The countdown is on for the town to experience its Holy Week with the exhibition of this year's poster on Saturday 15th, at 20 hours, at the Inmaculada Concepción for the
The Manuel España unveils its
programme for March and April
SMusic, dance, mentalism and monologues occupy these months, a good time to go to the theatre in Las Lagunas to enjoy culture
MOn March 8th, International Women's Day, the Manuel España Theatre hosted the XVII Mijas en Femenino gala, where nine women from Mijas were honoured for their fight for equality
THE LA CALA LIONS CLUB
It is the first centre in Andalusia with a six-line configuration, making it the largest of its kind in the autonomous community NEWS/02-03 organises the I Waiters Race
President of the ‘Junta’ inaugurates the Ana Carmona ‘Veleta’ Secondary School
The president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno Bonilla, officially inaugurated the Ana Carmona ‘Veleta’ secondary schoo l in Las Lagunas on Friday 14th, accompanied by the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata, the school’s director, Encarnación Gutiérrez, ot her authorities and educational community. With a configuration of six lines and capacity for 720 students, it is the largest educa tional centre of its kind in Andalusia. The centre not only responds to the growing demand for education in Mijas but also sets a new standard in terms of infrastructure, methodology and equipment. In addition, it is, according to Moreno Bonilla, ‘one of the ma jor investments of the Andalusian Government in education’, to which it has allocated 7.4 million euros / Francisco M. Romero.
The Foreigners Department collaborates in the event that will take place on Saturday 29th from Marbella Street in La Cala to the Torreón
The 2025 budget, amounting to 133.6 million, has been definitively approved
The accounts, 3.02% higher than the previous ones, were backed with the votes of PP, Vox and PMP
NEWS/05
Public Roads organises the second edition of the Circus Market in Las Lagunas The event will feature different activities and more than 30 stalls dedicated to crafts and gastronomy
NEWS/08
The Town Hall is preparing an Easter camp at the Entrerríos Youth Hostel Aimed at children between 4 and 14 years of age, the registration period begins on Wednesday March 19th
SPANISH PAGE /30
The president of the Junta de Andalucía, the mayoress of Mijas (centre) and the director of the school visited the facilities after the inauguration.
Education
CAPACITY FOR 720 STUDENTS
ana carMONA ‘VELETA’ officially inaugurates the
I. Pérez / B. Martín / J. Perea / I. Merino / C. Martín
The president of the ‘Junta de Andalucía’, Juanma Moreno Bonilla, visited Mijas last Friday 14th to officially inaugurate the Ana Carmona ‘Veleta’ secondary school in Las Lagunas, accompanied by the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), the director of the school, Encarnación Gutiérrez and other provincial and municipal authorities, and members of the educational community.
In his speech, Moreno Bonilla stressed that the opening of this secondary school is a histo-
It is the first secondary school in Andalusia with a six-line configuration, making it the largest school of its category in the autonomous community
ric achievement, as it is the first secondary school in Andalusia with a configuration of six lines and capacity for 720 students (although there are currently 570 students), which makes it the largest school of its category in the region. This centre also responds to the growing demand for edu-
cation in Mijas, and also sets a new standard in terms of infrastructure, methodology and equipment. Therefore, the IES Ana Carmona ‘Veleta’ not only marks a milestone in Andalusian education, but also represents a firm commitment to the future of our young people. “This secondary
Education
The president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno Bonilla, and the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (centre), with the regional minister of Economy, Finance and European Funds, Carolina España (2nd right), the Government delegate in Malaga, Patricia Navarro (right) and the director of the IES, Encarnación Gutiérrez, after the inauguration / Francisco M. Romero.
school is more than just a training centre, it is multi-purpose, quite modern and probably one of the best equipped in Andalusia”, he pointed out, adding that “an investment of up to 7.4 million euros was allocated for this project”.
Latest technology
The president of the ‘Junta’ also highlighted the avant-garde nature of the facilities, with classrooms equipped with the latest technology and spaces designed to promote innovation and academic excellence among the students. In this regard, he thanked the management of the centre, the teaching staff and all the students, “who had to start the school year in September with some of its spaces under construction, something extremely difficult, but that demonstrates the level of commitment to education, training and to the project for improvement and progress that we want for Andalusia”.
For her part, the mayoress of Mijas, as well as thanking Juanma Moreno for his presence, empha-
INVESTMENT
IN EDUCATION in Mijas 23
Mijas is the municipality in the province that has received the highest investment in education in recent years, with ELEVEN ACTIONS or the construction, adaptation and expansion of educational centres, with a total investment of more than 23 million euros since 2019.
MILLON EUROS 7,4 FOR THE ‘IES’ ANA CARMONA ‘VELETA’ FORTHCOMING PROJECTS
EXTENSION OF THE IES LA CALA FROM TO LINES EXTENSION OF THE CEIP BOTANICAL GARDEN, IN LA CALA
sised that this is the seventh secondary school in the municipality which, “will undoubtedly meet the educational needs of our young people and of a district [Las Lagunas] that is constantly growing”.
In this regard, Mata thanked the Junta de Andalucía “for being our ally, because the figures speak for themselves, and since 2019 Mijas has been the third municipality in Andalusia that has received the highest investment in education, with more than 23 million euros, which has allowed us to promote up to 11 actions for the construction, extension and adaptation of educational centres”.
JUANMA MORENO ANA MATA
“This is one of the Andalusian government’s maj investments in education, 7.4 miion euros f a single centre’”
In addition, the mayoress also recalled that “this year the Junta has set aside a budget for the drafting of the project to extend the IES La Cala, which will go from 2 to 5 lines, as well as for the extension of the Jardín Botánico school, which shows that Mijas continues to be a priority for the Junta”.
As for the new complex, the mayoress explained that “it is a secondary school with up to 21 multi-purpose secondary classrooms, a large library, gym rooms with changing rooms, six classrooms for extra-curricular activities and educational support, and a classroom for special education with adapted toilets, among other spaces, which will make this school a benchmark in the Andalusian community”.
“It is an imp tant day f a of us, because we are officiay inaugurating this secondary school, the seventh one in the municipality”
The president of the regional executive also stressed that the centre “could not have been built without the transfer of the land by the Mijas Town Hall, which was also committed to promoting edu-
The mayoress
recalled that the Junta has set aside funds to extend the IES La Cala and CEIP Jardín Botánico
cational facilities that respond to the present of the municipality but also to its future”.
Moreno Bonilla recalled that this is not the first time he has come to Mijas “with good news”: “I already did it in its day with the announce-
ment of the recovery of CIOMijas and I am sure that it will not be the last, because I know that the Mijas Town Hall is working hard to continue generating dynamism and growth, soon it will join the club of municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, and the help between administrations is essential to go further and faster”.
“Mijas has great projects of transformation and improvement, and we want to share and collaborate with this transformation that is taking place in Mijas. I believe that we need a strong Mijas, a thriving Mijas, a city that is emblematic and that also strengthens the province of Málaga and Andalusia”, concluded Moreno.
PRESIDENT OF THE JUNTA DE ANDALUCÍA
MILLION EUROS
MAYORESS OF MIJAS
The La Cala Lions Club organises on Saturday 29th the I Waiters Race
The event is organised in collaboration with the Foreigners Department
Holding a tray with plates and glasses is not easy, but some waiters will be able to show their skills thanks to the first Waiters Race organised by the La Cala Lions Club, in collaboration with the Foreigners Department, which will take place next Saturday 29th of March in the seaside town. Are you a waiter or waitress and want to show off that your tray can withstand all the moves? This is your event. Participants will have to run about 160 metres, along a stretch that goes from Marbella Street in La Cala to the Torreón, without dropping anything on their trays in an event with a charitable purpose. The president of the group, Karen Blair , explained at a press conference that “waiters from different restaurants will have to run carrying a tray in their hand with a coffee, a croissant and a glass of water on it”.
On the other hand, the councillor of the department, Mario Bravo (PP), invited “all the
PLENARY
I WAITERS RACE
SATURDAY 29TH OF MARCH 14 hours
Registration
market by calling 663 529 280 (Sandie) and at the charity shop of the La Cala Lions Club
If you are interested in participating with a stand at the market in the Plaza del Torreón, please contact Anne on 607 879 450.Proceeds from sales will go to the Lions Club
waiters and waitresses in the area to participate because it is a good opportunity to show off what is on offer in La Cala, to promote ourselves, to get
people to come and be with us”. He also praised “the service provided by all the bars and restaurants on the coast, many of which are foreign”.
The event
At two o’clock in the afternoon, the race will get underway, and there will also be other attractions, such as a street market and various performances. “When you arrive at the Plaza del Torreón, you will find a solidarity market,
The race
will take place from Marbella street to the Torreón de La Cala
a stage with flamenco performances and the Pop Fama dance academy, as well as around fifty stands offering handicrafts and services”, said Katja Thirion , the technician of the Foreigners Department. So now you know, if you can run and not spill anything, sign up. All proceeds will go to charity. Registrations can be made on 663 529 280 and at the charity shop of the La Cala Lions Club.
The Rincón del Hinojal partial development plan goes ahead
COLLECTIVES
Rotary Club Mijas International and the Autism Charity Food Group organise a solidarity meeting on Sunday 16th
The fundraiser will be used to install shade sails at the Adimi centre
Ed. Dept. This Sunday 16th of March at Cortijo Don Elías, in Las Lagunas, the Rotary Club of Mijas will be holding a meeting of families with the aim of helping the Adimi Centre, for which they have organised a party with live music and flamenco, games and raffles. “It will be a family day that we organise with live music of different styles and groups, there are people who sing, who play guitar, there will also be dancing”, said the president of Rotary Club Mijas International, Katja Range. “Our aim is not only to collaborate, but also to have a good time. We will have a flamenco show with flamenco singers and a performance by an English singer. As for the food, we will have paella, meat, ham, cheese...”. said Sebastián Fernández, from the Autism Charity Food Group. There will also be games and face painting for the children on this day of solidarity which will begin at around 13 hours and last until 20 hours.
The funds raised will go to finance the installation of shade sails in the garden of the Adimi day centre. “It’s a project worth about ten thousand euros and although the club has already raised some money, we are a still a short”, said Range, who hopes to have the shade installed by May.
Rotary Projects
Rotay Club Mijas International “has as its main objective to improve people’s lives, both locally and internationally”, explained its president. In this respect, she explained that at an international level they promote “peace” and the “development of economies”, while in Mijas they have projects “to improve health” and “people’s
KATJA
RANGE
Pres. Rotary Club Mijas Internacional
“Sunday’s meeting will be a family day that we organise with live music of different styles and groups, there are people who sing, who play guitar, there will also be dancing”
This final approval comes almost two decades after the initial approval, which was presented in 2006. In this way, this area located between Mijas Golf and Lomas del Flamenco
B.M./I.P. The ordinary plenary session of the Mijas Town Hall held on Monday 10th of March, but corresponding to the month of February, gave final approval to the partial development plan which affects the Rincón del Hinojal. The modification, said the councillor for Town Planning, Lourdes Burgos (PP), is in line with the planning of the future Mijas: “Sustainable, efficient and respectful of the natural environment”.
of 268,000 square meters is readjusted urbanistically with 105,000 square meters for roads and infrastructure; 94,500 for housing, of which 108 may be single-family homes, 198 semi-detached and 223 in low-density blocks with a maximum of three levels; and 68,000 for green areas.
SEBASTIÁN FERNÁNDEZ
Autism Charity Food Group
“Our aim is not only to collaborate, but also to have a good time. We will have a flamenco and a performance by an English singer. As for the food, we will have paella and various other things”
wellbeing”. Range specified that in the town they have helped groups such as AFA Mijas, Adimi and Caritas, and that they even extend their help beyond the town, as they have recently done with those affected by the DANA in Valencia.
Cristina Bejarano
Another of the points included in this plenary session was the settlement of an agreement signed in 2003 between the Town Hall and Rincón del Hinojal area / Francisco Gaona.
a construction company, referring to the use and development of land in the Cerro del Majano II sector, in the area of the Ahogadero park.
Councillor Mario Bravo with members of the Lions Club and the Foreigners’ Department / C.B.
‘Ana’s
world’, art and solidarity in La Cala
Anette Skou, former coordinator of Foreigners, presents an exhibition of 28 sculptures in terracotta, stoneware and clay
F.M.R. In the serene refuge of the La Cala Cultural Centre, the hands of Anette Skou invite us to discover her world, a universe of shapes and emotions modelled in terracotta, stoneware and clay. On the 7th of March, in a place transformed into a dialogue of silences and textures, the former coordinator of the Mijas Foreigners Department, opened the door to her soul through her first exhibition ‘Ana’s World’.
With 28 sculptures that seem to whisper different stories to those who contemplate them, Anette shows how art can be a bridge between the heart and the world, between creation and a charitable cause. The exhibition donates 5% of the sales of the artworks to the projects of Soroptimist International Costa del Sol, especially projects to support victims of gender violence and those affected by the DANA.
The event was attended by an excited audience and was supported by the Department of Culture.
Its councillor, Juan Carlos Maldonado (PMP), stressed that “we knew that Anette has an artistic side, as well as being closely linked to Mijas because of her 35 years in the Foreigners Department, but even so I was pleasantly surprised by her work”.
For his part, the councillor for Foreigners, Mario Bravo (PP), put into words the pleasant moment: “It is nice to see how someone with ideas and dedication creates works that we all like”.
The admiration was not only in local words as Marisa Moreno Castillo, Consul of Denmark and delegate of the Danish-Spanish Chamber of Commerce, expressed that “I have known Anette for years and I didn’t know she had this inclination for sculpture. I am pleasantly impressed”.
LA CALA DE MIJAS
Until March 31st Cultural Centre
‘Ana’s world’ is an act of love for art and noble causes, an invitation to listen to the emotions that clay and soul have to tell us.. / M.C.
The plenary definitively approves
the Mijas budget for 2025, which amounts to 133.6 million euros
Carmen Martín
The corporation, in plenary session, has definitively approved the General Budget of the Mijas Town Hall for this year, which amounts to 133.6 million euros. It did so in the ordinary session for the month of February, held on Monday 10th of March, with the votes in favour of the government team (PP, Vox and PMP) and against, the opposition (PSOE and Cs). On the same point, the amendments presented were also rejected.
The councillor for Economy and Finance of the Mijas Town Hall, Mario Bravo (PP), explained that they have “preferred to make a generous budget in all areas of expenditure, especially in social services, scholarships and aid” leaving “the investments for this year for when the budget is settled and the surplus is presented at the next plenary session”, specifying that it will be at the end of March when it will be presented, coinciding with the next ordinary session.
Bravo made this statement following criticism from Ciudadanos, who complained about the lack of investment in these budgets. For the spokesman of the orange party, José Carlos Martín, these are “budgets in which doubts arise in the income and in which you again innovate in the chapter of investments, postponing them to the future”. “It is very difficult for a municipal group such as ours to have approved these budgets at the time and to vote in favour of them again today”, concluded the councillor.
The PSOE, for its part, considered that “this is the second year that a budget has been presented outside the law with unfavourable reports from the comptroller’s office”, said the spokesman for the socialists, Roy Pérez “we talk about the re-
During the plenary session, the amendments to the municipal accounts were also rejected
THE ACCOUNTS
133.6
MILLION
euros
3.02% more than in 2024
The consolidated budget of the Mijas Town Hall for 2025 is 133,608,965.38 euros compared to 129,687,168.70 euros in 2024. The most important areas are Social Inclusion, Family and Equal Opportunities and Senior Citizens.
venue too and you say that we are alluding slightly to the urban development fast buck. If the forecast triples in planning permission and building permits, when we have the same staff, a precarious housing situation... it means that in some developer’s office today they are opening the champagne”, added the PSOE spokesman.
Before the vote, the mayoress of the city, Ana Mata (PP), asked Pérez not to accuse “this government team saying that there are developers who are uncorking bottles because you have done nothing to modify, to change this urban development plan that foresees growth”. “The fact that they do not come with favourable reports does not mean that they are illegal, and if they are illegal, I encourage you to go to court and report it”, added the mayoress, who also wanted to qualify the opposition’s criticism regarding the 9 million euros of income foreseen for 2024 for the occupation of the plots during 2022, 2023 and 2024 where the music festival in La Cala de Mijas was held, which did not result, although in the end 129 million euros were contemplated in the budget and 130 million euros were received. “Those nine million euros of public prices is an issue that is pending in this Town Hall and that corresponds to the time when you managed the Cala Fest”, said the mayoress.
Mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (centre), together with the general comptroller pro tem, Mari Carmen Peinado, and the secretary, José Manuel Páez / M.J.G.
International Women’s Day
On March 8th, International Women’s Day, the Manuel España Theatre was filled with emotion.
XVII Gala Mijas en Femenino: a hymn to equality and the courage of the women
The city paid tribute to nine exceptional women who, with their hands and hearts, have built bridges to equality
The mayoress Ana Mata (PP), opened the gala with a message that resonated deeply: “Today is a day of celebration and thanksgiving to the women who came before us”. “We demand that the role of women in every sphere of life and their struggle to occupy spaces of power on equal terms be valued and recognised. An approach that will have a lasting impact on public policies, business culture and social norms”.
tion was a flower in the bouquet of stories offered to the audience.
Leticia Viviana, businesswoman, said: “This award is also a hymn to equality between countries. Spain has given me opportunities that I will never forget”. The former president of the Brotherhood Cristo de la Paz and custodian of the
achieve her dreams. The multifaceted Carmen Trella offered a tribute to our precursors, “who fought in a much more difficult world”. Singer Salma, took the stage and said: “Today they praise me, but I must praise my mother, the strongest and bravest woman I know”.
Finally, Isabel Lobato and her daughter Tania, moved the audience. “Although it is Women’s Day, this is for my kids, who inspire me to be better every day”, said Lobato.
of Family and Equal Opportunities,
The event, organised by the area of Family and Equal Opportunities, which Mata leads, acknowledged nine women whose work in different areas marked a milestone in Mijas. Women who have broken the mould and have built paths where before there were only barriers.
rent areas marked a milestone in local
thanked “the corporation that gave
Each recogni-
The first to take the stage were Francisca Cortés , Concepción Lombardo and María Isabel Gámez, the first local policewomen in our town. On stage Gámez thanked “the corporation that gave us the opportunity to access these positions and our first mayoress of Mijas, who also breaks the mould”.
The event, hosted by Beatriz Martín, ended with a musical per-
traditions, María Jesús Torres, also thanked the town for the award.
Athlete Ximena Varón, with the strength that characterises her, thanked the support that led her to
formance that filled the space with hope and melody. But the real echo was the message that remained in the air: equality is not a destiny, but a path that is built by all of us.
Honorees
COLLECTIVES
J.P./C.A. From personal trainers, doctors, public speaking coaches, to writers, businesswomen and architects, took part on Friday 7th of March in the 12th edition of the International Conference organised by Costa Women and held at the CIO Mijas facilities. A day organised on the occasion of International Women’s Day and with the collaboration of Mijas Town Hall. “It is a day for them to talk about their business, to make new clients, and to expand their network of contacts”, said the president Costa Women, Ali Meehan. The event was attended by the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP) and the councillor for Foreigners, Mario Bravo (PP), who highlighted this initiative whose slogan is ‘Make it happen’. “It is a networking day for them and a way for us to know that in Mijas we
Costa Women celebrates its annual conference
have valuable women in different areas of society, they are entrepreneurs, businesswomen, they promote employability in our municipality and do not stop growing”, said Mata.
For his part, Bravo stated, “this association is about professional help, women getting to know each other, working together to achieve their objectives and develop their dreams. It is not enough to have a dream, as the slogan says, you have to make it happen and that’s what we’re working on”.
Likewise, the mayoress also thanked the Foreigners Department for “working towards gender equality policies. We support all these
women through the Department of Family and Equal Opportunities, in addition to the work of the different departments in this commitment to equal opportunities which today is eviden.
Participants Speakers included Kimmay Caldwell, personal trainer; Beran Parry, natural medicine physician; Christine Mullaney, public speaking, presentation and cross-cultural communication coach; Kate Kurdziej , business consultant; Michele Collison, writer; Pia Ault, ICF coach and trainer; Tracy Irwin, writer; Mariel Murias, landscape architect; Georgina Shaw, founder of Shaw Marke-
ting Service and marketing trainer and Ali Meehan, founder of Costa Women, business growth coach and host of the event.
All of them highlighted the importance of these meetings. “It is an opportunity to support all the women in the area to do some networking and promote the businesses”, said as Shaw . Associations such as Soroptimist International took the opportunity to promote their projects, as Clara García, one
of its members, explained: “We are collecting, holding raffles, organising concerts, to help women victims of the DANA who have lost everything and, for this reason, days like this are very important”.
CIO Mijas is always open to collaborate with any collective, as the director, Raquel Hidalgo, pointed out: “We decided to support them as much as possible so that this year the event would take place in our municipality”.
Mata and Bravo with members of the organisation and Cio Mijas / J.P.
F. M. Romero / C. Arroyo
The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata, during her speech at the gala.
‘These are women from Mijas who break down barriers and glass ceilings every day who are an example of well understood ambition’ who
Photos: M.C.
Together with the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (centre), posed at the photocall set up in the hall of the Municipal Theatre Manuel España in Las Lagunas, on the occasion of the XVII Mijas en Femenino gala, the nine women who were honoured on the 8th of March for their tireless fight for equality. On this occasion they were the businesswoman Leticia Viviana Devaca the
sportswoman Ximena Varón the singer Salma the artist Carmen Trella María Jesús Torres former president of the Cristo de la Paz Brotherhood; Isabel Lobato an example of resilience; as well as the first three women who joined the Mijas Local Police: Francisca Cortés María Concepción Lombardo and María Isabel Gámez.
Mata and councillors of the government team. Cuevas, Mata and Maldonado.
The theatre was full of neighbours.
PSOE councillors and award winners.
Students from CEIP Virgen de la Peña receive
training in citizen participation
This activity is part of the Mijas Town Hall programme ‘Raise your hand’
Jacobo Perea
The ‘Raise your hand’ programme, now in its third year, will reach throughout this school year more than a thousand students in the fourth year of primary school in the municipality. This activity, promoted by the Education and Citizen Participation departments,
Students
acquire skills and abilities to have a participatory social life
reached the Virgen de la Peña school on Wednesday 12th. “We will learn what citizen participation is, how to initiate a participatory process, what are the
PUBLIC ROADS
phases to carry it out, we address the contents of sustainable development, we value the network of associations and their importance in the development of the municipality, and all this will be based on teamwork”, explained the sociocultural instructor of the Department for Citizen Participation, Toñi Sánchez
These students in 4th B also received a very special visit from
the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), and the councillor for Education, Juan José Torres Trella (PP), who explained first hand how the Town Hall is structured, who its representatives are and the functions of the local administration, among other issues. “This programme ensures that, like sponges, they absorb the meaning of citizen participation, the structure of our Town Hall,
The Candelaria Square hosts the II Circus Market
The event will feature different activities and more than 30 stalls dedicated to gastronomy and handicrafts
M.J.G. The Public Roads Department is organising the second edition of the Las Lagunas Circus Market, from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th of April. Throughout the weekend, La Candelaria Park will be the setting for circus workshops, balancing acts, circus masks, face painting, balloon artists, jugglers, puppets and storytellers, in addition to almost thirty stalls run by ‘merchants’
where you can buy handmade products, gastronomy and jewellery that will complete this leisure and family event.
The event has an extensive programme of activities, stalls, workshops and free shows organised by the company Malik Eventos. “We are going to receive it with great joy, we look forward to the families coming to enjoy the gastronomy, crafts and workshops”, said the
councillor for Public Roads, Melisa Ceballos (PP), on Wednesday 12th at the presentation of the event.
“There will be workshops for children, always within the circus theme, shows, such as the one on Friday, a circus exhibition by the company La Galerna, and on Saturday, a fire show that will be the icing on the cake”, said the head of the company Malik, Leandro Laso
The programme of activities
its network of associations, the responsibility and activity of the different AMPAS (Parents’ Associations), in short, that they naturally acquire all this knowledge and at the same time their doubts, reflections and contributions also emerge”, explained the mayoress.
The main objective of this work is to deepen in those methodologies and educational proposals that favour and develop values,
contents, attitudes, skills, abilities, affections and knowledge, all to prepare students for a participatory, active and responsible social life, and for them to be able to contribute to the development and welfare of the society in which they live.
Participation
During the meeting we had the opportunity to see how interested the children were in learning about all these issues and they also had the opportunity to ask the mayoress and the councillor their questions. “It is very gratifying to see the children participating and talking about different issues that were being raised in class”, said Torres Trella.
The students said they were delighted with the activity and learned a lot. “Today they taught us about our neighbourhood, how to take care of it, our street, the mayoress also explained many important things about our town”, said Lucas Grittani , a student from the school. Izan Segovia also said that “today they have explained a lot of things; what citizen collaboration is”. They paid close attention to the different explanations given during this activity, respectfully keeping their turn to speak and showing curiosity for those issues that are more familiar to them.
will include juggling workshops, storytelling and fun tables. “In addition, we will have different parades with batucada, stilt walkers and so on, it will be an entertaining few days for families”, Laso added. The activities included in the programme will be free of charge, according to the agree -
ment reached between the Town Hall and the organising company.
However, the organisers have added other pastimes such as the carousel, which will cost three euros, the pottery workshops, which will cost 5 euros, and the apple shooting, also for three euros.
The activity ‘Raise your hand’ was attended by the mayoress of Mijas and the councillor for Education / J.P.
The councillor for Public Roads, Melisa Ceballos, and the head of the company Malik, Leandro Laso, at the presentation of the initiative / M.J.G.
On Sunday 9th, the Town Hall hosted an institutional ceremony in collaboration with QSD Global in remembrance of the missing and in support of the families
Anguish, fear, despair, pain, uncertainty, sadness and disorientation. This is what the families who suffer the disappearance of a loved one feel day after day. “It is as if the earth has swallowed them up”, said the sister of Juan Antonio Gómez Alarcón, from Mijas, who disappeared in 2010, during the institutional ceremony held in Mijas on the occasion of 9M.
In collaboration with the QSD Global Foundation, the Town Hall organised an event in remembrance of the missing persons and in support of the families. Presiding the table was the sister of the missing mountaineer, Carmen Gómez Alarcón; the first deputy mayor, Juan Carlos Cuevas Dawson (Vox), the councillors of the government team Mario Bravo (PP) and Juan José Torres Trella (PP); and an officer of the Mijas Local Police. Gómez, stressed the importance of raising awareness of 9M. “If there was more social awareness, many cases could be avoided. Citizen collaboration can save lives”, she said.
Institutional statement
During the event held in the plenary hall of the Town Hall, which was attended by family and friends of the five people cu-
In
Spain,
over 24,000 reports of disappearances are registered every year
rrently known to be missing in Mijas, the manifesto of the Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEM) in Spain was read out by, Juan Carlos Cuevas Dawson, also councillor of the Mijas Local Police. “The 9M is a day of reflection and commitment to remember those who are missing and to accompany their families in their grief. Every year in Spain more than 24,000 missing persons reports are registered, according to the latest data from the National Centre for Missing Persons. Behind each one of them there are families who live with uncertainty and anguish and from
Day of the Disappeared for no Apparent Reason
EMOTIONAL REMEMBRANCE of those who disappeared for no apparent reason
Mijas we cannot remain indifferent to this reality”, said Cuevas.
Raising awareness
In statements to the media, Mario Bravo said that “there are two main issues here: one, to prevent disappearances, which seems complicated, and the second, to react, and as with any reaction, the sooner the better. The Town Hall has protocols and coordination with the different security forces in the area so that when someone disappears, the information flows”.
For the PP councillor, “it is therefore important to control the population for administrative purposes and that is why we are making a great effort to remember the importance of being registered at the address where you usually live and, above all, we want to recover that feeling of participation, that feeling that used to be familiar because it was a large family and over time it has been transformed into a social belonging [...]. We need to improve
FLORAL TRIBUTE
The attendees also carried out a floral tribute to the people who are missing and in support of their families. They listed a long list of names of disappeared people in our country, in Andalusia and also in Mijas.
MUNICIPAL COMMITMENT
“From the Town Hall we reaffirm our commitment together with all the local entities that make up the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, to optimise all the municipal resources available and improve coordination with the rest of the administrations and security forces”, added Cuevas, who listed a series of courses of action to which the government team is committed in order to support the cause. rapid and effective response to disappearances; attention and accompaniment to families and psychological, legal and social support to relatives of missing persons; mobilisation of the community and citizen involvement; promotion of awareness and collaboration through awareness campaigns and reinforcement of all mechanisms to prevent, act and support in case of disappearances are the main commitments of Mijas with cases of disappearances, detailed the first deputy mayor. Finally, Cuevas expressed that it is about “working day by day to look for those who are missing and accompany their families in their struggle. Because this cause is also our cause”, he added.
personal relationships, so that no one has a reason to disappear. But if someone disappears, let’s miss them from the very first moment and let’s all agree on how to find them”.
In Mijas
there are five known missing persons who left no trace
For his part, the first deputy mayor said that “it is unimaginable the pain that the families may feel. With regard to the missing per-
sons, more resources are needed for the state security forces and bodies. As councillor for the local police in Mijas, I am experiencing this on a daily basis. 4.000 more calls to the police in a year are many more calls. We are already close to 30,000 calls to the police just in Mijas, that shows that things are not going well”, said Cuevas, who also pointed out “the lack of material and human resources of the Guardia Civil”. “What is happening in Mijas is something that is happening all over the country and either we react or there will continue to be
more disappearances”.
On behalf of the Municipal Socialist Group, councillor Laura Moreno said: “As every year we are accompanying the families and also raising awareness of the 9M because for the families it is a very complicated process and it is necessary to keep an eye not only on this day but throughout the year, because I think they need support in the process of not mourning. It is a process that never ends and that only ends if the disappeared person appears in certain circumstances. So our most sincere support.”
Micaela Fernández / Photos: M.C.
Juan Antonio Gómez Alarcón’s mother / M.C.
WHAT´S ON
SATURDAY
15TH
‘El Arte de Amar. Homenaje a Antonio Gala’, by the artistic group Por Amor al Arte Por Amor al Arte Manuel España Theatre, 20 h Free admission. Selection of texts by the writer
Nueva Laguna Neighbourhood Association Spring Festival
Fernán Caballero Park, 12 h Paella or tripe for a donation of 4 euros and free for members (it is important to collect your tickets), bar, crafts for children, dances and entertainment, craft stalls and fritters. Free admission
Day of Coexistence of the Neighbourhood Association María Zambrano-Sector 31
María Zambrano Park, 12:30 to 21 hours
Storytelling, face painting and various dance and music performances. Free admission
Presentation of the Mijas Holy Week poster by Rosa Loza Millán and concert by the Mijas Music Band
Inmaculada Concepción Parish Church, 20 hours Free admission. The concert will be after the presentation of the poster
SUNDAY 16TH
Live music and flamenco in aid of Adimi
Cortijo Don Elías, from 13 to 20 h Free admission. Organised by Rotary Club Mijas and the Autism Charity Food Association. There will be paella, grilled meat, ham, cheese, drinks, face painting and raffle at popular prices. The proceeds will be used to install shades in Adimi
Cultural Meeting of Peñas Flamencas
Peña Flamenca la Unión del Cante, 14 hours
Peña Flamenca Canalejas de Puerto Real and Peña Flamenca la Unión del Cante will take part
TUESDAY 18TH
Talks on the Cortijo de Acebedo archaeological site for the elderly
Senior Citizens’ Centre in La Cala, 11 hours
Free admission
WEDNESDAY 19TH
Presentation of the Association of dressmakers, designers and artisans of the Costa del Sol ‘Cosiendo sueños’ and haute couture fashion show
Cepyme stand - Fuengirola Fairground, 19 hours
‘Romeo and Juliet’, dance and literature by Ukrainian Ballet Theater
Manuel España Theatre, 20 hours
Tickets: 24.9.
On sale at ballet.sendpulse.website and two hours before the start at the box office
THURSDAY 20TH
Letras Compartidas literary cycle. Presentation of Sonia Jaime’s book ‘La historia de Angie II. Los dones de conocimiento’
Manuel España Theatre, 19 h Free admission
Play ‘El Libro de la Selva: Buscando la Sonrisa de Keyla’ San Francisco de Asís School, 17:30 hours
Tickets 3 euros, in aid of Keyla, with cerebral palsy
DO NOT MISS
Exhibition Ana’s World La Cala Cultural Centre
Five percent of the sales will be donated to the projects of Soroptimist International Costa del Sol. Until the 31st of March
Solidarity tables ‘Make solidarity your gift this year’
Branch Office Square in La Cala, last Wednesday and Saturday of each month from 11 to 14 h
Solidarity groups will be selling their products for charitable purposes
Ace Shin Charity Dinner
Saturday 29th of March, at 19 hours, at La Sierra restaurant Price, 49 euros per person.
Bookings on: 711 039 124 , 647 647 671 and at info@ace-charity.org
Painting exhibition by Margarita Villarroel and Javier Coppel
Folk museum in Mijas
Unitl the 24th of March
Flamenco show
Every Wednesday at 12 h
Plaza Virgen de la Peña, Mijas Pueblo
Every Saturday at 12 h
Plaza de la Constitución, Mijas Pueblo
Second hand market
Las Lagunas Fairground and at Urb. Calypso, Mijas Costa Sundays from 9 to 14 h
Ecological market
La Cala Boulevard, in front of the branch offices on the second and last Sundays of the month
Exhibition ‘Dalí. The Divine Comedy. Purgatorio’ Contemporary Art Centre (CAC) in Mijas
