutrition, so much lack of everything. I don't understand these absurdities when the lack of electricity, money, and food is consuming everyone. Today, July 11, we celebrate misery and hunger."
Another user summed up the sentiment with three words: "That's lack of power."
One commenter, reflecting on the situation, added, "Dear God, where did these 'calandracas' come from? Such poor taste. How long will this go on? Poor generation," encapsulating the prevailing mood of a comment section that often said more about the Cuban people's feelings than about the dances themselves.
Ongoing Debate Over Reparto in Public Spaces
This controversy is part of a recurring debate in Cuba regarding the presence of the reparto genre in public and institutional spaces. Similar instances have sparked viral reactions in recent months, such as a teacher dancing with her students or young people starring in a controversial video that also drew massive criticism.
Céspedes Park, the historic heart of Manzanillo, was declared a Local Monument in 1991 and is home to the famous neo-Moorish style bandstand inaugurated in 1924.
The 234th anniversary celebrations also featured activities for children and other cultural offerings held throughout the city on the same Saturday.
Understanding the Social Media Reaction to Urban Dance Events in Cuba
What triggered the online backlash against the urban dance event in Manzanillo?
The backlash was triggered by images of the event that went viral on social media, leading to sarcastic and critical comments from users who mocked the dancers' movements and the event itself.
How did the public react to the urban dance event?
Public reactions were mixed, with many expressing surprise and confusion, while others used sarcasm and cultural references to criticize the event, reflecting broader societal discontent.
Why is there a debate over the reparto genre in Cuba?
The debate stems from the genre's presence in public and institutional spaces, with some viewing it as a cultural expression, while others see it as a reflection of deeper societal issues and poor taste.