Mafalda meets Pimpa. In Rome, the dialogue between two authentic comic icons: interview with the curators

A new exhibition in Rome titled "Mafalda & La Pimpa" brings together two iconic comic strip characters for the first time. Created by Quino (1964) and Altan (1975) respectively, Mafalda and Pimpa represent different approaches to childhood: Mafalda critically questions adult society, while Pimpa explores a gentle, wonder-filled world. The show runs from May 14 to July 11 at the Instituto Cervantes, featuring over 120 original strips and plates, and is organized in collaboration with ARF! Festival and other partners. Curators Stefano Piccoli and Daniele Bonomo designed the exhibition to highlight both the contrasts and surprising analogies between the two beloved figures.

This exhibition matters because it places two globally recognized comic icons in dialogue for the first time, offering a rare opportunity to examine how visual storytelling has shaped perceptions of childhood across cultures and decades. By juxtaposing Quino's sharp social critique with Altan's gentle, relational narrative, the show invites adult audiences to reconsider childhood as a privileged lens for understanding the world. It also underscores the enduring cultural significance of comics as an art form, bridging generations and languages through the universal language of illustration.