Today, 20 December 2024, is the last Friday before Christmas, the day when the official Radio One Christmas single is announced. The result is based on sales figures up to 11.59 pm on Thursday night. Nowadays, “sales” includes downloads.
On Sunday, 22 December 2024, the last Sunday before Christmas the numbers will be drawn for Spain’s National Christmas Lottery, known as “El Gordo” (The Fat One”). Boy choristers draw the balls and sing the numbers. The whole lot being televised by La 1 (Channel One).
The Radio 1 Christmas No 1 2024
One of the favourites to win for a second year running is “Last Christmas” by Wham!
First released in 1984, 40 years ago, the single by George Michael and Andrew Ridgely was pipped to the post back then by the first ever Band Aid charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, an initiative led by ex-Boomtown Rat Bob Geldof.
A remake of the Band Aid song is in the running again this year, but Wham! are the Bookies’ favourites, having released brand-new vinyl and CD versions of their iconic track, plus an hour-long film "WHAM! Last Christmas Unwrapped", which aired on BBC Two last week.
George is no longer with us, having died on Christmas Day 2016, aged 53, of a heart condition.
El Gordo – “The Fat One”
Starting on Sunday morning and lasting for several hours, the balls will be drawn by singing treble choirboys. The whole thing will be televised live on TVE1, commonly known as La 1.
Whilst I can’t imagine anyone watching the whole programme, the Spanish, who are avid purchasers of lottery tickets, will tune in and out to see whether they have struck lucky.
I never buy a Christmas Lottery ticket. I think the price of a décimo, a tenth of one number, is exorbitant at 20 euros plus 3 euros commission to the vendor.
In the UK, I seem to recall one number for the National Lottery costs just 2 pounds sterling.
Endpiece
So, by the end of this weekend we’ll know who has the Christmas No. 1 and who has won lots of money in the “The Fat One”.
Two days later it’s Christmas Eve (La Nochebuena) and then Christmas Day (El Día de Navidad). In Spain Boxing Day is a normal working day.
On 28 December it's Día de los Inocentes, the Spanish equivalent of April Fool's Day.
On 31 December it's New Year's Eve (La Nochevieja).
© The Culture Vulture
Links:
Advent - in Spain
April Fool! - Secret Serrania de Ronda
Christmas "de Rodríguez" - Rita’s alternative Christmas Dinner
Fish for Christmas and no gifts? - Secret Serrania de Ronda
“Last Christmas” or “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” – 40 years on
Understanding the Spanish Christmas Calendar
Photos and Images:
Antena 3
BBC
Clash magazine
El Diario
Freepik
Official Charts
TVE1
Tags:
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