The Great Cervantes: Ceremony for Don Quixote's Father!

The Great Cervantes: Ceremony for Don Quixote's Father!

On September 29th we celebrate the birthday of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, one of the most important writers in Western literature. His most famous work, “Don Quixote,” is not only recognized as the first modern book, but is also often cited as one of the best novels of all time. The author, once a veteran of the Battle of Lepanto, experienced numerous setbacks in his life. He was a failed tax collector and even found himself in prison in Seville when he began sketching his masterpiece. This origin story is as unique as it is moving, because Cervantes created “Don Quixote” not in a moment of freedom, but under enormous pressure and in times of scarcity. The book's themes are still very relevant today.

In “Don Quixote”, whose full title is “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha”, the protagonist Alonso Quijano, who has lost his mind by reading chivalric novels, pursues his dreams as a noble knight. Together with his faithful companion Sancho Panza, he embarks on an adventurous journey in which reality and illusion often blur. Cervantes thus parodies the chivalric novels popular at the time, which were referred to as the “Netflix” of the 16th century, and in doing so actually makes Don Quixote the hero of a comic tragedy.

Characters and their meaning

The relationship between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza is central. Don Quixote is often described as ridiculous, yet he embodies the ideals worth fighting for. Sancho Panza, the realist, brings necessary balance to this dynamic duo. This dynamic is seen as necessary for the survival of the ideal in a world characterized by stupidity and fallacious norms.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is also quoted in an exciting light, who, like Cervantes, philosophized in prison and remarked: “It is the best who perish like this.” His reflections on stupidity as more dangerous than malice connect beautifully with Cervantes’ story. Because in “Don Quixote” the real opponents are not real windmills, but often the systems that maintain that unreality.

A timeless work

The discussion about stupidity, which often disguises itself as normality, is also very relevant in today's society. Cervantes was a master at reflecting human nature and the need for idealism. Even more than 400 years after its first publication, his work not only remains one of the most translated books in the world, but it also sells to the brim - with over 500 million copies worldwide. “Don Quixote” is more than a historical text; it is a living document that brings us closer to the dangers of everyday life and the power of dreams.

Whether through his distinctive episodic structure or his masterful use of irony, Cervantes’ influence is still felt today. He created concepts that have become part of our cultural memory, and the term “quixotic” alone illustrates his lasting impact on literature and beyond. The work challenges us to continue to fight against the windmills of stupidity and conformism even in modern times.

For all those who want to better understand the great Cervantes and his immortal figure Don Quixote: The book is not only an old-fashioned classic, but also an important companion through the turbulence of life.