Mafalda

El Sauzal has just added a very special "neighbor": Mafalda, the iconic character created by Quino, now has her own statue in the municipality, in front of the El Sauzal Theater and next to the Town Hall, as a symbol of culture, reflection, and humor. It was inaugurated on June 26, 2025, in a public ceremony attended by sculptor Pablo Irrgang, the only person authorized by Quino's family to recreate his work in official sculptures.

Mafalda is represented sitting on a bench, on a child's scale, measuring approximately 80 cm in height and weighing approximately 20 kg. The decision to locate it in front of the theater, next to the municipal cultural space, seeks not only to beautify the urban space but also to invite reflection, play, and the idea that public spaces can also be venues for ideas and sensibilities.

What makes this statue special is that El Sauzal becomes the fourth Spanish city (and the only one outside a major metropolis) to host it, forming part of an international network of cities with Mafalda sculptures. It's also noteworthy that an accessible space was chosen, close to the municipal government and the cultural center, so that Mafalda is not just a piece of art, but part of the city's fabric, something people can visit and feel close to.

Seeing this statue is not just looking at a curious work, but participating in something human: stopping, taking a photo, thinking a little, laughing, and experiencing how art can transform the routine of a square or street. This figure invites us to imagine, to question, and above all, to remember that childhood and imagination have a place in public spaces. Mafalda in El Sauzal is both a tribute and an urban visual poem, and is sure to become a must-see for those who want to capture the cultural heart of Tenerife.