el ingenioso hidalgo don quixote de la mancha

His full name was Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) and he is generally given the distinction of being the greatest Spanish writer. However, knowing something of its content and why it’s so special can increase your understanding of the Spanish language and Spanish people. The purpose of this article isn’t to provide an in-depth analysis of a text that must have been critiqued and examined in detail the world over. But on another, we have two systems meeting each other in person– the old and the new.

On one level, that children can appreciate in particular, is its humour. Like Shakespeare in the UK, studying the text is a must for children in Spanish school and, like the best texts, it has many features that appeal on a number of different levels. The organisation given the task of guarding the Spanish language is called the Instituto Cervantes and you’ll find reference to the story in street names and plazas all over Spain. The full title of the book is ‘Don Quijote de la Mancha’ and references to it and its author are weaved into Spanish society. Written by Cervantes, this story is famous throughout the world and is the second most frequently translated book, the Bible being first. If you have spent any reasonable amount of time in Spain you must have come across the story of Don Quijote or Don Quixote, as it’s sometimes spelt. In this article we give you a flavour of what it’s all about and encourage you to find out more. References to the story and its characters can be found in every part of the country.

Don Quijote and its writer, Miguel de Cervantes, are at the heart of Spanish culture.

El ingenioso hidalgo don quixote de la mancha