by Raul Menchaca
HAVANA, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Being overweight is not an obstacle to starring in Havana's carnival celebrations. In fact, for one "comparsa," or dance troupe, it's a requirement.
Known as "Willy y Sus Voluminosas" ("Willy and His Large Ladies"), the troupe is one of the favorite acts of Cuba's biggest carnival this month, featuring a bevy of plus-size dancers proud to show off their rotund physiques and dance moves in colorful body-hugging sequined costumes.
The unique troupe was founded in 2010 by sociologist and carnival aficionado Willy Ortiz, in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, where he served for two decades as director of the local carnival festivities.
That's where he noticed that many Cuban women who were overweight or obese were nevertheless keen to perform for the public. He wasted no time in putting together his troupe, which was a hit in the traditional parade.
Four years later, Ortiz moved to Havana, where he recruited some 50 women of all ages who each August dazzle carnival audiences with their elaborate choreography and confidence as they parade along the seafront promenade, or "malecon."
"Many of these women had very low self-esteem and they felt marginalized due to their weight. But when they find a space of public recognition, they are able to express their joy and dancing abilities," said Ortiz, 54.
Adelaida Onate, a voluminous but uninhibited 61-year-old and "Queen of the Comparsa," agrees.
"Here is a group of women who were marginalized, mistreated, and poorly taken care of just for being the fat ones of the household," said Onate, who works as a public relations specialist at national radio station Radio Rebelde.
Like the members of other troupes, the "Large Ladies" have day jobs and devote their free time to the troupe.
Onate believes Ortiz does more than just direct a dance troupe. He promotes social inclusion and fights discrimination based on weight.
"People recognize me in the street because we are incredibly popular, which has helped many of us to accept ourselves as we are", she said, while preparing her dazzling bright-yellow costume for the parade.
Barbara Perez, a housewife, considers the troupe to be a second family. Her daughter, Barbara Zurita, a 26-year-old nurse, has also joined the group.
Both live in Cerro, a traditional Havana neighborhood known for its famous carnival troupes. But due to their size, they were never given the chance to join one.
"Willy changed my life when he saw me dancing on the street one day and asked me to join his 'comparsa.' Now, five years later, I live to dance in the carnivals," said Perez.
Before the troupe's turn came up at this year's carnival, Ortiz checked every detail of the float that would carry his dancers, accompanied by the sound of a small conga group and "Las Canelas," an all-female orchestra.
Finally, he grabbed the microphone and said: "Let's give it our all," signalling the dancers to begin the show. The shaking and shimmying don't stop until the parade ends some two hours later.
The women's playful energy is contagious and spectators dance and sing along as the award-winning troupe passes by.
Last year, carnival judges awarded the troupe's energy and precision with the second-place prize.
"I want to show the world that people who are overweight have rights," said Ortiz.
He is determined "to break the Western canon that women have to be perfect," or derided, and remains committed to the project.
His concept has been adopted in the eastern city of Manzanillo, where another "comparsa" of overweight women, called "Voluminosa.com," has recently emerged.
"I dream of having a troupe of 500 overweight women. The applause of the audience and the constant awards at each presentation confirm nothing is impossible for Willy and His Large Ladies," he said proudly.
