Azul, Land Of Quixotes

En enero de 2007 Azul fue declarada Ciudad Cervantina de la Argentina. Foto Javier Carlomagno.

In April 2002 the Centre Unesco Castilla - La Mancha was born in order to create between 2005 and 2015 a network consisting of various cities around the world that maintains special collections on the works of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. Its director, Fernando Redondo Benito, who was drafted the decree formalized the appointment of Azul as "City Cervantina of Argentina" and entered into force on January 23, 2007.

Thus, the city became the second with such distinction in Latin America since the first was the Mexican town of Guanajuato and who inaugurated the tradition is nothing less than Alcala de Henares, birthplace of the author of Don Quixote in 1547.

The distinction was made possible not only because of the valuable collections bibliographic cervantinas bequeathed by Ronco marriage, but primarily at the initiative of a group of centenarians local institutions such as the Association of Spanish Mutual Relief, the Library "Bartolome J. Ronco " and the Municipality of Azul.

This initiative to proclaim Azul City Cervantina of Argentina was consolidated in November 2004 when it conducted the "Exhibition Cervantes: de la Mancha to Pampa.". That time was exhibited 250 books and 100 articles, all owned by Dr. Bartolome J. Ronco, a lawyer, collector and director of the Azul Popular Library until 1952, when it died. That exposure had a critical impact and was meant to be a real motorized cultural activity in which he began working schools and institutes under the slogan of City Cervantina.

The name of Azul City as Cervantina distinguishes and unlike other parts of the country and the world, inserting its own identity in times of globalization, and giving recognition nationally and internationally. It is therefore an invaluable opportunity for Azul and for the entire region of central Buenos Aires Province, being necessary to recognize the significance and importance that the appointment will bring to the city.

Click here to access to B. J. Ronco biography and the description of the Cervantine Collection.

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