Welcome back! Today, we’re diving into a topic that is not only heartwarming but also essential for understanding Spain’s rich culture: the iconic mascots that have left an indelible mark on Spanish history. We will revisit characters like Cobi, Curro, and Naranjito, who not only represented significant events but also became symbols of an era.
And remember, when learning Spanish, it’s important to know not just the language but also the historical and cultural references that shape the country’s identity. These mascots, with their charming designs and meaningful representations, offer a window into unforgettable moments that defined several Spanish generations. Join me on this nostalgic journey and discover how these characters earned a special place in Spaniards’ heart!
#1. Cobi (1992)
Let’s start with Cobi! Cobi was designed to be the mascot for the 1992 Olympic Games, celebrated in Barcelona. Javier Mariscal, Cobi’s designer, wanted to represent a Catalan sheepdog in Cubist style, inspired by Picasso’s works. The name of this mascot derived from the Barcelona Olympic Organising Committee (COOB).
#2. Petra (1992)
The story and impact of Cobi cannot be understood without Petra. Like Cobi, she was also designed by Javier Mariscal. Petra was the official mascot for the 1992 Summer Paralympics.
Mariscal portrayed a tall, brave and friendly girl with no arms. Petra represents key values we can find in the Paralympics, such as effort and fellowship.
Before and during the Games, Cobi and Petra appeared in numerous advertisements for Olympic and Paralympic sponsors like Coca-Cola, Brother Industries, and Danone. They even starred in their own television series, “The Cobi Troupe”, watched in more than 24 countries.
#3. Curro (1992)
For me, the most iconic mascot that Spain had was Curro! Maybe it’s because of his vibrant colors, the friendliness this bird radiates, or perhaps it’s also because I am from Andalusia, the land where Curro triumphed!
Curro was the mascot of Seville Expo ’92. This universal exposition took place in Seville, Spain. The theme was “The Age of Discovery”, and it celebrated the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus launching from Seville’s port (on the Guadalquivir river) and reaching the Americas. Over 100 countries participated in the event, and more than 40 million people visited the city that year to attend this event.
This time, it was a German designer, Heinz Edelmann, who created the official mascot. The author was inspired by his dog, named Francis, to call the Expo ’92 mascot. In the Andalusian dialect, the name “Francisco” becomes “Curro”!
#4. Naranjito (1982)
Let’s not forget about football! Probably, most Spaniards think Naranjito is one of the most iconic mascots.
This friendly orange was the protagonists of the Football World Cup in 1982, celebrated in Spain. His creators were two publicists: María Dolores de Salto and José María Martín Pacheco. In an interview with the newspaper El Mundo, José María claimed:
I saw the oranges in Seville and wondered, “Why not?” I wanted to avoid having the bull and tambourine as the World Cup mascot. They gave me and the agency one million pesetas; later, the Federation sold the rights to a merchandising company for 1.4 billion pesetas (currently, 8.4 million euros).
Naranjito, who wore the Spanish football team’s equipment, was a huge success and even had its own cartoon series, called “Fútbol en acción”.
#5. Fluvi (2008)
Fluvi was the official mascot of the Expo 2008, celebrated in Zaragoza, which revolved around the theme of “Agua y desarrollo sostenible” (in English, “Water and sustainable development”).
Following the theme, Fluvi represented a friendly water drop. It was designed by Sergi López Jordana, a teacher from the Art and Design School from Tarrasa (Barcelona).
#6. Giraldilla (1999)
Created by Antonio Esquivias, Giraldilla was the official mascot for the World Athletics Championship 1999, celebrated in Seville. Esquivias took the “Giraldillo” —the weather vane that crowns the Giralda in Seville—as a reference.
#7. Xop (2013)
Xop is known for being the mascot for the Swimming Championship 2013, celebrated in Barcelona. Its creator, Albert Mir, was inspired by the Catalan trencadís, a mosaic style that contains pieces of different shape and colour, similiar to the ones Gaudí used for his works, such as Park Güell.
Since this event focused on swimming, the name Xop was a great success. It means “soaked” in the Catalan language.
Did you enjoy learning about these iconic mascots? Which one was your favourite?
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