Mafalda, the popular comic strip series created by Argentine cartoonist Joaquin Salvador Lavado - also known as Quino - turns 50 Monday.
Mafalda was first published in 1964 in the weekly publication Primera Plana until 1973, gaining international acclaim for her biting social commentary.The comic chronicles the thoughts and experiences of a witty, 6-year-old girl from Buenos Aires who speaks out on progressive ideals and criticizes the established order. Mafalda has since been translated into 26 languages, made into animated cartoon series and published as a book.
@Wildfire_v And here is a Latin American comic contribution: MAFALDA ( in English) pic.twitter.com/VZmLktvcZp
— TONIE JAQUEZ (@TJAQUEZH)
May 13, 2014
The first animated series featured 260 90-second films and was produced for Argentine television by Daniel Mallo in 1972. These shorts were adapted into a full-length movie in 1979 and released in 1981 by Carlos Marquez.
Cuban filmmaker Juan Padron directed 104 short animated Mafalda films in 1993.
Mafalda, her family and friends confront a variety of world issues like greed, ambition, political repression and poverty but all the while with a humorous twist that inspires readers to reflect on their own personal circumstances.
A major exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of Mafalda's first publications opened September 19 in Buenos Aires' Public Library. The exhibition, which includes original drawings, sketches, comic strips, and letters from fans that he collected over the years, will run until December.