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La Marina Advertiser brings you news and views on local issues in La Marina Urbanisation, La Marina Pueblo and San Fulgencio.
If you have any QUESTIONS for Samantha about local, please email on info@lamarinaadvertiser.com
It's a Local Affair!
with Samantha Hull San Fulgencio Councilor
Answering all your questions about local issues as well as exploring life and culture in Spain as a San Fulgencio local.
One of the most important traditions here in Spain is the celebration of a fiesta. And who doesn’t like a good fiesta! I encourage anyone to celebrate some of the amazing events that take place not just here in San Fulgencio but all over the country. Here are a few of the bigger ones.
Buñol in Valencia has 9,000 inhabitants but on the last Wednesday in August, 40,000 people gather there to pelt each other with overripe tomatoes in a massive food fight“La Tomatina”. I´m not sure how it started but one story is that in 1945 a local parade turned chaotic and people threw tomatoes at each other. They enjoyed it so much that it became an annual event! Nowadays there are strict guidelines to ensure safety such as squashing the tomatoes before throwing them to avoid injury!
The Carnival of Santa Cruz in Tenerife is one of the largest carnivals in the world and is often compared to the one in Rio De Janeiro. Starting at the end of January, it goes on for three weeks. Apart from the parades, there is also a quirky event which involves the symbolic burning of a giant sardine representing the end of indulgence before Lent.
Semana Santa (Holy Week) is celebrated across Spain featuring solemn processions, traditional music and religious rituals. In my position as local Councillor, I have attended many of these events in San Fulgencio village and they are so emotional and beautiful. Regardless of your beliefs, I encourage you to take time to experience some of the processions. You will not be disappointed.
If you are like me and love to watch flamenco dancing, you cannot go wrong with visiting Seville in April and seeing the “Feria de Abril”. As well as showcasing flamenco dancing, the costumes and local cuisine let you experience Andalusian culture.
Most people have heard of Pamplona in the north of Spain thanks to the crazy running of the bulls in early July. This is called the fiesta of San Fermín and was popularised thanks to Ernest Hemmingway´s book “The Sun Also Rises”.
Now, a fiesta I HAVE to attend takes place on June 29th in La Rioja is “La Batalla del Vino” and features a “wine fight” where participants douse each other in wine to celebrate the region´s winemaking heritage. Participants wear white shirts and a red scarf and drench each other in red wine using anything that can spray, pour or squirt. They use approximately 70,000 litres of red wine. Come on! Who wouldn't enjoy that fiesta!
Closer to home, in Valencia, Las Fallas is a festival where giant paper-mache figures are displayed and then burned in spectacular
bonfires, marking the arrival of Spring. Alicante does something similar in late June called Las Hogueras de San Juan, which also features the creation and burning of large artistic monuments to celebrate the arrival of summer.
The Moors and Christians festivals are celebrated in various places such as Guardamar and Alicante and feature massive parades, dramatic battle reenactments, music, dancing and, of course, fireworks.
Apart from Holy Week, here in San Fulgencio we also celebrate the Fiestas Patronales de San Fulgencio y San Antonio Abad from January 14th to the 23rd, honouring the patron saints and featuring religious processions, cultural events and the Brotherhood meal in the Oasis Park during which you are given parcels of food that you cook on barbecues and then eat, drink and enjoy time with family and friends.
In May we celebrate the Fiesta de San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers. Locals carry the saint´s statue through the village and to the Oasis Park where attendees are traditionally given bottles of wine as part of the festivities!
The first weekend in August is “Las Fiestas de la Virgen de la Paz” on the urbanisations.
There is music, dancing and it is a major event that brings the community together.
Lastly there are the Fiestas en Honor a la Virgen del Remedio in October, honouring the village´s patroness. It features processions, parades, music, dancing, fireworks, communal feasts and much much more.
So, whether you live in this beautiful country or are just here on holiday, attending a fiesta is a must if you want to immerse yourself in the unique and proud Spanish culture and heritage, participate in centuriesold celebrations, create unforgettable memories and, of course, enjoy traditional food, music and dance - and you can’t go wrong with that!
Go on - participate in centuries-old celebrations, creating unforgettable memories. You won't regret it!
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My La Marina
with Lorraine Cook Johnson
In this months My La Marina we talk to the lady behind La Marina Street Cats –Lorraine Cook Johnson.
Lorraine, when did you first come to La Marina?
Well, we've had a holiday home here for five years, moved over permanently in September 2023.
What was the inspiration behind La Marina Street Cats?
I've always been an animal lover, all animals not just cats, and, oh, a couple of years back at least, I found an abandoned kitten. I was so moved by the little chap's plight that I started a Facebook group (which now has nearly 700 members) and chatting with people on there I learned how big a problem La Marina has with wild and abandoned cats and I guess I decided that... something had to be done!
Give me an idea of the activities of La Marina Street Cats?
As per Spanish law we operate on the principle of trap/neuter/release. So, if a cat is wild, that is to say it has neither chip nor collar and is obviously wild, we trap it, neuter it and then release it, though we always, always seek to rehome as a first option. Oh, and it's me that sets up and monitors the traps... that can be interesting and surprising at times, once, in just one session, I trapped 17 cats. That was a full day! We also seek to help and rehome abandoned and dumped cats and, distressingly often, kittens (in fact the little beauties pictured on this page currently need a home – for more information, please see contact details below).
Does La Marina Street Cats have premises?
It does - my house! As you can imagine that does make things busy and, at times, stressful as cats and kittens waiting to be rehomed are staying with me but I guess a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!
Does La Marina Street Cats have funding? We get some financial support for the cost of neutering from San Fulgencio council
Each month, "My La Marina" brings you conversations with long-term residents of La Marina. We explore their journeys, their experiences, and what living here means to them.
and apart from that La Marina Street Cats' financing comes from members of the public and the Facebook group. Sometimes in cash, sometimes in food and we do a monthly Beetle Drive at Cheers Bar here in La Marina (Plaza Sierra Castilla, 9). The next one is on August 15th, starting at 5pm - come along!
Give me an idea of what La Marina Street Cats has achieved over the last 12 months?
The last 12 months, okay, well we've sterilised 300 cats and we've rehomed 10 adult cats and 120 kittens... and that's something I'm proud of!
If you want to know more about La Marina Street Cats or would like to offer a cat or kitten a new home: Visit their Facebook group @streetcatsoflamarina or Call/Whatsapp Lorraine on (+44) 7485 585 132
In this month’s article we will discuss a phenomenon in contemporary Spanish, the adoption of anglicismos - English words that have become part of everyday Spanish vocabulary.
Much like how the word "chofer" (chauffeur) was borrowed from French, the Spanish language has incorporated numerous English terms over the years. Some of these anglicismos have seamlessly blended into everyday conversation, becoming widely accepted across Spanishspeaking communities, albeit with a very Spanish pronunciation and sometimes a change in spelling.
Examples of English words adapted into the Spanish language include parking, bacon, camping, sandwich, check-in and fitness.
We also borrowed English terms for many sports: el fútbol/football, el béisbol/ baseball, el golf, el surf… Even in sportsrelated terms such as the use of ‘corner’ in football, although we do have a perfectly good word for a corner: ‘esquina’.
In genres of music: música pop, rock, hiphop, jazz... The integration of anglicismos is a double-edged sword. On one hand, they are filling gaps in the language where a direct Spanish equivalent did not exist, especially with the advancement of technology and the internet, like in the case of ‘Wi-Fi’, ‘smartphone’, ‘webcam’ and ‘software’, providing an innovation of the language to adapt to modern times and new technologies.
On the other hand, it risks overshadowing traditional Spanish vocabulary. As English terms appear in marketing and popular culture, they become familiar and frequently used in everyday conversations, potentially leading to the gradual decline of their Spanish counterparts. Using ‘outfit’ instead of ‘conjunto’ or ‘hobby’ instead of ‘pasatiempo’ may be commonly accepted by younger generations, more exposed to English through media and the internet. But older generations and language purists express concern about the erosion of our traditional vocabulary.
SPANISH TIPS WITH
¡Buenas! We are Dani and Sam from the ‘Speechless in Spain’ Language Centre in San Fulgencio, where we have lived for over two decades and taught Spanish here with over 26 years of combined experience.
Although ‘email’ is commonly used, we should bear in mind that we already have a perfectly suitable term for this: ‘correo electrónico’. And, although ‘okay’ is commonly used amongst the youth, let’s not forget about ‘vale’. Hacer ‘click’ or ‘pulsar’? Manager or ‘gerente’? Fashion or ‘moda’? Coach or ‘entrenador’?
And let’s not forget that sometimes our borrowed words don’t actually mean the same thing as they do in English! This is in the case of ‘un pub’ (pronounced as ‘un paf’), a bar-like venue with a specific style, different from the traditional British pub, falling somewhere between a bar and a club, normally with funky decor and music. These are very common in Madrid, for example.
So, anglicismos are indeed important, particularly when there is no direct translation available in Spanish. Borrowed words play a crucial role in helping the language evolve and adapt to new contexts, and they also make life easier for English speakers learning Spanish.
With this being said, we should try to make the effort, when possible, to use the proper Spanish term if it exists.
If you'd like to know more about Speechless in Spain, get in touch: Tel: 623 003 215
Email: info@speechlessinspain.com
DEBRA España is a National Charity working on behalf of children with a genetic skin condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), also known as Butterfly Skin because children who suffer from EB have skin as fragile as a butterfly’s wing. EB causes severe blistering and open wounds to the skin, eyes and internally within the digestive and respiratory system. The children live in constant and often intense pain, they require 24/7 care, including daily bandaging, which can take up to five hours a day, and there is no cure.
36 years ago Nieves & Iñigo had a son with EB. After much research they found DEBRA UK and asked for help, which they received from DEBRA UK and a top Spanish dermatology specialist. Five years later Nieves & Iñigo decided to form a charity, so no other family would go through what they had with no information or anyone to turn to and AEBE was formed, based in Marbella. In later years, the name changed to DEBRA, España - joining with other DEBRAs around the world to work under one name collectively giving more power and recognition and raising awareness for families and health professionals.
Annual Family Meetings were set-up, allowing children and families to meet up and discuss what they were going through and to help support each other. The charity arranged for specialists to attend and supply information on ongoing research. These meetings continue to this day.
In 2003 it became apparent Nieves & Iñigo needed help to run the charity as the number of families they were supporting kept growing. They were also the only carers for their son and working parents so they decided to fund their first employee. This was done with the help of the Aloha Golf Club in Marbella who arranged the first Charity Golf Day and Ball.
In 2006 the first DEBRA España charity Shop was opened in Pueblo Bravo by Val &
David Wilkinson (who had a grandson with EB) and Anne Wylie. A year later a second shop opened in Urb. La Marina, with the help of fund raising by Caledonia Lodge No. 68. With 2 charity shops the charity was now able to employee 2 full-time nurses to assist children suffering with EB.
In 2015 the charity had a breakthrough when the Spanish Health Authority agreed to supply every child with EB free bandages and dressings and two years later another amazing breakthrough - La Paz University Hospital in Madrid and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu-Clínic Barcelona were officially recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Health as specialist treatment centers for EB. Both hospitals allow children to be referred by local doctors to receive specialist treatment from their Dermatology Units.
DEBRA Spain now supports almost 400 families, providing help from a specialist Healthcare Team made up of nurses, psychologists, social workers and a research expert .
There are currently 11 DEBRA charity shops in Spain raising over 60% of the charity's funding. In the Alicante region DEBRA supports 20 children and their families. When the charity is informed of a newborn with the condition our nurses and a psychologist are ready to travel throughout Spain to give the necessary advice and help to both the medical profession and the family.
If you would like to know more about our charity or our forthcoming Butterfly Charity Ball, please contact Mary on 616 076 072 or pop into our shop on Consum Square
BRITISH
AMBASSADOR TO SPAIN VISITS SAN FULGENCIO MEN'S SHED
The Men's Shed (Asociacion De Ayuda Al Jubilado De San Fulgencio) are proud and honoured that the founder of our association, Barry Wallis, received an invitation from the British Ambassador, who was visiting our municipality and wished to visit the Men's Shed.
For several years Barry worked hard and with a lot of determination so that his idea and dream to set up a Men's Shed, a charity that aims to end the social isolation that can sometimes affect the older generation, here on the urbanisation would happen.
The same Ambassador, Mr Hugh Elliot, who visited on Saturday, had also visited in 2021 and shook hands with Barry on an empty plot of land where the Men's Shed would be built.
amazed at the result. He spent quite some time inside the building, meeting and chatting with Men's Shed members and discussing with Barry the projects, skill sharing, ideas and benefits of Men's Shed to the whole community.
The membership of the Men's Shed (which, despite its name includes to help both men and women) continues to grow. In a comparatively short time, skills have been shared, ideas discussed, projects completed and the help with social isolation and loneliness has been immense.
On Saturday 29th June 2024, just 16 months after opening of the San Fulgencio Men's Shed building, the Ambassador was
Thank you, Barry, from all at the Men's Shed and the surrounding community for your fantastic achievement!
You can find out more about Men's Shed (based at Calle Azorin here in La Marina) by visting their Facebook page @SanFulgencioMensShed or by calling: 634 37 18 17.
LA MARINA BOWLS CLUB
NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME! Tuition will be given if required.
RING BARRY ON 641 873 985 Pop in on one of our 'ROLL UP' days - every Tuesday & Thursday
WELCOME TO LA MARINA SPORTS CLUB
The complex has been run buy Helena and Paulo for over 30 years and a warm welcome will be given to all patrons old and new.
Pictured are Helena with Paulo, and a team of dedicated staff, who will go above and beyond to make your visit a memorable occasion, whether enjoying the extensive menu or partaking in one the many activities that take place during the year.
Monday's are taken up with Bridge Club from 14.00 followed by Petanca at 18.30 at the rear of the restaurant. Everyone welcome to this social evening. The Ladies Club meet on a Tuesday (restarts September). Thursday morning is Line Dancing with Angie from 10.00, this also restarts in September and from 14.00 it is rehearsals for The Sunshine Singers
Night with Woody on June 29th
(back in September). New singers always welcome, ladies and gents.
Come and join us on Thusday evening at 19.30 for Tommy's Quiz and play your cards right!! Good night. Friday morning is Zumba with Cindy, (time for the energetic) and then there is a Music Quiz with Boo from 16.00.
The restaurant is open from 18.00 daily (with the exception of Wednesday).
A great night was had by all at our tapasthemed music night with the very talented Ricky Patton. Thank you to Helena and Paulo for another great night.
You can find La Marina Sports Club at Calle Berna, La Marina Urb Tel: 966796389
Fierce competition on the Petanca rink
K9 CLUB: TRIGGER is a 7 year old large dog, he is so affectionate, good on a lead and very obedient. Would make a great companion and is house trained as he has come from a loving home. Trigger has a passport and is fully vaccinated. Can anyone please give Trigger another safe and loving family home? Contact us at the Shelter if you would like to come and meet him 711 075 305 or WhatsApp
