The Eckerd FYE class “Quest for Justice” took their learning to the next level in celebrating World Book Day with “blind date with a book”s, stickers, and other activities in the James Center on April 23rd. A truly notable date,as it celebrates the author of Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes, the birth and death day of William Shakespeare and St. George’s Day, which is Valentine’s Day in Catalonia, Spain.
The Literary Love Fest, held on World Book Day (April 23), boasted several activities: sticker collecting, a blind book swap, a raffle for cheese and books, and a special appearance by Don Quixote and Freston themselves.
Photo by Mia Henrich
The class of nine students, taught by Professor Cristina Delano, an assistant professor of Spanish at Eckerd College, has a special appreciation for World Book Day as they spent the semester reading all of Don Quixote, a 900 page novel. Delano’s Early Modern Spanish Literature course assisted in the festivities, the class well versed in the themes.
“Reading a long book is sort of a super power… a novel, like Don Quixote, requires long sustained attention and engagement,” said Delano. In a world where AI is developing and social media promotes short attention spans, reading a long, hard book can be considered antiquated. Especially the first modern novel of Don Quixote, written over 400 years ago.
“It’s really brought me into a place where I can question the meanings of truth, justice and the common good and how they can get very muddy when it comes to differences in people and their experiences,” said William Alvarado, a freshman in philosophy. He selected the course by chance after his first choice filled up, and it has required reflection in a way he didn’t expect.
A poster was hung up on the James Center wall, inviting students to share their favorite books. Answers ranged from the sci-fi Project Hail Mary to plays by Shakespeare.
Photo by Mia Henrich
Students passing by wrote their favorite books on the wall, picked up book themed stickers and added their names to the raffle for Manchego cheese and a vintage copy of Don Quixote. The class started an Instagram page to promote the event, posting their own “Don Quixote” adventuring around Eckerd College. Each of the students contributed to planning the day, running the Instagram page, acting as different characters and manning the table.
The event ended in a duel between the Sorcerer Freston and Don Quixote, with the Lady Dulcinea looking on from the sidelines.
Students portraying fictional characters Don Quixote (left) and Freston the Sorcerer (right) faced off in the James Center lobby.
Photo by Mia Henrich
“As much as I like it, I don’t think just anyone can pick it up,” said Alvaro, “I think it requires a lot of deep thinking. Even to the point where, I won’t realize things until my professor points them out.”
“I think reading literature, whether it’s in English, Spanish, French, or any of the languages that our faculty teach literature is a fundamental part of the liberal arts education, and it’s a fundamental part of an accurate education,” said Delano.