2023-12-12 10:00:19
June 26, 1997. Taking a quick look at the press of that day, it is difficult to identify events of sufficient relevance to go down in history. The national media covered the death of Jacques Cousteau, which had occurred the day before, and a debate that, 26 years later, is still latent: the request to transfer the Lady of Elche to Alicante. A Thursday without major revolutions. Without volcanoes, wars or government crises. No full page openings. In the midst of that tranquility, London woke up getting used to an incipient summer that turned out to be the beginning of an era. The birth of one of the most important phenomena in pop culture.
That day dawned in the bookstores harry potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the most risky work of JK Rowling who did not even remotely imagine what was to come. Unemployed, diagnosed with depression and in the process of separating, she flipped a coin and it landed on its head. Because, far from being a ‘boom’, the shock became chronic. And, after seven books, eight movies and countless related products, the phenomenon not only does not decline, but it seems to have no ceiling. This 2023 marks a quarter of a century since her arrival in Spain, in December 1998, but fans want more. The boy with the lightning bolt scar continues to triumph.
The epicenter of the euphoria could not be other than the capital of the United Kingdom. The second most visited city in Europe in 2022 (16.1 million foreign tourists visited its streets, according to the latest data) clung, in part, to the young magician to overcome the burden of the coronavirus crisis. “After the pandemic, stores with products from Harry Potter in London. This last year alone, about ten new ones have appeared in the center.” This is what Sandra Ferrer and Irene Pérez, creators of Juliet’s Bridgea project that was born as a declaration of love for London and with which they now offer information and guided tours of the city on the Thames.
Of those offered, one of the most successful routes is precisely the one that follows in the footsteps of the ‘boy who survived’. “It is our most requested service, the tour that works best for us. It is very interesting and gives a lot of play with the magic, the story it tells and its relationship with British culture,” they say, and they assure that the groups are made up of a heterogeneous audience: “From fans millennials even older people who discovered Harry in adulthood, even through their children. But also new generations because, literally, 8 and 9 year old children come.” The London settings of the most magical saga are the most varied: King’s Cross station, hidden alleys in the City and Piccadilly Circus itself. It is not unusual to see in those fan corners with witch hats and sorcerer caps who seek to feel part of that universe.
modern classic
The hobby is transversal. In part, because the saga is very aspirational. That feeling reaches those who grew up with Harry, Ron and Hermione, those who were caught older and those who were not even born when the British writer put the end of The deathly hallows in an Edinburgh hotel. To achieve such an extraordinary effect, in favor of the fantastic interweaving designed by JK Rowling, in addition to a lot of fantasy, a series of factors play a role that, together, work perfectly. “Is a story that connects very well with people. It is a saga in which you would like to get involved and live, and that has made people identify with that magical world.” These are the words of the content creator Alvaro Wasabi. Their networks mix analysis of Marvel movies, videos in which they reveal the ins and outs of Hollywood and a lot (a lot) Harry Potter.
In his opinion, despite his youth, both books and movies can already be considered classics. “And the classics never die,” she notes. Although the original story is on paper pages, he also wants to put the emphasis on the films: “They have been the spearhead for the novels to reach more people. In addition, they are very well made and are aging well.” It is a point of view shared by Laia Zamarrón, literary director of Salamander Infantil y Juvenil, the publisher that has the rights to the saga in Spain: “They have been a help.”
Zamarrón has no qualms about acknowledging his love for this story. And he remembers what he has assumed (and continues to assume) for the seal of him. “Many people have become hooked on reading thanks to Harry Potter. It is one thing that Rowling has achieved and that is very difficult to match: create a magical world where you want to be more than in your real world. It seems silly, but in the end it is the main motivation,” he emphasizes. And, precisely for this reason, in 2023 sales continue to be spectacular. “We have just released the Minalima 3 -an edition in format pop up with color illustrations and interactive details that use the text of the original novels – and sales have been extraordinary. “In the week of its launch, it was the best-selling children’s book in Spain,” he says.
A place to return to
Aside from Harry himself, everything in the story revolves around Hogwarts. Leaving aside the magic that oozes from its walls, this enchanted castle with infinite towers and winding corridors hides something else: many fans identify it as a second home. “For those of us who have experienced the phenomenon of movies, even for those who came later, It is a safe place. The whole saga is. If you have a day when you don’t know what to watch, when you don’t feel well or you want to escape from reality, you turn Harry Potter. That has incalculable value, few stories achieve that effect,” highlights Álvaro Wasabi.
“As they say, ‘I’d rather be at Hogwarts’,” adds Laia Zamarrón, who insists on highlighting the convictions that JK Rowling wanted to print on her pages: “They are values of inclusivity. You know that, whoever you are, you have a home. And no matter where you come from, you have a place. It is an exercise in understanding tolerance and what one can do with the imagination,” he indicates, and He adds: “It is an absolutely wonderful universe and if you have belonged to it, you don’t want to let go.” Likewise, Sandra Ferrer and Irene Pérez highlight how easy it is to feel identified with Harry: “With his loneliness, with his internal struggle to find the good within him… The author talks about a time that is a special moment for all of us: the school, meet friends and face the transition from childhood to adulthood.
An inexhaustible catalog
Video game (Hogwarts Legacy is the most recent phenomenon), related stories, a blockbuster in the theater, a tour of the movie sets, an important gap in the Warner theme parks and countless articles from merchandising. From the wands of all the characters to drinks that simulate potions. Even the writer David Foenkinos was inspired by this universe to Number two (Alfaguara, 2022). This same month he opened an exhibition in Barcelona that hopes to break all attendance records (something that once happened in Madrid). The edges seem inexhaustible, but The success of some should not overshadow the lukewarmness of others.. If we talk about failures, there is one that stands out above the rest: the feature films that were born under the brand fantastic beasts.
As a film expert, Álvaro Wasabi is clear about what the failures were. Failures, in plural, because there are many. “It is a saga that has not known how to define itself. The basis was missing: some novels to adapt that were very well crafted. It gave a feeling of improvisation, so much so that the author decided that there would be five films unilaterally and she announced it at a press conference, to the surprise of the director… Not to mention the scripts, which have not been up to par. The first installment was prepared in a matter of months,” he points out. For the moment, the future of this blockbuster is a mystery: it is not in the plans of those responsible to launch a new feature film. Although the story aroused more criticism than praise, the followers miss an outcome for the plot.
On the other arm of the scale is what is one of the attractions with the best ratings on Tripadvisor in the world. Its about Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, a large exhibition of more than 14,000 square meters that takes the most fans up to five hours to tour. It is common to see tears at the entrance to the Great Hall, when visiting the exterior of number 4 Privet Drive or when visitors come face to face with platform 9 and three quarters. “It is unusual. That it be done a permanent exhibition of the sets is something we have never seen in the history of cinema. Plus, you go and it’s full, it’s impossible to buy tickets at short notice,” he says. Alvaro Wasabi.
The penultimate dance
But nothing is enough. There is no product that quenches the thirst of potterheads. It doesn’t matter the size, the emotional charge, the production cost. For this reason, Warner has set itself a challenge: to make the most epic series of the boy wizard. At the moment, little is known about it, other than that it will surely be a reality. And that JK Rowling is very involved in the project. The challenges are immense: those responsible want it to be faithful to the books, but they fear that viewers will fall into comparisons with the original films. They seek a level of perfection and detail not seen until now.
“I hope it’s an animated series. It would be something new, different. It is not feasible to do so many seasons with children, with the pressure of achieving a product at the level of the movies. It is true that it has been met with a certain skepticism by some fans, who were expecting something new. A spinoff of the Marauders, of the founders of Hogwarts, of Albus Dumbledore as a student, of how Voldermort created the ‘horcruxes’…”, he emphasizes. At the moment there is no approximate release date. Until then, everything will be speculation.
And in the end, everything returns to the original books. It all comes down to those 3,736 pages that were born from the heart of a tormented writer who found in magic the way to escape his demons. Those original books continue to sell like hotcakes. “It is still the star of our collection. It is a luxury and an honor, it gives us prestige. But Harry Potter It’s not just Salamander. It belongs to every bookstore, every bookseller, every journalist. We are so many fans… that this love we feel goes beyond that,” concludes Laia Zamarrón.
Counting all the published editions, the saga Harry Potter He has sold 500 million books. The Philosopher’s Stone It is the fifth best-selling title in history and The deathly hallows It broke all precocity records: 11 million copies in 24 hours. It has been translated into nearly 90 languages, including Asturian, Faroese, Ancient Greek and Occitan.
The eight films total 19 hours and 36 minutes. The longest is The secret chamber (2 hours and 41 minutes) and the highest grossing, The Deathly Hallows. Part 2. It is in 18th place among those that have raised the most money in history.
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