"Don Quixote" is credited as the first modern novel and has been widely translated in a variety of languages, so widely translated that many claim only the Bible is available in more languages." Photo by Chris Meyer Organizers (from left) Juan Carlos Conde, Catherine Larson and Steven Wagschal meet to discuss the upcoming Don Quixote 1605-2005 Symposium. "Youngsters read it, grown men understand it, and old people applaud it." --Miguel de Cervantes

'Quixote' quest Sept. 22-24

Catherine Larson believes Don Quixote is one of the most influential works of literature in modern history. That's the main reason the IU Bloomington professor agreed to help organize a celebration marking the novel's 400th anniversary.

"This is a book about books. And it's a book about reading and readers. Every time I read it, I find it teaches me something new. And often it's something about myself," said Larson, a literature professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. "A chance for other people to experience that is part of what has motivated us."

Fellow IU Bloomington Spanish and Portuguese professors Juan Carlos Conde and Steven Wagschal have joined Larson in planning the "Don Quixote 1605-2005 Symposium."

The Bloomington-based conference will be Friday through Sunday, Sept. 22-24. In addition to scholarly inquiry, free events of interest to the general public include readings, a concert and art exhibits.

The idea for the symposium came in the spring of 2004, as the group looked ahead to 2005--the 400th anniversary of Miguel de Cervantes' publication of Don Quijote de la Mancha Part I.

Conde said events marking the novel's anniversary have been celebrated worldwide, ranging from elaborate festivals and travel tours to academic conferences at universities. In Spain, the Royal Spanish Academy published inexpensive editions of the novel, helping to make Don Quixote one of the best-selling books in Spain, 400 years after its original publication. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is so fond of the novel, he sponsored a mass giveaway, distributing nearly a million free copies across his country.

Larson isn't surprised the novel's anniversary has garnered so much attention: Don Quixote is credited as the first modern novel and has been widely translated in a variety of languages, so widely translated that many claim only the Bible is available in more languages. Larson believes the novel is timeless.

"It truly is a novel that has stood the test of time," said Larson, who coincidently also is teaching an undergraduate course on the novel this semester. "Every single time I teach the course, on the first day I say to students, 'This novel is going to change your life.' And they go 'ha-ha-ha-ha.' And at the end of the course I say, 'Did this change your life?' and they all agree that it has. It really is a life transforming book. And one that everyone should read."

Wagschal, like Larson, views reading the novel as a life-changing event. "It (the novel) shows that things are not cut and dry; it shows you how to look at your life as a narrative."

Larson agrees. "This text helps me see on many different levels how fiction can change lives."

"I find it extremely interesting that nothing is what it looks. That's an important lesson," Conde offers as to why he enjoys reading the novel. "For me, the nicest possible outcome of our conference would be that a number of people decided to take the book and read--read for the first time or again. That would be a very nice outcome."

Editor's note: For information on free registration, a listing of visiting scholars and discussion topics, event scheduling and a complete index of symposium sponsors, visit the Don Quixote 1605-2005 Symposium Web site at:
http://www.indiana.edu/~dqweb/symposium2005/

Special events

All three organizers emphasized their attention in creating a conference that crosses disciplines, planning events that showcase the novel's ability to spark creativity. The following events are highlights:

Don Quixote Travels the World--A multilingual reading of selected passages from Cervantes' novel in 12 different languages, paired with visual representations of the texts being read in English and Spanish. The reading is at the State Room East/West. Date: Thursday, Sept. 22 (5-6 p.m.)

Gallery Talk: Illustrating Don Quixote-- Wagschal will present a short gallery talk on a suite of woodcuts by the German Expressionist artist Walther Klemm on Don Quixote, at the IU Art Museum. Date: Friday, Sept. 23 (6-6:15 p.m.)

Don Quijote, un héroe en romances/Don Quixote, A Hero in Ballads--The ensemble Fénix de los ingenios and guest artists will present the romances, ballads and dances of Don Quixote, featuring performers from IU's Latin American Music Center. The concert will be in the Thomas T. Solley Atrium, on the second floor of the IU Art Museum. Date: Friday, Sept. 23 (6:30-8 p.m.)

Don Quijote in Western Art and Thought--A special presentation by John J. Allen (Kentucky University) and Patricia Finch (Centre College) in the Grand Hall of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. Date: Saturday, Sept. 24 (9:30-10:30 a.m.)