hemeroteca-1158 by mijas.semanal

Venezuelan culture festival of the Virgen de la Peña

11 E

439 years since the apparition

NEWS 06-07

On Tuesday 27th, the Mijas Foreigners Department held a gala to thank all its collaborators for their support over the past 40 years

Mijas handball confirms in Andalucía Park S E NEWS. 12

This weekend, from Friday to Sunday, the venue will be filled with live music and traditional cuisine from this country

Mijas Comunicación will broadcast the anniversary mass live on the 2nd at 20 h. There will also be a triduum and a dawn rosary in the coming days

38 its good form

Mijas plans a recreational park for the preservation of donkeys

XXVII MIJAS COMUNICACIÓN SPORTS AWARDS CEREMONY

A space where visitors can interact with donkeys living in semi-freedom, enjoy a stroll, and learn more about this ancient animal NEWS/02-05

Mijas rewards its ‘galácticos’

Once again, Mijas Comunicación, in collaboration with the Mijas Town Hall, recognised the most outstanding athletes, clubs and municipal sports schools of the 2024-2025 season. On Wednesday 28th, a total of 14 awards were presented at the Manuel España Theatre in Las Lagunas, divided into ten categories, with two special mentions. Among the winners were Unicaja-Mijas player Marta Ortega and CA Mijas long jumper Iván Verdugo, who were chosen as the best athletes / SPANISH/34-37

40 years with the ‘Virgen de la Paz’

Las Lagunas went on a pilgrimage in honour of its patron saint and celebrated its 40th anniversary in the municipality at El Esparragal Park

San Francisco de Asís ranks among the top eight national teams in the women's U-16 and also dominates the leading positions in the Andalusian Cup

The registration period for activities at La Cala swimming pool opens on June 2nd Sports is offering 502 places for new users, who can sign up from 8 to 14 hours at the department’s offices

SPANISH /10

The Town Hall puts out to tender the maintenance service for the Sierra de Mijas for 1.2 million euros The work includes clearing, thinning, pruning, and reforestation to help prevent forest fires

NEWS/08

The social working group is created by the Town Hall and local associations

The aim is to improve the services provided by both the local government and organisations to people experiencing social exclusion

/13

SPANISH

The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata; the councillor for Sports, Mari Francis Alarcón, and the managing directors of the municipal company, Mario Bravo and Juan Carlos Cuevas, together with the athletes and entities awarded on the afternoon of Wednesday 27th / Cristina Bejarano.

SPANISH.

Donkey Sanctuary

MIJAS PLANS A recreational park FOR DONKEYS

Report by Carmen Martín and Editorial Department / Info: J. Perea

The donkey is one of the hallmarks of Mijas and the Town Hall is working to preserve it. This was stated by the mayoress of the town, Ana Mata (PP), last Friday 23rd at a press conference in which she announced that the Town Hall is planning a large recreational park for these animals, which already has a feasibility study and would be located on the site of the current stables on the southern road. The park will offer an opportunity to learn more about this emblem of Mijas, while also providing the animals with more spacious stables and areas for recreation. The site will be built on a 10,000 square

A space where visitors can interact with donkeys in semifreedom and enjoy a walk

metre plot that will be completely integrated into the landscape. Its large size is due to one of the objectives of the project: to encourage interaction with the donkeys in semi-freedom, as they will be able to roam and be

THE DONKEY TAXI

A SYMBOL OF MIJAS

The donkey is a symbol that has made Mijas famous around the world. ITS APPEAL AS A TOURIST ATTRACTION IS UNDENIABLE, AND ITS IMPACT HAS BEEN SUCH THAT IT HAS EVEN DRAWN THE INTEREST OF MANY FILM DIRECTORS.

The town aims to become a major sanctuary for this endangered species visited while their quality of life is improved.

The objectives of this initiative include raising global awareness of animal rights and welfare, creating an observatory for donkeys in semi-freedom, and enable walks with donkeys along shaded, tree-lined trails. It also seeks to involve Andalusian donkeys in forest management and contribute to the preservation of the species. Donkeys will also be able to “retire” in the park, where adult donkeys will be taken in for recovery and subsequent relocation. In addition,

there will be an Interpretation Centre for the Mijas Donkey.

Collaboration

Ana Mata highlighted the months of work and meetings held with both the mule drivers and the associations, while emphasising that this project “will mark a turning point”. She also announced plans to collaborate with the College of Veterinarians: “We are working in the right direction to create a space that respects and praises

the figure of the donkey in a positive way, avoiding disparaging towards those who care about donkeys. Our aim is to ensure the preservation of these animals that are in danger of extinction and to make Mijas a municipality that supports their reproduction and, therefore, the preservation of the species. To this end, we will create this park, and the drafting of the project is included in the upcoming budget amendment”, the mayoress explained, adding that

work is underway on the tender process.

Alongside the mayoress, the event was also attended by representatives of the mule drivers and Amaya Isert, president of the Donkey Dreamland shelter, an organisation that has been working with the Town Hall for over a year to promote the park. Isert acknowledged the government team’s commitment to promoting and moving forward with the shelter: “It i s the first to truly

Infographics from the feasibility study / Guijarro Oria Arquitectura.

listen to associations like mine when we have proposed ideas to improve the welfare of animals. We firmly believe that donkeys should not disappear. They are an endangered species and we believe that this place, Mijas, can serve as an example to other municipalities in terms of conservation of this species. We want to move towards more sustainable and responsible tourism and dignify donkeys, which is why the project includes a breeding park”, said the president of Donkey Dreamland.

For his part, the representative of the mule drivers, Antonio Jiménez, defended the work and dignity of their profession and expressed concern that they often feel targeted “when summer arrives”. “We have improved, the donkeys now have longer ropes, there is shade around the Town Hall, the stables are clean, the donkeys’ hooves have been trimmed, and everything has been painted”, said this mule driver, one of only six in Mijas.

According to the government team, “all parties involved have stressed the importance of dialogue in reaching a consensus, which is the first, and very significant, step towards making this project, still in its early stages, a reality”.

COLLABORATION

WORK AND MEETINGS

with mule drivers and groups

The mayoress, Ana Mata, highlighted the months of work and meetings held with the mule drivers and groups , including the Donkey Dreamland refuge. She also announced that collaboration will be requested from the Veterinary Association.

“This government team is a strong advocate of dialogue and teamw k, as shown by this meeting where the Town Ha, mule drivers, and the leading association f donkey welfare are w king together on a proposal that wi benefit everyone. I would like to urge calm, common sense, and awareness among those spreading misinf mation”.

THIS IS WHAT

THE DONKEY

SANCTUARY

WILL BE LIKE

This recreational park aims to promote interaction with donkeys living in semi-freedom and improve their quality of life. It will be open to visitors and is expected to include an interpretation centre, donkey observatory and breeding park, among other attractions, with the aim of ensuring that the Andalusian donkey remains the symbol of Mijas Pueblo.

FACILITIES Rest

Park service areas Several shelters are planned for the donkeys, according to their needs. The idea, as explained by the mayoress, is that “the mule drivers will be able to keep their donkeys in these shelters”

They will allow donkeys to live in semi-freedom

Trails

These are intended for walking tours with donkeys. Trees will be planted along the trails and in other areas to provide shade

Warehouse, staff area, veterinary shelter and quarantine shelter for the integration of donkeys newly arrived at the park

PLOT

10,000

Next to the south road

The plot, measuring 10,226.76 m2, is located next to the southern road, behind the Mijas Pueblo auditorium. It is situated in natural, sloping environment.

The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (third from left), with the president of Donkey Dreamland, Amaya Isert (second from left), municipal advisor Carmen Márquez and mule drivers / Jacobo Perea.

The mayoress (left) highlighted the collaboration between the Town Hall, the mule drivers and other groups to move this project forward / M.C.

ANA MATA Mayoress of Mijas (PP)

PLOT

SOUTH ROAD

renovation

the existing stables on the southern road to convert them into an Interpretation Centre for the Mijas Donkey.

STABLES

A symbol of Mijas

AND

to donkey taxis GOODS

Donkeys have always been closely associated with Mijas, ﬁrst as animals used to transport goods and people, and later as a tourist attraction thanks to the donkey taxis. The history of this service dates back to the 1960s, when brothers Julián and Antonio Núñez used their donkeys to carry sand, stones and bricks from the quarries in Mijas to the construction sites where they worked. One day, a group of Americans came across them and asked if they could take a ride on the donkeys in exchange for tip.

PEOPLE From transporting icon of Mijas

THE DONKEY

The origins of the donkey taxi date back to the 1960s

Report by C. Martín and Editorial Department / Info: J. Perea

It was in the 1960s, during the golden age of tourism on the Costa del Sol, that Julián and Antonio Núñez Andréu, unknowingly, created a symbol of Mijas: the donkey taxi. They found a new use for an animal that had previously served as a means of transporting goods and people in the village. More than that, they turned this new tourist service into a profession that attracted many visitors, including celebrities such as Manolo Escobar, the singer Raphael, the Mexican actor Cantinflas, the American actress Raquel Welch, the artist Lola Flores, the journa-

list María Teresa Campos and the presenters Joaquín Prat and Mayra Gómez Kemp; faces that helped boost the popularity of Mijas as a tourist destination. “The celebrities would come and have their photo taken with my father’s and uncle’s donkey taxis, which then appeared in the press. This encouraged more and more people to come and discover and enjoy the donkey rides. There were even postcards of Mijas Pueblo and its taxi donkeys in America”, explained Isabel and María Jesús Núñez in 2021, daughters of Antonio and nieces of Julián, the brothers after whom the viewpoint in Plaza Virgen de la Peña is named.

The origin of the donkey taxi

dates back to the 1960s when a group of Americans asked to ride on donkeys in exchange for a tip while Antonio and Julián were transporting work materials on their donkeys, they recalled. María Jesús remembered that afterwards, the Town Hall invited them to go to the fairground so more tourists could ride the donkeys. “At first, no one wanted to get on, but the priest and the mayor did, and the next day, people started to join in. That’s how it all began”, added María Jesús. “I remember when Julián came back from Benalmádena carrying stones, and when the donkey returned empty, he would give tourists rides,” said his widow, María Peña, in 2015, when she collected a tourism award that the town hall gave to her husband posthumously.

Both Antonio and Julián “endured extreme heat and cold, suffered and worked very hard in Mijas to make this business a success”, said Isabel. In those days, an hour’s ride cost only 50 pesetas, and the Núñez brothers were in demand at fairs in Malaga and Seville to take people out on their donkeys, which lived with them in their homes and were “looked after with great care”, according to Antonio’s daughters.

1 and 2.- Donkeys served the people of Mijas as a means of transporting goods and people.

3.- Julián and Antonio Núñez started the donkey taxi service in the 1960s. 4.- Snapshot of a tourist in a donkey taxi passing through La Puente / Images provided by Eloy Moreno and from the archives.

7, 8 and 9.- Since they first appeared in the 1960s, donkey taxis have attracted numerous tourists to the municipality / Archive.

A symbol of Mijas

CELEBRITIES,

in donkey taxis

Many famous people have helped popularise Mijas and its iconic donkey taxis. Celebrities including actors Raquel Welch and Cantinﬂas, singers such as Manolo Escobar, Raphael and Lola Flores, and well-known television personalities like María Teresa Campos, Joaquín Prat and Mayra Gómez Kemp have all taken donkey rides around Mijas.

Measures to ensure

the welfare of donkeys

In addition to the project to create the Donkey Sanctuary, the current government team has implemented several measures to safeguard animal welfare, with a particular focus on donkeys.

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL WELFARE

Ensures compliance with animal rights.

PROMULGATION OF A DECREE

It establishes service restrictions during heat alerts. The mayoress describes it as “unprecedented” in Málaga.

OTHER MEASURES

Expansion of shaded areas using awnings.

Increase in the number of drinking troughs.

Creation of a rest area.

Licences granted reduced by 10%.

A veterinary service is being put out to tender for the first time, which will ensure the welfare of donkeys and other animals belonging to the City Hall, such as those at the farm school.

A

TOWN

FULL OF TRIBUTES

Over the years, Mijas has paid tribute not only to the donkey taxi but also to its promoters. From a monolith on Avenida del Compás in honour of Julián Núñez to bronze statues distributed throughout the three towns, the one in Mijas Pueblo was donated by the Lions Club. Cast in bronze by the Aragonese artist José Antonio Barrios , these life-size pieces are the work of the artist from Mijas Lázaro Cruz Jaime. They weigh 500 kg and have ladder so that tourists can climb on them to take photographs. They are located next to the Mijas Pueblo Tourist Ofﬁce, in the La Cala Branch Ofﬁce Square and next to the El Corte Inglés Costa Mijas Shopping Centre. Although each one had an original name, they were later named Broncíneo on the initiative of the late Eduardo Martínez Hernández . a professor from León who settled in Mijas. The plaque bearing this name, the work of ceramist Pepe Almirón , is located next to the donkey taxi car park in Mijas Pueblo.

“This local government’s pri ity is to safeguard animal welfare and rig ously comply with a relevant regulations, ensuring a fair balance between legislation and local customs. Theref e, we ca on the community not to be swayed by malicious messages inaccurate inf mation”

The Town Hall has issued a new decree this year that completes and updates the one published in 2024

THE DECREE RESTRICTIONS

EXTENSION OF DURING HEAT ALERTS

In the event that the AEMET activates a yellow warning for high temperatures, the service must not be provided between 14:00 and 18:00 hours. In case of an orange or red warning, the service must be suspended entirely.

COLLECTION OF DROPPINGS

The use of preventive collection systems attached to the animal is recommended to prevent excrement from falling to the ground.

Article 15.5 of the municipal ordinance regulating the donkey taxi, cart donkey and horse-drawn carriage services in Mijas states: “The system for collecting droppings at all stops of this service shall be the responsibility of the licence holders, and failure to do so shall be considered a serious offence. Likewise, the cleaning of animal droppings along the route shall also be the responsibility of the licence holders”.

THE TETHER LENGTH

It recommends that the rope used to tether animals at stops and rest areas, as well as while pulling carts during their journeys, should be at least 50 centimetres long to ensure a minimum standard of freedom of movement and animal welfare.

VETERINARY CHECKS

The licences and annual veterinary checks required for the animals are now published on mijas.es, information that was not previously available to the public. In addition, the Animal Welfare Department monitors the number of trips each donkey makes per day and the weather conditions in which they operate.

5 and 6.- Cantinflas and Raphael / Images provided by María Jesús and Isabel Núñez.

ANA MATA Mayoress of Mijas (PP)

Photos: Jacobo Perea / Archive.

The anniversary gala was held on the 27th at the La Cala Branch Office, with the participation of numerous groups, companies, and institutions they regularly collaborate with

Nuria Luque / Micaela Fernández

Photos: N. Luque

It was an afternoon full of emotions and gratitude for the Foreigners Department of Mijas at the gala celebrating its 40th anniversary. On Tuesday 27th, the members of this municipal department were surrounded and supported by numerous groups, companies, institutions and associations that regularly collaborate with them. More than 150 collaborators also received a gift from the department as a token of gratitude for always being by their side. “It’s incredible that we are here today celebrating 40 years of history”, said one of the members of the Department, Katja Thirion, who presented the event alongside her colleague Laura Córdoba

The event featured performances by the Azabache flamenco dance academy and the Manuela Veronese dance academy. “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our colleagues Ana Skou, Marta Rey and Luisa Machen for their excellent work over the years”, said Córdoba. “We have worked together for many years and we are very happy to have you here”, added Thirion.

The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), who also gave a speech thanking and congratulating those present, said that “this is a department that has always been made up of women who have shown great ability to adapt to people of different nationalities and cultures who have come to Mijas. Over the years, they have shared many pleasant moments, but I believe that the main objective has always been to ensure that foreigners feel integrated into the Mijas community, not excluded, and to provide them with all the information they need

THE MIJAS FOREIGNERS DEPARTMENT

to live here. Mijas has always been home to people of many different nationalities and we have always got on very well, because in Mijas everyone is welcome. Today, we’re celebrating 40 years of what has become a great family: the Foreigners Department”.

Four decades of service

A PIONEERING

The Mijas Foreigners Department was founded in 1985 by Ana Skou with the aim of offering personalised assistance to the growing number of foreigners settling in the municipality. Initially, provided translation services, but soon expanded to offer information and support related to everyday life in the town. At the time, was a pioneering initiative in Spain, the only department of its kind. The Tourist Ofﬁce was also established around the same time, and the team was joined by Marta Rey, Luisa Machen, and Katja Thirion. Thirion continues to work in the department today, alongside her colleague Laura Córdoba. In its early days, the Foreigners Department was based in the old Mijas Town Hall (now the Casa Museo), then relocating to the current Town Hall, and it now located in the Branch Ofﬁce in La Cala. As the department developed, expanded its services further, organising international events to bring Spanish culture closer to foreigners and help them feel truly ‘at home’. Some of its most wellknown initiatives include the International Day, later renamed Friendship Day, the popular gastronomy weeks, and language exchange workshops.

The anniversary gala was also attended by members of the State security forces, international groups, the international press, various consulates, and mayors and councillors from neighbouring municipalities who regularly collaborate with Mijas. Everyone wanted to support the department’s team, who collaborate on a wide range of areas such as providing assistance and information to foreignerss, translating documents, giving informative talks, running integration projects, organising charity events, business fairs and networking meetings, supporting elderly foreigners living alone,

and even offering help to foreign women who are victims of genderbased violence.

Mijas is home to over 120 nationalities living side by side “and everyone is always welcome

“We are celebrating not just an anniversary, but 40 years of success that have made Mijas a key location on the Costa del Sol and an ideal place to live. We are close to reaching 100,000 inhabitants, 35,000 of whom were not fortunate enough to be born in Spain, but made the wise choice to come and live here. They are all truly welcome. In fact, Mijas is a model of integration because everyone is welcomed here, regardless of where they come from, and the Foreigners Department has always played a part in making our lives a little better each day. Hopefully, 40 years from now, we’ll be able to gather again to celebrate once again”, said the councillor for Foreigners, Mario Bravo (PP). The councillor also took the opportunity

during his speech to read an excerpt from a letter written by Juan Vicente García, who in 1984 offered the then mayor to work one afternoon a week free of charge at the Town Hall to assist foreigners, recognising an emerging need.

Greetings

“Working with them is always a pleasure, the work they do is outstanding. We mainly liaise with the department as part of the Viogenex group, but they also reach out to us for support with information and police-related matters. We congratulate them, because these 40 years have truly been 40 years of hard work, and I believe the results speak for themselves”, said deputy inspector of the Mijas Local Police, Ángel Blanc.

“We’ve always shared the same objective, which is to provide clear

and accurate information to foreign residents. We’re very proud to sponsor this event and to celebrate this anniversary with them, as we’ve been working together for many years”, said the associate director of Blacktower Financial Management Group, Tim Govaerts. Along the same lines, Patricia Ruiz, a lawyer at My Lawyer in Spain, said: “Congratulations on launching this pioneering service, which has since been adopted by other local governments, which is a positive development. I’d also like to commend you on your outstanding work and the constant kindness and care you show towards foreigners”.

“We have been helping from the La Cala Lions Club for 26 years, organising events and running three charity shops to support those in need, and it is a pleasure to collaborate with the Mijas Foreigners Department”, added the secretary of the La Cala Lions Club, Anita Van Gelder

From left to right: Laura Córdoba, Mario Bravo, Ana Mata, Ana Skou, Katja Thirion, Marta Rey, and Luisa Machen.

40th Anniversary of the Mijas Foreigners Department

MIJAS COMUNICACIÓN,

ANA MATA mayoress of Mijas always hand in hand

During the gala, a moving video was shown, highlighting the journey of the Foreigners Department from its beginnings in 1985 up to the present day. The audiovisual was produced by Mijas Comunicación, which has been closely connected with the department since its inception. In the photo above, the director of Mijas Comunicación, Laura Delgado, seen receiving an award.

Four decades

The Foreigners Department created notable events such as Ithe International Day and gastronomy week

uniting communities

The Foreigners Department was created to provide assistance and services to the growing foreign population, a need immediately recognised by the founder, Ana Skou. “I have devoted much of my life to the Foreigners Department, but I have done so willingly because I truly enjoy my work and has always been a great privilege for me to coordinate this service.

I have always enjoyed helping others and now that I am retired, I continue to help in any way I can. Over the 35 years I worked here, I had the opportunity to help thousands of foreigners. I was also able to put my creativity to use, as many events were completely new, such as the International Day and gastronomy week. I must add that all the mayors and councillors who have been involved with the

Foreigners Department have always shown tremendous interest and support”.

In her speech to the audience, Skou warmly acknowledged ‘her team’: All this has always been possible thanks to the great team that makes up the department.

We have always been very close-knit, working hard, without watching the clock, day and night, because whenever we were needed, we were there, and that’s wonderful”, said the founder, who is now enjoying her retiremen. In Mijas, 125 different nationalities live side by side and the members of the department are the link between residents and municipal services.

A municipal department, a family, which has now been in existence for 40 years, four decades of hopes and dreams. And many more to come. Congratulations!

“The women who have been part of the Foreigners Department have always strived to make foreigners feel at home here in Mijas”

Mayoress, Ana Mata (centre), and the councillor for the Department, M. Bravo, with members of the Foreigners Department and some of their collaborators.

The mayoress, Ana Mata (PP) (centre), together with the first deputy mayor, Juan Carlos Cuevas (Vox) and the second deputy mayor, Juan Carlos Maldonado (PMP), alongside leaders from other municipalities.

On the left, socialist councillors Juan Antonio Carrasco and Roy Pérez (left).

Environment

Report by Editorial Department / Design: Carmen Martín

The Mijas Town Hall has put out to tender the maintenance of the mountains, a contract that is being publicly tendered for the first time and which aims to ensure that the municipality’s forest area is in the best possible condition. All this with a budget of 1.21 million euros (including VAT) and valid until 2029, including the corresponding extensions.

This was announced on Tuesday 27th by the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), and the councillor for the Environment, Marco Cortés (PP). According to the mayoress, “this work is essential for the preservation of the public mountains, as well as to prevent possible forest fires”. The work covered by the contract includes silvicultural treatments, clearing by means of brush cutting, thinning and

range from clearing and thinning to pruning and reforesting, all aimed at wildfire prevention

pruning (including the removal of invasive species), reforestation and the conservation, maintenance and improvement of forest infrastructure.

The scope of the work will be the Sierra Blanca and Bermeja areas, and technical criteria will always be followed when carrying out the work.

According to the specifications, the work will be carried out from Monday to Friday in eight-month campaigns between October 1st and May 31st. “The tender for this service is a necessity for Mijas and for our mountains. Until now, there has never been a contract of this type, which is essential to guarantee the preservation of this unique natural area. In addition, we will shortly be relaunching

the maintenance of the The Town Hall puts out to tender THE SIERRA DE MIJAS

The contract has a budget of over 1.2 million euros and will remain in force until 2029, including extensions

Preservation

In addition to the tender for this service, the mayoress announced that the information campaign for forest ﬁre prevention will soon be reactivated

the information campaign on forest fire prevention. In short,

our aim is to do everything in our power to prevent forest fi-

The Tasks

SILVICULTURAL treatments CLEARING by means of grubbing, thinning and pruning (including the removal of invasive species)

REFORESTATION AND CONSERVATION

Tender amount:

res and preserve our mountains for the neighbours and future generations,” explained the mayoress.

During the execution of the work, it will not be possible to cut, uproot, prune or damage any species of flora included in the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species, nor in the Andalusian catalogue, nor in Annex V of Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity of Animal and Plant Species of Community Interest that require strict protection. If any plant species included in the documents are detected, prior authorisation must be requested from the Junta de Andalucia for any action to be taken.

Waste management

The document also states that any vegetable waste generated must be removed or disposed of promptly by shredding, chipping, or transfer to an authorised site.

“The Environment Department has worked hard to put

Maintenance and improvement of forestry INFRASTRUCTURE WASTE management ST

According to the document, the work will be carried out from Monday to Friday in eight-month campaigns. The scope of action will be the Sierra Blanca and Bermeja

“This includes tasks such as clearing brush, pruning trees in poor condition... All while preserving the fauna and flora of the mountains. This is a very necessary action that demonstrates the interest in conserving such an important natural area”

this contract, which is so important for Mijas, out to tender. It includes tasks such as clearing, pruning trees in poor condition, thinning the forest... All this while preserving the fauna and flora of the mountains. This is a very necessary action for our municipality, which demonstrates the interest of this government team in the conservation of such an important natural area as the Sierra de Mijas”, concluded the councillor responsible for the Environment.

“The tender for this service is a necessity for Mijas and for our mountains. Never before has there been a contract of this kind, which is essential to guarantee the preservation of this unique natural area” ANA MATA Mayoress of Mijas (PP)

MARCO CORTÉS Councillor for the Environment (PP)

Sports facilities

On June 2nd, registration opens for activities at the La Cala

swimming pool

Interested parties can register between 8 to 14 hours at the public service offices of the Sports Department

Ed. Dept. / Design: I.Merino

The Sports Department of Mijas Town Hall is finalising preparations for the upcoming opening of the La Cala swimming pool. This indoor, heated Olympic-size pool features a 50-metre basin with water temperatures maintained between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius. It also includes stands for around 500 spectators and changing rooms.

The Mijas

Town Hall is offering a total of 502 places in activities such as aquagym and free swimming

The councillor for Sports, Mari Francis Alarcón (PP), has announced that registration will open on Monday 2nd of June for anyone interested in signing up for the various activities on offer. They can do so between 8 and 14 hours at the area’s customer service offices, located at the Regino Hernández Sports Complex in Las Lagunas and at the indoor sports hall in La Cala.

A total of 502 places are availa-

Registration

AVAILABLE

The Town Hall is allocating these spots exclusively to new users, so swimmers from Las Lagunas who are already registered at La Cala won’t need to re-register while the work on the Ciudad Deportiva pool in Las Lagunas is underway

ble for a variety of activities that will meet the needs and demands of users: swimming for adults, for pregnant women and babies, swimming lessons, backstroke, aquagym, advanced swimming and free swimming. Different days and times are available for each and every one of the activities.

“Since we accepted the pool last March, the Sports Department has been working very hard to get this municipal facility up and running as soon as possible. This will be a reality very soon”, said Alarcón.

Priority

The La Cala swimming pool has

SCHEDULE

SWIMMING FOR ADULTS

SWIMMING LESSONS

SWIMMING

SWIMMING FOR BABIES

MARI FRANCIS ALARCÓN Councillor for Sports (PP)

“We are making the final preparations, which is why we are now opening registration so that the people in Mijas can enjoy it in the best conditions”

involved an investment of 4.6 million euros. According to the Executive, several issues had to be resolved before the Town Hall accepted the facility, “ including leaks in the pool, dripping, problems with the windows, and dirt”. In this regard, Alarcón wanted to remind everyone that the opening of the swimming pool “has been a priority for this government team and we are going to ensure that it opens with all the necessary safety and operational guarantees”.

The La Cala swimming pool will start with a staff of 23 workers, including sports instructors and lifeguards, maintenance technicians.

La Cala indoor swimming pool facilities / Archive.

When solidarity roars

The La Cala Lions Club held its Spring Fair on Sunday, raising funds for its charitable projects

The bright sunshine on Sunday 25th was the perfect backdrop for La Butibamba Park to be transformed into a hive of activity, colour and, above all, solidarity. The La Cala Lions Club held its now traditional Spring Fair, an event that, year after year, brings together numerous families, neighbours and tourists eager to enjoy the day and lend a hand.

From 11 in the morning, the park was bustling with people browsing among more than 50 stalls offering a wide variety of crafts, where they could find treasures not usually available in regular shops. “This is the fourth year we’ve held it in this park”, explained the president of the La Cala Lions Club, Karen Blair, adding that the day offered “lots of activities for children and plenty of entertainment for

GASTRONOMY

adults”.

The Lions Club also set up its usual stalls, including its popular second-hand clothing shop, with some of its garments showcased in a fun fashion show held later that day. “We hold this event every year and we have lots of participants; today we have more than 50 sellers and every year we have more people taking part and more visitors”, said club member Anita van Gelder, miembro del club.

Among the varied offerings were original items such as those from Villa Carmen Bees, whose manager, John Wheatley,

brought the fascinating world of bees to the public. “We come to support the Lions every year and bring a display hive for the children to see. We also bring children’s books. Everything is designed to get people to interact more with the bees and, of course, to try our honey and jams”, he said.

The festive atmosphere was enhanced by the collaboration of associations such as Esveiki. The event, which was supported by the Foreigners’ Department, had a strong charitable focus, with all proceeds going to the La Cala Lions Club.

Corte de Autor and the Town Hall

present the third edition of Mijas Ibérica

It will take place on June 6th and 7ht, starting at 18 hours, in Andalucía Park

M.J.Gómez. The Mijas Town Hall and local company Corte de Autor Jamonería Gourmet are organising the third edition of Mijas Ibérica. This year, in addition to the third National Ham Carving Competition of Circuito ‘Popi’ Sabor a Málaga, the event will offer a programme full of flavours, music and dancing on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th of June.

One of the new features of Mijas Ibérica, which will once again be held in the Andalucía park in Las Lagunas, is that it will take place over two days, both starting at 18 hours. The opening day will give neighbours and visitors the chance to sample a wide variety of products. “The event will begin on the 6th, when we will inaugurate Mijas Ibérica 2025 with live music, a bar, and regional and

LEISURE

Venezuelan Culture Festival in the Andalucía Park in Las Lagunas

It will take place from May 30th to June 1st

C.Luque. Venezuela will be the spotlight next weekend at a big celebration. The Andalucía Park in Las Lagunas will showcase the culture of this country from the 30th of May to the 1st of June, from noon to midnight, in a grand event featuring cuisine, crafts, live music, and traditional regional dances. Two local companies, Arepas Burguer and Plazas y Espacios Activos, together with a large group of collaborating companies, are responsible for organising this event.

According to Fátima Martins, dance teacher and professional dancer, “the idea is to bring the Venezuelan community together and give all the immigrants who are away from home the opportunity to enjoy a little piece of their country in

contemporary dances”, said the councillor for Festivities and Traditions, Silvia Marín (PP).

On Saturday 7th of June, the spotlight will be on the ham carving competition, with six top carvers from across Spain competing for a place in the final in Barcelona. Fran Ortiz has already qualified for the final. “I took part in the competition in Benahavís where I won, so I’ve already qualified and I’m going straight to Barcelona. Whoever qualifies here in Mijas will be my rival in next year’s final”, said Fran Ortiz, co-owner of Corte de Autor.

Mijas”.

The event will feature traditional cuisine, such as ‘carne en vara’ (meat on a stick) and local drinks. According to Nixon Rodríguez, another dance teacher, “we will also have traditional cuisine, the most famous being arepas filled with various ingredients such as shredded beef or ‘pabellón’. We will also have traditional tequeños and traditional drinks”. In addition, there will be different dance groups and live music.

The Town Hall is collaborating and inviting neighbours and Venezuelans to enjoy the day. The councillor Melisa Ceballos (PP) invited “all Venezuelans to come to this celebration, as well as all the neighbours from Mijas to enjoy this culture and folklore”.

The Mijas Lions Club is organising the ‘Saboreart’ charity dinner on Friday 30th.-

Gastronomy and art come together once again for a good cause. For the second consecutive year, the Mijas Lions Club will hold its “Saboreart” solidarity dinner to raise funds so that this association can continue offering its services. It will take place on Friday, 30th of May, at the Patio Antiguo restaurant in Mijas Pueblo. On this occasion, the theme chosen is Italian cuisine, accompanied by classical music. It promises to be an event that will leave no one indifferent, with the duo Fusión performing works by renowned composers. The price of the dinner is 75 euros per person. For more information, please call 617 77 62 58.

Francisco M. Romero

The leaders of the La Cala Lions Club organised a big charity event / M.C.

Councillor Melisa Ceballos with organisers and participants / C.L.

Councillor Silvia Marín, together with the owners of Corte de Autor and organisers of Mijas Ibérica, Isabel Alarcón and Fran Ortiz / M.J.Gómez.

WHAT´S ON

FRIDAY 30TH

Charity dinner ‘Saboreart’ Patio Antiguo restaurant, Mijas Pueblo

The theme is Italian cuisine and music by the duo Fusión. Price: 75 euros per person

More information: 617 776 258

30th anniversary of the Peña Flamenca El Gallo

Peña Flamenca El Gallo, 21 h

With Ana Serrano and Miguel de Tena singing and Hugo Dogma and Chaparro de Córdoba on guitar

II Jam Session. Open mic night

Peña Flamenca Unión del Cante, 22 h

Reservations: 660 883 924

saturday 31st

Solidarity tables ‘Make solidarity your gift this year’

Branch Office Square in La Cala, Saturday 31st of May, from 11:00 to 14:00 hours

Solidarity groups will be selling their products for charitable purposes

sunday 1st

XVI Enfoca Mijas Marathon

Start at 10 hours from the Folk Museum in Mijas Pueblo Registration is free and will be open until 14 hours on June 30th. To register, please send an email to maraton.enfoca.mijas@mijas. es with your personal details and contact telephone number

The adult group from professor Marcos Morales’ theatre workshop at the UP is staging ‘A la ladera del río. El silencio de las palabras’ Manuel España Theatre, 20 h Free admission until full capacity is reached

monday 2nd

End-of-year concert by students from the UP Flamenco Guitar Workshop led by Carlos Haro Manuel España Theatre, 19 h Free admission until full capacity is reached

TUESDAY 3RD

End-of-year gala of the Seniors’ Dance Workshop at the UP, led by María José, Juan Jesús, Rosa and María Jesús

Manuel España Theatre, 18 h Free admission until full capacity is reached

WEDNESDAY 4TH

Exhibition of tapestries and handicrafts of teacher Beatriz Mozum (on the ground floor) and Lourdes Ruiz (on the upper floor) Las Lagunas Cultural Centre, inauguration at 19 h Free admission until full capacity is reached

Performance by the group of teenagers from the Theatre Workshop, led by Professor Marcos Morales at the UP Manuel España Theatre, 20 h Free admission

Women’s Golf Day

La Cala Resort

More information: golf@lacala.com and 952 669 033

THURSDAY 5TH

Presentation of the book ‘Manojitos de versos’, by José Moreno Jaime

La Cala Cultural Centre, 19 h Free admission until full capacity is reached. Within the Spring Literary Cycle Letras Compartidas

VENEZUELAN PARTY

Venezuelan Culture Festival

From the 30th of May to the 1st of June in Andalucía Park, Las Lagunas, from 12 to 00 h Food, crafts, live music and traditional regional dances

Virgen de la peña

Services and events for the 439th anniversary of the appearance of the Virgen de la Peña Santuario Virgen in Mijas Pueblo Triduum at the her chapel in Mijas Pueblo: Friday 30th, dedicated to the elderly and sick; Saturday 31st, dedicated to young people and children; and Sunday 1st, to families. Rosary at 19:30 h and Mass at 20 h Rosary at dawn from the parish church of the Immaculate Conception to the chapel of the patron saint of Mijas, Monday 2nd, 7:30 h General ringing of bells, Monday 2nd,12h Rosary, Eucharist, floral offering by the children and passage under the mantle of the Virgen de la Peña, Monday 2nd, at 19:30 h

RETREAT

Retreat organised by the Casa Luna Women’s Association Entrerríos Hostel from the 31st of May to June 1st For families, with activities. Attendance is possible on individual days. More information: 640 318 781

DO NOT MISS