A touch of humor to pedestrian traffic management came to one of the busiest places in L’Eixample. Mortadelo and Filemón, the iconic T.I.A. agents created by Francisco Ibáñez, have become the protagonists of the traffic lights at the intersection of Ronda de Sant Pere and Passeig de Gràcia, next to Plaça de Catalunya.
This peculiar crossing is in addition to the one already existing on Carrer del Treball and Carrer del Concili de Trento, inaugurated in October.
The new traffic lights, installed with Mortadelo on the green light and Filemón on the red light, have been enthusiastically received by the community. Mortadelo, with his green lens, gives pedestrians the green light to cross, while Filemón, with his red lens, stops the crossing.
These traffic lights, designed with LEDs and made of polycarbonate, are yellow and have an aluminum core that guarantees resistance to wind and vehicular collisions.
A tribute to Ibáñez: Mortadelo y Filemón social support and posthumous recognition
The initiative to install traffic lights with the characters of Mortadelo and Filemón arose as a tribute from the Navarre professor Francisco Javier Ibáñez, who proposed the idea to the Barcelona City Council.
This act of recognition is in addition to the posthumous awarding of the Gold Medal for Cultural Merit to Francisco Ibáñez in October, consolidating his legacy in the city.
The social support has been evident, since the esteem for these comic characters and their creator is shared by many citizens.
The strategic location near the Gabriel García Márquez Library, which houses a collection dedicated to Ibáñez’s work, reflects the connection of the traffic lights with the cartoonist’s legacy.
Project expansion: three new locations on the horizon
Barcelona plans to expand this unique project with the installation of three additional pairs of Mortadelo y Filemón traffic lights before the end of the year:
- Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes with Bac de Roda street: An area close to the place where Ibáñez lived.
- Comte d’Urgell street with Manso street: Next to the Sunday Book Market of Sant Antoni.
- And in a central space, in the Ronda de Sant Pere with Passeig de Gràcia.
A touch of humor in urban management
The installation of traffic lights with Mortadelo and Filemón not only adds a touch of humor to urban life, but also highlights the importance of recognizing and celebrating the cultural contribution of figures such as Francisco Ibáñez.
These traffic lights are not only traffic signals, but also a joyful reminder of creativity and the connection between art and citizenship. A combination of tradition and modernity.
