Mujica, the Uruguayan Quixote (or Sanchijote)

Apstrakt

This study explores the construction of the link between the figure of former Uruguayan president José “Pepe” Mujica and the archetypes of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. The research unravels how Mujica has become intertwined with the quixotic myth, reflecting a particular idealism, and simultaneously, with the more pragmatic and popular characteristics of Sancho. To understand this association, it examines the mentions and connections established by leading figures in the Uruguayan political and cultural sphere. It analyzes not only how third parties associate Mujica with these literary characters, but also the strategic use that Mujica himself and his political force have made of these references. A key aspect of the study is the exploration of the representations and re-readings that the Uruguayan carnival, a space of popular expression par excellence, has made of this symbiosis. The research reveals that the social construct derived from these associations has established a space of the utopian in a transcendental sense. That is to say, the amalgamation of the construct linked to Mujica, with quixotic and Sanchopancesque myths transcends mere representation to become a symbol of aspirations and possibilities. This study offers insights into the patterns that influence the edification of charismatic political figures and their powerful resonance with the literary imaginary.