𝐇𝐞𝐲, 𝐇𝐢𝐯𝐞
One of the most beautiful experiences that I lived before closing the year 2024 and that I highlight a lot in my conversations with friends or acquaintances, is my visit to the interactive artistic exhibition of El mundo según Mafalda made in The National Art Gallery of Caracas, Venezuela. What made the adventure more exciting, is that my main objective in the capital that day was totally distant from such an experience, but passing in front of the gallery by mere chance, I could not resist to live the moment, and that my boyfriend did not refuse to be so spontaneous and practically disorganize the entire program, made it more enjoyable.
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The first time I heard about Mafalda, the iconic little girl created by the talented cartoonist Joaquín Salvador Lavado Tejón, known as Quino, was in a conversation with my mother. She was telling me about how Mafalda had been an essential part of her childhood along with such beloved characters as Heidi or Candy-Candy. I don't remember how old I would have been at the time, but I decided to investigate about her world, and certain situations marked my thoughts about subjects we are usually ignorant about; I began to admire her wit, her social criticism and her charm. So, when I learned that an exhibition dedicated to Mafalda was taking place, my desire to go had been immediate, but commitments and the financial situation had not given me the opportunity, until it arrived.
That Saturday our biggest commitment was to attend a TV interview on Globovision channel to promote a Calisthenics competition in the central region of the country, my boyfriend (@stypaternina) is the leader of the team that organized the event, so I owe him one for being so patient and accept to make that journey that destabilized our schedule and consequently be late for our television appointment. But the good thing was that our contact is someone very nice and a first class problem manager, managing to solve the situation and saving me from a screw up.
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Back to the main experience, we entered the place with a lot of excitement as it is an impetuous structure that amazes from its first impression. I felt a mixture of nerves and expectations when the spokeswoman started our tour, explaining the steps to follow and giving the presentation. As we entered the exhibit, we were greeted by several giant murals of the famous cartoon, a meaningful representation that made me feel as if I was crossing the border into a world full of laughter and deep reflections. The exhibition was not only a visual tour, but also an emotional journey that connected visitors to the essence of Mafalda and its cultural context.
Each corner of the exhibition was designed to immerse us in the life and adventures of Mafalda, divided into sections with different exhibitors who guided us throughout the presentation and gave us a space to admire the structures up close and take pictures. There was a great variety of objects, from the first vignettes to the most memorable moments of the comic strip to walls that were adorned with large-scale illustrations showing Mafalda and her friends, all carefully arranged to tell a story.
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It was exciting to see how people of all ages stopped to read, laugh and even reflect on Mafalda's social criticisms of Argentine society and the world at large. The exhibit included interactive panels, but my favorite stop was definitely one where we could sit down and use little stamps shaped like Mafalda characters to create our own comic strip. Clearly it's me who is behind each photo trying to immortalize the moment, so that's why our main character in the shots is Sty, but it also exposes the fact that he enjoyed the moment as much as I did.
Besides being a tribute to Mafalda, the exhibition also became an educational space. There were sections devoted to the historical context in which Quino created Mafalda, as well as the social and political issues he addressed in his cartoons. We learned about the cultural impact the comic strip had in Argentina and how it became a reference not only in the country, but around the world.
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It is nice to see how the sense of community is formed in these types of events. In such a digitized world, where interactions tend to be superficial, seeing people come together to celebrate something as meaningful as Mafalda reminded me of the importance of sharing cultural experiences.
I understood that Mafalda is not just a character; she is a symbol of the struggle for a better world, a voice that invites questioning and reflection.
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Leaving the exhibition, I felt a mixture of satisfaction and nostalgia. I enjoyed every moment of the tour and learned a lot about Mafalda and its creator. Visiting cultural exhibits is a wonderful way to connect with our history and our roots. They allow us to explore different perspectives and invite us to reflect on our place in the world.
If you have the opportunity to visit an exhibition dedicated to Mafalda or any other cultural icon, don't hesitate. Even if you have other commitments, there are moments that are only in the now, so immerse yourself in that experience.
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Translated with DeepL Free version.
This exhibition has been one of the most beautiful coincidences that I have lived with you in the city of Caracas, I am very happy to have accompanied you in this art gallery, it was a unique and unforgettable experience, that if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have experienced it. Beyond the hustle and bustle that followed, the most beautiful thing was to have shared with you, I love you. ❤️
Ily ;3