An article on the Argentinean newspaper (La Izquierda Diario) renders tribute to an iconic character born 51 years ago… Mafalda. She is not just another comic strip, she is very much alive and still believes in social justice, and refuses to remain silent. 

From 1964 to 1973 Mafalda survived censorship, and repression during a military dictatorship. She never hid her criticism to the world the adults have left behind. 

Her creator, Joaquin Lavado (Quino) probably feels part of that generation that wanted to changed the world and failed. Mafalda is the last “contestataria” says the article, meaning rebellious, anti-establishment.

In 1977 Mafalda was selected to represent the Children’s Rights by UNICEF.

Mafalda lives in a typical neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Her family consists of two young parents: The father works for an insurance company, the mother is a typical housewife.  A brother (Guille, always with a pacifier, in love with Brigitte Bardot), and four friends:

Susanita, the stereotypical girl who wants to marry a rich man and have many children and watches “novelas”

Manolito, who helps his father (a “gallego” or Spaniard immigrant owner of an “almacen” typical grocery store before the supermarkets took over). Like his father he is portrayed as uneducated and greedy, a stereotype for most immigrants that came from Europe after the war.

Felipito who is shy, and a dreamer, usually backs Mafalda on all her crazy ideas.

Libertad who is extremely young (maybe three or four years old) who is a bit of a socialist, and a bit of an anarchist.  

Mafalda is everything you would not expect of a girl. Her non conformant attitude starts with her screaming at the table. “I hate soup”. It was, according to Quino a hate for everything imposed by the principle of authority and not reason.

Mafalda defied not only stereotypes and common places but censorship and lack of freedom during the military regime of Ongania and Lanusse (1966-1973). During those years many scientists, writers and intellectual had to flee the country and the University lost prestigious professors including Cesar Milstein (Nobel Prize of Medicine). Homosexuals where beaten by the police, who also would enter into motels and arrest unfaithful husbands and wives. Mafalda was probably the vehicle where my fellow countrymen found solace, and it is interesting he choose a girl to be the voice for freedom and rebellion.

Today Mafalda remains rooted in the heart of my fellow Argentineans, as a symbol of defiance, non conformity and truth.  Her creator is now old and has won many awards, and he considers Mafalda very much alive. She is not one of the “disappeared” .

Mafalda turned  51, but according to her “if life begins at 40, then I am only 11”.

Here is Susana who epithomizes traditional values, racism, and selfishness

http://www.laizquierdadiario.com/Mafalda-la-contestataria-cumple-51-anos