MASTER MANSIONS
We explore Spain’s best house museums
See page 9
THE devastated family of a British tourist who died within hours of being prescribed a ‘lethal’ painkiller in Spain are demanding urgent answers.
Roy St Pierre, 77, was cycling from Portugal to England when a hospital on the Costa Blanca prescribed him the drug Nolotil.
KILL THE DRUG
The grandfather-of-ten was given it despite Spanish health authorities being warned against prescribing the medicine to British tourists back in 2018. Nolotil is being investigated in both Spain and Brussels after being linked to dozens of deaths of northern Europeanswhose genetics are believed to place them more at risk. Multiple patients have seen their white blood cells plummet after taking the drug, leading to deadly infections, most notably sepsis.
and over a week later, on April 3, he decided to seek help.
After visiting a local health centre in Alicante complaining of stomach pain and vomiting, he was referred to the Hospital Universitari Sant Joan d’Alacant.
He was there diagnosed with ‘nonspecific abdominal pain’, given pain
pain
medication and told to return the next day if he was still uncomfortable.
The next morning he set off on his beloved bike to the hospital but fell off and had to be brought in by ambulance.
After an evaluation, it was determined he was suffering from a perforated bowel
It is this infection that officially killed Londoner Roy within just hours of being prescribed Nolotil at Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, in Alicante. Roy had moved to Portugal in 2020 and lived with his daughter Amelia St Pierre in Silves, on the Algarve. However, the ‘lynchpin’ of the family still had seven children back in the UK and decided to travel back to see them by bike.
Agony
In particular, he wanted to meet a new granddaughter born to his daughter, Eve St Pierre, at the height of the pandemic.
“He was very moral and eco-conscious, so he decided to cycle across the continent; he had done it twice before,” said Eve.
On March 2, 2023, he set off to Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, keeping in touch via daily updates on Facebook. The retired youth worker was soon crossing Spain, where he decided to visit some old friends who had retired in Alicante. However, on March 25, he began to experience ‘agonising’ back pain, posting: “I was in agony in Almeria until the ibuprofen kicked in.”
Despite massages and medication, the pain persisted
British grandfather-of-ten died after taking infamous painkiller while cycling
through Spain
and would need surgery.
By 12 noon he was administered metamizole, the active ingredient in Nolotil, which is believed
to deplete many northern Europeans white blood cells and leave their immunity exposed.
EXCLUSIVE
By Yzabelle Bostyn
Roy’s family claim that in spite of his ‘compromised immunity’, he was still taken into surgery.
While the operation was successful, Roy never regained consciousness and passed away from sepsis, a widely reported side effect of metamizole, on April 5.
“We were all reeling with shock,” Eve told the Olive Press, “it was so quick and unexpected.
“We potential
don’t think we can prove definitively that it was Nolotil that killed him, but we know that giving him it didn’t help his odds,” she added. According to a 2018 informative note issued by the Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPS), the drug should not be given to ‘floating populations’ that cannot be monitored, such as tourists. It also should not be given to anyone without a background check, due to the potential risks for certain populations such as Northern Europeans. Although banned in over 40 countries, the medication is popular in Spain for mid-level pain, as it is stronger than ibuprofen and paracetamol.
mid-level
German pharmaceutical giant, Boehringer Ingelheim, which
Golden generation
We uncover the expat roots of Spain’s Olympic hopefuls
See page 12
NOLOTIL TRAGEDY
used by patients for almost 60 years’.
“I would really love to meet a spokesperson at Boehringer, someone who must know there's a problem with agranulocytosis,” said Eve, a community worker. “I want them to look me in the eye and say that prescribing that for somebody's medium level pain, is worth my dad's death.”
Free falling
Over a year after his passing, the family still feel like they are ‘free falling’, says Eve. “He was the ground beneath everybody. There’s no home anymore,” she said.
The European Medicines Agency is currently investigating metamizole’s safety profile after the Finnish government raised concerns about the drug. It comes after years of campaigning by medical translator, Cristina del Campo, and the Olive Press You can sign our petition online and find more information at www.adafspain.org.
The Hospital Universitari have failed to comment on the case. makes the drug, told the Olive Press it has a ‘well-established safety profile and has been
Let battle commence
VALENCIA’S Battle of the Flowers takes place Sunday at 8pm on the Alameda promenade. Around 1.3 million carnations will be thrown by the ladies on the floats and in the crowds.
Wasted effort
A ROMANIAN fugitive has been caught despite changing his appearance through Botox injections, altering his fingerprints and removing 70% of his tattoos.
Caught out
TWO petty thieves in the Valencia area were caught looting homes in Sueca after a resident phoned police to complain about ‘strange noises’ coming from next door.
More tests
CHIVA is to get its own ITV vehicle testing station on the La Pahilla industrial estate which will eventually be able to offer 80,000 inspections annually.
MOTORHOME MURDER RIDDLE
A FRENCH woman who was found stabbed to death in her motorhome next to a Castellon province beach may have tried to resist a robber.
The body of the 60-yearold was discovered around noon on Thursday inside the vehicle at a car park in the Cap I Corp area of Alcossebre.
By Alex Trelinski
Other motorhome users said they never saw her with anybody else and authorities confirmed that she was visiting Spain on her own.
The Guardia Civil are coordinating with French police to identify any past relationships the victim may have had,
but have ruled out her killing being down to a domestic violence incident.
Distraught dogs alerted car park residents to grisly murder of French woman in her motorhome
Benidorm brothel
FOUR women have been rescued from sexual slavery in Benidorm.
They were forced to work as prostitutes in a city apartment converted into a brothel by a couple who had lured them to Spain with the false promise of modelling work.
The victims – mainly Colombian – were then imprisoned in the apartment and prostituted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Four people have been arrested in Murcia and three in Benidorm, including the two leaders of the criminal gang. The women were subjected to strict monitoring through video surveillance cameras and could only go outside if accompanied and with prior permission.
The alarm was raised by other campers who spotted one of the victim’s dogs wandering along the road.
€4M COCAINE GANG SMASHED
A MAJOR narco gang operating in the east of Spain has been taken down with a dozen raids and arrests in the Alicante, Murcia, Valencia, and Ibiza areas. Twelve people – including the ringleader – have been detained, with 63kg of cocaine and 9kg of speed seized, along with smaller quantities of marijuana and hashish. The 44-year-old leader received direct shipments from the international cartels that ship in narcotics via the port
of Valencia. He lived in a luxury development in Alginet dotted with secret rooms home to stacks of cash and luxury watches and other narco paraphernalia, according to the police. The gang was a mid-level node in Spain’s narco networks, supplying wholesale drugs to regional operators, who in turn distributed the cocaine and speed to lower level dealers for sale to customers.
Another of her dogs hid under the motorhome and a third did not stop barking. The Policia Local was called over concerns that a car could run over the animals.
But when they entered the motorhome, they discovered the French woman with her throat slit.
Reports suggested that she had suffered multiple stab wounds.
Campers said she had been parked up since Tuesday and would go for regular swims in the sea.
Nobody heard any screams despite other vans being parked up.
There were reports of sightings of an elderly man who also appeared in the area on Tuesday.
He was said to be walking ‘as if he were lost’ and wore a mask and had an oxygen cylinder with him.
Pickpockets caught
A TRAVELLING pickpocket gang has been rounded up in the Valencia area after arriving from Madrid. The 20 thieves were all female Bosnian nationals who escaped east after the police in the capital got on their trail. Their modus operandi was to work in pairs to target and rob unsuspecting tourists. Madrid Policia Nacional officers joined their Valencia counterparts in detaining the gang members.
McGregor madness
CONOR McGregor tore up Marbella and ruffled feathers in his usual style.
Fresh from sailing in from Mallorca on his yacht, his strolls around town caused excited crowds to gather outside the Hard Rock Hotel where he was staying.
He then kept fans waiting for three hours at his VIP evening at the swanky Clubhouse bar.
But when he did finally show up, it was blockbuster. He swirled through the venue and schmoozed with the fans – before promptly vanishing into the VIP lounge.
The UFC legend is in the Costa del Sol to promote his newest venture – bringing bare-knuckle boxing to Spain.
GOOD SPORTS
Boy band congratulate Spain on Euros win during Marbella concert, wearing Spanish flags and sipping sangria
BRITISH boy band Take That sparked controversy after they donned Spanish flags during their Marbella concert to congratulate Spain for their Euros win.
Take That performed at Marbella’s Starlite Festival in the aftermath of England’s Euros defeat on Monday, July 15.
After taking to the stage during Sunday’s match, they raised eyebrows in their post-Euros concert by donning Spanish flags and congratulating Luis de la Fuente’s side.
“We had to play a show during the game last night to a mix
of Spanish and English,” said frontman Gary Barlow.
“That was tough.”
The band then brought out a picnic basket containing flags, scarves, sunglasses and hats emblazoned with the Spanish flag.
Barlow congratulated La Roja, saying: “It’s only a game of football, well done Spain.”
Mark Owen even draped himself in an Andalucian flag, sipping fresh sangria under a parasol.
Refreshed, the band sang This Life, the title track of their new album. In the face of England’s loss
ALTHOUGH known as the archetypal 90s boy band, Take That proved they are still going strong, albeit with a hefty sprinkle of dad dancing and panto-esque narration. Some 34 years after they first got together, just three of the original five members remain: Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen.
They performed two sold out shows at Starlite Festival in Marbella on July 14 and 15.
It is part of their European tour promoting their new album, This Life, with seven shows in Spain.
Almost four decades into their career, they delivered a unique and privileged experience, showcasing their dozens of hits to a captivated audience.
As they traversed their musical career, the
the song aptly encouraged fans to move on, saying: “This life ain’t no bed of roses. This life will take everything that you’ve got.
“In this life, there’s no second chances. Make this life
REVIEW: Take That ‘shine’ on their Spanish tour by Yzabelle Bostyn
band gave a cheesy, musical-esque narration, taking the audience on a journey through their discography.
Barlow’s voice is as strong as ever and the group's stage presence cannot be doubted.
Despite various videos poking fun at their choreography online, it is clear to see that fans enjoy the dad-style dancing.
The show also had multiple outfit changes, each more glittery than the last.
All the band members got their time in the limelight, performing at least one solo song each.
My favorite was definitely, Pray, with the fun dance routine giving it that touch more pazzazz. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but I thoroughly enjoyed the speculator.
yours.”
As for the searing balmy evening with temperatures hardly dropping below 30C, the trio fought through sweat to serenade the sell out crowd.
“It’s going to get even worse: we’re playing in Sevilla tomorrow (Tuesday, July 16). That’s even hotter,” Barlow told the 1,500 fans.
The band played a 90 minute show full of hits from their 34 year career.
Cheeky
As they left the stage, Owen whipped out a water gun, squirting at the crowd.
Was he helping fans combat the heat? Or was it a cheeky reference to Barcelona anti-tourism protestors drenching visitors?
Although missing two former members, Robbie Williams and Jason Orange, they delivered a thoroughly entertaining performance.
The crowd was a mix of English, Spanish and Northern Europeans of all ages, singing along and enjoying the show.
July 25th - August 7th 2024
Bump and grind
IT was the return of a true disco legend. Like a classic diva, 76-year-old Grace Jones rightfully turned up on stage half an hour late and then gyrated like a teenager in a sexy outfit at the BBK festival in Bilbao. Headlining at nearly midnight, she danced and grooved through a fabulous two-hour set including classics I’ve Seen that Face Before and Pull Up to My Bumper Wearing thigh-length boots and at least half a dozen outfits she wowed the crowd in her first headline show here for a decade. When complimented on the show and asked by the Olive Press later backstage how she had so much energy at her age, she flashed a wicked grin and said: ‘You’re so cute, I love that. Thanks.’
See Tears at Midnight, page 36
LICENCE TO SHOCK
DANIEL Craig literally let his hair down this week with a surprising new look in an autumn-winter campaign for the Spanish luxury fashion house, Loewe. The Brit actor, 56, looked a longway off from his roles as James Bond and an American detective in the Knives Out movies.
Photos show him looking like a hipster, with longer hair, and some quirky clothing choices.
He modelled a range of colourful knitwear including a forest green and caramel polo top and a modern fair isle jumper splashed with hot pink, orange, lemon-yellow and olive-green.
Social media comments included ‘from Bond to cool uncle’ and over his longer hair – ‘Javier Bardem is that you?’
Not in my back yard!
PLANS to turn an old American military base into a migrant reception centre have been scrapped over opposition from residents.
The government said last year that around 600 people would be hosted at the Aitana facility by mid-2025 with the help of €25 million from a EU grant.
At over 1,500 metres above sea level, the centre sits at the highest point in Alicante province.
However the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration made a hasty U-turn when they realised the extent of the costs to refurbish the buildings.
The department also acknowledged that people in the Alcoleja municipality had mobilised themselves to oppose the development over its ‘environmental, urban, social, and economic impact’.
ARMS LINKED
BEACH hoggers who nip out before breakfast to place sunbeds, towels and umbrellas to reserve spots on Calpe’s beaches will now face fines.
The local council has issued a reminder about a by-law banning equipment on the sand before 9.30am as it hinders beach cleaning services. Offenders may find their items re-
BEACH WARS
moved and taken to a municipal depot, where owners will have to both pay to retrieve them and then cough up a fine.
The Calpe ordinance also states that if gear is left for more than three hours
during the day without the owner being around, the items will be taken away.
The local authority gets numerous complaints every summer about people ‘reserving’ spaces on beaches.
Visitors arrive in mid-morning and find large swathes of sand full of umbrellas and sunbeds, but with nobody using them.
LEAKY SHIP
Investigation opened after three Valencia beaches were shut by a sudden oil slick
A PASSING ship is under suspicion after an oil slick forced the closure of three beaches south of Valencia City. The spill was detected on July 16 and soon reached the beaches at El Saler, l’Arbre del Gos and Garrofera, which were shut to the public for two days.
BEACHES across the Valencia and Murcia regions saw the remarkable sight of hundreds of people forming human chains.
Organisers Somos Mediterranea blame the construction of dams and ports along the coastline for the sandy beaches being washed away.
The platform also says that the most recent Coastal Law reforms will result in the demolition of homes – some of which have been around for ‘centuries’.
Around 100 homeowners of coastal properties in Denia said they have been threatened with losing full control of their homes ast autumn because of legislation
By Alex Trelinski
Officials have asked for reports from the Guardia Civil’s environment unit Seprona, as well as the Maritime Captaincy and the Ministry of Environment.
Around 35 cubic metres of waste was collected during the
classifying the plots of land as public domain.
Federico Aniorte from Somos Mediterranea said: “Instead of protecting what is needed, the Coastal Law is being applied to expropriate and banish families who have had their legal home since time immemorial, without compensating them and even making them pay for the demolition of their property.”
The arm linkers appeared on several beaches on Saturday in the Valencian Community including Malvarrosa, Gandía, Guardamar and Sagunto as well as Cabo de Palos in Murcia.
clean up of nearly three kilometres of coastline.
The beaches reopened last Thursday and swimming was given the green light after tests showed there were no problems with water quality.
“We want
to be part of the process and want to pursue the person responsible for this spill and for him to assume full responsibility,” said Catala.
The mayor added that a ship was responsible and it was up to prosecutors to analyse the facts.
“Anybody responsible will pay the consequences,” she added.
Maritime Rescue is tracking and reviewing all the vessels that passed through the area leading up to the appearance of the slick.
Meanwhile, beaches at La Pobla de Farnals raised red flags on Monday after a slick was apparently spotted approaching from Sagunto.
It was a false alarm as the dark patch turned out to be natural algae, and bathing resumed on Tuesday after water tests confirmed that fact.
Mega mall
VALENCIA City Council has approved plans for a new mega shopping centre in Malilla next to the Neuva Fe. The €350 million project will cover over 333,000 m2, with the main building accommodating 222 retailers as well as parking for 3,832 cars and 4,190 bicycle spaces. Three additional units will include an 11-storey hotel, an office block, and a three-floor block for residential use.
Valencia’s urban planning councillor, Juan Giner, said: “This public-private initiative will bring investment, new jobs, and growth to the city.” Opposition socialist councillor, Javier Mateo, responded by stating that the city is ‘being saturated with shopping centres’ to the detriment of local communities and commerce.
Dutchman drowns
A 45-year-old man drowned while swimming at El Campello's Morro Blanca cove. The area is regarded as a quiet sheltered spot that is good for bathing as it normally has few waves. The victim was identified as a Dutch national with reports that the water was covering him up to his waist. He was taken to the shore as rescuers tried to revive him without success.
The Valencia mayor, Maria Jose Catala, visited El Saler last Friday and said her council will provide any relevant information to prosecutors investigating the incident.
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two
OPINION
Time for action
THIS week, we published yet another tragic Nolotil story.
Since we began our campaign against the drug in 2017, we have written dozens of articles detailing the horrific pain and suffering caused by the painkiller.
And finally, the European Medicines Agency is taking a hard look at the evidence against this dangerous drug.
But for many heartbroken families, it is too little, too late.
Take Roy St Pierre, a man who cared so much about the planet he would leave behind his ten grandchildren and opt to cycle across Europe instead of catching a cheap Ryanair flight.
The evidence suggests he was struck down by Nolotil whilst trying to do the right thing for the world he loved so much.
Who can forget Yvonne Flowers? The vibrant expat whose family had to fight tooth and nail to get compensation for the loss of their beloved mother to the drug.
These are just two of an estimated 45 deaths and hundreds of Nolotil related cases.
Not every victim has died as a result of the drug. Many have been left with life-altering injuries including amputations and other complications.
For example, Brit Stephen Burke, 65, had to relearn how to walk after his encounter with Nolotil.
The drug is one of the most popular on the market in Spain as it is not an opioid but stronger than ibuprofen and paracetamol, making it ‘perfect’ for mid-level pain.
KILL THE DRUG
Spanish health authorities have recognised the dangers but state the benefit outweighs the risk.
How can that be true when Nolotil has so often led to sepsis, organ failure and even death for the thousands of northern European expats and tourists in Spain? Let’s hope that the EU will finally make the Spanish health authorities take notice.
PUBLISHER / EDITOR
Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es
Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es
Walter Finch walter@theolivepress.es
Yzabelle Bostyn yzabelle@theolivepress.es
Humenyuk Makarova (+34) 951 154 841 admin@theolivepress.es
Simon Hunter simon@theolivepress.es
Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es
Ben Pawlowski ben@theolivepress.es
Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es
FRAGMENTATION
Is Spain about to undergo an internal fracturing?
Inside the movement that wants to make Leon the country’s 18th autonomous community – letting the independence genie out of the bottle in the process
ALITTLE-KNOWN independence movement is trying to take root in Granada. A rabble of rambunctious rebels are seeking to cleave the province from the autonomous community of Andalucia, and escape the so-called yoke of its regional capital, Sevilla.
Leading the charge is author and activist Cesar Giron, who believes Granada could thrive as its own autonomous region.
He points to neighbouring regions to support his argument.
"How is Murcia, which is smaller than Granada, doing? And Logroño, Asturias or Cantabria?”
The region’s history as the former Kingdom of Granada gives the independence movement a historical mandate, he believes.
“It is clear that things have gone badly for us in Andalucia,” Giron adds. “Sevilla has taken everything and left nothing for us.”
While the movement currently appears to have remarkably little public support, it can take heart and inspiration from events fur-
EXCLUSIVE
By Cole Sinanian
ther north.
A recent vote in the province of Leon favouring autonomy from Castilla y Leon has brought to the spotlight its own far more evolved independence movement.
One that’s haunted the region since the transition to democracy.
While it remains to be seen whether the Castilla y Leon government will heed the Leonese call for autonomy, activists in the Leonese region — which includes the modern day provinces of Leon, Zamora, and Salamanca — deem it necessary to confront the related issues of economic decay, depopulation, and what they describe as a deliberate effort to erase Leonese identity.
The historical region of Leon is defined as such through a shared history distinct from that of Old Castille — which includes today’s
theolivepress.es
THE death of Queen Elizabeth II, Liz Truss’s disastrous stint as prime minister, chorizo-paella croquette and lately the Spain-England Euro 2024 final. What do all of these things all have in common? Well, fortunately for me, they’ve been excuses over the last two years to get my mug back on the Spanish telly to explain to viewers just what the hell is going on with the UK.
Those watching Spanish television most recently may have spotted me giving an English perspective on the Euro 2024 tussle between England and Spain – which turned out to be a painful but unsurprising victory for the boys in red.
My side-gig as the go-to-guiri for Spanish tele-
provinces of Burgos, Soria, Segovia, Avila, Valladolid, and Palencia — as well as through a cultural lineage stretching back to prehistory.
The region also has its own language, Asturleones, which forms a dialect continuum of mutually intelligible varieties spoken across the north of Spain and Portugal.
HISTORICAL: Up to 90,000 protestors marched for Leonese independence in 1984
and landowners began to form in Leon in the 7th century, through which small towns maintained a degree of economic independence from the feudal lords, with peasants making collective decisions and settling feuds communally.
The direct democracy of the Consejos, as they were known, was seldom seen in Medieval Europe, and played a key role in the kingdom’s prosperity.
A 2020 survey suggested 81% of residents of the Leon province supported ditching
Castilla
Its identity was solidified with the rise of the Medieval Kingdom of Leon, which, at its peak in the High Middle Ages, was among the Iberian peninsula’s most powerful — and perhaps most democratic.
An elaborate rural network of alliances between peasants
According to Alberto Zamorano, president of the Citizens Collective of the Leonese Region (CCRL) — a group fighting against the ‘cultural erasure and economic and demographic decline’ in historic Leon — an autonomous Leon could help codify the role of direct democracy in Leonese politics.
“Leones autonomy would reinforce this role,” he told the Olive Press, “with specific legislation that would grant them the duties that correspond to them at the legal level.”
POLITICS, DEPOPULATION, AND THE RISE OF LEONESISMO
Despite Leon’s inclusion in the 1833 division of Spanish territories, a series of last-minute political decisions urged by the soon-to-be
The Olive Press’ go-to-guiri Simon Hunter has been on Spanish telly offering an English perspective on the Euro 2024 final – but it’s just the latest in a string of television appearances
ally dedicated myself full time to Spanish television.
By Simon Hunter
I racked up 15 trips to the television studio in nearly 30 appearances on television and radio – on La 1, Antena 3, Cuatro, Telecinco and La Sexta, among others – to discuss the crisis in the British Royal Family.
Despite the serious situation, with both the Princess of Wales and King Charles being treated for cancer, the run of appearances had its lighter moments.
vision channels really got going back in 2022, first with the Platinum Jubilee, then with the passing of the queen and later with the ensuing political turmoil. But nothing could have prepared me for the media frenzy in Spain that arrived after Kate Middleton released a badly photoshopped picture of her and her children in March. Rumours were already swirling that all was not as it seemed with regard to her health problems, and the Spanish needed a wisened Englishman to counsel them on the matter. For three weeks, I liter-
In the midst of the madness, I drove up to see my wife and her family who were spending Easter in their village in Leon.
When I stopped to get petrol, a customer at the counter looked at me and said: “You look very familiar!”
I sheepishly suggested she may have seen me on the television in recent days, to which she replied, pointing her finger at me: “Ingles!”
Once in the village, I also got recognised while we were in the local bar, much to the amusement of my family.
I should, however, point out that everyone who has recognised me so far has been an older Spanish lady – no young people at all – which may tell you something about the profile of the terrestrial TV watcher in Spain these days… Practically every appearance I have done over the last two years has been live, which can be somewhat nerve wracking, particularly as I am
LEON CATHEDRAL: The city and province has been seeking independence for decades
By Simon Hunter
Beating the high press
PLATFORM: Housing minister Isabel
CRACKDOWN LOOMS
THE government is set to introduce two new rules to crack down on short term property rentals.
The first will see landlords having to justify why they are only offering short contracts.
According to the Minister for Housing, Isabel Rodriguez, this ‘justification’ is necessary to avoid fraud and help seasonal workers and students.
A new state platform is also being considered to advertise short term rentals.
Each will be given a unique code in order to track and control rentals.
The measures were presented by Rodriguez following a meeting with Spain’s working group on short term rentals.
The group, made up of estate agents and unions, was established to find a solution to landlords who abuse short term contracts, as well as the issue of tourist lets.
Rodriguez is hoping to modify the ‘Horizontal Property law’ so that neighbours have to give the green light before tourist lets can be set up.
“We simply can’t look the other way,” she said.
Not fit for yankees
AN American magazine has warned its citizens to avoid the Campo de Gibraltar and the Mar Menor area of Murcia (right) if moving to Spain.
International Living, which promotes the idea of living abroad, warns that Gibraltar has too much focus on banking and gambling.
It claims the ‘border towns’ of the Rock, such as Algeciras and La Linea, should also be avoided.
“Gibraltar's focus on online gambling and banking that offers international tax shelters adds to a somewhat unsavoury atmosphere,” it ruled.
“As a tourist destination, these elements do not pose a problem, but maybe you wouldn’t want to live there,” the article continues.
It was also extremely damning about
Americanmagazinesinglesout Gibraltar area and Murcia as not beingsuitableforUSretirees. ButMijas,Benalmadenaand Sitgesarefine
By Simon Hunter
the Mar Menor area due to its environmental problems.
It ruled that the saltwater lagoon area has suffered from the ‘ecological collapse of marine life’ caused by pollution from farming and hotels.
Instead, the controversial feature on moving to Spain, picked out five places it recommended to its readers, four on the coast and one, Miraflores de la Sierra, close to Madrid.
In Andalucia it particularly recommended Benalmadena (far left), which comes top of its list.
It raved about the ‘quiet, family-friendly beach resort’ with its attractions including a butterfly park, a Buddist stupa,
two aquariums and a cable car.
It also recommended its casino, despite its criticism of gambling in Gibraltar, and Tivoli World amusement park, despite the fact it has been shut for years.
Growing confidence
HOME property purchases in Spain went up by 3% in May compared to a year earlier with prices rising by 1.3%.
Despite high interest rates, the country’s notaries said there was an increase of almost 10% in the number of new mortgages granted.
The figures show the continuance of the upturn recorded in April which was a busy month due to the Easter holiday period.
The number of mortgages granted in May grew by 9.8% yearon-year, to 28,909 loans with the average loan rising by 1.8% yearon-year, hitting €150,219.
Financed
The percentage of home purchases financed by a mortgage stood at 46.3% and the size of the loan accounted for an average 71.9% of the price.
And it raved about its nudist beach, Benalnatura, which ‘has its own café and bar’.
Second on the list is Mijas (left), described as attracting expats from all over the world because it serves as the gateway to Costa del Sol’s ‘golf valley’.
“With beautiful weather all year and reasonable greens fees, this location is a golfer’s paradise,” the article reads.
Finally it singles out Almuñecar, in Granada, and Sitges in Barcelona province.
The average price per square metre stood at €1,681/m² in May, which is 1.3% more than the same time last year.
Apartments rose by 3.4%, to 1,890 euros/m²; while those of family homes stood at 1,300 euros/m²3.3% less.
The biggest price rises were in Galicia (21.3%), Cantabria (11%) and the Valencian Community (10.1%).
Rodriguez
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CREATIVE
INSIGHT
AS the summer heat arrives, the crowds head to the beaches. But as thermometers hit the sizzling 40s those-in-the-know are usually to be found hunting cooler alternatives.
Fortunately Spain boasts a wealth of cultural treasures, and its ‘house museums’ offer a unique opportunity to step
Take a journey through half a dozen of Spain's house museums with Dilip Kuner
into the lives and spaces of creative giants - and get out of the sun.
From the whimsical visions of Gaudi, the mindfulness of Cervantes or to the eccentric world of Dali, these homes-turned-museums provide a window into the minds that shaped artistic movements
CASA NATAL DE PICASSO
Art enthusiasts can really delve into the world of Pablo at the Casa Natal de Picasso in Malaga, the birthplace of the iconic artist.
This house museum offers a fascinating starting point to understand Picasso's formative years, before strolling round the corner to view his more serious works at the Picasso Museum. In particular, you will discover why he loved painting doves and started as a small child, with
on his
PABLO: The birth house of the Spanish great can be visited in Malaga
GÜELL: Gaudi’s home is inside the famous park he designed
GAUDI HOUSE MUSEUM
Immerse yourself in the intimate world of architectural genius Antoni Gaudi at his former residence within Park Güell in Barcelona. This house-museum, where he lived from 1906 to 1925, showcases not only the architect's design genius, with furniture and objects crafted by his hand, but also offers a glimpse into his personal life. Imagine him surrounded by these very furnishings, fueling the inspiration that produced Barcelona's most iconic landmarks, including the Sagrada Familia cathedral. most Familia
His former home is a living testament to his surrealist vision.
Explore the unconventional spaces where the zany artist worked, and gain a deeper understanding of the artistic genius behind melting watches and dreamlike landscapes.
is
For those drawn to the beautiful works of Joaquín Sorolla, a visit to the Sorolla Museum in Madrid is a must. Housed in his wonderful family home, the museum displays not only the artist’s vibrant paintings but also personal objects that illuminate his life and artistic process. The Valencia artist did well during his lifetime, unlike many artists, and the size and grandeur of the home and its lovely garden demonstrate this well.
In particular, you’ll see photos of him painting there, alongside his children, while some of his best paintings are always on show.
Journey to Portlligat, a small town near Cadaques, in Catalunya, to explore the eccentric world of Salvador Dali.
SURREALIST: Dali’s house
located in Portlligat, Catalunya
CASA DE CERVANTES
If you are more into words than paintings, then pay homage to Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Spain’s most famous book Don Quixote
The former home of the iconic writer (formerly a tax collector) can still be visited at his birthplace in Alcala de Henares, near Madrid.
the home and surinfluenced the faish literature.
GOYA HOUSE MUSEUM
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LITERATE: The Cervantes house dates back to the 16th century
Art lovers can pay homage to Francisco Goya by visiting his birthplace in Fuendetodos, near Zaragoza, in Aragon. The Goya House Museum allows visitors to explore the humble beginnings of the artist who would come to revolutionize the Spanish art scene.
simple home
its original features
sits in a charming old village, with
fascinating places to visit nearby.
HUMBLE: Goya’s old home retains its old charms
first Deputy Prime Minister Rodolfo Martin Villa during the transition to democracy in the late 1970s led to the merging of Leon and Old Castille into a single autonomous community, largely to the opposition of Leonese.
Polling since has shown high support for Leonese autonomy, with a 2020 survey suggesting 81% of residents of the Leon province supported it.
In 1984, not long after the approval of Castilla y Leon’s statute of autonomy, somewhere between 35,000 and 90,000 protesters took to the streets of Leon under the slogan Leon sin Castilla es una Maravilla (Leon without Castilla is beautiful).
Despite the numbers, the protests failed to enshrine Leonese autonomy, though the sentiment behind them never wore off.
In 2024, the lack of economic opportunities in Leon and the corresponding depopulation of rural Spain — which has had a particularly drastic effect on the Leonese region — has influenced the most recent push for autonomy, says CCRL member Hector Alvarez.
As younger generations head to major cities in search of work, the three Leonese provinces have suffered drastic population losses in the past 10 years.
Data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) shows that the population of the Leon
speaking in my second language. As soon as the camera comes on, you are aware that any slip-up could immediately become a meme, and thanks to the internet, will literally live forever.
While I don’t generally get nervous, I do curse myself when a grammatical slip comes out of my mouth, or when I lose my train of thought.
And I always spend a huge amount of time preparing for each appearance, having been caught out very early on in my career for not doing my homework
Guiri TV
AVOID THE FOMO!
when doing a radio interview. Fortunately, with very few exceptions, everyone I have dealt with so far – both on camera and behind the scenes – has been incredibly kind, generous and encouraging. My experiences tell me that Spaniards are fascinated by our Royal Family, and they have also been observing the political chaos post-Brexit with something approaching schadenfreude, but never losing that deep affection for the UK
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“We can make our own budget, but we don’t have the option to choose a tourism strategy, or industrial strategy,” Alvarez
SPLIT: The Leon portion of Castilla y Leon includes the provinces of Leon, Zamora, and Salamanca says. MURKY FOUNDATIONS
There’s also the issue of the numerous public ‘foundations’ put together by the Castilla y Leon government, whose purposes are often murky and, despite being funded in part by taxpayer money in Leon, have little to do with Leonese society
as most are based in Valladolid.
province fell by more than 8% between 2012 and 2021, while Zamora’s population fell by nearly 12% in the same period, and Salamanca’s fell by more than 6%.
The region’s ties to Castilla have prevented it from developing an economy sustainable enough to keep its population balance stable, Alvarez says, as only a small portion of the autonomous community’s budget is dedicated to the sparsely populated Leonese provinces.
“We are forgotten,” he says. “We don’t have the capacity to define our own economic policy and we depend on what Valladolid tells us.”
This lack of autonomy has prevented the Leonese provinces from forging their own economic policy specific to their needs.
Tourism in Castilla y Leon, for example, has historically been concentrated in Castilla, mainly in Valladolid, so the autonomous government lacks motivation to develop a largescale tourism campaign in historic Leon, which could provide jobs and much-needed economic stimulus.
that so many Spaniards harbour.
As the fame and popularity of the now-deceased English former footballer-turned-presenter Michael Robinson showed, Spaniards also have a soft spot for a Brit who can speak their language. Luckily for me, I currently have the honour of fitting that bill, and being their go-to-guiri whenever anything nuts is happening in the UK. I’ve not been short of work…
In some cases, these organisations have political motives, and at times appear to have actively worked to diminish Leonese identity.
“There people varez says.
“There is a part of the expenditure that’s spent in a very opaque way and is certainly not for the benefit of the people of Leon,” Al-
One example is the notorious Fundacion Villalar, founded in 2003, whose stated objective is to ‘contribute to the consolidation and development of democratic coexistence and social progress in Castilla y Leon through the promotion, defence, knowledge, and diffusion of values.’
democratic coexistence knowledge, is
The organisation is named after a 16th-century battle in the Valladolid town of Villalar de los Comuneros, during which a group of bourgeoisie rebels staged an uprising against the rule of Carlos I.
The insurrectionists were crushed, and the battle resulted in the decapitation of the rebel leaders.
The Fundacion Villalar, funded by the Castilla y Leon parliament, uses much of its €750,000 a year to pay for ‘Castilla y Leon Day’ celebrations, a holiday that takes place on April 23 — the date of the battle.
Erasure
However, the CCRL as well as the Leonese People’s Union — the primary Leonese regionalist political party — have accused the organisation of a campaign to erase Leonese identity.
A series of children’s comics released in 2011 by the Fundacion Villalar and distributed to public school libraries called ‘History of Castilla y Leon in Comics,’ has been criticised for its historical inaccuracy and apparent ignorance of a Leonese history distinct from that of Castilla.
The comics avoid mentions of a Leonese language and imply that a unified Castilla y Leon has existed since prehistoric times.
“They have persecuted any trace of the Leonese past that united the provinces of Leon, Zamora and Salamanca,” Zamorano says.
“This cannot continue like this, and with the autonomous community we would recover the identity and traditions that have been stolen from us.”
The success of the independence movement is still up in the air. The ball is in the court of the junta of Castilla y Leon, who have historically brushed leonesismo aside.
But were Leonese to be granted their wish, it might be the first in a spate of independence dominoes to fall within Spain’s larger autonomous regions.
THE Olive Press website is proving a hit around the world with more than 10,000 readers registering an account over the past few weeks. It means we now have more than 40,000 registered users at theolivepress.es, with hundreds more joining each day.
While the majority come from the UK and Spain, more and more are signing up from Ireland, the US, Canada and even Australia.
It comes after we posted a record number of visitors in the last edition, when more than 1.4 million people visited our website over a seven-day period. Our unrivalled coverage of the Euro 2024 fi nal last Sunday, for example, brought just under 140,000 people to the site in one day.
Becoming a member is completely free and has many benefi ts, including the ability to comment on articles and engage with other readers.
You will also receive multiple newsletters each week, covering travel, health, property and more. Additionally, only by becoming a registered user will you have the chance to take part in our exclusive giveaways.
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REVOLT: Leonese rebels rose up against Carlos I
Across 5 Relaxes (4,4)
8 Big shot in the office (4)
9 Epistle writer (2,4)
10 The Giant's Causeway is made of it (6)
11 Diverse enterprise (12)
14 Unexpectedly (3,2,3,4)
17 A man, a plan, a canal, ---! (6)
20 Untidy arrangement for natural state (6)
21 Concerning (2,2)
22 Scouring powder (8) Down
1 Highly skilled musician (8)
2 Declines (5,3)
3 Woman with many fans? (6)
4 Crossbow expert (4)
6 Not the Queen's English (5)
7 Soviet state security police (1,1,1)
12 Magnifies (8)
EXPAT OLYMPIC
AFTER conquering first Wimbledon then Europe, Spain has now set its sights on a global sporting prize: this year’s Olympic games. Their star studded roster includes athletes that have gone on to become household names, such as World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso and tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. Among the 382 athletes Spain will send to Paris this summer will be a ‘lesser known’ cohort of Spanish
13 Shares (8)
15 Out-stared subjects of apprenticeships (6)
16 Get settled (3,2)
18 First-class (1-3)
19 Letters denoting simplicity (1,1,1)
All solutions are on page 14
By Yzabelle Bostyn
athletes, canoeists, swimmers and more whose roots extend beyond Iberia.
One will even carry the Spanish flag during the opening ceremony.
Marcus Cooper Walz, a sprint canoeist born in Oxford, UK, will represent Spain alongside Galician sailor, Tamara Echegoyen.
Although Walz grew up in Mallorca, he was born to a Ger-
man-British mother and American father.
While speaking about the flag ceremony, he said: “I have English blood and a Spanish heart, all my successes have been for Spain.
“It’s the best flag of the best country in the world.” He has competed for Spain since the early 2010s, and is one more the country’s most successful athletes, earning a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics and a silver medal in 2020 Olympics. This year, he will take part in the
‘I have English blood, but a Spanish heart’
PAUL POWER: Florian Johannes Trittel Paul will represent Spain in sailing
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K4-500 race and the K2-500 race on the River Seine.
Another expat-born athlete hoping to triumph – but this time in the water not on it – will be as swimmer Carmen Weiler.
Weiler was born and raised in Singapore to a German father and Valencian mother.
Record
At just 19-years-old, she has never taken part in the Olympics before but in June, she set a new Spanish record in the sport, securing her a spot on the squad.
She trains under Spain’s Olympic bronze medallist, Sergio Lopez, at Virginia
With Spanish sporting supremacy underpinned by expat-born stars, which immigrant athletes might follow in their footsteps at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris?
Tech University (United States).
She will compete in the women’s 100m backstroke category.
“When I touched the wall, I didn’t even know it was a record,” she said. Spain’s expat population will also be represented in the dressage competition by Jose Daniel Martin Dockx.
The 50-year-old was born in Malaga to a Belgian mother.
Despite his heritage, he is clearly proud of his Spanish upbringing. When he competed at the World Dressage Cup in 2023, he brought the only purebred Spanish horse, saying: “It’s our breed and as you can see, it’s got a lot of heart, is obedient and can compete…They are beautiful animals.”
He has previously competed at two Summer Olympics (2012, 2016) securing records of 7th place in team events and 29th place indi-
vidually.
Finally, Florian Johannes Trittel Paul will represent Spain in the 49er sailing category.
Born in Switzerland, the 30-yearold has previously competed in the Nacra 17 event at the Summer Olympics, where his team placed 7th.
He was inspired to sail by his dad and grandfather, both keen on the water and began his sailing career in Spain.
147 834
PROUD: Dockx uses Spanish breeds when he competes
A SPANISH water park has been voted the world's best for 10 successive years. The accolade, courtesy of the 2024 Traveller's Choice Awards from TripAdvisor, goes to the Siam Park on the Costa Adeje – located in the south of Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
Among the reasons given for travellers choosing Siam Park is its recreation of the ancient Thai kingdom from which it takes its name, along with the varying water park experiences covering over 85,000 m2. There is plenty on offer from dizzying slides, pools of all shapes and sizes (including big artificial waves), huge areas to slide through, exotic forests, and zig-zagging rivers. It is divided into three sections: Relax, Family, and Adrenaline. There'a a kilometre-long tropical river known as the Mai Thai River along with various beaches and a sea-lion pool plus the Floating Market shaped like a typical Thai village.
OP Puzzle solutions
Quick Crossword
Across: 5 Sits back, 8 Exec, 9 St Paul, 10 Basalt, 11 Conglomerate, 14 Out of the blue, 17 Panama, 20 Nudity, 21 In re, 22 Cleanser.
Down: 1 Virtuoso, 2 Falls off, 3 Geisha, 4 Tell, 6 Slang, 7 K G B, 12 Enhances, 13 Equities, 15 Trades, 16 Bed in, 18 A-one, 19 A B C.
The Tenerife complex has welcomed 14 million visitors since opening in 2008, and the TripAdvisor award consolidates its position as the 'most awarded' water park on the planet.
It has also come top in competitions such as the European Star Award or the Park World Excellence Award.
Many of its individual attractions such as Singha, Kinnaree or The Dragon have also been award winners.
Spectacular
TripAdvisor takes into account the absence of security issues, proper management of the facilities, the treatment given to visitors, and the transparency in comments published on their site, which means that contenders that want to apply for an award cannot manipulate the process. The spectacular nature of the attractions, care of the park and the vegetation it boasts are also analysed.
MAI THAI: Siam park is inspired by Thai kingdoms
ELITE EDUCATION
CRIMSON Global Academy (CGA) is changing the way families think about education.
Our online school is an internationally accredited private school that’s delivering live, world-class real-time learning to students all over the world.
From primary to middle and secondary school years, we offer a wide range of class options to suit every student.
Whether your child is just beginning their educational journey or preparing for admission into top universities, CGA supports students each step of the way.
ton, Columbia and Cornell. They also received five offers from Oxbridge and 21 offers to the world’s top 20 universities. THE CGA EXPERIENCE
At CGA our teachers have an average of over 20 years experience
Founded for students and families who seek personalised online education opportunities, CGA provides a flexible and dynamic pace of learning.
● For young athletes and performers, CGA’s flexible schedule allows them to balance their training with academics.
● Families that move frequently can rely on CGA for consistent, high quality education no matter where they are in the world.
● Ambitious students aiming for top universities can study based on their ability, not just their age, enabling them to earn university-recognised qualifications through accelerated courses.
In the past year alone, our students were accepted into 61 of the best universities worldwide, including Ivy League schools like Prince-
At CGA students can expect everything they would find in a traditional school, and more. From exams, assemblies, to school houses and a dedicated principal, students can ensure they receive a holistic school experience.
Students at CGA have the opportunity to study at a pace that’s as unique as they are. Either through one-on-one learning, live group classes or asynchronous learning, our students have the flexibility to tailor their education to their needs and goals.
CGA’S ACADEMIC ROADMAP:
CGA Primary (Ages 8-10): Focuses on core subject mastery with complimentary World Geography and Computer Science subjects, in preparation for international curricula within a global school.
CGA Middle School (Ages 10-13): Includes US Junior High and CGA Lower Secondary school. Students can choose between 1:1 or group classes, available part-time or full-time.
CGA High School (Ages 13-18): Offers internationally recognised curricula from International
The Online School Helping Students in Spain aim for Global Success
GCSEs, A Levels to Advanced Placement courses and the US High School Diploma.
WHAT MAKES CGA SPECIAL?
At CGA our teachers have an average of over 20 years teaching experience, and are chosen for their ability to engage and inspire students.
With small, real-time classes, students receive the utmost personalised support and attention, combined with social counselling and university admissions guidance.
By combining the best aspects of a traditional school with innovative online methods, CGA helps prepare students for an extraordinary future.
more information, and to discover how CGA can support your child’s learning, visit our website - www.crimsonglobalacademy.school/eu-en/
