hemeroteca_1195

THE WATER PARK IS NOW OPEN

Free Copy. Nº 1.208. 12th to 18th of June 2026

W E E K LY

MIJAS RECOGNISED for its

commitment ot nature

E NEWS. 06

The Mijas Reforesta programme wins the first International Blue Flag Award 2026

Until the 23rd, the park will ¡ open Monday to Friday from 15:00 to 20:00 and at weekends from 10:00 to 20:00.

From the 24th onwards, it will open daily from 10:00 to 20:00

MELODY TO DELIVER LAS LAGUNAS

Fair opening adress

E NEWS. 10

The presentation of the poster and the programme for the festivities will take place on Saturday the 13th, at 20:30, in Andalucía Park

NEWS/08

HIDALGO WINS M 45 ANDALUSIAN

road cycling championship The Mijas native, a resident of Entrerríos, donned the champion s jersey at the race held SPANISH. 36 in Trebujena

S

ENVIRONMENT

Mijas set to receive over 1 million euros to upgrade its waste transfer station The ‘Junta’ is funding the works, which will be carried out by the Association of Municipalities to enable the expansion of the facilities NEWS/02-03 HUMAN RESOURCES

Contract awarded for cleaning and maintenance of green spaces in the Gran Parque The main improvement on the initial project includes the installation of 6,000 m 2 of awnings and twelve toilets NEWS/04

The municipality retains Platinum Broom award for its waste management services The accolade recognises the comprehensive system implemented by the Town Hall to optimise management and coordination ACTUALIDAD/06

Local Executive increases its investment in activity programmes for the elderly

A life dedicated to the municipality Last Saturday, 6th, the Mijas Town Hall hosted a tribute event for municipal workers from various departments who retired over the past year. Almost twenty employees gathered in the Town Hall’s plenary hall, where the mayoress Ana Mata presented them with plaques in recognition of their careers and dedication to the municipality. It was a moment that the mayoress described as “very special, full of emotion, memories and, above all, gratitude”. / SPANISH/07 / M.C.

The two-year contract, with an option to extend until 2029, increases annual workshop and activity hours by 40% NEWS/05

Mijas News

02 Waste management

Mijas receives over one million euros

to upgrade the waste transfer station The project is a “priority” under the Andalusian Regional Government’s Bio-waste Transfer Station Plan Report by María José Gómez / Design: Carmen Martín

Mijas is set to receive over one million euros to expand and upgrade its waste transfer station. The acting Regional Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Catalina García, announced on Tuesday 9th that the project submitted by the local government in 2024 has been designated as a “priority” under the Andalusian Regional Government’s Bio-waste Transfer Station Plan (PlanetA). The announcement was made during a working meeting held by the minister at the Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol with the mayoresses of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP); Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz; and Torremolinos, Margarita del Cid, as well as members of the supramunicipal body’s assembly.

She was accompanied by the deputy minister, Sergio Arjona, and the director-general for Environmental Sustainability and the Circular Economy, Carmen Jiménez. The work will be carried out through the Association of Municipalities.

“It is great news for us that the project is among the highest-rated and that the proposal for our municipal transfer station, which had significant room for improvement, has been approved by the Andalusian Ministry of the Environment”, said the mayoress of Mijas. “This shows not only that it is well-designed, but also that serving so many people in a strategic area of the Costa del Sol is a top priority”, added Mata, who noted that “the Entrerríos transfer station receives the waste before it is sent to the main treatment plant on the Costa del Sol, located in Casares”.

In addition to the mayoress of Mijas, the meeting was also attended by councillor Daniel Gómez Teurel / María José Gómez.

Meeting with the mayoresses of Mijas, Marbella and Torremolinos.The acting regional minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Catalina García (centre), met last Tuesday 9th at the headquarters of the Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol with the mayoresses of Mijas, Ana Mata (left); Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz; and Torremolinos, Margarita del Cid (right), as well as with members of the assembly of the supra-municipal body / M.J.G.

The Andalusian Government’s PlanetA Following the approval of the plan, which has a 5-million-euro budget funded by European ERDF grants, the Directorate-General for Environmental Sustainability and the Circular Economy and HAS COMPLETED ITS SELECTION PROCESS, ASSESSING AND APPROVING 33 PROJECTS promoted by local councils, provincial councils, associations of municipalities, and waste management consortia, creating a comprehensive network of interventions to provide effective coverage for the Andalusian waste transfer network.

The plan also includes the Marbella plant which, combined with the Mijas facility, will serve a population of around 340,000.

“This highlights the importance of these projects, which will facilitate the separate collection of organic waste and make transporting bio-waste from these towns to the treatment plants simpler and safer”, said the regional minister. “Both facilities are part of a group of four priority initiatives, alongside the stations in Seville and Mairena del Aljarafe, which will serve a potential population of over 1.29 million inhabitants”, explained García, adding that “prioritising these projects will allow the practical roll-out of the PlanetA Plan o begin with high-capacity infrastructure”.

The main benefits of implementing this plan include: improving the efficiency of bio-waste transport; strengthening the infrastructure network for separate waste collection; reducing landfill disposal; increasing organic matter recovery; and enhancing the capacity of local authorities to meet their obligations.

A facility serving a strategic area The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), noted that the inclusion of the waste treatment plant upgrade in PlanetA means “not only that it is well-designed, but also that serving so many people in a strategic area of the Costa del Sol is a top priority”.

Mijas News

03 Waste management

The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata, and the acting regional minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Catalina García / Mijas Press.

COOPERATION FRAMEWORK

PRIORITY PROJECT

Collaboration between the ‘Junta’ and local authorities

D uring her visit to the Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol, the regional minister stated that “the Andalusian R egional Government’s commitment to transfer stations represents A D ECI SI V E STEP TO WAR D S STR EN GTH EN I N G CO L L AB O R ATI O N WI TH L O CAL AU TH O R I TI ES”. “We cannot ignore”, Catalina García warned, “that while municipal waste management is the responsibility of local authorities, the technical and economic scale of certain infrastructure, such as this, mak es a cooperation framework essential to tack le major projects”.

“The collection of bio-waste is one of the main challenges currently facing local authorities in Andalusia, within a European, national and regional regulatory contex t that is driving the transition towards a circular economy”, she emphasised. “This is the contex t for the PlanetA Plan”, she ex plained.

The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Association of Municipalities / M.J.G.

Mata: “We will continue to work on projects that make Mijas a more sustainable municipality” The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), received a certificate from the acting regional minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Catalina García, a officialising the designation of the Entrerríos transfer station expansion and upgrade as “a priority”.

Regarding the project, the mayoress highlighted that “it has been one of the highest-rated; it comes with a grant of over one million euros to enclose the site, a refurbishment that meets environmental targets for sustainability and improves working conditions at the plant. It also includes an expansion to make day-to-day operations much easier for the staff there”.

Transfer stations play an essential role in the waste management system, particularly in areas far from the main treatment facility in Casares. They also help to optimise transport, reduce travel times, improve operational efficiency and encourage the expansion of separate waste collection. “We will continue to work on projects that make Mijas a more sustainable municipality, where we meet recycling targets and where we can provide the necessary systems for disposing of the waste we generate daily. Sometimes, we don’t realise that we need to leave behind a better world”, the mayoress of Mijas concluded, adding that her focus remains on “the constant improvement of general environmental conditions in the municipality.” In this regard, she recalled the town’s recent award for glass recycling.

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Mijas Weekly

Contract awarded for

Gran Parque

green spaces cleaning and maintenance

The contract is worth 1.95 million euros annually and runs for three years Ed. Dept./ Design: Carmen Martín

The Mijas Town Hall has awarded the joint venture formed by Inditec and Ituval the contract for the cleaning and maintenance of green spaces at the Mijas Grand Park, the largest urban green space in Andalusia, covering 270,000 square metres, as reported on Tuesday 9th.

The contract, worth 1.95 million euros per year for a three-year period, represents one of the most significant urban landscaping projects on the entire Costa del Sol. This is the third major contract awarded for the Grand Park.

Last March, the contract for the

upkeep and maintenance of facilities and equipment was formalised with Clece FS for 1.3 million euros; while security and the opening and closing of the park were awarded to Clece Seguridad for 1.17 million euros in October 2025.

All three contracts have now been formalised and are in force.

Upgrades in this contract include the installation of 6,000 square metres of awnings, to be fitted in squares, children’s play areas and outdoor gym zones, as well as the provision of a dozen public toilets, all of which will be fully accessible.

A comprehensive park Located in Las Lagunas, the park

is home to over 2,900 trees and 20,000 plants. Its facilities include basketball and football pitches, five children’s play areas, a skate park, a splash park, a dog park, a 1,500-capacity amphitheatre, and a boating lake serving as the landscape’s central feature. The mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), described it during the site handover ceremony as “the Costa del Sol’s great green lung”.

Inditec is the environmental works and services division of Grupo Ortiz, one of Spain’s leading construction and engineering groups. The company operates across four main sectors: landscaping (encompassing the design, execution, and maintenance of parks and gardens), waste management, rural environments, and environmental infrastructure.

Photos: Archive.

Meanwhile, Ituval is an environmental innovation and technical engineering services firm founded in 2004. Specialising in the maintenance of public green spaces, its work encompasses pest control, reforestation schemes and its own greenhouse crops.

The Inditec-Ituval joint venture already has a track record of collaboration on similar green space maintenance contracts, including those for the local councils of Cádiz, Marbella and Rincón de la Victoria, among others.

Water saving From an environmental perspective, the project involved a comprehensive review of the vegetation to adapt it to the semi-

arid climate of the Málaga coast.

Tthe new selection of trees and shrubs reduced irrigation water consumption from 1,350 cubic metres per month to just 350, a 74% saving that makes the park a benchmark in sustainable landscaping, according to the Town Hall. The maintenance entrusted to the Inditec-Ituval joint venture must preserve this ecological balance and ensure the health of the plant life, which comprises species adapted to local conditions.

Beyond its ecological value, the park serves a vital social function.

Its sports, cultural, and children’s facilities transform it into a community hub that addresses what the council highlighted as “a longstanding demand in Mijas”.

GROUPS

Adimi to hold its first Charity Summer Fair on the 20th of June B.Martín. The Mijas Association for People with Disabilities (Adimi) will hold its First Summer Fair on the 20th of June, a charity event taking place at its care centre that promises to be a day packed with activities for all ages.

The event, which runs from 11:00 to 15:30, will feature music, dancing, food and drink stalls, raffles, crafts, gifts and a children’s corner, as well as health advice on diabetes and blood glucose testing provided by the La Cala Lions Club. All proceeds will go towards maintaining the services provided by the association.

The event, presented on Tuesday 9th, has the support of the Mijas Foreigners’ Department / B.M.

The initiative is organised by Roger Wedge, who is closely linked to Adimi who has spearheaded numerous charity events in support of the group. As the organiser explains, “I suggested to Laura [Adimi’s mana-

ger] that perhaps we should organise a fun day at the Adimi centre, on the premises itself, because people don’t know where it is. I think once they see what is done here, it will generate many more fundraising

opportunities for Adimi”.

The association highly values this collaboration. Adimi’s manager, Laura Villa, noted that “unfortunately, we always face financial difficulties; that is the reality. So any kind of collaboration from any group looking to help in some way, to do their bit for our project, is always a huge reward and gives us a lot of drive and energy to keep working”.

Activities The event will also feature musical performances, including a set by La Trilla Folk, who will perform a repertoire of traditional Andalusian music. Their director, María Maqueda, highlighted the cultural value of their performance. “Our music features two bandurrias, which are instruments that are barely played anymore and have fallen into disuse.

We also have three guitars and four singers, so I think people will be moved to hear the music that was heard many years ago in Andalusia and which, unfortunately, is being lost”, she explained.

Institutional support The fair is backed by the Foreigners Department of the Mijas Town Hall. The councillor responsible for the department, Mario Bravo (PP), emphasised the institutional commitment, adding that “the Town Hall is very proud of the local associations, especially the ones that look after the most vulnerable, such as, in this case, Adimi, which has run a centre for people with high support needs in the La Cala Hills residential area for many years. Any help they receive is never enough”.

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Mijas Weekly

Senior Citizens

Mijas increases investment

Mayoress Ana Mata (2nd from right) and councillor Silvia Marín / B. Martín.

in activity programs

for the elderly

These initiatives cover artistic expression, social and cultural The Mijas Town Hall has increased both the investment allocated to engagement, and cognitive stimulation Report by Ed. Dept. / Design: Carmen Martín

cognitive stimulation programmes, artistic activities, and social and cultural engagement for the elderly,

The new

two-year contract, with an option to extend until 2029, increases annual workshop and activity hours by 40%

alongside the hours dedicated to them, by 40%. Specifically, the new contract, which will run through 2026 and 2027 with an option to extend for a further two years until 2029, has a budget of 217,000 euros.

This is up from the 156,000 euros of the previous contract, which span-

ned an additional year (2021–2025).

In parallel, the government team explained last Thursday 11th, the hours allocated to activities and workshops for senior citizens “will also increase by around 40%”, rising from 993 annual hours under the previous contract to 1,413 hours.

“This initiative stems from Mijas Town Hall’s commitment to promote well-being, social integration, active ageing, physical and mental health, and communication skills of senior citizens”, the local executive stated.

More workshops Additionally, each of the three senior centres will host two events per year, six in total, and, for the

first time, an emotional intelligence workshop will be introduced. The cognitive stimulation and memory workshops are being reinforced with extra hours, complementing the traditional sessions of laughter therapy, art therapy, new technology training, and music therapy. Furthermore, the ‘Get to Know Your Province’ programme will maintain its two annual excursions for users.

The workshops and activities will take place across Mijas’ three main centres –Las Lagunas, Mijas Pueblo and La Cala de Mijas–, with the exception of senior social engagement activities, which may also be held outside the municipality, according to the Senior Citizens Department led by councillor Silvia Marín (PP).

Active participation The key objectives set by the Mijas Town Hall for the activities and workshops under the new contract include facilitating learning and skill development across various areas, promoting the active involvement and well-being of participants, encouraging active participation, stimulating communication and interaction among attendees, and creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Furthermore, the professionals responsible for running the workshops and activities will aim to provide emotional, motivational, and practical support to participants, while promoting the physical, mental, and social health of older people through activities tailored to their needs and capabilities.

Memory As part of the cognitive stimulation workshop, the Town Hall has designed memory training exercises, sensory and attention stimulation, memory storage and retrieval enhancement, language stimulation, and specific memory strategies.

Finally, the social engagement activities aim to create spaces for community life and participation to foster social relationships among the elderly, featuring celebrations such as Grandparents’ Day, Valentine’s Day, Carnival, a 1960s-themed summer party, and Christmas.

The scheduled workshops and activities are aimed at older people at Active Participation Centres and Senior Centres who hold a valid municipal membership card.

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Mijas Weekly

Mijas retains the

Platinum Broom

AWARD for WASTE AND cleaning management

Councillor Eloy Belmonte collected the award in Madrid during the 2026 Broom Awards ceremony, a national recognition scheme / Mijas Press.

The Mijas Town Hall has retained the Platinum Broom, the highest accolade awarded by the Technical Association for Waste Management and the Environment (Ategrus), in recognition of its comprehensive system for street cleaning and

waste collection services.

The councillor for Street Cleaning, Eloy Belmonte (Vox), collected the award on Wednesday 10th in Madrid during the 2026 Broom Awards ceremony, a national initiative that recognises the best projects in urban cleaning, sustainability, and environmental

Control system “Retaining the Platinum Broom

proves that the Street Cleaning Department’s work to optimise resource management and improve service coordination is delivering results. We have introduced a tracking and control system that allows us to catch incidents, act faster, and ensure services meet the high standards the residents of Mijas deserve”, Belmonte said.

The councillor highlighted that the award backs the department’s efforts to guarantee the highest quality standards in a municipality as large and diverse as Mijas.

In addition to the opening speech by the singer, who is currently immersed in her new ‘El bosque encantado Tour 2026’, and promoting her new single ‘Ilarié’, attendees will get a first-hand look at the programme that the Department for Festivities and Traditions has prepared for the fair.

The festivities will run from the 24th to the 28th of June, featuring, as always, leisure and entertainment options for the whole family, free concerts and plenty of fun.

The singer visited the Town Hall a few days ago where, alongside the mayoress, she announced that she will be the official proclaimer / B.M

rce use, and compliance with environmental targets.

The award recognises the comprehensive system implemented by the Town Hall to optimise management and coordination Report by Ed. Dept. / Design: Carmen Martín / Translation: C.Arroyo

“Retaining the Platinum Broom proves that the Street Cleaning Department’s w k to optimise resource management and improve service co dination is CO U N CI L L O R F O R STR EET CL EAN I N G (V O X ) delivering results.

We have introduced ELOY BELMONTE a tracking and control system that aows us to catch incidents, act faster, and ensure services meet the high standards the residents of Mijas deserve”

protection.

In this year’s edition, the jury awarded the Platinum Broom to the Mijas Town Hall for implementing a comprehensive monitoring and management system within its street cleaning and waste contract, designed to guarantee service efficiency, responsible resou-

Management system This recognition highlights the management, monitoring and control system introduced by the Street Cleaning Department during the current term of office, a tool that monitors compliance, detects issues, corrects flaws, and optimises resources allocated to street cleaning and waste collection.

TRADITIONS

Andalucía Park to host proclamation this Saturday for

THE 2026 LAS LAGUNAS FAIR Singer Melody will be the town crier for the 2026 Las Lagunas festivities “Being the town crier for this fair is a true privilege for me”. This is how singer Melody put it during her recent visit to the Mijas Town

Hall where, alongside the mayoress, Ana Mata (PP), she announced that she would be delivering the opening proclamation for the 2026

Las Lagunas Fair. The event will take place this Saturday, the 13th, in Andalucía Park, where the official poster, designed by Mijas Comunicación, will also be unveiled.

Melody invited all residents not to miss this event: “We’ll be there spreading a bit of joy, we’ll see what happens on the night, we’ll keep it a surprise, but I’ll be there delivering the proclamation and I invite you all to come along because we’re going to have a spectacular afternoon”.

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Mijas Weekly

Report by Irene Pérez / Design: I.Merino

The Mijas Reforesta programme, run by the Mijas Town Hall, has won the 2026 International Blue Flag Award for Best Practice in the Northern Hemisphere International Evaluation, ahead of marine education projects in Friluftsrådet (Denmark) and hydroponic gardens in Los Cabos (Mexico).

Specifically, the award recognises the creativity and relevance of an initiative that has seen the planting of over a thousand seedlings of native Mediterranean species cultivated in the municipal nursery, both in the mountains and in coastal areas, with a highly valued educational focus.

As part of the 2026 International Northern Hemisphere Evaluation, Blue Flag International invited organisations to share examples of best practice. The themes for this year’s edition were the promotion of the circular economy and environmental education programmes, the category in which Mijas Reforesta received the accolade.

As explained by the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), Mijas Reforesta “coordinates reforestation activities in the

07

Mijas Reforesta wins top 2026 International Blue Flag Award

ANA MATA

Mayoress of Mijas (PP)

“Mijas Reforesta coordinates reforestation activities in the mountains, coastal dunes and urban green spaces of the municipality, with the aim of strengthening local biodiversity and creating urban forests that act as CO2 sinks”

Objectives The mayoress emphasised that

the programme’s core objectives have been successfully met, highlighting the promotion of environmental education and active participation, in line with the eco-schools’ philosophy; the conservation and restoration of local ecosystems through reforestation initiatives; and the promotion of changes in attitude and behaviour towards sustainable practices.

“The combination of practical action, learning and interpretive excursions demonstrates that environmental education can bring about lasting changes in attitude, foster sustainable habits, and strengthen the connection with nature and the community”, added Mata.

Until the 23rd of June, the park will be open from 15:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday and from 10:00 to 20:00 at weekends.

Once the school summer holidays begin, the facility will open daily from 10:00 to 20:00.

The facilities feature specia-

lised slip-resistant flooring, a 1,500-square-metre fenced area, landscaped zones, a pergola, and a children’s play area.

Public responsibility Regarding the rules of use, children under three must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times, and use of the play equipment is prohibited for anyone over 14.

Balloons, balls, motorised vehicles, bicycles, and similar items are banned; smoking and pets are not permitted; and footwear must be worn at all times.

The Parks and Gardens Department asks members of the public to use these facilities responsibly and to wear suitable footwear to prevent slips and falls.

The municipality beat Friluftsrådet and Los Cabos with its project to plant native Mediterranean species grown in the municipal nursery mountains, coastal dunes and urban green spaces of the municipality, with the aim of strengthening local biodiversity and creating urban forests that act as CO2 sinks”. For the mayoress “this award confirms that the municipality, its environmental bodies, and educational institutions are deeply committed to

the care and protection of nature”.

A multidisciplinary initiative Mijas Reforesta is backed by Mijas Town Hall Environmental Department, WWF, the Eco-school at IES Sierra de Mijas, the Aula del Mar Foundation, Creamar, ARBA, Espa-

cio DRANG and Exploramás, alongside many other local schools. The councillor for the Environment, Marco Cortés (PP), has coordinated the various activities alongside his department.

PARKS

The Water Park

is now open

Until the 23rd, it will open from 15:00 to 20:00 Mon-Fri and 10:00 to 20:00 at weekends C.L. The Mijas Town Hall, through its Parks and Gardens Department, has opened the popular Water Park this week, located in the Las Cañadas area.

As every summer, the facility is once again available to families in Mijas.

This was announced on Monday 8th by the councillor for the department, Daniel Gómez Teruel (PP), who explained that

continuous maintenance is carried out throughout the year to ensure everything remains in perfect working order. “Last season we opened on the 13th of June, but this year we decided to bring the opening forward due to high demand, as many families were asking for it”, said the councillor. To guarantee safety, the water has undergone rigorous testing to prevent the

Photo: J. Ayora

presence of Legionella, among other issues. The councillor also pointed out that the park operates a closed-loop water system, meaning all the water is recycled.

Opening hours

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Priests Manuel Jiménez and Fernando Luque / Archive.

Bishop of Málaga trusts two Mijas priests

for his new DIOCESAN LEADERSHIP Priests of Las Lagunas and La Cala take on a territorial episcopal vicariate and the personal secretary role to Bishop of Málaga, respectively Francisco M. Romero

The Diocese of Málaga is undergoing an extensive reorganisation of its leadership positions nine months after the arrival of Bishop José Antonio Satué, who has drawn up a new roadmap following an internal survey of priests and laypeople with leadership responsibilities. The most significant change, signed on Tuesday 9th of June, is the abolition of the sectoral vicariates introduced during the tenure of Jesús Catalá, and the reintroduction of territorial vicariates. In this

revamped organisational structure, the ecclesiastical hierarchy is capitalising on the prominence of our municipality by awarding high-responsibility positions to priests Manuel Jiménez Bárcenas and Fernando Luque, parish priests of San Manuel González in Las Lagunas and Santa Teresa de Jesús in La Cala, respectively.

Under the new framework, Jiménez Bárcenas, also archpriest of Fuengirola-Torremolinos, has been appointed episcopal vicar of the Serranía de Ronda and Costa del Sol. A native of Ronda, aged

53 and ordained a priest in 2003, Jiménez has a background in Biblical Theology, as well as Economics and Business Studies.

Meanwhile, Luque, who is also chaplain at the Entrerríos Rural School and Cardenal Herrera Oria School, takes up the post of personal secretary to the bishop.

Born in Málaga, aged 35 and with a decade of priestly ministry behind him, Luque faces a major structural shift in his career.

Institutional response The mayoress Ana Mata (PP)

spoke about these promotions, becoming the first to officially celebrate the milestone: “I would like to publicly congratulate both of them because they are approachable, committed, and very hardworking individuals. Two men who, in addition to their outstanding pastoral work, possess fundamental human qualities such as empathy and understanding”.

For the mayoress, tthese appointments endorse the work carried out by the fathers in our municipality.

Local support These appointments have also been well received by local religious groups. The Brotherhood of Cristo de la Paz issued an official statement showing its support, stating that “it fills us with joy to see the dedication, devotion, and approachability with which both parish priests carry out their priestly ministry recognised”. Expressing full confidence in their management skills, representati-

EDUCATION

PUBLIC SPACE

Rosario Padilla takes second place in Toastmasters public speaking competition

2nd Gastrolatino Festival kicks off on Thursday 18th

C.Gallego. Rosario Padilla arrived on the Costa del Sol four years ago knowing nobody. Public speaking gradually became a way for her to gain confidence and improve her communication with patients at the clinic, particularly those suffering from dental anxiety, for whom clear communication from a pro-

fessional makes all the difference between undergoing treatment or avoiding it. Dr Padilla subsequently joined Toastmasters, and her most significant personal achievement came on the 16th May at an international competition involving 2,000 speakers from seven countries, where she placed second in the

Rosario Padilla poses with her certificate / Toastmasters.

prepared speeches category in Spanish. “You learn many skills that can help when communicating with patients and handling difficult conversations”. She is now available as a master of ceremonies for medical, charity, and professional events.

I.M. The event will begin on Thursday 18th at 18:00 in Plaza Virgen de la Peña, filling Mijas Pueblo with dancing, musical tributes, entertainment shows and international cuisine until Sunday 21st. The free event is

ves noted: “We are certain they will tackle this new responsibility with the same commitment and spirit of service that defines them.”

Positions of responsibility Regarding the roles, a territorial episcopal vicariate involves exercising executive authority delegated by the bishop for a specific geographical area. For Jiménez Bárcenas, this means acting as the direct link between the Bishopric and the parishes within the Serranía de Ronda and the western coast.

As for the personal secretary role, this goes beyond mere administrative management, involving direct assistance to the bishop.

Thus, Fernando Luque will be responsible for handling correspondence, managing Satué’s official schedule, preparing documentation for his audiences, and accompanying him on official visits, assuming a role of the utmost trust within his inner circle.

organised by the Public Space Department and Producciones Raíces.

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Mijas Weekly

Street Cleaning highlights dozens

of clearance operations

carried out on municipal land in 2026 The Town Hall reminds residents that work is continuing in line with the planned schedule

A municipal plot after clearance operations / Mijas Press.

Editorial Department

The Street Cleaning Department is continuing to carry out the clearance work scheduled for

2026 on municipal land, plots and green spaces across the area, having already completed or commenced dozens of operations

since the start of the year.

The councillor for the department, Eloy Belmonte (Vox), explained that this tasks

ELOY BELMONTE

Councillor for Street Cleaning (Vox)

“We continue to act across the various municipal plots in accordance with the established plan to guarantee their proper maintenance and the safety of residents”

are being carried out on an ongoing basis and in accordance with a previously established schedule, emphasising that “there is a permanent programme that allows us to work progressively in the various public spaces across the municipality and adapt our efforts to the emerging needs”.

Belmonte noted that the vegetation growth recorded in recent months has necessitated reinforcing some planned operations, though he stressed that tasks are continuing as normal. The councillor also pointed out that this work is being performed under

the current contract, which was drafted, tendered, and awarded during the previous Socialist administration. He further noted that the inherited plan even includes references to private plots and homes, a circumstance which, he said, “those who drew up the contract will be better placed than anyone to explain who those properties belong to”.

Furthermore, Belmonte added that when the current government team took office, the machinery specifically designated for clearing tasks had barely clocked ten hours of recorded use. “That figure perfectly reflects the previous level of activity in this regard”, he stated. The councillor also highlighted the recent award of the Platinum Broom, noting that this recognition rewards improvements in the management, planning and control of municipal services. “The Platinum Broom validates the ongoing work to optimise resources, improve planning, and deliver increasingly efficient public services”, he concluded.

EVENTS

Portuguese community in Mijas celebrates Portugal Day in the town for the first time

The celebration was attended by mayoress Ana Mata and councillors Mario Bravo and Juan José Torres Trella / B.M.

B.M. On the 10th of June, nearly 300 Portuguese residents in Mijas celebrated Portugal Day and the Day of Portuguese Communi-

ties, a festival that also marks the anniversary of the death of the illustrious poet Luís de Camões and pays tribute to Portuguese

culture, language and all Portuguese citizens around the world.

To the tune of the Portuguese national anthem, a day of cele-

bration began at the restaurant La Esquina Portuguesa (11 Calle San Benjamín, Las Lagunas), a bar which, two years after opening, has become a veritable gastronomic, social and cultural haven for the Portuguese community in Mijas, as well as for locals keen to discover the traditional cuisine of the neighbouring country. Its menu features “cod as the main dish, but we also have seafood and various types of Portuguese dishes from north to south”, explained Ana Bella Martins, the establishment’s owner. The gastronomic showcase was accompanied by music, with a special focus on fado, one of Portugal’s most representative genres.

Among those in attendance was Antonio Luis Guimaraes, who expressed his excitement about the celebration: “Today I feel absolutely delighted and happy because it is the first time we have celebrated the Portuguese

national holiday in Mijas; today is a public holiday there”.

The event was also attended by members of the municipal government team, led by the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), who said that “we are very fortunate because, thanks to those people who come from other countries, we are much richer culturally, and we must thank them for the peaceful coexistence we enjoy in our municipality; here we don’t ask for any kind of passport to be able to enjoy this very special environment, with so much soul, so vast, with all the possibilities we have and offer.” For his part, the councillor for Foreigners, Mario Bravo (PP), highlighted that “we have just under 300 registered Portuguese residents of all ages. It is a people with whom we get on quite well. Portugal is getting closer every day.

That is the message I believe we must take away: Portugal, getting closer every day”.

10 MijasNews

12th to 18th of June 2026

Mijas Weekly

WHAT´S ON FRIDAY 12TH

Spring literary series. Book presentation by Marisi Morales and Carlos Caravias La Catedral Restaurant, 19 h.

Free admission

Festival of the UP Dance Workshop led by Víctor Rojas Mijas Pueblo Municipal Auditorium, 20 hours Free admission

SATURDAY 13TH

Opening speech for the 2026 Las Lagunas Fair, by singer Melody Parque Andalucía, 20:30 Free admission

Lecture: ‘De GESIM a Ecologistas en Acción Mijas. 40 años en defensa de la naturaleza’, by Juan Alarcón, coordinator of Ecologistas en Acción Mijas Folk Museum in Mijas Pueblo, 19:00 Free admission

THURSDAY 18TH

16th Classic Motorbike Rally Plaza Virgen de la Peña Registration from 09:30 to 11:00

Musical ‘The Jungle Book’ Auditorium of the Las Lagunas Employment Promotion Building, 09:00 Organised by the Culture Department in collaboration with Harmony Music and Ark Christian School

Festival of the UP Ballet and Traditional Dance Workshop led by Feli Gabriel Manuel España Theatre, 19:00 Free admission Festival of the UP Ballroom Dance Workshop led by Juan Jesús Leiva Mijas Pueblo Municipal Auditorium, 21:00 Free admission

Photography and body painting exhibition ‘Between Two Souls’ by María Márquez and Luisa Machen CAC Mijas, Mijas Pueblo, 19:30 h Free admission Until the 9th of July

Tuna Quartering at La Zambra Hotel La Zambra, 18:00 Three options: Tuna quartering and tasting menu Tuna quartering with a raw tuna tasting Wild bluefin tuna tasting menu (‘Almadraba’ style)

SUNDAY 14TH

Presentation of the book ‘Beyond the Rubble’ and screening of the documentary film ‘Voices from the Front’ United Family Ukrainian Cultural Centre, 19:00 Free admission

Youth band concert by students of Harmony Music Auditorium of the La Cala Branch Office, 17:00 Free admission Exhibition: ‘40 Years of Environmentalism in Defence of Nature’ Mijas Pueblo Folk Museum Until the 29th of June

Organic market La Cala Boulevard, opposite the branch office. Second and last Sunday of the month, from 09:00 to 14:00

WEDNESDAY 17TH Meeting of the Patio de Ensueño poetry group Hall of the Manuel España Theatre, 18:00 3rd Mijas Gastrolatino Festival Plaza Virgen de la Peña (Mijas Pueblo), 18:00 There will be dancing, musical tributes, entertainment shows and international cuisine Until Sunday 21st

‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’ show Manuel España Theatre, 14:00 and 19:00 Tickets: 12 euros (at the box office) Festival of the UP Dance Workshop led by Reme Fernández Mijas Pueblo Municipal Auditorium, 21 hours Free admission

Exhibition by the Arts and Crafts Workshop led by Mª Lourdes Ruiz (UP) Las Lagunas Cultural Centre Until the 19th of June

Solidarity Tables Square in front of the La Cala Branch Office, 11:00 to 14:00 17 and 20 June, 15 and 18 July, and 26 and 29 August

Exhibition by the Mijas Craft Association. Jonatan Díaz, contemporary glass artist, and Sara Leguizamón, glass fusion artist Mijas Pueblo Tourist Office Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 15:00 Until the 30th of June

DO NOT MISS

Exhibition ‘Miradas a la Naturaleza’, by Antonio Martín and Francisco Plaza Nuevo Enfoque Mijas Mondays and Thursdays, 19:30 to 21 h

FOREIGNER’S DEPARTMENT MIJAS TOWN HALL USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS SALUD RESPONDE (Doctor’s prescriptions etc.).........................................

955 54 50 60 EMERGENCY/DOCTOR, AMBULANCE ANDALUSIAN HEALTH ............................

061/112 LOCAL POLICE - MIJAS EMERGENCIES 24H...........................................................

952 46 08 08 / 952 46 09 09 OFFICE, MON - FRI 8:00-14:00..................................................................

952 19 70 97 FIREBRIGADE 24H......................................................................................

952 58 63 82 CIVIL GUARD 24H.......................................................................................

952 47 40 30 MIJAS TOWN HALL - MIJAS VILLAGE.........................................................

952 48 59 00 TOWN HALL BRANCH LAS LAGUNAS.........................................................

952 59 36 44 FOREIGNERS DEPARTMENT (MON - FRI 9:00 - 14:00)..............................

952 58 90 10 SENIOR CITIZEN’S DEPARTMENT .............................................................

951 06 20 05 SOCIAL SERVICES (MON - FRI - 8:00 - 14:00)...........................................

952 47 66 91 WOMEN’S CENTRE.....................................................................................

952 58 90 01 FREE FURNITURE COLLECTION ..................................................................

648 960 541

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EMERGENCY 24H............................................. 016 HELPLINE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE - ANDALUSIAN GOVERNMENT 24H........................................... 900 20 09 99 MIJAS TAXI....................................................... 952 47 82 88

Dancing at Active Participation and Senior Citizens’ Centres Mijas Pueblo Active Participation Centre, alternate Sundays, 17:30 to 20 hours.

Next session: Sunday 21st Las Lagunas Active Participation Centre. Fridays, 20 to 22:30 h La Cala Senior Citizens’ Centre, alternate Sundays, 19:30 to 22 h. Next: Sunday 14th June No prior registration required

Sarao Nights featuring the Nin3s Intimate Live Show, created by UNER, and a live performance by Daisy Dee of Technotronic Sunday 28th of June, 19:30 h.

Hotel La Zambra Tickets: https://lazambrahotel.com/ es/sarao-nights/