Carabobo's Museum of Culture presents: Mafalda, the world's most rebellious South American comic on exhibitions
Irreverence is the essence of animation in Latin America. And it is not I who affirms it, but the author of Mafalda himself, the most important, rebellious and uncomfortable comic strip for the Power that has ever existed in that region of the world. And it is curious how its importance has been so strong for generations. It was published for the first time in the mid 70's, a convulsive period, complicated in Southern Cone countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay and Brazil, which were experiencing bloody dictatorships. And of course, where censorship was an everyday occurrence?
Mafalda was born as the brilliant, sarcastic, courageous and intellectual voice of those who did not have, or who, if they tried to express themselves, could pay an excessive cost... It was the newspapers of Argentina that had the honour of publishing this comic. And at the beginning, its reception was not only taken with support and admiration by the people of its time, but immediately the success led its creator, Quino, to have to go into exile... As I said, the history of this part of the world was never simple, nor need it ever be.
Almost 50 years have passed since that first disruptive, volatile and powerful germ. That had ‘Libertad’ as one of its best friends and ‘Felipe’ as a companion with equal rights and responsibilities. Undoubtedly, enjoying the exhibition of Mafalda's original material at the Museum of Culture of Carabobo, my state, near my city; more than a pleasure, it was a tribute to my childhood and to those ideals that have always captured my attention..... In this sense, it is also comforting and reassuring to know that even the youngest children also know and respect this comic.
Throughout all the halls of the museum I could see how the recognition of the greatness of our Latin American artists is, at last, raised so that we can all enjoy it. I don't quite know how to explain it, but it is the majesty, combined with the history and legacy of Mafalda that lends that aura of epicness to Quino's work. I'm not lying when I tell you that there wasn't room for a pin in the Museum. Free admission, huge queues, hours long to get in, and lots of photos everywhere. The success of this exhibition far outstripped the capacity of the facilities.
Though, honestly, it's a problem I'd like to be a part of more and more. It is comforting, for someone like me, who loves and recognises the cultural and artistic contribution of Quino, its creator and original artist, and his masterpiece, Mafalda in the same forgotten precincts that today are a sign of improvement in the entertainment and song aspect of the general public. I guess, what I really want to say is that the surprise I had when I visited the Carabobo Museum of Culture was frankly pleasant, fantastic. I can only recommend to those of you who live in Venezuela, or in my state, Carabobo, to go and see it for yourselves. The exhibition and exhibition of all of Mafalda's original work is open until February. Free and of the highest quality.
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