Mallorca 7 – 13 March 2024 Issue 2018

Stride forward

REGISTRATION for the 2024 Walk Against Cancer is now officially open, offering an opportunity for individuals across Mallorca to unite in the fight against cancer.

Organised by Cancer Support Mallorca, parti-

MALLORCA’S Serra de Tramuntana mountains will host the thrilling Galatzo Trail on Sunday, March 10. Runners will tackle the Finca Publica Galatzo’s beautiful and rugged terrain in Calvia, under the shadow of the majestic Galatzo mountain. The event is comprised of two races: the

cipants have until March 31 to sign up, with the first 150 adults and 50 children receiving a complimentary t-shirt and a choice of a bag or bottle. This year, the event champions personal fitness goals, encouraging

participants to walk, run, cycle, or swim according to their own targets, whether it’s 10,000 steps daily or a cumulative 100,000 steps within the month.

By signing up on the Cancer Support Mallorca website, participants will

also receive guidance on fundraising to further support cancer research and aid.

Coordinator Rebecca Upton emphasises the dual aim of enhancing fitness while bolstering cancer awareness.

Sound support Breathtaking!

challenging 43km Galatzo Legend and the 23km Galatzo Half, which draws athletes to one of the world’s most stunning natural reserves.

The race, almost entirely within the UNESCO-lis -

ted landscape, offers breathtaking views and a testament to the island’s beauty. This annual event not only tests endurance, but also celebrates Mallorca’s rich natural heritage.

IN a significant move towards enhancing road accessibility for the visually impaired, the Mobility Area of Palma City Council, in partnership with the social entity ONCE, has installed three new sound traffic lights across the city. These installations, positioned at strategic pedestrian crossings, aim to cater to the accessibility needs of blind individuals. Deputy mayor of Mobility, Toni Deudero, acted on a request from ONCE’s rehabilitation technicians.

Locations include the pedestrian crossing at Carrer de Caro where it meets Avinguda de Argentina; Avinguda de la Argentina at the Carrer de Sant Magi intersection, and Carrer d’Arago at the junction with Carrer de Faust Morell and Carrer de Gabriel Maura.

Deudero highlighted the council’s commitment to mobility and road accessibility support for visually impaired residents. He also explained an ongoing commitment to collaborate with ONCE, going beyond just sound traffic lights. “It is essential to support this group... all constructive proposals that come from ONCE will be attended to,” Deudero emphasised, promising further installations if requested by ONCE.

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• Issue No. 2018 •7 - 13 Mar 2024 FREE

FREE FREI GRATIS GRATIS GRATIS GRATIS GRATUITO VRIJ LIVRE ILMAINEN G F E GRATIS GRATUIT S G Mallorca

Walk Against Cancer participants.

Credit: CSGMallorca/X

The Galatzo Trail.

Credit: galatzotrail/Instagram.com

What’s in a date?

MOTHER’S DAY in the UK falls on Sunday, March 10, this year.

Unlike fixed holidays such as Christmas or Valentine’s Day, Mothering Sunday in the UK varies each year.

Rooted in the Christian observance of Lent, Mothering Sunday occurs on the fourth Sunday, precisely three weeks before Easter Sunday.

Originating in the Middle Ages, when domestic service workers were allowed to visit their ‘mother’ church, it evolved into a spring occasion for family reunions, with children picking flowers as gifts for their mothers on the way home.

In the United States, Mother’s Day

MOTHER’S DAY sure knows how to bloom!

While Valentine’s Day may steal the spotlight with its roses, when it comes to flowers and plants, mums reign supreme.

Surpassing even other big holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah, Mother’s Day ranks as the third-highest-selling holiday for floral delights.

It’s a floral frenzy!

was established in 1907 by Anna Jarvis, honouring mothers and their roles.

It’s observed on the second Sunday in May, following Jarvis’s tradition of holding a service to honour her mother.

Despite its commercialisation, Mother’s Day is celebrated globally, with varying dates and traditions.

For example, Nigeria, the UK, and Ireland celebrate on the fourth Sunday of Lent, while most countries, including the US, observe it on the second Sunday in May.

Other countries, like Russia, Vietnam, and Afghanistan, celebrate Mother’s Day on International Women’s Day, March 8.

Floral fiesta

Mums reign supreme.

About one-quarter of all flowers sold in a year are destined for Mother’s Day

bouquets.

And let’s not forget the tradition of carnations. Carnations have become synonymous with celebrating mums, with red ones adorning the mums that are still with us, while white ones are placed on the graves of those who have passed.

DID you know that Mother’s Day is the day when the most calls are made, with a whopping 122 million calls happening on the second Sunday of May each year?

It’s also the busiest day for restaurants, with around 48 per cent of people choosing to dine out to celebrate.

The tradition of honouring mothers dates back to Ancient Greece, where spring festivals were held in honour of Rhea, the goddess of motherhood.

And, speaking of mothers, the term ‘mum’

Mum fun

likely originates from babies’ first vocalisations, as the ‘ma’ sound is often one of the first things they say. In the United States, the history of Mother’s Day began with Ann Jarvis, who worked to foster friendship and community among mothers on both sides of the Civil War.

Her daughter Anna Reeves Jarvis continued her legacy by establishing an

official day of observance, leading to the first Mother’s Day celebration in 1908.

Woodrow Wilson later signed Mother’s Day into law as a nationwide holiday in 1914. But Mother’s Day isn’t just about mums; on average, people in the UK buy 2.8 Mother’s Day cards, showing that the love extends to grandmothers, sisters, and mother-in-laws too.

Dia de la Madre

IN Spain, Mother’s Day, El Día de la Madre, falls on the first Sunday in May, this year being May 5.

While it’s not an official public holiday, it’s a cherished occasion as mothers hold a special place in Spanish hearts.

Like in many countries, flowers and sweets are traditional gifts for this holiday in Spain.

But here, there’s an extra touch of appreciation for home-made treats like cookies or cakes, reflecting the Spanish love for food.

Whether near or far, a phone call to your mother is a must on Mother’s Day, but, seeing her in person makes the day even more special.

Feliz Dia de la Madre - Happy Mother’s Day!

Image:

Liderina

Image: ArtBackground / Shutterstock.com

Image: Evgeny Atamanenko / Shutterstock.com

International Women’s Day is March 8

John Smith

QUITE often the reason particular dates for international days are chosen is unclear but in the case of March 8 for International Women’s Day it’s down to religion.

Prior to the Revolution, Imperial Russia had not recognised the Gregorian Calendar, choosing instead to follow the Julian Calendar, created before the birth of Christ and as the saying goes it ‘marched to a dierent drum’.

On the last Sunday of February 1917, Russian women began a strike for ‘Bread and Peace’ in response to the death of an estimated two million Russian soldiers during the

ter the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional government granted women the right to vote.

ANNA DARWIN’S life took a sudden turn in October 2018 when, at just 39 years old, she received a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer. What began with discomfort in her right breast evolved into a journey of resilience and survival.

“At first, the signs were brushed off,” Anna recalls. Discomfort during exercise and heat from her breast seemed inconsequential until she felt a lump during a shower. Medical tests confirmed her fears.

Despite her outward health, the diagnosis shook Anna to her core. Twelve rounds of chemotherapy followed by a

The women’s strike commenced on Sunday February 23 which in the Gregorian Calendar created by

Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 was actually March 8 and this is why that became the date for the annual International Women’s Day celebrations.

O cially recognised by the Uni-

ted Nations in 1977, International Women’s Day rst emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the 20th century in North America and across Europe.

For decades in the 20th century, women had to ght to gain the vote and then to obtain the same rights as men and even now, more than 100 years later, there are still di erences in salary based on gender, glass ceilings and an ongoing ght against gender violence around the world.

It has been a long hard struggle but women are monarchs, successful business owners, in uencers and political leaders in the majority of nations although perhaps the greatest achievement will be if a woman ever becomes President of China, Russia or the USA.

Iris Apfel - Life and death

SHE called herself a “geriatric starlet”: a professional model from the age of 97, an iconic interior-designed and entrepreneur, Iris Apfel died March 2, at the age of 102. The celebrity’s representatives con rmed Apfel’s death in her Palm Beach home in Florida. A unique character, Apfel lit up every place she entered and left an unforgettable legacy in the world of fashion and design.

She stated about fashion: “If you study it, you realise

that it is a re ection of politics, of social life, of the economy. That is, our way of life.”

Born Iris Barrel in 1921, she grew up in Queens, New York. She was an art student and began her career as a copywriter for Women’s Wear Daily. In 1950, Apfel founded a textile company with her husband Carl. Their rm restored the White House for nine presidents, including Harry Truman and Bill Clinton.

Resilience and survival

lumpectomy and radiotherapy became her new reality, all while she continued to work in hospitality, refusing to let cancer define her.

Yet, in late November 2019, Anna’s health took another hit.

Initially brushed off as fatigue, her symptoms led to the discovery of B-cell acute lymphatic leukaemia, likely a result of her treatment.

Anna’s battle against leukaemia was gruelling, marked by intensive treatments including chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Amidst the chaos of the Covid-19 pandemic, she fought on, navigating treatment amidst the global crisis.

The journey to remission culminated in a stem cell transplant in January 2021, during another lockdown.

Against the odds, Anna returned home a month later, though the road to recovery was far from easy, with lingering side effects and health complications.

Throughout it all, Anna found strength in her teenage sons and a newfound appreciation for each day.

Her story highlights the importance of living fully, cherishing moments and holding onto loved ones.

Her journey is a testament to resilience and the enduring spirit of hope in the face of adversity.

80 Wings of Freedom

ACCORDING to the Cuevas del Almanzora Council ‘Equality gives us the wings of freedom’ and this will be the main theme on March 8 in the fight against Gender Violence. It is International Women’s Day on that date but the Council wants to highlight the fact that women are still being abused around the world.

At 90, she was a teacher at the University of Texas at Austin. At 94, a documentary by Albert Maysles was produced about her life.

She became the rst 97-year-old model in the world and modelled for Vogue Italia, Kate Spade and M.A.C.

“Through living her life on her own terms she messaged to women that they don’t need to hide in the shadows as they age, they actually can continue to grow and get better at what they do and look like,” said Alexis Bittar.

“

Councillor for Equality, Melchora Caparrós made her opinion clear as she said “Being a woman today, in many places in the world, is almost a tragedy, because simply by being a woman, her rights and freedom are eliminated.

Whilst accepting that Spain was making major strides towards equality through its 8M programme, she added that “there is still a lot of work to do so that being a woman does not mean enduring machismo and inequality.”

Women are leaders everywhere you look - from the CEO who runs a Fortune 500 company to the housewife who raises her children and heads her household. Our country was built by strong women, and we will continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes.”

Nancy Pelosi

Two powerful women and the first black President of the USA

Credit:

Credit: Iris Apfel, Instagram

Image: Anna Darwin

Balearic day

THE Consell de Mallorca kicked o the Day of the Balearic Islands celebrations with a vibrant display on Friday, March 1, including a massive ‘ball de bot’ exhibition and a parade featuring iconic giants at the Palau’s steps. The island’s leaders, Queen Esclaramunda de Foix, King Jaime II, King Sancho I, and King Jaime III, led the procession through the heart of Palma, showcasing traditional dances and uniting communities in celebration.

The parade, enriched with cultural heritage, wound through key city landmarks, pausing for dance demonstrations. President Llorenc Galmes expressed pride in celebrating the islands’ unity and strength and pointed out that the Balearic Islands “are a unique community that has a lot to o er the world and of which we have to feel deeply proud.” He went on to say:

Celebrating Balearic Islands Day.

“We are islands separated by the sea, but we are clear that together we are better and stronger.” The festivities continued at the Mercy Cultural Centre with dances and meals, emphasising the importance of family and community. Vice President Antonia Roca highlighted the diverse activities, including music, Mallorcan cuisine, and children’s entertainment, celebrating Mallorca’s rich culture and heritage.

Pottery fair

MARRATXI is buzzing with the excitement of the 39th Fira del Fang, a testament to Mallorca’s rich pottery heritage. From March 4 until March 10, the fair o ers a unique blend of tradition and innovation, showcasing the island’s nest earthenware.

It is a very important fair not just for Marratxi, but for all of Mallorca. The event features 26 artisanal stands, including local ceramists and others from across Mallorca and the Peninsula.

This year’s theme, ‘Pottery in the rural world’, highlights 18 clay pieces essential in rural life. The fair not only celebrates craftsmanship but also includes clay workshops, folk dances, and a special gastronomic event by renowned local chefs. With activities spread across three locations, including a dedicated train service, the fair promises to be an immersive cultural experience.

Women’s Day Andratx 8M

IN a vibrant tribute to International Women’s Day, Andratx has unveiled a week of engaging activities, which started on March 5. Spearheaded by Mayor Estefania Gonzalvo, the town showcases its commitment to equality and the recognition of women’s societal contributions.

The week’s highlights have included collaborative events with local associations such as performances by the Municipal School of Music and the School of Rock. Coming up is a notable photographic exhibition, ‘Women Who Make People,’ which cele-

Isabelle Kocher:

brates in uential Andritxola women. This exhibition, a collaborative e ort between the Archive and Social Services departments, underscores the evolving role of women in Andratx.

Councillors Laura Monedero and Madi Juan emphasised the signi cance of preserving women’s histories. The celebration culminates on March 8 with a manifesto reading at the town hall, marking a poignant moment of reection.

ISABELLE KOCHER is a French business executive who made history as the first woman to lead a CAC 40 company when she became CEO of ENGIE in 2016. She joined the company in 2002 and held various positions before taking the helm. Kocher’s tenure as CEO was marked by a strategic shift towards renewable energy and sustainable solutions. Under her leadership, ENGIE divested from fossil fuel assets and invested heavily in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. Kocher’s focus on sustainability and innovation helped position ENGIE as a leader in the transition to clean energy.

Emma Walmsley:

EMMA WALMSLEY is a British businesswoman who became CEO of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in 2017, making her the first female CEO of a major pharmaceutical company. Walmsley joined GSK in 2010 and held various senior roles before being appointed CEO. She has been credited with leading a significant transformation at GSK, focusing on innovation, digitalisation, and strengthening the company’s pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare businesses. Under her leadership, GSK has prioritised research and development in areas such as vaccines, oncology, and respiratory medicine.

Credit: conselldemallorca.cat

Credit: airnostrum/instagram.com

Easter boost

HOLY WEEK will see more flights scheduled for those seeking to visit Mallorca.

Air Nostrum, Iberia’s franchise partner for regional flights, is stepping up its game for Easter, enhancing operations from March 22 to April 1.

This year’s initiative mirrors 2023 offerings, focusing on bridging the gap between various Spanish locales and the Balearic archipelago, with special attention to Mallorca.

For island residents and visitors, this means easier travel to and from various Spanish cities, including Leon, Valencia, Badajoz, Valladolid, and Vigo.

This strategic move by Air Nostrum not only caters to the surge in travel demand but also reinforces Mallorca’s position as a preferred Easter destination.

Furthermore, the airline is boosting inter-Balearic flights, adding frequencies between Ma-

llorca, Ibiza, and Menorca, thus facilitating smoother travel within the islands. Leon will enjoy six special flights to Mallorca on select dates, ensuring the island remains a key destination during these peak times.

Air Nostrum’s commitment to bolstering Balearic connections reflects the airline’s response to passenger needs during one of the busiest travel seasons, making Mallorca more accessible than ever.

Bus improvements

THE Government of the Balearic Islands, via the Mallorca Transport Consortium (CTM), is set to significantly enhance the TIB regular bus services in the vicinity of Inca from March 1.

This upgrade sees increased daily services for Campanet and Buger with a notable early hour addition to facilitate connections to Palma’s early morning train. Mancor de la Vall and Biniamar will see their services to Inca jump from nine to 12 daily, with weekend services also increasing. The Inca to Lluc line will now operate with a 51-seater bus, up from a 22-seat minibus, reflecting a significant leap in capacity.

Muro’s communication with Inca is also set to improve, with daily round-trip ser-

AHEAD of the Berlin International Tourism Fair (ITB), TUI has brought encouraging news to Mallorca’s government, predicting bright tourism prospects for 2024.

This meeting, held on Monday, March 4, featured TUI’s top brass together with representatives of the Balearic and Mallorcan governments. Officials included the President of the Balearic Government, Marga Prohens, in which discussions revolved around strategies to elevate the island’s tourism quality.

Prohens spoke about creating a vibrant ecosystem that encourages tourists to explore beyond their accommodations, citing ma-

vices rising. Additionally, a new line will better serve the municipality of Selva, enhancing connections in the region. This broad enhancement across Inca, Alcudia Bay, and Ponent marks a substantial step forward in public transport services on the island, promising residents and visitors a more connected and accessible Mallorca.

A shared vision

jor sporting and cultural events, such as ‘the Mallorca Live Festival or the Palma Marathon Mallorca’ as key attractions.

Further to the meeting’s agenda, TUI reiterated its commitment to sustainability which closely mirrors the government’s aspirations, including transitioning to an all-electric fleet, powerfully illustrating a mutual dedication to environmental stewardship.

This initiative underscores Mallorca’s ambition to lead in decarbonisation, aiming to become a beacon of green tourism.

AIR NOSTRUM: Stepping up its game for Easter.

MORE CONNECTED: TIB bus services.

Credit: Caib.es

Island honour

ON Thursday, February

29, Balearic Islands Day, Queen Sofia was awarded the Gold Medal of the Autonomous Community, the highest honour the Balearic Government can bestow. The ceremony, led by President Marga Prohens, recognised Sofia for her role as a dedicated ambassador to the islands. Addressing the assembly in Catalan, the Queen expressed her deep connection to Ma-

llorca: “I would like to thank you for the honour that this award that has been granted to me represents. I have had the privilege of enjoying, for more than half a century, which is said to be soon, these wonderful islands. I have felt at home here,” she stated in Catalan.

Her longstanding engagement with the islands has seen her support local social initiatives, further endearing her to the resi-

dents. The ceremony, also attended by former President Francina Armengol, took place at the Lonja de Palma, marking So a’s signi cant contributions. This accolade places her alongside past royal recipients, notably King Juan Carlos and the Dukes of Palma, re ecting the royal family’s enduring bond with the Balearic Islands.

German wave

MALLORCA is witnessing a new trend as German nationals are increasingly choosing the island as their permanent residence, reports Hans Lenz, president of the Balearic Association of National and International Real Estate (ABINI).

Post-pandemic, there’s been a surge in German citizens buying homes in Mallorca, approximately 1,920 in 2022 and 1,440 in 2023. Initially, these pro-

perties served as second homes, but now, more Germans are opting to live on the island permanently.

Many are teleworking or setting up their businesses here, bene ting from easy travel back to Germany.

Lenz highlights the positive economic impact, with many businesses related to new technologies, diversifying the economy beyond tourism

and construction. The recent pessimism in Germany’s economy is pushing Germans towards the more optimistic and sunny Mallorca.

Additionally, a reduction in the wealth tax, as announced by the Govern of Marga Prohens, is expected to attract more German residents, boosting local tax revenue through other means (income tax, VAT, etc), according to experts.

Firefighter upgrade

THE Consell de Mallorca has fully updated the protective gear used by Mallorca’s firefighters for battling blazes in confined environments. This move underscores a firm pledge to bolster emergency services with state-ofthe-art tools. The new outfits feature multiple layers, offering complete mechanical, thermal, and waterproof protection. Minister Rafel Bosch stated, “we continue with our commitment to improving the conditions of the firefighters of Mallorca, offering them the best tools and infrastructure to carry out their work, which is none other than protecting all Mallorcans.”

The update was crucial as the existing gear was over a decade old and weakened by constant use and washing, was due for replacement. No-

tably, firefighter comfort was a key consideration in the selection process. Furthermore, each piece of equipment carries a chip that will provide traceability throughout its useful life and will record information such as the user’s name, washes and repairs, among other relevant details.

Island promotions Big plans

PALMA’S mayor Jaime Martinez Llabres and AENA executives which included Vice President Javier Marin, have announced their commitment to enhancing the quality of Mallorca’s Son Sant Joan Airport.

Both parties were unanimous in their conclusions, which is to elevate the airport’s service quality without ramping up its cargo capacity. The recent meeting underscored the importance of the airport’s Special Plan and ongoing improvements, aiming for a high-value aeronautical sector that doesn’t increase capacity but elevates service standards.

This commitment marks a pivotal step in upgrading Mallorca’s main entry point, aimed at improving both local and visitor expectations.

MALLORCA is set to dazzle at the Berlin International Tourism Fair (ITB) with two standout cultural showcases: the Cap Rocat Festival and the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival. Vice President of the Consell de Mallorca and Minister of Culture and Heritage, Antonia Roca, emphasised the island’s strategic approach to tourism, focusing on responsibility and high-quality cultural offerings. “Quality cultural offering is a fundamental tool within this commitment,” Roca states, highlighting the effectiveness of public-private collaborations.

The Cap Rocat Festival promises to make Mallorca the lyrical epicentre of Europe, featuring top-level artists amidst its natural beauty. Meanwhile, the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival will transform the island into a cultural cinema hub, attracting the world’s most talented filmmakers. Both events, enjoying financial support and space allocations from the Consell de Mallorca, were to unveil their latest news and programmes at the ITB on Wednesday, March 6.

Queen Sofía receives the Gold Medal of the Balearic Islands.

Mallorcan firefighters with their new equipment.

Credit: conselldemallorca.cat

Credit: CasaReal/X

Women’s Day

International Women’s Month in Alfas del Pi

FROM March 1 until March 23, Alfas del Pi engages in an extensive programme of activities to empower local women.

The Department of Equality Council of Afas is collaborating with the municipal areas and associations to host almost a month of celebration for International Women’s Day.

Some of the most exciting events include the Esparto Hands of Women workshop, which will be held on March 7 at 5pm, discovering the arts and crafts.

On Friday March 8, the Espai Cultural Escoles Velles will present the escape room ‘The Archive of the Forgotten Ones’: an initiative launched by the Departments of Equality and Youth.

On Saturday March 9, the Women Awards of 2024 will be delivered, in recognition of notable women who have contributed to the women’s movement locally.

A march against cancer, by Anemona, will be held on Sunday March 10, supporting those suffering from breast cancer.

The festivities will end with a special programme of a defence workshop on Saturday March 23 in the Pau Gasol pavilion.

Berlin bouncing back

BERLIN’S tourism scene is bouncing back strong!

In 2023, a whopping 12.1 million visitors flocked to the city, clocking in 29.6 million overnight stays.

That’s a 16 per cent jump in guests and a 12 per cent rise in overnight stays, according to Fran-

ziska Giffey, Berlin’s Senator for Economic Affairs.

Giffey confirmed: “2023 was a very successful year for Berlin’s tourism and convention business.”

“We are among the top cities in Europe alongside London and Paris, and Berlin was recently voted one of the most interes-

ting destinations in the world alongside New York and Cape Town.”

“With more than 12 million guests from all over the world and around 30 million overnight stays last year, the trend is quite obvious: Berlin is luring an ever-growing number of tourists.”

Readers love Spain

John

Smith

THE Euro Weekly News recently asked readers to let us have their thoughts on how their lives have changed when relocating to Spain and whether their quality of life had improved. The overwhelming response was that the decision had been the right one and with very few exceptions all were delighted by the result. Many respondents, from a variety of countries of origin but largely from the UK, have lived here for 20 years or more, although there was a fair percentage who had moved over within the last seven years as well as second home owners who were disappointed with their position over the 90/180 day rules post Brexit.

One fact emerged and that was that those who receive a state pension from their home country find that it goes so much further than if they had remained at home.

gave for their positive view of Spain include improved health, a stress-free life, with good fresh food at affordable prices. The people are welcoming and the weather

is great. It’s also lovely to be able to go out and about and feel safe especially at night.

Others felt the public health service is better in Spain than their home countries.

The main reasons people

Life with a transplant

Anna Akopyan

IN February, 57-year-old Bert Janssen, became the world’s longest-surviving heart transplant patient.

Bert Janssen grew up in the Netherlands and was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at the age of 17 - a concerning disease of the heart muscle, impacting everyday life and longevity.

In the 1980s, the Netherlands did not offer heart transplants and Janssen’s future seemed out of the question.

Yet, a cardiologist from his local hospital, Dr Albert Mattart, associated with Harefield Hospital in England, had registered Janssen for a heart transplant abroad.

Only a week after being in England, two hearts of recently deceased adults became available, one of which matched Janssen.

He underwent surgery by the renowned Prof Sir

RECORD-BREAKER: Bert Janssen as a youth.

Magdi Yacoub and returned home.

“From the moment I woke up after surgery, I felt more energy in my body than before,” said Janssen.

Throughout his life, he participated in the European and World Transplant Games and built a home for his family.

“One of my proudest achievements was, along with my wife Petra and both our parents, building our house brick by brick.”

Having lived and worked 39 years with a heart transplant, Janssen is optimistic about the future of medicine: “It feels like an honour to have reached this milestone.”

Credit: Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Foundation, Facebook

Adopt a grandparent

Jennifer Leighfield

ADOPTA UN ABUELO

works to help elderly people not feel alone, not only in Spain but also in other parts of the world.

They bring them together with volunteers who want to give some of their time so they don’t feel lonely.

You can make donations to support the activities carried out by the NGO, and/or become a volunteer, either online (video chat) or in person.

To become a volunteer you take a short ‘course’ (videos and questionnaire) and provide your details to be assigned an ‘abuel@’ near you. If you fail to call or visit them, you cease being a volunteer and they are assigned someone else.

The ‘course’ is in Spanish and done via their App. However, they ask you what languages you know and obviously in certain areas the care homes have a lot of foreigners, so you could be assigned to someone who speaks your language.

“I first learned of the NGO through restaurant chain Popeye’s, as when you ordered at one of their booths they asked if you would like to donate to Adopta un Abuel@, so I did and later looked them up. I also saw they were collaborating with Innocent smoothies (see so mos.innocent Instagram) by getting volunteers to make mini woolly hats which they put on the smoothies and from each sale 20 euro cents goes to the NGO. I joined (donation and volunteering) at the beginning of this year as seeing my own grandma frequently had been very important for both me and my daughter Myriam as she brought her

so much joy. Knowing there are people who are in care homes (so obviously not totally alone) but have no-one to visit them seems awful.

Our ‘abuela’ Antonia was assigned to us at the local Residencia in Arroyo de la Miel (Benalmadena) and we have had our first visit.

It was a really good experience and we’re looking forward to seeing each other again. It was also nice to talk to some of the other ladies in the home, they were all excited with the novelty of seeing us!”

If you would like to find out more visit https://adopt aunabuelo.org/quienes-so mos/.

Image: anek.soowannaphoom / Shutterstock.com.

Sunny success

Anna Ellis

IN 2023, Spain experienced a remarkable surge in tourism from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, setting new records in both visitor numbers and tourism spending.

Tourists from the GCC region spent over €1,138m in Spain, marking a 64.7 per cent increase compared to 2022 and a staggering 123.7 per cent increase compared to 2019, according to estimates from Turespaña based on data from the INE (Frontur and Egatur).

The total number of visitors from the GCC region to Spain in 2023 reached

434,000, reflecting a 33 per cent increase from 2022 and a 56 per cent growth compared to 2019.

On average, these visitors stayed for 8.6 days.

Saudi Arabia witnessed exceptional growth, with a more than 100 per cent increase compared to 2019 and a 92 per cent increase compared to 2022.

The total number of Saudi tourists reached 182,298, surpassing the United Arab Emirates as Spain’s primary GCC market and reinforcing its position in line with the country’s 2030 vision.

The trend of attraction to

Spain was also observed in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait.

Factors such as favourable weather, a sense of familiarity, and cultural resonance, including Spain’s rich Arab heritage, influenced GCC travellers when choosing Spain as their destination.

Looking ahead to 2024, Spain aims to solidify its position as a preferred destination for Middle Eastern travellers through marketing campaigns, strategic partnerships, and various events organised by Turespaña’s Tourism Department in Abu Dhabi.

Credit: Halfpoint Shutterstock

FIGHTING LONELINESS: Young and old can learn from each other.

BARCELONA: Middle Eastern travellers are choosing Spain as their destination.

IRELAND

Running wild

IRELAND is one of the world’s most ecologically-denuded countries with less than 2 per cent of native woodland compared with 80 per cent before the introduction of modern agriculture, declared rewilding advocate Eoghan Daltun, He maintained that rewilding would be more successful than ineffective reforestation schemes.

Twinkle toes

DEXTER cows in Galway have been relocated to a coastal headland in the city’s Renmore district for a biodiversity scheme where council officials hope the grazing cattle will clear away long grass from the area. The cows were chosen for the project on the strength of their eating habits and smaller-than-usual hooves.

NORWAY

Jammed up

THE Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) revealed that GPS interference reported by pilots has escalated since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Throughout 2019 jamming by Russia occurred on only six days but increased to 122 days in 2022 and by 2023 interference had interrupted GPS on 294 days.

Afternoons only

PARLIAMENT voted to retain the ban that prevents cinema screenings before 1pm on Sundays, with Children and Families minister Kjersti Toppe declaring that Sundays “should be different.” Despite the Sunday ban cinemas nationwide are opening before 1pm on public holidays without encountering official opposition.

Open all hours

RECORDS show that between 2013 and 2022 the Portuguese worked more hours than the Spanish although Spain’s productivity outstripped Portugal’s, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE). On average, Portuguese employees worked a weekly 41.3 hours in 2022 compared with their neighbours’ 40.4 hours.

Mind the gap

ARRONCHES near Portalegre has always had a bridge over the Abrilongo waterway to link Portugal and Spain although the present structure was funded by the European Union.

Just 3.2 metres long and 1.45 metres wide it is classed as an international bridge but can be used only by pedestrians and two-wheeled traffic.

EURO PRESS

DENMARK

Rare jewel

METAL detectorist Lars Niel sen was ‘overwhelmed’ when he unearthed a finely-worked gold ring in Emmerley, he said. According to National Museum of Denmark experts, the 22-carat gold ring with a red semi-precious stone was made around 1,500 years ago and probably worn by a woman from a royal family in the region.

UNIQUE

ITALY FRANCE

Home again

JIHADISTAS in Mali released an Italian couple in their 60s and their son who were abducted in Koutila in May 2022, the Italian government announced. The family, all in good health despite the long period in captivity, are Jehovah’s Witnesses who were believed to be preparing to set up a church in the area.

Getting on

ITALY is the European Union’s oldest country with an average age of more than 48, while 24 per cent of residents are over 65, statistics from Eurostat showed. The country’s overall population has grown by 3.4 per cent since 1991 but the number of over-80s has meanwhile increased from 3.3 per cent to 7.7 per cent.

NETHERLANDS

Rescue op

TWO injured harbour porpoises were washed up in Noordwijk and Maasylakte respectively, although both are expected to survive, rescue group SOS Dolfijn said. The first clearly needed medical attention while the second was suffering from a severe respiratory infection following an attack by a grey seal.

No charge

GRID operator Stedin wants to close electric vehicle charging stations each day between 4 and 9pm. The network was so over-burdened at this time that it was “bursting at the seams”, Stedin told broadcaster NOS, and attempts to reduce the power supply when charging during this peak period were not getting results.

Meat treat

THE government has acceded to farmers’ requests to ban the use of names associated with meat for plant-based products created inside France, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said. Misuse of vetoed terms like fillet, sirloin, rump steak, steak, escalope, ham, flank, and chuck could bring fines of between €1,500 and €7,500.

Not clever

SCIENTISTS condemned €10 billion spending cuts that would slash €904 million from research allocations. The National Union of Scientific Research described the cutbacks as “incomprehensible” after Emmanuel Macron had earlier stressed the need to catch up with other countries’ research budgets.

FINLAND

Baltic outrage

ENVIRONMENTALISTS reacted angrily after the South Finland regional authorities provided a Finnish-Chinese joint venture with environmental permit. They warned that the plant, which will produce an annual 60,000 tons of battery chemicals, would be able to discharge the factory’s untreated wastewater into the Baltic.

Job numbers

A REPORT from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment published on February 27 revealed that the number of unemployed foreigners fell from its all-time high of 44,000 in December to 42,400 in January. This was the fifth-highest total in history and the highest- ever for January, the Ministry said.

SWEDEN

Hospital hacked

A CYBER attack by still-unidentified hackers on the night of February 26-27 took out the telephones of the Sophiaemmet private hospital. The hospital shut down all its computers on security grounds but continued patient care as usual although all administrative duties had to be completed with pen and paper.

Gas peril

HUNDREDS were evacuated from the headquarters of Sapo, Sweden’s security service on February 23, and eight people were hospitalised after traces of poison phosgene gas were detected by sensors on the roof of the building. Despite a Stockholm Administrative Board report recording the incident, Sapo insisted that no gas was present.

BELGIUM

Snail mail

ANNIE KNOCKAERT from As recently received a postcard she sent to her parents from Austria in 1980. Knowing that her parents were no longer alive, the local postman took it to Annie’s own address although the postal authorities could not say where the postcard had lain for 44 years or why it finally entered the system.

Broken links

BELGIUM’S Federal Agency for Food Chain Safety (FASFC) handled 450 complaints regarding home-made food and prepared meals bought online between 2022 and 2024. Inspectors found that most of the sellers were unregistered, although an FASFC permit was needed as they were responsible for the safety of their products.

Water war

POLLUTANTS from Tesla’s Grunheide electric car company that are six times over permitted levels are contaminating the Berlin area’s drinking water, the local utility company complained.

It has now asked the mayors of affected municipalities, demanding that the gigafactory is closed until a solution is found.

Friendly fire

A GERMAN frigate taking part in the Red Sea mission to protect international shipping from Iran-backed Houthis opened fire on an apparently hostile drone. Both missiles missed their target and crashed into the sea, narrowly averting a friendly fire incident as the drone turned out to a be a US reconnaissance drone.

FIND: A ring once worn by a Danish princess.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Soft touch

NINETY-SEVEN firms bailed out by then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s £1.1bn (€1.28bn) pandemic fund set up to provide emergency funding missed repayment deadlines. All were granted extensions to three-year loans as stricter terms could push them, and hundreds of other small companies, into bankruptcy.

Fish fury

SPAIN’S fishing industry joined protests organised by the country’s farmers and agricultural growers. “We want to draw attention to the sector’s complaints, including EU policies obsessed with the environment,” said Javier Garat, secretary general of the Spanish Fishing Confederation (Cepesca) .

Lady at peril

VENERABLE but outdated

magazine The Lady could disappear after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) issued a winding-up petition against the publication owing to back taxes of £360,000 (€420,844). Owner and publisher Ben Budworth insisted that he had stuck to the agreed HMRC repayment plan “to the penny.”

Glovo respite

FOLLOWING appeals, the National High Court in Madrid has given delivery platform Glovo breathing space by putting on hold fines amounting to more than €67 million. All the sanctions that were imposed between November 2023 and January 2024 were linked to riders’ previous ‘false self-employed’ status.

Shein shoo-in

FAST fashion firm Shein could cancel plans for a $90 billion (€83.2 billion) float in New York and look to London instead. ‘The Chinese retail giant is increasingly drawn to the UK owing to the legal and regulatory challenges of listing in the US’, according to anonymous sources quoted by Bloomberg.

€46.72 billion STAT OF WEEK

in recently-confirmed subsidies from Brussels will be paid to Spain through the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) between 2023 and 2027.

Food inflation dips

Linda Hall

FOOD inflation in the UK sank to its lowest in almost two years last February.

Lower energy costs and a price war between supermarket chains offered meat, fish, and fruit that rose by 5 per cent in the second month of 2024, compared with 6.1 per cent in February 2023.

Food inflation is still rising, but its present rate is reassuringly lower than the double figures prompted by the energy crisis that has fuelled soaring inflation since 2022.

February’s rate was the lowest since May 2022, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) shop price

index revealed, with a 0.1 per cent monthly reduction that was the first since September 2023.

“This was driven by eased input costs for energy and fertiliser while retailers competed fiercely to

keep prices down,” Helen Dickinson, the BRC’s chief executive said.

Falling wholesale gas prices were reflected in household energy bills as the industry regulator Ofgem said that its price

Naturgy surge

SPANISH power company Naturgy’s net profit rose to €1.99 billion in 2023, outstripping a London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) prediction of €1.94 billion.

The former Gas Natural Fenosa, which is Spain’s principal gas-supply company and its fourth most-important electricity company, submitted figures to the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) that were 20.4 per cent higher than 2023’s.

Bridgwater plum

TATA GROUP, India’s largest conglomerate, confirmed Bridgwater (Somerset) as the location for a £4 billion (€4.68 billion) battery factory.

The plant on land near the M5 would bring approximately 4,000 jobs to the area, said Tom Flack, chief executive of Tata’s battery division, Agratas.

Bridgwater was widely backed for the factory after Tata revealed in July 2023 that it would build a gigafactory in the UK after securing £500 million €584.8 million) in subsidies from the UK government.

Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by Tata, would be the first customers for the batteries, Agratas sources said.

Naturgy had just finished one of its best-ever years despite normalised energy prices, chairman Francisco Reynes announced. Nor did the company rule out acquisitions inside Spain and abroad, so long as these did not compromise plans to invest in the energy transition, mainly in Spain.

There would be “a special focus” on renewable electricity generation and developing renewable gases, he said, while strengthening all of Naturgy’s

Grifols fights back

THE National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) is scrutinising recently-submitted information from Grifols.

Since January 2024, the Barcelona-based pharmaceuticals company has been under attack from Gotham City Research, accused of false accounting although CNMV chairman Rodrigo Buenaventura revealed that they were also examining the short-seller’s own operations.

Gotham City’s allegations, first made in January 2024, have been responsible for demolishing Grifols’ market value by billions of euros despite the company’s continued rebuttals.

“We still need a few more weeks to complete our analysis,” Buenaventura announced to the Spanish media when presenting the CNMV’s programme for 2024 at the end of February.

cap - the maximum price which suppliers can charge for each kilowatt hour of energy that customers use – would fall by 12 per cent to £1,690 (€1,975.7) in April.

There was no change to non-food inflation which remained at 1.3 per cent in February, 0.7 per cent down on January, with an increase in the cost of furniture, electronics, health products and cosmetics offset by falling prices for clothes as retailers maintained special promotions.

Overall, February’s 2.5 per cent shop price inflation, compared with 2.9 per cent in January, was the lowest in almost two years, the BRC said.

distribution networks.

At the same time, Reynes avoided providing a 2024 forecast owing to the energy markets’ “extreme volatility” and the possibility of “unexpected weather conditions.”

Doubled up

FERROVIAL reported net profits of €460 million in 2023, compared with €186 million in 2022.

Revenue for the Spanish infrastructure multinational also rose by 13.2 per cent to €8.5 billion last year.

The “very good 2023 performance” was aided by motorway concessions in the US and Canada, Ferrovial’s chief executive Ignacio Madridejos said on February 27.

Texas Managed Lanes and the Ontario Highway 407 in Canada were principal dividend contributors, owing to increased traffic, Madridejos said.

Ferrovial disconcerted the Spanish government and surprised investors with its announcement in March 2022 that it was relocating its headquarters to the Netherlands.

The move, it said, would make it easier to list its shares on the New York stock exchange while expanding its operations and investor base in the US.

That’s rich

THE wealth of Spain’s richest residents increased by 16.1 per cent in 2023 to a total of €320.5 billion, 81 per cent more than in 2013.

According to ‘Spain’s 200 richest people’ compiled by national daily El Mundo, 84 of them watched their fortunes grow by double figures and for 36 the increase topped 20 per cent. Only 30 per cent saw their assets shrink, El Mundo found.

Inevitably, the list was headed by Inditex founder Amancio Ortega, whose fortune soared by 53 per cent to €93.9 billion in 2023.

Game over Bidding war

BRITISH haulier Wincanton is in the sights of both France’s Ceva Logistics and GXO Logistics from the US.

Ceva has upped its original £600 million (€701.2 million) offer to £802 million (€937.2 million) but could be pipped by GXO, although Wincanton’s board allegedly prefer a deal with the French company.

Meanwhile, Wincantonwhich transports groceries for Sainsbury’s and Morrisons - is obliged under the Takeover Code to provide the new suitor with due diligence information, to assist it in deciding whether to make a rival offer.

SONY will dismiss 8 per cent of its PlayStation employees worldwide, affecting 900 jobs.

PlayStation’s London Studio is to close entirely, the company confirmed.

In an email to employees, PlayStation’s chief executive and chairman, Jim Ryan, described the move as “sad news” and said it was “a difficult day” at the company.

The staff cuts follow rival Microsoft’s decision to lay off 1,900 of its gaming division staff, including those at Activision-Blizzard which it acquired in October 2023.

Photo

Photo credit: Flickr/david pics

FOOD INFLATION: Lowest UK rate since 2022.

FRANCISCO REYNES: Naturgy chairman revealed buoyant results.

Euro

EUR/GBP: Unchanged at £0.85

EUR/USD: Down from $1.08 to $1.07

A dovish shift by the European Central Bank has acted as a key headwind for the euro in recent weeks. With many ECB policymakers offering their thoughts on when the bank should begin cutting interest rates.

The single currency’s strong negative correlation with the US dollar also applied pressure to EUR exchange rates through February, amid strong demand for the greenback.

Conversely a modest improvement in some eurozone data releases lent some support to the euro.

Looking ahead, EUR investors will be laser focused on the ECB’s next interest rate decision. While no policy changes are expected next month, if the bank hints it is getting closer to

cutting interest rates, the euro is likely to nosedive.

Pound

GBP/EUR: Unchanged at €1.16

GBP/USD: Down from $1.27 to $1.26

The pound fluctuated through February, as the Bank of England’s latest interest rate decision and some mixed economic data infused volatility into the currency.

The BoE’s first policy meeting saw the bank push back against rate cut speculation, but also drop its pretence that its next move could be a rate hike.

In terms of data, Sterling briefly surged in response to an upbeat jobs report, with GBP/ EUR even spiking to an 18-month high. However, these gains were quickly reversed, after a weaker-than-expected inflation print, and confirmation the UK slipped into a recession in the

second half of 2023, stoked BoE rate cut speculation.

The coming month will see Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveil his Spring Budget. GBP investors will be hoping for growth boosting tax cuts, potentially leaving the pound vulnerable to losses if they do not materialise.

US Dollar

USD/GBP: Up from £0.78 to

£0.79

USD/EUR: Up from €0.91 to €0.92

The US dollar enjoyed strong support over the past month as the Federal Reserve strongly pushed back against interest rate speculation.

The Fed firmly ruled out a rate cut in March following its first policy meeting of the year. While subsequent comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell

propelled USD exchange rates to new multi-month highs as he further pushed back on rate cut bets.

The US dollar was also supported by upbeat US data. With surprisingly strong payrolls and inflation prints bolstering USD demand.

With a March rate cut no longer on the cards, USD investors will be keeping a close eye on upcoming US data releases as they attempt to gauge when the Fed is likely to start loosening its policy. If US data continues to impress this is likely to price out a May rate cut and underpin the US dollar.

Currencies Direct have helped over 430,000 customers save on their currency transfers since 1996. Just pop into your local Currencies Direct branch or give us a call to find out more about how you can save money on your currency transfers.

Beam me up Scotty

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

I BELIEVE that to deny other forms of intelligent life exist in the universe is either breathtakingly arrogant or an almost frightening naivity. The human brain is not actually geared to take in the vast numbers of planets and stars, or even conceive the sheer volume of galaxies that exist in the endless expanses that we refer to as ‘space.’

If you could count the grains of sand on this planet of ours, which includes all the deserts and vast depths of our oceans, you still wouldn’t even be coming close to the sheer magnitude of stars that could be capable of sustaining some form of life in the infinite reaches of the universe.

It stands to reason that these beings could be thousands, possibly millions of years in advance of us in intellect and intelligence. To the manifestations existing in these unknown dimensions, travelling through time and space would be a mere bagatelle.

Distances themselves would have no

meaning and even time, as we perceive it, would have ceased to exist. Is it not then perfectly feasible that these advanced races would welcome some time to chill out, in much the same way as we need to occasionally switch off and relax? Vacations and scientific expeditions would, I think be something of a priority in the worlds of these ancient wonders of creation, and I can truly visualise some holistic ‘Happy Holidays’ brochure informing its customers that you can partake of the ‘Grand Planetary Tour,’ which takes in a selection of other worlds at different stages of their evolution.

Naturally, any set of beings advanced enough to have access to this type of holiday, would be far too intelligent to ‘interfere’ with any other primitive races they would be observing on their galaxy cruise. This is why I believe that most of the thousands of UFO sightings reported over the years have probably been glitches or errors on the part of the organisers. (These cheapo travel companies are all the same!)

The wonders of creation are fully intended to be beyond our wildest imagination; but to maintain we are the only

cluster of beings that exist and there are no other ultra-intelligent manifestations ‘out there’ I actually find totally inconceivable! ‘Where shall we go this year darling? Shall we do the Earth, Pluto, Sun all inclusive? Too passé? Well what about a trip down that newly discovered Black Hole’? ‘Ok, that’s a great idea; just make sure we don’t have to isolate when we get there!’

Can’t quite believe one of the latest leaked government recommendations to resolve the illegal immigrant problem is to introduce a prison sentence for those deemed guilty of this ‘offence’. Already hopelessly overcrowded jails cost £45,000 a year to keep one person incarcerated.

This amount could probably be tripled if you take into account the legal fees and court cases that, due to the UK’s ludicrous ‘uman rights policies, would automatically precede any punishment.

Just what planet do these particular political aliens exist on? ‘Beam me up Scotty’.

Keep the faith.

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

Street Art award

Anna Akopyan

FROM the relics of El Greco to the groundbreaking surrealism of Salvador Dali, Spain is internationally renowned for its art and this year has won almost all of the top 10 places in the Street Art Cities award.

The Galician artist, Hugo Loma (Sfhir), secured first place in the competition with the award for the best mural painting in the world.

Located at 64 Calle Fraga in Fene, A Coruña,

Sfhir had completed his work in the summer of 2023, painting a young woman playing the cello. He said about his work: “It is the result of the dialogue with the landscape, the area, its people and what I want to capture.”

The Fene councillor for Economic Promotion and Tourism, Angelas Coira, congratulated the artist for having achieved an award that, “places Fene on the world map of urban art.”

Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

Cello player mural painting by Sfhir in Fene.

Credit: Fene Council

• News Across The Regions •

Costa del Sol Going viral

COSTA DEL SOL Tourism’s ‘Shout my name’ campaign has gone viral and reached over 40 million people in only two weeks.

The campaign, aimed mainly at young people, especially the Z generation, has a very prominent presence in digital media and social networks. According to Costa del Sol Tourism data, the campaign has reached this impressive figure in just two weeksand equates to an advertising value of €500,000. In addition, the social paid strategy has reached more than 400,000 users plus almost 40,000 plays on Spotify.

In the video that focuses on a ‘road trip’ of experiences through the province: the emblematic tourism of Torremolinos and the symbolic Pez Espada hotel, a starry night in the Torcal de Antequera, the caves of El Gato and El Tesoro and passing under the arch of Marbella in a convertible.

Axarquia Donation to Cudeca

THE current Chairman of 41 Club Nerja, Dr Brian Karet, a retired GP from Yorkshire, this year nominated Cudeca as the Club’s charity.

Cudeca, formed from the Spanish words CUidados DE CAncer, (Carers for Cancer) or the Palliative Care Centre in Benalmadena, have fundraising shops along the Costa and inland, including one in Nerja.

Dr Karet, regional manager of Cudeca shops said “41 Clubs have a long tradition of supporting smaller local charities which benefit local people.”

Lesley Karet said “I work in the Nerja shop and we are always grateful to people who donate things that we can sell for charity.”

Cudeca was founded in 1991 by Joan Hunt and by 1993 the first Cudeca centre was opened.

Contact: 41@41clubnerja.org

Almeria Mojacar celebrates

MOJACAR celebrated Andalucia Day 2024 with the raising of the Andalucian flag in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento in the presence of councillors and many members of the public.

Mayor Francisco García Cerdá had the honour of undertaking the official flag raising while the Municipal Band performed the Andalucian anthem on February 28.

The council arranged for the preparation of a huge paella and all present were invited to enjoy a free plateful as part of the celebration. The day was completed with a performance of ‘Sangre Flamenc’ and many considered that the celebration in Mojacar hit all of the right notes.

Prior to this on February 27, some 350 local schoolchildren were invited to enjoy a typical ‘Andalucian Breakfast’ of bread, tomato and olive oil whilst dressed in typical Andalucian costume.

Costa Blanca North Fallas route for seniors

DENIA Town Council has constructed a Fallas route for seniors, making the festivity easily accessible and entertaining for all community members.

Specialised crafts workshops will take place on March 11 at 5.30pm at the La Pedrera Hospital, and on March 12, at 11.00am at the Santa Llucia residence.

On Thursday March 7, a computer workshop will be held in the Classrooms for the Elderly at the Santa Llucia Residence, familiarising the seniors with tablet and mobile phone devices.

March 15 will invite the seniors to follow the Fallas route, experiencing the vibrant celebration of Denia’s Fallas monuments. The route will begin at 4.30pm from Plaza del Consell.

Seniors are also invited to attend a Pilates class on March 21, Seniors are also invited to attend.

Costa Blanca South Torrevieja’s winner

IN honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, Torrevieja is proud to announce Josefa Carmona Melgarejo as the recipient of the City’s Award 2024.

This prestigious accolade recognises her remarkable personal and professional journey, spanning a lifetime of dedication and commitment.

Josefa is not only deeply cherished and admired by her community but also continues to make significant contributions to the city.

The Women’s Award is bestowed upon outstanding local women who exemplify excellence in their personal and professional endeavours, demonstrating exceptional effort, social engagement, and positive impact on the community.

The awards ceremony on Friday, March 8, at 8.00pm will be held at the Virgen del Carmen Cultural Centre.

Costa Calida Snow at last

ON March 2, a cold front left the northwest region of Murcia covered in a snowy blanket. Several towns woke up to a winter wonderland after overnight precipitation, accompanied by a sharp drop in temperatures.

Local businesses that rely on snowfall during the winter to attract tourists have faced challenges this year due to unseasonably high temperatures. The cold weather is expected to attract visitors eager to experience the snowfall.

Temperatures in the northwest dipped close to 0 degrees Celsius early in the morning, with Moratalla recording the lowest temperature at 1.4ºC and Caravaca de la Cruz at 2.1ºC. The chill also reached Murcia and the Vega del Segura, where, after surpassing 20 degrees during the day, temperatures plummeted to below 10 degrees at midnight.

Attracting youth

IN an e ort to combat depopulation, Finnish towns are implementing creative strategies to attract and retain young residents, particularly senior school students.

Many rural municipalities have observed a trend where students leave for larger cities to complete their high school education, as Finland allows teenagers to choose their high school regardless of their place of residence.

To address this issue, some towns, like Merikarvia, Paltamo, and Puolanka, are covering the costs of driving licence courses, which typically amount to around €1,000 in Finland.

Others, such as Rautjärvi, o er free accommodation for students during their studies.

Meanwhile, towns like Pomarkku, Vesanto, and Pihtipudas provide €1,000 scholarships to graduating high school students.

While these incentives aim to encourage young people to stay in rural areas, some experts are sceptical about their e ectiveness.

They argue that these perks may only attract teenagers from neighbouring municipalities without addressing the broader challenge of rural depopulation.

Despite these e orts, rural regions continue to struggle to appeal to contemporary youth, highlighting the need for more comprehensive solutions to make countryside living more attractive.

INTERVIEW

Easter Dance of the Dead

John Smith

THE town of Verges in Catalonia is renowned for its incredible recreation of the last hours of Christ and its very dark Dance of Death on Maundy Thursday.

The event known as the La Processó de Verges which this year takes place on March 28 is based on an 18th century poem by Catalan monk Antoni de Sant-Jeroni which incorporates all of the main events leading to the cruci xion.

The performance is split into three parts, beginning at 5pm, 10pm and 12.30am respectively and a large number of residents take part in the re-enactments.

The rst part sees Roman legionaries march along the town streets every hour and whilst very colourful, is repetitive, but many visitors nd it useful to arrive early in order to secure parking and then book themselves in to one of the limited number of restaurants in the town.

Part two sees a theatrical performance on Plaça Major which begins at 10pm and tells the story of the Last Supper, Garden of Gethsemane and culminates in Pontius Pilate washing his hands of responsibility.

My home is here

IT’S been 12 years since Nadia moved to Javea from her motherland, Lithuania. She now refers to herself as ‘Javeana’. When asked where she comes from, she replies without thinking, “Spain. Javea.”

Nadia was married with children and a job in the theatre, when she decided to move to Spain. The family searched for a better climate to improve the health of their little son.

She revealed what made Javea so appealing: “With the harmony of Javea, I felt at home in the first second. I understood the town straight away.”

She took on different jobs but had come back to her passion, by chance. “I was visiting Gandia with my kids when I met an organ player and his wife, a violinist. Being a singer, we began collaborating.”

including working in XIC and Lady Elizabeth School.

In terms of adapting, Nadia said it was ‘easy’. “Coming from another European country, we got the residence straight away. I didn’t need to change my driving licence.

Nadia Kashaeva

Since then, Nadia performed across Spain, and then moved on to teaching,

Everything was easy, like things were just flowing.”

When asked whether she missed her homeland, Nadia replied, “I miss simple things - the places of my childhood... If I miss places or family, I go back for a few days. Then I find myself counting the days when I’ll be back in Javea. I go to Lithuania for five days at most now. My home is here.”

Admittance is by ticket only which be purchased in advance at the Koobin website at €22 per person.

The third part of the evening sees the start of the Holy Cross Procession as a gure dressed as Christ drags a cross through the streets of the town and during the two hour procession, the three falls of Christ take place before he arrives at the church of Sant Julià, where the cruci xion is acted out.

Lights are dimmed and in some parts of the town, the only lighting is from snail shells cemented into walls which contain tiny amounts of oil and a wick which is lit.

It is during the procession and at the cruci xion that the Dance of the Dead takes place with ve ‘skeletons’, two adults and three children appearing to the solemn beat of spectral

drummers.

One of the adult actors holds a black banner, and the other one a scythe. Both the banner and the scythe handle contain two mottoes: in Catalan, Lo temps és breu, or Time is short; and, in Latin, Nemini parco, or I spare no one.

Two of the children carry plates lled with ash, while the third has a clock without hands to imply that anyone can turn to ash at any time and the entire performance ends at about 3am on Good Friday morning.

It is believed only one other town in Spain features the Easter Dance of the Dead and that is in Manresa also in Catalonia but their event is not as exhaustive as that of Verges, it takes place on Good Friday and features 10 skeletons.

Credit: Nadia Kashaeva

Credit: Dantzan fl

March of the legionaries.

Choosing cities.

Image: astudio / Shutterstock.com

PETS

Dog poisoned by a diffuser

DOG owner Debra Lansdowne has discovered a potential source of poisoning for dogs which neither she nor many others were aware of and so, she has shared her story.

“One night I returned home late and my dog didn’t seem to recognise me but I thought that perhaps I had woken him up and he was having a night terror.

The following day he was still acting weirdly and remembered that I had been running my new diffuser and decided to turn it off and happily by the afternoon he seemed to be much better.

Then the next day, my dog sitter contacted me at work to say that he wouldn’t come out from under the bed which was very odd as he is generally a very happy dog.

I came home from work early and once again he seemed very confused about who I was so I took him to an emergency vet.

It turns out that the tea tree oil I was using in the diffuser is toxic for dogs.

Fortunately the test showed that his liver was ok but we weren’t out of the woods yet and he was

given fluids under his skin to get the toxins out.

The vet and the poison control are saying that they see these cases often now that the popularity of essential oil is growing so please make sure that the essential oils you are burning are not toxic for your pets.”

Keeping kitty fit

IN a world of cosy couches and sunny window sills, it’s easy for our house cats to lead a sedentary lifestyle. However, ensuring your feline friend stays active is vital for their health and happiness.

One effective way to engage your house cat in exercise is through interactive play. Invest in toys that mimic the movements of prey, encouraging your cat to pounce and chase. Feather wands, laser pointers, and small balls are excellent choices.

Additionally, create a stimulating environment with climbing structures like cat trees or wall shelves. Encourage vertical exploration to engage their muscles and fulfill their natural instincts. Finally, consider incorporating puzzle feeders into mealtime to combine mental stimulation with physical activity.

With a bit of creativity and commitment, you can transform your home into a playful haven, ensuring your house cat enjoys a healthy and active lifestyle.

KEEPING your pets at home when you travel can give you real peace of mind. Our house and pet-sitters can also entertain your pets and keep them company while you are away. And they pet-sit for free. Rated 4.9 / 5.0 on TrustPilot.

When you know the sitters are checked and come from HouseSit Match you know we have your back. What is more, they won’t charge you a cent! Our house and pet-sitting works as an exchange of services. You offer free accommodation and the pet-sitters house-sit for free! You review each other at the end.

If you’re travelling in 2024 join our network now to find sitters, sooner rather than later. Get organised today! All pets benefit from staying at home, so their routines are undisturbed. Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care. Next steps:

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Ryder Cup dilemma

IN June 2022, Sergio Garcia made the controversial decision to join the emerging LIV Golf league. This move has now led to a substantial financial penalty exceeding £800k (approximately €934,282) if he wishes to re-enter the DP World Tour and vie for a spot in the Ryder Cup again.

The DP World Tour’s victory in a significant legal battle has empowered it to levy fines and impose bans on players participating in LIV events.

Garcia, in an attempt to sidestep further sanctions, opted out of the DP World Tour. This decision effectively forfeited his opportunity to compete in the Ryder Cup, a tournament where he holds the record for most points scored.

During an appearance on the Rick Shiels Golf Show, Garcia expressed his intent to rejoin the European Tour. “I am going to be a member again of the Euro-

pean Tour,” he stated.

Despite the challenges posed by the DP World Tour, Garcia’s ambition is clear: he aims to secure a position in the 2025 Ryder Cup.

The Telegraph reports that Garcia must first clear his outstanding fines to stand any chance of joining Luke Donald’s European team at Bethpage Black in 2025.

Notably, he is the last LIV Golf participant who hasn’t settled the initial £100,000 fine. A source disclosed that Garcia would only consider paying the fines if his Ryder Cup participation in 2025 was guaranteed. This stance has sparked debate, especially since he resigned rather than pay the initial penalty.

As negotiations continue, the golfing community watches closely, pondering the true cost of returning to its most prestigious team event.

Formula 1 season has started

John Smith

TRADITIONALLY all Formula 1 Grand Prix races take place on a Sunday but for religious reasons, the first two of the 2024 season will take place on a Saturday.

The second Grand Prix takes place in Saudi Arabia at 6.174 kilometre Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Saturday, March 9.

This is because the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is due to start on Sunday March 10, the day the Saudi Arabian race

Kylian Mbappe: from Paris to Madrid

THE former World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe has announced his parting from Paris Saint-Ger main. The public mediates on his future. Will it be with Real Madrid?

The 25-year-old Parisian, Kylian Mbappe, is one of the most recognised football pla yers of our time and has been Paris Saint-Germain’s key pla yer since 2017.

After seven years of being part of Nasser Al-Khelaifi’s team, Mbappe decided to leave PSG and widen his future opportuni ties.

He has been planning to leave since 2021, when he announ ced his decision but never went through with it, tied to his con tract. Mbappe has always been an open supporter of Real Ma

would normally have taken place so qualifying and actual race had to take place one day earlier.

Because FIA rules state that there should be a full seven days between Grands Prix then the first race of the new season at the 5.412 kilometre Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir was moved to Saturday March 2, with Max Verstappen being the winner.

The Bahrain race covered 57 laps whilst the Saudi race is

due to take up just 50 laps and the number of laps varies by circuit depending on the length of the track with the intention that each race will cover just over 300 kilometres (except Monaco which is shorter and a much slower race) and last roughly the same amount of time.

There will be 24 races in all this season with no new circuits, but Belgium, China and The Netherlands are returning this season.

Andy Murray’s fiery exit

ON Wednesday, February 28, following a tense match in Dubai, Andy Murray announced his impending retirement after a fiery outburst on court.

During the Dubai Tennis Championships’ last-16 round, the 36-year-old clashed with Ugo Humbert.

Murray, a renowned figure in tennis with two Wimbledon victories and a previous world No.1 ranking, lost his cool. He was seen aggressively hitting his racket against the umpire’s chair in a moment of anger. The match concluded with scores of 6-2, 6-4 in Humbert’s favour.

Murray’s frustration was palpable. He yelled “I don’t have a clue what I’m doing” towards his coaching team, expressing ‘awful feelings on the tennis court’. His actions and words were a clear indication of his distress during the game.

After his defeat, Murray candidly discussed his retirement, stating, “Yeah, I mean, I’m likely not going to play past this summer.

“I get asked about it after every single match that I play, every single tournament that I play. I’m bored of the question, to be honest.

“Yeah, I’m not going to talk more about that between now and whenever the time comes for me to stop. But yeah, I don’t plan on playing much past this summer.”

This year has been challenging for Murray, with only two victories out of eight matches. His contemplation on retirement was hinted at following an early exit at the Australian Open.

Murray’s recent performances, including a notable defeat by teenager Jakub Mensik in Qatar, have been disappointing. He was overheard saying ‘this game’s not for me any more’ during that match.

Despite Murray’s career apparently nearing its end, his determination to exit on a high note, despite recent struggles, underscores his enduring legacy in the sport.

The competing drivers this season.

Credit: F1 Facebook