Writers and readers bid farewell to Daniel Divinsky, the master editor and "godfather" of Mafalda.

Some people remembered a book. Another thanked an author. There were memories and anecdotes. And affection. This afternoon, writers, editors, and especially readers said goodbye to Daniel Divinsky , the man who founded Ediciones De la Flor in 1967, published “ Mafalda ” and Fontanarrosa , and made his way into thousands of homes with his books .

A law graduate with an honors degree from the University of Buenos Aires, Divinsky died early this morning as a result of kidney disease . "He died this morning, very peaceful, very loved, very cherished. There will be no wake but a private cremation ; then, as he requested, his ashes will be scattered into the Río de la Plata," his wife, Liliana Szwarcer, announced on social media.

For hours before, friends, acquaintances and complete strangers thanked him .

A particularly significant message was published by the nephews of Quino , the brilliant author of Mafalda and dozens of other titles from Editorial De la Flor, who decided that from today onwards that work will be published by the Penguin Random House group . "Daniel Divinsky, a great friend and editor of our beloved Quino, one of the founders of Ediciones de la Flor and a key figure in the development of Latin American comics and literature, has passed away," they noted.

Accompanied by a photo of Quino and Divinsky taken by Daniel Mordzinski, Quino's nephews recalled his merits: "Born in 1942, Daniel began his career in the publishing world during his university years – which he entered at just 15 years old – with the help of the bookseller, editor and producer Jorge Álvarez. After practicing as a lawyer for almost a decade, in 1967 he founded the famous publishing house with which he remained until 2015. From there he promoted an essential catalog with authors such as Rodolfo Walsh, Griselda Gambaro, Umberto Eco, Vinicius de Moraes, José Lezama Lima, Rodolfo Fogwill, Martín Caparrós, Roberto Fontanarrosa, Liniers, Rep, Caloi, Maitena , among many others."

Regarding the bond between the editor and the author, they recalled a quote from Divinsky: "'I maintained a very deep friendship with him, even after I stopped being his editor (...) I went to visit him until his last birthday, in July of last year, to eat with him one of his favorite things: sandwiches with crumb,' he recalled in an interview shortly after Quino's death. Today we say goodbye to him with enormous gratitude and with the certainty that his legacy will live on for generations ."

I just learned that Daniel Divinsky, @DanielDivi1 , has died. I've been calling him "the Colonel" for over 40 years and we used to laugh. He invited me to do radio for the first time—"A Midsummer Night's Dream in Belgrano," the title was his—and published my second novel.

Thank you, Colonel! pic.twitter.com/f9RZ6HBFXO

— Martín Caparrós (@martin_caparros) August 1, 2025

Several cultural institutions bid him farewell with social media posts. The El Libro Foundation , which organizes the annual Buenos Aires International Book Fair, called him an "excellent editor" and recalled that "he took the Argentine book industry to the top, promoting authors such as Quino, Rodolfo Walsh, and Fontanarrosa, among others."

The Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) praised his professional role: "If an editor's legacy is their catalog, Divinsky, at Ediciones de la Flor, undoubtedly leaves an essential heritage for the culture of our country, a contribution that transcends his time, that endures and will endure."

In addition to being an editor, Divinsky worked for a decade as a lawyer and CADRA , the association of authors and editors of books, photographic works and other publications, which protects and collectively manages copyright in Argentina , recalled that as a lawyer "he represented renowned Argentine authors . Among them: Roberto Fontanarrosa, Crist, Quino, Julio Cortázar, Aída Bortnik, Eduardo Galeano, Daniel Paz (Rudy), Caloi, Horacio Altuna, Carlos Trillo and María Esther Vázquez."

The National Arts Endowment also praised him as "an essential figure in Argentine literature" because "Ediciones De la Flor was not just a publishing house: it was a platform for thought, passion, and commitment," while the Guadalajara International Book Fair described him as a "key figure in the publishing world."

A unique farewell came from host Mario Pergolini, who recalled that Divinsky was the one who gave him his first radio job when Pergolini was 16. "I thank him, may he rest in peace," the host said.

Among the writers who thanked him were Mexican Juan Villoro , who called him a "close friend" and added, "He left us to become a legend, like Mafalda and Boogie." Also among them were Juan Carrá, who considered that "a generation that did so much good for popular culture is coming to an end. Let's take advantage of those we have left," and Enzo Maqueira , who noted that Divinsky was a "great person and a tremendous reader."

#Divinsky , we all wanted to publish with you, for having so carefully chosen Quino, Negro Fontanarrosa... back then, when you kept an eye on someone's work and they published your books, you felt like you'd reached a kind of Olympus. And a friendship had also begun. pic.twitter.com/ZLICAO00uu

— Rep (@miguelrep) August 1, 2025

From Spain, journalist and writer Martín Caparrós told this anecdote: "More than 40 years ago, I called him "the Colonel" and we laughed. He invited me to do radio for the first time – "A Midsummer Night's Dream in Belgrano" was his title – and he published my second novel . Thank you, Colonel!"

And Sergio Olguín , whom Divinsky once chose as his favorite contemporary writers, noted: "Thank you for everything you did. For culture, for literature, and for me. I will never tire of talking about you and your generosity ."

Officials and former officials from various recent administrations also paid tribute to him. Buenos Aires' Minister of Culture, Gabriela Ricardes , noted: "If Mafalda had a father, Quino, she also had a godfather, Daniel Divinsky, who, since 1970, published the stories of our most universal Buenos Aires native. But it wasn't just that: from Ediciones de la Flor, he was a key figure in the publishing world and in our culture . He will be missed."

For his part, Pablo Avelluto , former Minister of Culture (between 2018 and 2019), called him "a great editor and a role model for all of us who embrace the profession." He also recalled that "he championed a personal publishing project, caring for his authors and his books. He survived every economic crisis and represented the independent publisher in a market increasingly saturated by corporations."

Daniel Filmus , former Minister of Education between 2003 and 2007 and then Minister of Science between 2021 and 2023, also recalled that "he promoted Quino, Fontanarrosa and Walsh. He published Mafalda. He worked all his life to promote the culture of our country. Daniel Divinsky's contributions were enormous! Great guy! ".

His peers at Blatt & Ríos praised not only his successes but also other choices : "He was a great editor, one of the best Argentinian editors. To the obvious references of Quino and Fontanarrosa, I add his bets on Mario Levrero and Fogwill, among many others. Thank you for that." Along the same lines, workshop facilitator Santiago Llach , creator of the World Writing Championship, noted: "At Ediciones de la Flor he published the best comics (Mafalda), popular literature (Fontanarrosa), cult literature ( The Translator ). An independent publishing giant who knew how to combine passion, business, quality and reach."

If you edited Quino, published Operación Masacre, discovered Fontanarrosa, Maitena, Caloi and Liniers and yes, as a bonus, brought in John Berger and Vinicius, you're no longer just a guy who makes books, you're a God-level editor, Daniel Divinsky. And thank you. https://t.co/WELkPUtIrZ

— Notanpuan (@Notanpuanlibros) August 1, 2025

Among so many messages, one from former legislator and writer Eric Calcagno praised it on behalf of thousands of readers: "Thank you Daniel, you made life better for many of us. Ediciones de la Flor, that is immortality ."

His wife's post invites everyone to bid him farewell soon: "Those who want to go (to the ceremony at the Río de la Plata) can do so. Thank you for the affection, the words, the books, the activities, the complicity, and the laughter we shared. I know how much he loved so many of you and how much he enjoyed having you around . A big hug," she wrote.