Is that Mafalda? Yes it is. Welcome to the world of Mafalda, Susanita and Manolito Sculpture a beloved tribute to Argentina’s iconic comic strip.
Mafalda is more than just a statue. It is a cultural touchstone. Created by Quino, whose full name was Joaquín Salvador Lavado Tejón, Mafalda first appeared in 1964. She was part of a sales ad. This sweet girl with the insightful comments became a global sensation.
Mafalda is a six-year-old girl. She is concerned about humanity. She also notably dislikes soup. Her comics have been translated into many languages. Mafalda and her friends are relatable around the world. These characters are a cornerstone of Argentine popular culture especially in Buenos Aires.
The Mafalda, Susanita and Manolito Sculpture sits in San Telmo. This neighborhood is where she lives in the comics. Manolito and Susanita were added later making it a Mafalda, Susanita and Manolito Sculpture. People often stumble upon this tribute. It is a pleasant surprise. Fans line up to take photos with the beloved characters.
The sculptor sits opposite Quino’s former home. Quino is the cartoonist who invented Mafalda and her friends. Since the statue appeared this area of San Telmo became a tourist spot. Every weekend there is an artist market along Defensa.
Mafalda was born in 1962. It was supposed to resemble the American comic strips “Peanuts” and “Blondie”. Mafalda differed greatly from its role models from the start. The Argentine middle-class girl frustrates her parents with questions and rebellion.
Her father works in an office. He enjoys potting plants. Her mother cares for the household. They represent the first post-World War II generation parents. They raised their children in an anti-authoritarian way.
Mafalda’s friends include Felipe and Manuelito. Manuelito’s father owns a small shop. He dreams of owning a supermarket chain. Susanita embodies the traditional role of wife and mother. Mafalda later gains a younger brother called Guille. Adults in the strip lack the ability to counter Mafalda’s logic. They expose their contradictions.
Mafalda developed alongside Argentina’s political and social changes. She became a voice for democracy and freedom.
Mafalda’s dislike for soup represents a hatred for dictatorship and oppression. Mafalda’s popularity grew during the student riots of the late 1960s. It especially increased during the terror of fascist regimes in Argentina, Chile, and Spain. This extended beyond her target demographic which was the Buenos Aires middle class.
Quino stopped the comic strip because the world had changed. Mafalda’s setting was no longer relevant. Yet her popularity endures. This is evident in the queues at the Mafalda, Susanita and Manolito Sculpture. It is also shown by the widespread Mafalda drawings and souvenirs.
The Mafalda statue marks the beginning of a comic strip statues mile. It features over a dozen Argentine comic heroes.
Remember to take your photo with Mafalda, Susanita and Manolito Sculpture. Embrace the spirit of this insightful little girl. Share her concerns for humanity. Carry her message of democracy and freedom.