On Friday 24th, the prizegiving ceremony took place, with the presence of the mayoress Ana Mata and members of the organisation
The athlete from Mijas will give the speech that will kick off the festivities; the event will take place at 22:00 hours in the auditorium
Flamenco at La Muralla in the Mijas Fair Race opening speech of the Fair on the 31st comes to the auditorium
550 athletes took part
Julián Estrada on vocals, Manuel Silveria on guitar and Tatiana Cuevas dancing, among the artists who will perform on the 14th at 21 hours
The 44th edition of this sporting event was marked by the demanding course and the intense heat on Sunday 25th
The Virgen de la Peña shines in her transfer to the Immaculate Conception
On Wednesday 4th, the Mijas Pueblo Fair officially kicks off, with six days full of activities, concerts and entertainment for the whole family NEWS/02-03
Mijas drives forward the creation and development of a pet municipal registry
The implementation of the service, in collaboration with the Veterinary Association, was approved at the ordinary plenary session in August
The Tourist Day will be celebrated on the 25th of September with an appreciation party The event will take place in the Plaza Virgen de la Peña and will include a flamenco show and free paella tasting NEWS/06
The Public Employment Offer of Stabilisation of the Mijas Town Hall has been modified
There will be bus lines from the fairgrounds of Las Lagunas and La Cala, the Puerto Quarry and Osunillas. In addition, the timetables of the M-122 route from Mijas to Fuengirola have been extended.
The objective, according to the local government, is to guarantee the stabilisation of 361 temporary positions in the town hall
SPANISH PAGE /13
The patron saint of Mijas is ready to go out in procession on her big day, the 8th of September. On Thursday 29th, the Virgen de la Peña was transferred from her hermitage, in El Compás, to the parish church of the Inmaculada Concepción where, after the procession, the traditional floral offering took place. With this event, the countdown begins for the Mijas Fair 2024, which will be inaugurated on Wednesday 4th with the giants and cabezudos (big-heads) parade, the switching on of the lighting and the election of the queen, king and their companions. / Photo: A. Gómez.
thrills spectators on her transfer The Virgen de la Pena
Report by Isabel Merino / Data: Cristina Luque
Faithful to her appointment with the people of Mijas and after the ringing of the bells which announced half past nine in the evening, the Virgen de la Peña left her home in the hermitage of Compás, to the parish church of La Inmaculada, where she will wait until her feast day, the 8th of September, when she will be taken in procession back to her
ANIMAL WELFARE
sanctuary. Adorned with white roses and some 700 sticks of tuberose, the statue appeared in front of her people wearing an immaculate dress, matching the Infant Jesus, and a red cape. Surrounded by hundreds of Mijeños and visitors, the patron saint of Mijas toured the town in her shrine, holding the baton of the Town Hall as perpetual mayoress and rocked by the melodies of the Mijas Music Band and the Las Lagunas Musical Group. After
leaving the area of El Compás, the procession headed down Avenida Virgen de la Peña, passing through Avenida de México, Plaza de la Paz and Plaza de la Libertad, down to Plaza de la Constitución and up the Cuesta de la Villa. In Calle Málaga, one of the most emotional moments took place, with the petal toss from the Casa Hermandad, where there was also a touch of honour for the late Honorary Elder Brother Lázaro Jaime. The
Animal Welfare values the improvements implemented for the donkeys-taxi
C.B./ P.M The Mijas Town Hall continues to look after the welfare of the animals, which is why on Thursday 29th of August the councillor for this area, Marco Cortés (PP), highlighted the improvements implemented so far for the donkey taxi service. Some of the new features implemented by the Animal Welfare Department include the installation of awnings to provide shade, an increase in the number of drinking troughs, an increase in the length of the ropes, new stalls for resting times and work restrictions during heat alerts.
The councillor also reported as a novelty that “we have sent a new veterinary contract to the town hall’s department of Contracts. We have also created a section on the municipal website (www.mijas.es) where everyone can have access to the veterinary check-ups that the animals undergo and which are required every year by the department”. For this reason, Cortés highlighted the collaboration with the Official Veterinary Association.
These include awnings, an increase in the number of drinking troughs, the length of the rope and the stalls for resting times
second petal toss took place at the Folk Museum, organised by the cultural association Grupo Joven Virgen de la Peña. The transfer was notable for the large number of people who took part in the event. At the Bodega del Pintor Silvia ‘La Porrita’ dedicated a song to the Virgin, accompanied by Víctor
new regular veterinary check-ups
more drinking troughs
Rojas’ dance. At around 12 midnight, the procession reached the Muralla, preparing for its arrival at the parish church. After an emotional end of route and inside the church, the traditional floral offering to the patron saint took place, in which around 40 associations and groups from all over the municipality participated.
Restrictions
DURING heat alerts
NEW AWNINGS
Extension of the Fastening rope
*On the website www. mijas.es you can see the veterinary check-ups of the donkeys
Check the heat decree here
CORTÉS Councillor for Animal Welfare (PP)
“We always make sure that they are in the best possible condition so that they can continue to represent Mijas, so they need that special attention, which this town hall, with these pioneering measures, is already giving them’’.
In this way, each of these animals will be monitored periodically in order to keep a record of the
activity and working conditions, to which the councillor added that “the muleteers must send us a list containing the number of times they work per day so that the veterinary technicians can make the assessments and find out whether the animal is working too much and keep a record of the days they work. They will also tell us the weather conditions (cold or heat) in which they
have been working”. The aim of all this is to guarantee the welfare of the donkeys and to comply with the new animal law. To conclude, Cortés said that “we always make sure that they are in the best possible condition so that they can continue to represent Mijas, so they need that special attention,
which this town hall, with these pioneering measures, is already giving them”.
MARCO
The donkeys are regularly monitored to ensure their welfare / A.G.
Shuttle buses for the fair
in the three city centres
Lines will run from 16:00 to 04:00 hours, except on the 8th when the service will run until 05:00 hours
Ed. Dep. / Design: C.Bejarano
The Mijas Town Hall announced last Tuesday 27th of August that, in addition to the reinforcement of the intercity lines, a shuttle bus service has been arranged to facilitate the arrival of neighbours and visitors to the village during the Mijas Fair 2024. The councillor for Festivities and Traditions, Silvia Marín (PP), and the councillor for Urban Mobility, Marco Cortés (PP), explained at a press conference the bus services that will be available for the upcoming start of the festivities in honour of the patron saint, which this year will take place from the 4th to the 9th of September
In this respect, the councillor explained that the aim is to facilitate mobility and avoid traffic problems, as a large number of people are expected to attend. In this sense, the intercity line M-122, which connects Mijas and Fuengirola, will be open until 02:00 hours and there will be an additional stop at the Ford roundabout to facilitate the arrival at the village. The service will start at 18:50 hours. The last departure from Fuengirola to the village will be at 2am and from Mijas Pueblo to Fuengirola at 2:30am.
Novelties
Cortés explained that this year, as a novelty, there will be shuttle buses in the three urban centres, which will depart from the main parking areas of La Cala and Las Lagunas (located in their respective fairgrounds) and from the Puerto Quarry, from 16:00 to 04:00 hours, while on Saturday the service will run for an extra hour, until 05:00 hours. In Osunillas, there is a parking area, so the shuttle bus will also stop there.
The councillor appealed to residents and visitors to use public transport and avoid, as far as possible, travelling to the Mijas Fair in their private vehicles. “I invite the neighbours to enjoy without
haste and worries, by using these shuttle buses, which are completely free of charge”, said Cortés.
Fair programme
On the other hand, Marín recalled that this year’s programme is very complete, as there will be musical performances for all tastes. On the 4th there will be a concert by Marta Santos, on the 5th by Manuel Orta and on the 6th Rebujitos will perform. On the night of the 7th there will
be a performance by ‘LaLoKa on tour’ with Melody, Rassel and Sara from Las Chuches, as well as several DJs. The group Ziryab will be on stage on the 8th of September and the flamenco show will be given by the singers Arcángel and Israel Fernández on the night of the 9th of September,
All the concerts will take place in the Municipal Booth and admission will be free until full capacity is reached.
REINFORCEMENT OF THE BUS LINE
M-122 FUENGIROLA-MIJAS
During the fair, the Transport Consortium will reinforce the M-122 Fuengirola-Mijas route, which connects Mijas Pueblo with Fuengirola, with more night-time services
There will be seven additional services (round trip) with departures from Fuengirola until 02:00 hours, and from Mijas Pueblo until 02:30 hours. In addition, from 18:45 hours, the M-122 route will stop at the Ford roundabout, offering a service to users who want to access Mijas Pueblo from Las Lagunas.
Also, the Transport Consortium informs that, due to the Mijas Festivities 2024, from the 28th of August to the 16th of September the Mijas Pueblo bus stop will be moved to the entrance to the Mijas Town Hall car park, located in the Plaza Fuente de la Seda
From the Consortium, they encourage residents and visitors to leave the car at home and experience the Mijas Pueblo Fair day and night by public transport in a comfortable and safe way, from 0.40 euros (when paying for the journey with the Transport Card).
4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 9TH
8TH
Mijas Pueblo Fair 2024
The councillor for Urban Mobility, Marco Cortés, and the councillor for Festivities and Traditions, Silvia Marín / C.Bejarano.
Ordinary Plenary Session in August
Manifesto adopted on the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day
The document, which will be read out on September 10th, is approved unanimously
Isabel Merino
The plenary session on Wednesday 28th unanimously approved a manifesto on the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day, which will be commemorated on September 10th. In the presenta-
Mijas has
a Suicidal Behaviour Prevention Programme
tion of point 10 of the agenda, the councillor for Social Inclusion, Melisa Ceballos (PP), stressed that “the Town Hall knows that commitment is needed to make this problem more visible and
ANIMAL WELFARE
to make progress in the prevention of suicidal behaviour with the coordination of sectors such as the security forces and the health, educational and social spheres”.
The councillor recalled that, within the Suicidal Behaviour Prevention Programme promoted by the town hall, a working group has been created which includes different departments, such as Social Inclusion, Youth,
Senior Citizens, Education and Local Police, and in which social agents such as Afesol, the Mental Health Unit of Mijas-Fuengirola and the Costa del Sol Health District also take part. It will establish a strategy for municipal action to “influence the need for good mental and emotional health, promoting healthy environments for people through information, dissemination, awareness and training”, explained Ceballos.
Mijas drives forward the creation of a municipal register of pets
J.P. The plenary session also approved with the votes in favour of the government team the collaboration agreement between the Malaga Veterinary Association and the Town Hall for the creation and development of the Municipal Register of Pets. The agreement, which will last for four years and may be extended for an additional four years, determines that the Veterinary Association will be responsible for creating and managing the Municipal Register of Pets, under the terms regulated by Law 11/2003 and Decree 92/2005. This agreement also establishes that the professional association will carry out the computer processing of the data that is incorporated into the register; will guard the documentation generated; will issue the Andalusian Animal Identification and Registration Document (DAIRA); will create the census of potentially dangerous dogs and other animals that are classified as such by regulations; will undertake the training of municipal civil servants; will provide the town hall
with six microchip readers for the development of police work; and will communicate every six months to the Central Register of Pets the additions, deletions and modifications of census data of the Municipal Register.
According to the councillor for Animal Welfare, Marco Cortés (PP), “this is a necessary tool for the police. There are 20 municipalities in the province that have a Municipal Register of Pets with this organisation”. The Veterinary Association will receive 3,000 euros per year
tunity to recall that, in the previous term of office, a programme had already been initiated which coordinated all the agents involved and which was awarded a prize. The socialist councillor also asked for “a meeting of all the groups to reach a consensus on this manifesto, which should also demand the involvement of the Regional Ministry of Health” to improve the mental health unit.
For her part, the Cs councillor Mariló Olmedo stated that “something quite important is missing from this manifesto, which is the care aspect. We think that the Town Hall should demand that the competent administrations find a solution to the lack of professionals and infrastructures to attend to people with mental health problems”.
Reactions
The point went ahead with the vote in favour of the entire corporation, after the amendments proposed by the opposition groups. The councillor of the Municipal Socialist Group Hipólito Zapico described the manifesto as “rather light, with no commitments or demands for improvement, which are so necessary in mental health issues”. Zapico took the oppor-
Debate
The PSOE councillor, Nicolás Cruz accused Cortés of lack of interest in the matter: “They present the documentation after it was left on the table at the July plenary and now it is incomplete. It is a pity that such a positive point is tarnished by their
The councillor for Social Inclusion accepted the inclusion of both proposals and stressed the need to “give more visibility to this issue, which for many years has been a taboo topic. We are seeing more and more teenagers with suicidal ideas and we must face this major tragedy in the 21st century”. According to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), in 2023 there were 3,952 deaths by suicide in Spain, the main cause of unnatural death.
inattention, laziness and inaction.” “I have not seen the comptroller’s report, so it is very difficult for us to vote in favour without it and within that speed there has been a failure, so we will abstain”, said the spokesman for Cs, José Carlos Martín. Cortés assured that this agreement had been in a precarious situation since 2022 and accused the opposition of not providing a solution when they were in government. “I remember that the last agreement was signed in 2011, valid for ten years, and it had been in precariousness for two years and we have brought it here for approval, to have the register”, and added that “you were incapable of bringing the agreement to be signed”.
All groups voted in favour of the manifesto / Patricia Murillo.
Photo / Archive.
(VAT not included) for the service.
Report by Jacobo Perea
In Mijas we have a sanctuary for donkeys called Donkey Dreamland. A rescue centre that currently houses a total of 14 donkeys, who are cared for and looked after by a group of volunteers from this NGO. This week, in Mijas Weekly, we would like to introduce you to the newcomers.
Castaño is an older donkey, who has only been at the sanctuary for ten days. He suffered mistreatment during his first ten years of life. For the last eight years, he has been with a family from Velez-Malaga who took care of him, until, due to different circumstances, they decided to hand him over to Donkey Dreamland in a state of semi-abandonment.
“The truth is that this last family
The
rescue centre currently cares for and looks after a total of 14 donkeys
has treated him well, quote unquote, the problem is that in the last two years they had no time and were not on the farm, so he has been semi-abandoned”, explained the founder and director of Donkey Dreamland, Amaya Isert, who explained that Castaño “is very thin and has a deficiency of nutrients and vitamins”.
About his personality, she said that, being an older donkey, “he is very calm and easy to be with”. She admited that, for the first few days, he was distrustful, but explained that, little by little,
VOLUNTARY WORK
introduces us to... Castaño and Ludo
These two equines have just been rescued by the shelter and are now enjoying all the care they need
he has been gaining confidence thanks to the care and patience of the volunteers.
“He was more reluctant, but this lasted two days, and he soon understood that here he was fine, although
provide better care for all the donkeys that come to the sanctuary. If you want to be part of it, contact: info@donkeydreamland.com.
for the moment we haven’t mixed him with the others, because we want him to recover physically”, said
Ludo’s aftermath
Then there is Ludo Ludo. Can you imagine living in a narrow, cramped stable where you don’t even have room to turn around? Well, that’s what the first two years of Ludo’s life have been like (he is now two and a half years old).
Living in these conditions not only has physical consequences, but also psychological ones.
“His problems are more serious, as he has difficulty walking and has not yet found a way to interact with us in a peaceful way because what he does is to defend himself”, said Isert.
But fortunately, he is now in good hands and it will only be a matter of time before he can
through this QR code, you can donate to provide food, shelter and medical care to the donkeys who have nowhere else to go.
be integrated with the rest of his siblings in this sanctuary, as Isert said confidently: “Ludo is going to be fine, he just needs a few months or a year to calm down and he will get better”.
From Donkey Dreamland they stress that walks are very important for the welfare of these animals, “for them it is an opportunity to move, to come into contact with different people, adults, childres... and to exercise”, said Lucía Suárez, one of the volunteers.
Fundraising campaign
For his part Ron, a Dutchman living in Mijas, has decided to travel the 2,500 kilometres from his home town to Mijas and thus help the animals living in Donkey Dreamland with the money he raises. He started this adventure on the 10th of August and is due to arrive in our town on the 12th of September.
Donkey Dreamland, thanks to the commitment of its volunteers, has a departmental infrastructure to
Tourist Day on September 25th
The councillor for Tourism of Mijas, Francisco Jerez (Vox), presented on Monday 26th at the Town Hall the official poster of the Tourist Day 2024, an emblematic event that will take place on the 25th of September in the Plaza Virgen de la Peña. This day has become one of the most important dates of the year for the municipality, paying tribute to the tourists who choose Mijas as their holiday destination.
During the presentation, Jerez stressed that “the Tourist Day is not only an opportunity to thank our visitors for choosing Mijas, but also to highlight the importance of our traditions and the welcoming character of our town”. The Mijeños, he explained, “generation after
The event will take place in the Virgen de la Peña Square from 12:00 hours and will feature a flamenco show and free paella tasting
thanks
for choosing our municipality as a
generation, we have been able to proudly share our customs and our culture with those who visit us, turning each encounter into a unique and authentic experience”.
The Tourist Day programme will offer a day full of activities that reflect the cultural identity of Mijas. At 12:00 hours, in the Plaza
destination
Virgen de la Peña, there will be a flamenco show that will showcase the Andalusian tradition. This will be followed at 13:30 hours by a free paella tasting, a gesture that symbolises the hospitality of the Mijeños towards their visitors.
“We are proud to keep welcoming thousands of tourists every
OUR VISITORS
The Tourist Day programme promises a day full of activities that reflect the cultural identity of Mijas
Flamenco show that will enhance the Andalusian tradition. It will take place at the bandstand in the Virgen de la Peña Square
Free paella tasting, a gesture that symbolises the hospitality of the Mijeños towards their visitors
year and this Tourist Day is our way of thanking them for their trust and loyalty”, added Jerez. “From the Town Hall, we will continue to work to improve and diversify our tourist offer, ensuring that Mijas continues to be a place where there is always something new to discover and where you always want to come back”.
The councillor also stressed that tourism not only represents an essential backbone for the local economy, but also enhances the cultural and social life of Mijas. “The hospitality of the Mijeños is not something
new, but a heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation, strengthening the bond between our community and those who visit us”, he assured.
Invitation
Finally, Jerez called on all residents and visitors to join in the celebration of the Tourist Day, stressing that “this event is an example of how, in Mijas, we welcome and share, offering our best to all those who visit us”. A shuttle bus service will also be available to facilitate the arrival of those attending the event.
Ed. Dep. / Data: C.Luque / Design: I.Merino
The councillor for Tourism, Francisco Jerez, presented the event together with the director of the Mijas Pueblo Tourist Office, Juan Carlos Acevedo and the area’s technician Luisa Machen / Cristina Luque.
Mijas
tourists
holiday
/ Archive.
WHAT´S ON
FRIDAY 30ST
Veraneando 2024
Parque del Agua, 22 h
FFinal party with inflatables, foam cannon and dances
SATURDAY 31st
Mijas Joven
Butibamba Street, La Cala
Dj Super Flaking Bros
19:00 h. Foam party
22:00 h. Musical performance by Miranda Cuenca
Proclamation of the Mijas Fair
2024
Miguel González Berral Municipal Auditorium, Mijas Pueblo, at 10 h
By José Manuel Cerezo
12ª Blanca Lagunera Meeting
Fernán Caballero Park, from 12 hours
Organised by the Nueva Laguna Neighbourhood Association
Free Paella for members and performance by Las Manuelas and the Puntodanza Dance Group
Drink tasting for those who come wearing white from 20 h
TUESDAY 3RD
Inauguration of the ornamental dome of the Grupo Joven Virgen de la Peña
Avenida del Compás, 20 h
Second hand market
DO NOT MISS
Flamenco show
Every Wednesday at 12 h
Mijas Fair 2024
From September 4th to 9th
See the programme on spanish page 7
Juan de la Loma guitar and singing workshop
Peña Flamenca La Unión del Cante (Cortijo Don Elías)
Every Monday from 20 to 22 h
Las Lagunas Fairground and at Urb. Calypso, Mijas Costa Sundays from 9 to 14 h
Exhibition by the UP Photography Workshop
Las Lagunas Cultural Centre
Plaza Virgen de la Peña, Mijas Pueblo
Every Saturday at 12 h
Plaza de la Constitución, Mijas Pueblo
Until the 5th of September
SALUD RESPONDE (Doctor’s prescriptions etc.)
Exhibition ‘Two veteran artists in search of a dream... Ethiopia’, by Amparo Osuna Ostos and Carmina Méndez
Cultural Center in Las Lagunas
Until the 5th of September
Ecological market
La Cala Boulevard, in front of the branch offices on the second and last Sundays of the month
Photography exhibition by José Moreno: ‘Street Sanjuanero’
CalaPop El Charcón Beach
Until the 16th of September september
El Charcón Beach bar, Maxy night club and Cafe Teatro More information calapop.com
FOREIGNER’S DEPARTMENT MIJAS TOWN HALL
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
EMERGENCY/DOCTOR, AMBULANCE ANDALUSIAN HEALTH
LOCAL POLICE - MIJAS
EMERGENCIES 24H
OFFICE, MON - FRI 8:00-14:00
FIREBRIGADE 24H
CIVIL GUARD 24H
MIJAS TOWN HALL - MIJAS VILLAGE
TOWN HALL BRANCH LAS LAGUNAS
FOREIGNERS DEPARTMENT (MON - FRI 9:00 - 14:00)
SENIOR CITIZEN’S DEPARTMENT
SOCIAL SERVICES (MON - FRI - 8:00 - 14:00)
WOMEN’S CENTRE
FREE FURNITURE COLLECTION
Folk Museum in Mijas Pueblo. Inauguration at 20 hours
