The novel’s popularity even spawned an unauthorized sequel, to which Cervantes responded with his own sequel, published in 1614, two years before his death. Coincidentally, Cervantes and Shakespeare were friends, and died on the same day. It is no surprise that Don Quixote’s place in the literary canon, and its influence on readers throughout history and across societal lines has inspired a passion for this novel... particularly for one El Paso man.
When Albert Askenazi was growing up in Mexico City, his seventh grade teacher assigned Don Quixote as a required part of the curriculum. For Albert, reading the classic novel was the beginning of a life-long love. “The book gave me such great feelings about the character that I read it again as a teenager. By then, my second perception [of the novel] was completely different,” recalls Albert. “For me,” he says, “it was a very influential book, because Don Quixote is always trying to make justice for people in the world. He respects women and children, and he defends the poor. Part of his message is to be equal to everybody. He still inspires me to dream, and to succeed.” His connection to the main character has persisted since Albert’s initial exposure to the novel. As a child playing make-believe with friends, Albert settled on being a different kind of “superhero.” “A lot of my friends wanted to be Babe Ruth, Superman, or Kennedy... I wanted to be Don Quixote.” As a teenager, when tough choices arose in Albert’s life he would always ask himself, “What would Don Quixote do if he were in this position?”
When Albert was twenty-seven he gave a presentation on Don Quixote in his Masonic lodge. It was such a successful presentation that he was asked to do four more. After the series was over, the lodge presented him with his first Don Quixote figurine. It was the start of an off-shoot passion. For his birthday a few months later, Albert’s wife, Shirleen, gave him another piece. Thirty-five years later, he and Shirleen are still constantly on the hunt for Don Quixote collector’s items. Today, they have assembled the world’s largest private collection of Don Quixote items, amassing an astounding 623 different pieces. Although Albert has many of his prize pieces safely on display in their home, the majority of the collection is currently on display in three major
U.S. universities.
Albert’s collection boasts statues and figurines, carvings, paintings, drawings, sculptures, and books. Don Quixote has been translated into most languages, and Albert’s collection houses 135 editions in sixty-three different languages. After thirty-five years of collecting items, Albert began commissioning special projects. He wanted to find an edition of the novel in Braille, but none existed. “I searched for seven years for the book in Braille, and finally I had it commissioned from The Institute of the Blind in Washington, D.C. Now I have the only Braille versions of Don Quixote in the world.” The Braille version of the entire novel was transcribed into fourteen volumes. In Louisville, KY, he had Quixote etched on an ostrich egg. In Shanghai Albert commissioned one of his oddest pieces, a marble egg with a drawing of Quixote. Currently he’s awaiting delivery of a cross-stitched tapestry which will include 125 different colors and measure three by four feet. Perhaps one of his most interesting items is a carving of Don Quixote on the head of a toothpick, which was commissioned in Mexico City. Albert still receives many items as gifts, “My youngest son just took up painting and made me a painting of Don Quixote for Father’s Day. It is currently in the New York State University traveling collection.”
Albert frequently travels across the country giving lectures on Don Quixote to all school levels and for anyone who wants to listen; he also gives presentations in both Spanish and English. Although he knows the book backward and forward by now, he still enjoys the opportunities he has had to study and to speak with fellow scholars.
The one thing he always brings with him to every presentation is the very first piece of memorabilia given to him after his very first series of lectures. Albert’s only requirement when searching for new pieces for their collection is a simple one: “No duplicates. That is my only condition when picking up new pieces.” When asked what his favorite piece is, Albert doesn’t have to think about it, “All of them,” he replies, grinning from ear to ear. What would Don Quixote say?
El Paso’s Club de España is a social and cultural club that celebrates the culture of Spanish descendants. For nine years the Club has hosted a gala ball for their members and guests. This year’s ball was held at the Camino Real, and the theme was “Don Quixote!” Albert and Shirleen Askenazi were guests, and many of Albert’s collection pieces were featured. Greeters dressed as main characters from the book met guests at the door, tables were adorned with windmills and Jose Cisneros was on hand to present some of his Don Quixote drawings. It was a beautiful evening highlighted by Spanish dancers and a presentation of Don Quixote DVD sets to area schools, ensuring that the legacy of Cervantes and Quixote continues to flourish.
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