The cartoonist Miguel Gallardo could not go to collect the Gold Medal for Cultural Merit with “a gala suit, sash and plastic sword bought in China”, as he promised his wife, also an illustrator Karin Du Croo, because he died four days before the plenary session of the Barcelona City Council confirmed in February to grant him recognition.
But his humor, talent and the value he gave to friendship were infected by those who yesterday attended the posthumous delivery ceremony by the mayor, Ada Colau, to Du Croo and May Suárez, mother of his daughter María. “The captain is the great representative of underground, libertarian, rogue Barcelona,” declared Colau, who also promised to “be the Barcelona of Miguel Gallardo.”
The friends and family of the honoree gathered in the Saló de Cent, including the artist Hanoch Piven, described him as someone who “represents all that is good”, who “improves people’s lives” and who “was make everything beautiful”, in reference to his most personal comics that, for some, could almost seem like sketches. “That style allowed us all to connect with his work immediately,” Piven determined.
Gallardo was still able to write a few words of thanks that his widow took care of reading. In them, the cartoonist affirmed that he “translated ideas into drawings as a way of thanking the city that saw me grow personally and professionally.” “Thank you Barcelona, ??don’t change, but for the better, continue to be an example for all the cities of the world”, concluded the cartoonist.
