Galery

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Less than a month ago, the small village of Sodeto was nothing more than a point on the map of Spain. It became known worldwide because of the incredible luck of its inhabitants. All of them had bought a ticket to participate in the Christmas El Gordo lottery, which is more than a tradition in the country of flamenco and bullfighting. Then, their ticket was drawn and the 70 households won 950 million dollars. This is the highest amount to date won in the Spanish national lottery.

Some of the villagers, who for the most part are farmers and unemployed builders, have won millions. Less fortunate people have been blessed by winning 130,000 dollars at least and the good feeling that their fate has mysteriously offered them the chance to make a new start in life.

Elated with luck, they could not believe that they would be able to repay their loans and to take a breath from the implications of the severe economic crisis.

According to an article in The New York Times, however, the goddess Fortuna had forgotten to visit only one resident of the village and on top of that, he is not Spanish but Greek. Director Kostis Mitsotakis moved to Sodeto, following his love for a woman. It turned out after a while that things between them did not go well and they separated. But Kostis has not left the village. He still lives just outside the village in a barn, which he is restoring. The strange thing is that the local sellers of lottery tickets have forgotten to visit him this Christmas.

But if this strange story ends here for the western media, it has just begun for the Greek audience. What makes it funny for the people in the southern part of the Balkans is the name of the unlucky man - Kostis Mitsotakis. He is a namesake of former Prime Minister Kostas Mitsotakis, widely known in Greece by the nickname "the jinx."

It is not clear who gave, and why, this name to one of the oldest Greek politicians today, but the fact is that people often use this nickname, when they want to say something about him. The former president of New Democracy is one of the favourite topics of satirical shows in the country. Ceilings fall, hurricanes and earthquakes occur upon his appearance. There are also the funny comments that this "quality" of Kostas Mitsotakis is the reason for his longevity.

The "Spanish" Kostis Mitsotakis says it is nice to win, despite his misfortune as a resident of Sodeto. He had been trying for some time to sell a property without much success. A day after the drawing of the winning ticket, a neighbour called him to tell him that he would buy it. Another one called the next day.

The director, however, refused them both because he did not want to cause a bidding contest. "This is a small village. You do not want to have bad relations with anyone," he said.