Madrid, July 10: Spanish businessmen have offered 30,000 euros (about $38,000) to buy the world-famous “psychic” octopus Paul for use as a mascot at a gastronomic event, media reports said on Saturday.
The annual August festival focuses on squid specialities and takes place in the small village of Carballino, near Orense in north-western Spain. The idea of bringing in Paul came from mayor Carlos Montes, who hopes to attract visitors.
A resident of Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, Paul has achieved renown for successfully predicting matches at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Businesses in Carballino, which has 14,000 inhabitants, pooled 30,000 euros for Paul.
“We don't want to eat Paul,” said Manuel Pazo, who runs a fishing business in the village.
The locals would like the octopus to continue predicting football matches. Should the Oberhausen aquarium decline to sell Paul, the businessmen hope to obtain him on loan for the festival on August 8.
Squid (pulpo) is the national dish of Galicia, the best-known variation being pulpo a feira. Pulpo Paul has become a media star in Spain, especially after correctly forecasting a Spanish victory over Germany in the World Cup semifinals.
The eight-tentacled oracle has since predicted that Spain would beat Holland for their first title.