The dreams of a more comfortable life for Spaniards gain renewed hope on December 22 of each year. El Gordo, the name of the Christmas lottery of ‘our brothers’, is a national event and few skeptics manage to draw the lottery.
On every street and on every corner there are small stalls that serve as intermediaries for the millions of euros that are drawn each year. A year ago, the number 86,148 was worth four million euros, the highest prize of 2021.
A year later, the numbers rotate again in the two draws: on the one hand, the balls with the numbers of the lucky ones and on the other, the corresponding prize. All drawn at the same time. This means that, for hours, most Spaniards have one eye, or one ear, on the announcement of the winners.
The tradition is to everyone’s taste: some share the tenths with friends and family, others always bet on the same number and there are still those who leave the choice to the vendor’s discretion.
As the draw date approaches, the queues at the lottery administrations grow with each passing day. Doña Manolita, in Madrid, is famous for distributing the best prizes in the country.
More than a lottery draw, El Gordo is one of the most deeply rooted traditions of the Spanish Christmas season. This year, the jackpot is valued at 12.5 million euros and will be announced at lunchtime.
But, if it doesn’t come out, what matters is the conviction that next year it will.
Source: TSF
