By Diego Martinez
Today a great of comics and culture has left us: Joaquín Lavado, better known as Quino, the pseudonym he used throughout his artistic career.
Through his most famous character, Mafalda, he inspired us as children to take a critical look at the world and to fight against injustice and abuse, always with a smile. «Stop the world I want to get off» was the phrase that immortalised Mafalda and reflects this spirit.
Besides being an excellent illustrator and cartoonist, Quino was a staunch defender of public schools, which is why our group «Teachers Marching» carries Mafalda as a symbol and was also a defender of various democratic rights. In 2018 he spoke out in favour of legal, safe and free abortion, and Mafaldas wearing green bandanas filled the squares across the country.
After living several years in Europe, he returned to his native Mendoza, where he drew his first sketches and died at 88 today.
Quino will no longer be with us, but his work will remain alive, inspiring new generations to fight for a better world.
Goodbye, maestro.
