26 June 1997. From a quick look at the press of the day, it is difficult to identify events important enough to go down in history. The death of Jacques Cousteau, which took place the day before, and a debate that still remains secret even after 26 years, were covered in the national media: the request for the transfer of the Lady of Elche to Alicante. A Thursday without major revolutions. Without volcanoes, wars or government crises. No full page opening. Amidst this tranquility, London began to adjust to the incipient summer, which appeared to be the beginning of an era. The birth of one of the most important phenomena of popular culture.
That day was born in bookstores Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s StoneIt is the riskiest job of JK Rowling, who cannot even imagine what will happen to her. The man, unemployed, diagnosed with depression, and in the process of breaking up, flipped a coin and it fell heads. Because the shock, far from being an ‘explosion’, has become chronic. And seven books, eight movies, and countless related products later, the phenomenon is not only abating, but it doesn’t seem to have a ceiling. This 2023 marks a quarter of a century since his arrival in Spain in December 1998, but fans want more. The child with the lightning scar continues to triumph.
The epicenter of the enthusiasm could be none other than England’s capital. The second most visited city in Europe in 2022 (16.1 million foreign tourists visited its streets, according to the latest data) has turned to the young magician in part to overcome the burden of the coronavirus crisis. “Stores with post-pandemic products Harry Potter in london. About ten new ones have appeared at the center in the last year alone,” say creators Sandra Ferrer and Irene Pérez. Juliet’s BridgeA project that was born as a declaration of love for London and now offers information and guided tours of the city on the River Thames.
The most successful of the routes offered is the one that follows exactly in the footsteps of the ‘child who survived’. “Our most requested service is the tour that has worked best for us. It is very engaging and very much played with its magic, the story it tells and its relationship to British culture,” they say, assuring that the groups comprise a heterogeneous audience: “from fans millennial generation Even older people who discovered Harry in adulthoodeven through their children. However also new generations because literally 8- and 9-year-olds are coming.” The London settings of the most magical epic are the most diverse: King’s Cross station, the hidden alleys of the city and Piccadilly Circus itself, with corners of witch hats and wizard hats trying to feel part of that universe.
modern classic
The hobby is crossover. Partly because The saga is very inspiring.. This feeling extends to those who grew up with Harry, Ron and Hermione, to those caught older, and to those who were not born when the British author brought his ending to life. Deathly Hallows In a hotel in Edinburgh. To achieve such an extraordinary effect, a number of factors play a role that work perfectly together, in addition to many fantasies, in favor of the fantastic interweaving conceived by JK Rowling. “Is A story that connects very well with people. “It’s an epic that you want to take part in and live in, that makes you identify with that magical world.” These are the words of the content creator. Alvaro Wasabi. Their network brings together analysis of Marvel movies, videos where they reveal the ins and outs of Hollywood, and (a lot) more. Harry Potter.
According to him, despite his youth Both books and movies can already be considered classics.. “And the classics never die,” he notes. He also wants to highlight the films, even though the original story was on paper: “They were pioneers in making novels reach more people. They’re also very well made and age well.” This is a perspective shared by literary director Laia Zamarrón. Salamander Infantil y Juvenil, the publisher who owns the rights to the epic in Spain: “They were helpful.”
Zamarrón has no hesitation in admitting his love for this story. And remember what that meant (and continues to mean) for his label. “Many people have become addicted to reading Harry Potter. There’s one thing Rowling has accomplished, and it’s hard to match: Create a magical world where you’ll want to be more than your real world. It seems silly, but it underscores that this is the real motivation after all. And that’s exactly why sales continue to be spectacular in 2023. ” Minalima 3 -a print in format pop up It achieved outstanding sales with colorful illustrations and interactive details using the text of the original novels. “It became the best-selling book for children and young adults in Spain in the week of its release,” he says.
A place to return
Everything in the story revolves around Hogwarts, except for Harry himself. Leaving aside the magic oozing from its walls, this magical castle with its endless towers and winding corridors hides something else: Many fans describe it as a second home. “For those of us who have experienced the phenomenon of cinema, even for those who came later, It’s a safe place. the whole saga. If there’s a day when you don’t know what to watch, you’re not feeling well, or you want to escape reality, you turn. Harry Potter. This has an incalculable value, very few stories achieve this effect,” emphasizes Álvaro Wasabi.
“As they say, ‘I’d rather be at Hogwarts,’” Laia Zamarrón insists. Opinions JK Rowling wants to print on her pages“These are values of inclusivity. You know that no matter who you are, you have a home. No matter where you come from, you have a place. It’s an exercise in understanding tolerance and what one can do with that understanding of the imagination,” he notes, adding: “It’s an absolutely amazing universe and If you belong to him, you don’t want to let go.” Sandra Ferrer and Irene Pérez likewise emphasize how easy it is to identify with Harry: “With his loneliness, with his internal struggle to find the good in him… The author talks about a time that is a special moment for everyone us: at school, he meets friends and from childhood We face the transition to adulthood.
An inexhaustible catalog
video game (Hogwarts Legacy is the newest phenomenon), related stories, a blockbuster in theaters, a tour of movie sets, a major vacancy at Warner theme parks, and countless articles merchandising. From all the characters’ wands to drinks that simulate potions. Even the writer David Foenkinos inspired by this universe number two (Alfaguara, 2022). That same month an exhibition opened in Barcelona hoping to break all attendance records (something that once happened in Madrid). The edges seem inexhaustible, but The success of some should not overshadow the indifference of others.. If we talk about failures, there is one that stands out from the rest: feature films born under the brand fantasy monsters.
As a film expert, Álvaro Wasabi is clear about what failures are. Failures are plural because there are many. “An epic that doesn’t know how to define itself. The foundation was missing: some of the novels to be adapted were very well prepared. It had such a sense of improvisation that the writer unilaterally decided to shoot five films and surprised the director by announcing it at a press conference… Not to mention. Scenarios that are not yet at the desired level. “The first part was prepared in a few months,” he points out. For now, the future of this blockbuster is a secret: It is not in the plans of those responsible to release a new feature film. Although the story generates more excitement, more criticism than praise, followers miss the conclusion of the plot .
On the other side of the scale, there are the top-rated places to visit in the world on Tripadvisor. About Warner Bros. London Studio Tour – The Making of Harry PotterA massive exhibit covering more than 14,000 square feet, it takes 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. “This is an unusual thing to do. permanent display of sets is something we have not seen in the history of cinema. Moreover, you go and it is full, it is impossible to buy tickets in a short time,” says Álvaro Wasabi.
penultimate dance
But nothing is enough. There is no product to quench your thirst potter heads. Its size, emotional burden, or production cost don’t matter. So Warner set itself a mission: to make The Wizard Boy’s most epic series yet. Little is known about it at the moment, other than that it will definitely come true. And JK Rowling was very involved in the project. The challenges are huge: Those in charge want the film to remain faithful to the books, but they fear audiences will fall into comparisons with the original films. They seek a level of perfection and detail never seen before.
“I hope it becomes a cartoon series. It would be something new, something different. It’s not possible to shoot so many seasons with kids under the pressure of producing a movie-level product. It’s true that it was met with a certain amount of skepticism by some fans who were expecting something new. A. spin off “To the marauders, to the founders of Hogwarts, to Albus Dumbledore’s student life, to how Voldermort created the ‘horcruxes’…” he emphasizes. There is no approximate release date at the moment. Until then, everything will be pure speculation. .
And in the end it all comes back to the original books. Everything depends on them 3,736 pages born from the heart of a suffering writer A person who finds a way to escape from his demons through magic. Those original books continue to sell like hotcakes. “It’s still the star of our collection. It’s a luxury, it’s an honour, it gives us prestige. But Harry Potter It’s not just Salamander. It belongs to every bookstore, every bookseller, every journalist. We have so many fans that the love we feel goes beyond that,” concludes Laia Zamarrón.
If we count all the published editions, the epic Harry Potter He sold 500 million books. Philosopher’s Stone It is the fifth best-selling book in history and Deathly Hallows It broke all early development records: 11 million copies in 24 hours. It has been translated into approximately 90 languages, including Asturian, Faroese, Ancient Greek and Occitan.
The eight films run a total of 19 hours and 36 minutes. the longest secret room (2 hours 41 minutes) and highest grossing, Deathly Hallows. Part 2. He ranks 18th among the top fundraisers in history.