On World Book Day, the President of the Regional House of Castilla-La Mancha in Madrid, José Fernando Sánchez Ruiz has received the graphic artist Houda Bakkali, who will exhibit her work “Time of Quixotes” on a permanent basis in the gallery of this cultural centre.

“My work, Times of Quixote couldn’t be in a better place. It is a true honour and a great motivation to be able to have my work exhibited here. This work that represents the Don Quixote of the 21^st century, conciliatory and ironic, colorful, and free-spirited, a lover of dialogue and friendship, and of fulfilled dreams. A Quixote that transmits a hopeful message, today more necessary than ever,” confesses the artist.

Regarding her work, the President of the Regional House of Castilla-La Mancha in Madrid believes that “Houda is one of the most inspired and emerging artists of our time, her expression is a discovery, not only of the most avant-garde techniques in the creation of communicative images, but also in technical management and especially in her conceptualization of things. Her work is not anchored in beauty and the pleasure of sight but seems like this because of its beauty. Her work is above all a commitment to our time and the most progressive ideas in our world. The artist takes a new look at Don Quixote, without paying special attention to the scenario; his adventures or the characters and their actions, she looks from another point of view: that of ideas. The artist collects the ideas that underlie the novel; freedom, cooperation, progress, overcoming injustice, etc. These ideas support this new point of view, allowing the artist to approach the concept with scenes, colours and even novel characters. A work that evokes Don Quixote from all angles, without having to respect certain rules and, therefore, is more quixotic than many other versions. The Regional House of Castilla-La Mancha receives from Houda Bakkali this artistic piece that comes with considerable international recognition. Now this piece has come into Quixote territory, closer to its origins. We are indebted to Houda, a debt that we will only be able to pay off with the quixotic madness of moving forward, always looking towards a clean horizon full of peaceful coexistence and the balance between the interests of humanity and the planet.”

Houda Bakkali, has been one of the personalities invited to participate in the reading of Don Quixote to commemorate the work of the most universal Spanish writer on World Book Day. “Being in this institution, which represents the cradle of Cervantes in Madrid, and being able to read a fragment of Don Quixote is a real gift. I am very grateful for this invitation” says Houda. This institution seeks to merge regional values ​​and traditions with new artistic trends. They do this by hosting those artists who are motivated by the immense legacy of Castilla-La Mancha. They want to capture its memory by playing tribute to the land of Cervantes, as is the case of Houda Bakkali.

“Castilla La-Mancha is a region full of charm, colours of different shades and flavours that are very reminiscent of my origins. It is a land of friendly people committed to their history and its roots. I have been lucky enough to live and know this region first-hand, which always inspires me, and I must thank it and its people for the love and support for my work”.