Miguel de Cervantes, the author of "Don Quijote", is Spain's greatest writer. A contemporary of William Shakespeare, they died on the same day, 23 April 1616, according to some historians. Nevertheless, that is the official date of their deaths.
Miguel de Cervantes [Image courtesy of Zenda]
This date has since been adopted as International Book Day (Día Internacional del Libro), in homage to the literature of all eras and all genres, as well as writers who have left their legacy via their writing.
[Image courtesy of FANFAN]
On this special day, it's impossible to ignore two names who have left their indelible footprints on the history of literature, namely William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes.
Cervantes is so celebrated that cultural and literary organisations bear his name. Also theatres, cinemas, art galleries, a university, a musical and a film, even hotels, bars and restaurants.
[Image courtesy of ProfeDeELE.es]
What follows is a list of a dozen "things" or places named after him, most of them in and around the area where I live in Malaga province in Andalucia. Somewhat odd that this is the case, given that the writer was from La Mancha in Castilla-La Mancha (formerly Castilla La Nueva), yet it is testament to his stature nationally and internationally.
[Editorial ExLibric]
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"Don Quixote de La Mancha"
First and foremost, the character and hero of the first ever "picaresque novel", considered a founding work of Western literature and the first modern novel.
It has been labelled by many well-known authors as the "best novel of all time", and the "best and most central work in world literature". Don Quixote is also one of the most-translated books in the world and one of the best-selling novels of all time.
The plot revolves around the adventures of a member of the lowest nobility, un hidalgo from La Mancha, who reads so many chivalric romances that he loses his mind and decides to become a knight-errant (caballero andante) to revive chivalry and serve his nation, under the name Don Quixote de la Mancha.
He recruits as his squire a simple farm labourer, Sancho Panza, who brings an earthy wit to Don Quixote's lofty rhetoric.
[Elejandria]
The book had a major influence on the literary community, as evidenced by direct references in Alexandre Dumas's The Three Musketeers (1844), and Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac (1897), as well as giving us the adjective quixotic.
[Covers courtesy of Amazon]
Mark Twain referred to the book as having "swept the world's admiration for the mediaeval chivalry-silliness out of existence".
It has been described as the greatest work ever written.
"Man of La Mancha"
The musical, and later film, based on Cervantes' novel. There have been umpteen stage productions and several films. One of the most celebrated films dates from 1972, which starred Peter O'Toole as Don Quijote and Sophia Loren as Dulcinea.
[Play poster courtesy of St Jude's Players] [Film cover by Amazon]
Instituto Cervantes
El Instituto Cervantes (the Cervantes Institute) is a worldwide non-profit organisation created by the Spanish government in 1991. Named after Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616), the author of Don Quixote and perhaps the most important figure in the history of Spanish literature, The Cervantes Institute is the largest organisation in the world responsible for promoting the study and the teaching of Spanish language and culture.
This organisation has branched out to 52 countries with 103 centres devoted to promoting the Spanish and Hispanic-American culture and Spanish language.
[Wikipedia]
The Instituto Cervantes is a government agency, the ultimate goals of which are to promote the education, the study and the use of Spanish universally as a second language; to support the methods and activities that would help the process of Spanish language education, and to contribute to the advancement of the Spanish and Hispanic American cultures throughout non-Spanish-speaking countries.
When I was working in the UK as a Spanish teacher and later as a schools adviser, I used the branch in Manchester (England) extensively, attending their monthly events and using grants from the Institute for projects in my local education authority (at first St Helens, then Sefton, both Merseyside).
Cervantes Institute, Manchester [Facebook]
Cervantes Theatre, London
The Cervantes Theatre was London’s first venue dedicated to showcasing Spanish and Latin American plays, performed both in Spanish and in English. It opened its doors in 2016 and it was the proud creation of the Spanish Theatre Company (STC), a charity which aims to bring the best Spanish and Latin American culture to London and to British audiences.
[Photo: ABC]
The Cervantes Theatre presented a wide variety of plays including new writing, contemporary masterpieces and Spanish Golden Age classics and it also had a strong educational programme. Through its bilingual programming, it encouraged Spanish/Latin American/British cultural exchange and it was a reference point in London for Spanish-speaking culture and heritage.
Both my ex-wife, Jeryl Burgess, and my son, Tom Whitelock, both professional actors have performed there. Jeryl most famously as Amelia in the World Premiere of Guillem Clua's "La Golondrina" and Tom as Juan in Lorca's "Yerma".
Jeryl as Amelia in "La Golondrina" Tom with Leila Damilola in "Yerma" [Photos: Cervantes Theatre]
Whilst researching this piece I was devastated to learn that The Cervantes Theatre closed its doors permanently in 2023 (my acting relatives didn't bother to tell me!) as a result of funding cuts post-Brexit.
Well done, Bojo! (Bojo the Clown, aka then prime minister Boris Johnson).
[YouTube]
Death Notice
The Cervantes Theatre opened in 2016 and during its 7 years of existence programmed 106 plays, concerts and events, and produced 15 playsbpromoting the work of 42 playwrights from Spain, Colombia, México, Uruguay, Argentina, Brasil, Venezuela, Perú, Chile and Cuba.
Teatro Cervantes, Malaga
In 1984, Malaga City Council acquired the dilapidated Teatro Cervantes and financed the work to reconstruct the building, receiving grants from the Ministry of Public Works and Urban Planning, the Ministry of Culture and the regional Andalusian government’s Department of Public Works and Transport.
The new theatre, with a capacity of 1,171 seats divided up into stalls, boxes and seats in the galleries, was equipped with all the material, fixtures and equipment required by current legislation for a public theatre.
Her Majesty Queen Sofía attended the opening ceremony on 6th April 1987, at which a concert was performed by the 'Orquesta Sinfonica Ciudad de Malaga'.
That same year, Teatro Cervantes won the Europa Nostra Award (UNESCO) for its thorough restoration work, and was considered the Best Andalusian Restoration in 1987.
In 2005 Teatro Cervantes was registered in the General Catalogue of Andalusian Historical Heritage (Catálogo General del Patrimonio Histórico Andaluz) as a BIC (Property of Cultural Interest).
I've never attended an event there, but it is a good meeting point.
I see from their current programme that they will be performing my favourite Spanish play of all time, "La Casa de Bernarda Alba" by Federico Garcia Lorca in 2026.
Put us down for tickets!
"La Casa de Bernarda Alba", 14th Jan [Youtube]
El Tapeo de Cervantes, Malaga
"It was in this small restaurant that our Málaga adventure began, back in 2008. Since then, we’ve been delighting our loyal guests and friends with surprising dishes and warm service. Our commitment is to keep doing so for many years to come".
Romina and Gabriel, Owners
[Wikipedia]
El Meson de Cervantes, Malaga
"At El Mesón de Cervantes, we would like to get to know you. Whether you want to make a reservation, find out about our menú, or for anything else, we are here to help you. Don't be shy about getting in touch with us!"
Email: info@elmesondecervantes.com
Tel: (+34) 952216274
Address: Calle Álamos 11, Distrito Centro, 29012 Málaga
[Trip Advisor]
Hotel BLUESEA Gran Cervantes, Torremolinos, Malaga
"Tu hotel con vistas en la Costa del Sol"
"En el Bluesea Gran Cervantes la ubicación lo es todo. A solo 5 minutos a pie de la playa y en pleno centro de Torremolinos, este hotel de 4 estrellas te ofrece la combinación perfecta de descanso, gastronomía y ocio.
Con habitaciones amplias, piscinas interior y exterior, animación y servicio todo incluido, es ideal tanto para escapadas en pareja como para viajes en familia".
[Trip Advisor]
Mediterranean flavours with a view
"At the buffet restaurant of Bluesea Gran Cervantes, every meal is a chance to enjoy the best of local and international cuisine, without any fuss. Enjoy varied breakfasts, balanced lunches and dinners with options for everyone, always paired with panoramic sea views".
BLUESEA Gran Cervantes
C/ Las Mercedes, s/n 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga, Spain
Tel: +34 952 384 033
Email: cervantesres@blueseahotels.es
UEMC, Valladolid
ACERCA DE LA UEMC
"La Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes es una universidad privada, joven y dinámica que desarrolla una enseñanza de calidad orientada al estudiante y sustentada en la atención personalizada, los grupos reducidos y las prácticas en empresas. Igualmente, la labor investigadora centra sus esfuerzos en materializar los avances científicos, socioeconómicos y medioambientales de nuestro entorno.
[Trip Advisor]
"Fundada en el año 2002 (BOCyL 24/06/02 y BOE 05/07/02), la UEMC cuenta actualmente en su campus de Valladolid con más de 4.500 Estudiantes, 400 Profesores e Investigadores y Personal de Administración y Servicios y cuenta con una oferta formativa de 15 Grados Oficiales, 5 Dobles Grados, 5 Grados Internacionales y 12 Másteres Oficiales y numerosos estudios de Posgrado. Igualmente, pone en marcha diversas actividades de Extensión Universitaria (Congresos, Jornadas, etc.), Formación Complementaria y Cursos de Español para Extranjeros".
Links:
Man of La Mancha (1972) - The Impossible Dream Scene (6/9) | Movieclips
© Paul Whitelock
Pictures:
ABC, Amazon, Editorial ExLibric, Elejandria, Facebook, FANFAN, Postcard, ProfeDeELE.es, Trip Advisor, Wikipedia, YouTube, Zenda
Tags:
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