El Gordo Lottery and Things Spanish
Right through recent history Spain has given a forthright reputation not only in the coverage of its language around the globe but also its culture.
In modern times this has been represented by the affect of General Franco, an unbeleivable story, depicted so wonderfully in Ernest Hemmingway’s “Homage to Catalonia”. So where does the El Gordo lottery fall in to this rich tapestry and social fabric? Well, in the most true sense of things Spanish and as distinctive as Paella, Tapas, Matadors, it certainly fulfils a special and charismatic role.
So let me elucidate. As a people Spain enjoys the pomp and ceremony of its wonderful Christmas lotto draw El Gordo. As an entity it is almost certainly one of the utmost lotteries in the world and protrudestall among the major European Lotteries, not only from the perspective of its huge prize funds and jackpots but also how it is lovedby its people, the Spanish public. The inherent value it purveys is seen in many different arenas from literature, the famous work “ Hoy es Fiesta” through to the whole series of concerts and shows which fill the severaldays before the Christmas draw.
The initiation of television and media communication recently has escalated the event to a land grabbing and global status which gives the El Gordo Lottery platform a world wide stage and arena. During the few days moving up to drawing of lots from the golden bowls by children of the San Isdro orphanage, the discourse is of the fabulous dream, the unbelievable win. Images and passions fully demonstrated in the leading literature work, Hoy es Fiesta” mentioned earlier. Entire villages have taken partand won, syndicates and groups of inhabitants sharing and daring to dream have been answered with amazing prizes amounting to millions of Euros.
Such is the scene that Spain continues to have high level lottery draws through out the calendary year, the main ones being, El Nino in January and the Sorteo Extraordinario in July. This of course suggests and further adds weight to the sheer passion and excitement Spain offers to its thirst for lotteries, quite amazing when in comparison to some of the other European countries. Although there are some key lotteries such as the UK National Lottery and Euro millions they are somewhat different, early in their evolution in comparison. May be over time they will offer similar traits, however, being Spanish is being Spanish.
In conclusion what can one suppose for the future? I can only intimate that the devotion for such an event will continue. It is so engrained within the Spanish way of life, it ironically presents one of the few unifying common denominators for Spain, given recent separatist movement activity.
El Gordo is all things Spanish, it carries an air of dignity and respect yet presents and fashions a wonderful joyous occasion. I can only congratulate and the Spanish Lottery commission ONLAE for continuing this amazing tradition and truly incorporating it in to all things Spanish.
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