Miguel de Cervantes’ World Comes to Tallahassee
By Sydney Schumacher
Florida has a rich and deeply rooted Spanish past. Juan Ponce de León gave Florida its name and claimed it for Spain in 1513. He and his crew were the first Europeans to explore our state. In 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded St. Augustine, the oldest European settlement in North America, still going strong today. King Charles II of Spain promised that slaves escaping from British colonies could become free in Florida, and the surge of refugees gave rise to Fort Mosé. Established in 1738, Fort Mosé was the first free African settlement in North America. When Florida became United States territory in 1821, it brought the young country a robust blend of Spanish, French, African, English, and Native American heritages.
Before statehood, before Fort Mosé, and before St. Augustine, Florida inherited a Hispanic hero: Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. He was born in Spain in 1547 and before his death in 1616 became known as “El Príncipe de los Ingenios del Mundo” (a world-class genius). Cervantes is most famous for writing Don Quixote, but like the characters he created, his life was packed with adventure. His military, culinary, and dramaturgical achievements shape the way we live today.
Cervantes became a military hero at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, when the Spanish navy kept the Ottoman Empire from reinvading Europe. Wounded in his left arm, Cervantes dubbed himself “El Manco de Lepanto” (the one-armed veteran of Lepanto). His wonderful writing about food made Cervantes a culinary hero, too. Don Quixote’s sidekick is named “Sancho Panza” (Pig Belly) for a reason. To this very day scholars turn to Don Quixote to learn how people ate in the 1600s and great chefs of Spain specialize in dishes that Cervantes made famous. Cervantes’ pen also became famous on the stage. His plays encompass one-act satires poking fun at prejudices we still fight today and Broadway-sized thrillers rooted in history, including his own history as a captive held for ransom by the Turks.
This September, Theater with a Mission (TWAM) invites you to explore the world of Cervantes in the free Loco for Love Festival. You can seize a wooden sword and practice steps from classic Spanish swordplay. You can gather at the cooking pot and sample dishes that won Sancho Panza’s seal of approval. And you can take a front-row seat and see El retablo de las Maravillas, Where Only the Pure See Miracles, Cervantes’ most famous play. El retablo is a 25-minute spoof where bloodlines are questioned and St. Ignoramus is called upon to produce apparitions, including lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!), mice from Noah’s ark, and King Herod’s wife Herodias dancing.
The Loco for Love Festival will happen September 13-16 in Tallahassee’s Railroad Square. Updates and sneak peeks behind the scenes can be found on the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/TheaterWithAMission/. Step into the world of a Hispanic Hero this fall! Come experience the swordplay, taste the food, and see the drama of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, all free at a four-day, family-friendly Festival.
