Have you ever thought that somewhere in the world you will be able to visit the city of Smurfs?
We all do remember that Belgian fantasy-comedy cartoon full of action, danger and discovery. A colony of a small, blue human-like creatures who live in the forest, in mushroom-shaped little houses and constantly trying to avoid evil Gargomet who wants to kill them. I loved it so much when I was a child. Back in those days, my favourite character was Grouchy Smurf 😃
However, last year, during my stay in Seville I did a research of Andalusia and accidentally found one article about this place. Since it sounded very interesting, I clicked to satisfy my curiosity.
At the beginning I thought maybe it was just an exhibition that lasted for a couple of days, but then I saw pictures of painted walls all over the city, painted houses, streets, even a church and gravestones! Basically whole city was blue. Obviously, no one will do that only for one exhibition, so ... so, I started to believe that the town is actually real. I prepared myself for a trip, rented a car and drove myself there. And of course, it is. It's real.
Located in the autonomous province of Andalusia in Southern Spain, Júzcar, the village that counts only 250 its residents, has become one of the most recognisable villages in Spain and a popular tourist destination for all worldwide travellers. However, the city has not always been this way. Since it is located in rural Andalusia, traditionally famous for its scenic while-washed villages, this town had the same tone, white-washed tone. But, then, in the summer of 2011. the identity has changed.
How that actually happened?
During the promotion of the Smurfs 3D movie in Spain, Sony Entertainment, the producers of that film decided to start a campaign to promote it. The idea was to celebrate the world premiere of that world-renowned film. Since the Smurfs are well known for their eagerness for mushrooms and Júzcar is famous for its fungi and long mycology tradition, they just found the village as an absolutely perfect place for placing this creative idea.
After the positive reactions the village has transformed into blue that unique hue, Smurf blue. That was meant to be a temporary publicity stunt, but tourism started to develop in the area really quickly.
This change brought to the village and its residents an unexpected salvation in their difficult economic times. It was like a miracle, so they have found that being blue is not so bad at all and they voted to leave the buildings painted blue after finishing the premiere.
141 in favour and just 33 against and they succeed. Then it was official; Júzcar has become world's only Smurf village.
It has survived like that till this day, at least the colour.
Sleepy, peaceful villages and slow rhythm of life disappeared overnight. The idea caught on so well and village started to be alive, popular and recognisable to the whole world. Hundreds of tourists have been visiting the village on a daily base and after only 6 months of it, estimated number of 80 000 tourists visited the town. Need to mention that before, they hardly had 300 tourists a year.
Tourism BOOM!
Except of the colour, village has large models of their favourite Smurf characters on every corner of it, as well as many murals of Smurf heroes and villains from the film. They started to organise Smurf themed events, Smurf painting competitions, moonlight fun run. Even Smurf-themed weddings. They dressed themselves into Smurfs and entertained tourists on the streets. The tourists were enjoying this unusual attraction very much and local economy started to develop very fast.
This would be a happy ending of my post if I didn't find out about the news while writing this post. Unfortunately, there is another side of the story.
When you receive the money for activities related to the Smurfs, you have to pay certain amount for copyright. The residents were having a bitter dispute with the heirs of Pierre Culliford, the Belgian artist who created the Smurf comics, over that topic. Fortunately the dispute was settled when locals agreed to pay 12 per cent of all profits from Smurf-related income in royalties. Or at least, they thought so.
Shortly after, to be exact in August of this summer, without any further explanation the council of Júzcar announced that the village had “lost the authorization to market itself as a Smurf town.”
It's not so clear what exactly went down between Culliford's relatives and the Júzcar town council, but for sure all Smurf related activities needed to be stopped.
It has survived like that till this day, at least the colour.
Once a traditional white village, then famous Smurf town, now just a blue village. Juzcar has changed its identity forever. Happily, all the narrow streets, houses and walls will still remain blue, so it is still worth to visit this interesting small place. Gentle locals and time-honoured traditions are still there waiting to demonstrate you all the beauties of original Andalusian charm.
Must admit, I didn’t know should I write this second part because now the place somehow lost its specialty, but for sure you need to know. In case you will go there one day I don’t want to be chased by your anger ha-ha 🙊🙈
Also, when I went there I did not find a crowded place with a lot of people and noise town. I did find Smurf figures, blue colour everywhere, but without any dressed alive Smurfs and souvenir shops, but, still I was thrilled because I had a whole new experience being there. I was enjoying the fresh air of the beautiful nature that surrounds the town and the sound of silence and tranquillity. It was very soothing and meditating and after the constant noise in the city, this came to me as a salvation.
If you will go there one day, wish you very relaxing and wonderful BLUE vacation 😉
Love, K.
