In an inspiring analysis published in La República, Ramiro Santa invokes the spirit of Don Quixote to face 2026 with courage and optimism. Amid political and economic uncertainty, the author urges overcoming discouragement through ethical action and self-confidence.
Ramiro Santa's article, titled 'The year of the triumph of the Knight,' appears in La República on January 1, 2026, though the recorded publication date is April 4. Santa likens the start of the new year to a Quixote adventure, noting that past years have arrived wearily, like the horse Rocinante, but this one demands an act of faith and bravery to move forward.
The author emphasizes that the greatest obstacles are not external but internal: indecisions, doubts, and fear instilled by the powerful. In a setting of 'noise, anxiety, and a thick fog' that hinders clear forecasts, Santa warns against the temptation to surrender to corrupt politics and a mafia-dominated economy. Instead, he suggests emulating Don Quixote's 'ethical stubbornness': rising repeatedly, believing in justice even without applause, and prioritizing dignity over perfection.
Drawing on the Cervantine spirit, Santa advocates for less arrogance and rancor, and more action and concrete data. 'Discouragement is the worst defeat,' he states, encouraging errors in worthwhile endeavors, laughing at defeats without making them routine, and confronting injustices without fleeing. He concludes with a phrase attributed to Don Quixote to Sancho Panza: 'today can be the most beautiful day of our life,' if one has the disposition and firm decision to make it possible. Thus, 2026 emerges as an opportunity for everyday knights —in aprons, uniforms, or robes— to contribute to the common good.
