Who is Don Quixote? And why does his name still echo across the Western world centuries later? Even if you’ve never read the book (most people haven’t), you’ve likely met the idea: the dreamer who tilts at windmills, the idealist who refuses to accept the world as it is. In this inclusive discussion hosted by Anastasiia, an artist, art historian, and devoted fan, we’ll meet Don Quixote from the inside out, no prior knowledge required, and explore why this character became one of the most influential figures in global literature, art, and culture.

 

Together, we’ll ask the big, playful question: was Don Quixote a hero, a madman, or something in between? What does it really mean to be “crazy,” and why do we keep loving characters who challenge reality with imagination and stubborn hope? We’ll trace how Quixote’s spirit shows up in modern stories and everyday life, and look for parallels in Chinese literature and mythology, figures who blur the line between wisdom and folly. Smart, fun, and welcoming to all, this session is about curiosity, culture, and why some stories never stop speaking to us.

 

堂吉诃德到底是谁？为什么几百年过去了，他的名字依然在西方世界不断被提起？就算你从没读过原著（其实大多数人都没读过），你也一定见过这个形象：向风车冲锋的梦想家，拒绝接受“世界本来就这样”的理想主义者。在这场由 Anastasiia 主持的轻松讨论中——她是一位艺术家、艺术史学者，也是堂吉诃德的忠实粉丝——我们会从角色的内在出发，重新认识堂吉诃德，不需要任何前置知识，一起聊聊为什么他会成为世界文学、艺术与文化中如此重要的人物。

 

我们会一起抛出一个既认真又好玩的问题：堂吉诃德到底是英雄、疯子，还是介于两者之间？“疯狂”究竟意味着什么？为什么我们总是会爱上那些用想象力和固执的希望去挑战现实的角色？我们也会看看堂吉诃德的精神如何出现在现代故事和日常生活中，并寻找他与中国文学和神话中的相似形象——那些游走在智慧与愚行边缘的人物。这是一场聪明、有趣、对所有人都很友好的讨论，关于好奇心、文化，以及为什么有些故事永远不会过时。