Olive Press Mallorca Issue 200

O P LIVE RESS

Meet the ‘starchitect’ behind Soto’s new luxury pad

LOUD AND CLEAR

ACTIVISTS have targeted Mallorca's Osborne Bull with graffiti telling foreign homebuyers to ‘go to hell’ as the anti-tourism backlash on the island gathers pace.

The vandalism, shared on Instagram, has sparked concern for its ‘xenophobic’ sentiment.

The words ‘rich property buyers go to hell’ were sprayed on the controversial monument - which towers over the MA-15 road between Algaida and Montuiri - earlier this month.

The Osborne Bull has become a focal point for discontent and protest in Mallorca for its associations with

Anti-foreigner sentiment surges in Mallorca as graffiti appears on famous Osborne Bull statue

By Walter Finch

Spanish culture and the ‘commercial takeover’ of the island, as perceived by Catalan-speaking locals.

Despite condemnation from local politicians – including the far-right Vox party – a local residents’ group ‘applauded’ the graffiti.

Misguided?

TOUR guides in Palma have slammed Palma City Council’s plan to limit groups to 20 people per group, which they claim contravenes Balearic Islands’ regulations that allow groups of up to 70.

“The current average group size is between 30 and 50 people,” said tour guide official Gabriel Rosales.

“It’s baffling that the council didn’t consider the existing regulations before moving forward with this.” Rosales argues that this change will cripple the tourism sector and related businesses.

“With groups of just 19, it will be impossible to sell tours, as they’ll be financially unsustainable,” he explained.

He also pointed out that popular attractions like the Cathedral of Mallorca and the Castell de Bellver could see a drop in revenue.

Rosales is also protesting the requirement that guides visibly display identification with their full name and police monitoring of tour numbers.

“Why should we have to reveal all this information when a police officer only needs to show a badge number?” Rosales asked. “It’s like we’re being treated like criminals.

“What happens when people join the group on the fly? Are we going to tag them like animals? Or hand out batons to keep out the ‘unauthorised’ tourists?” Rosales questioned.

“This morning we were given a pleasant surprise!” wrote SOS Residents on Instagram, who celebrated the ‘anti-colonialist message’ and called the bull a ‘symbol of Spanishisation’.

The graffiti has received mixed reactions on social media, with the post gathering nearly 2,400 likes and numerous comments debating the merits of such protest actions.

“Thank you rich foreign property buyers for letting us live a modern life without hard work, based on the selling of properties that our grandfathers bought for nothing and now we sell for a thousand times more,” one commenter wrote.

Foreign buyers accounted for 31% of transactions in Mallorca between 2022 and 2024, spending an average of more than €1.5 million on luxury properties, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE).

Germans, Austrians, Swiss, Belgian and Dutch buyers dominate the market with 41% of transactions, while Brits make up 10% of the share.

They helped drive an 11.2% annual growth in house prices in the Balearics last year – almost three times the national average – with an average price now standing at €4,083/sqm in the Balearic Islands.

It is thanks to this demand from abroad that many locals feel priced out of the housing market.

The Osborne Bull has become a focal point for discontent and protest in Mallorca for its associations with Spanish mono-culture and commercial takeover.

Controversial

While protected as a national cultural icon across Spain, its presence in Mallorca has become increasingly controversial in a region with a strong independent identity.

On the mainland, hundreds of these striking black bulls still stand on Spanish hillsides, while Mallorca hosts just one, making it a particularly prominent target.

But the symbolism extends beyond just foreign buyers snapping up property – last summer saw numerous demonstrations against mass tourism, with residents arguing

A-PEELING

This English designer seeks inspiration in Spanish fruit wrappers

that the islands are becoming unaffordable for locals.

Illegal tourist apartments are another issue in the firing line for activists railing against the islands’ current economic model.

Palma Mayor Jaime Martinez recently announced that the regional government is working on a system that would ‘prevent unlicensed properties from being listed on rental platforms’ such as Airbnb and Vrbo. He added that Palma city hall is coordinating with the regional government to step up efforts to track down illegal rental properties and map their locations.

The wrangling comes against a backdrop of 25 million tourists expected to descend on the island of 1.2 million people this summer season.

Tourism directly contributes 43.6% of the region’s GDP (€22.3 billion last year), far in excess of the 13% it represents across Spain as a whole.

"Tourism is crucial to our economic future," said Llorenç Pou of the opposition PSOE.

“But the wealth it generates isn't shared as it should be, and overcrowding creates serious problems. There are simply too many tourists."

Grand expansion

FOUR luxury hotel chains will expand across Mallorca in 2025 including the Vestige Collection, Grupo Piñero, Garden Hotels, and Melia Hotels International.

Slipping away

IBIZA’S Pitiusa lizard faces extinction by 2030 if nothing is done to control ‘giant snakes’ taking over the island, experts have warned.

Historic feat

THE BALEARIC Islands will launch its first satellite into orbit this time next year to collect data on climate change and rising sea levels.

Cracking record

EGGS could cost one euro each if the Balearic Islands begin exporting them to the United States, the president of the Balearic Association of Food and Beverage Distributors has warned.

SPAIN has refused to hand over an oligarch’s yacht that was seized in Mallorca as part of sanctions on Russia.

The Sasha 1, which was blocked in Palma’s Club de Mar in May 2022, is believed to be owned by Vladizlav Reznik, a businessman and chairman of the bail commission of the Russian Parliament.

Formally, the Sasha 1 belongs to Centros Comerciales Antei SL, who filed an appeal against the boat seizure claiming €480,000 in damages.

However, it is believed that this is a shell company designed to hide the fact that the boat actually belongs to Reznik’s former

NO RETURN Russian mafia probe

wife, Diana Gindin, a Russian-American national.

After the couple divorced in 2015, she assumed ownership of all the couple’s assets outside Russia, including another boat and a property in Mallorca.

The appeal argued that these assets are no longer connected to Reznik and there is no sanction against Gindin, who was tried in a Russian mafia money laundering scheme along with her husband but acquitted.

BOOTED OUT!

A PALMA court has banned two Albanian burglars from entering the Balearic Islands for a period of five years. The pair went on a crime spree robbing luxury homes in Mallorca and Eivissa in July last year. They were given a choice: banishment or two and five

Albanian burglars who targeted luxury villas in Mallorca and Ibiza are deported and banned from the Balearics

By Yzabelle Bostyn

years respectively in prison.

The duo chose the former and were on a boat leav -

Warning for drivers

MOTORISTS who block traffic lanes at Palma de Mallorca airport have been warned of fines of up to €200.

Policia Local have ramped up patrols following requests from airport operator Aena and Palma City Council.

It follows an increase in people parking up next to the terminal while waiting to pick up arriving friends or relatives.

A free 15-minute allowance for pick-ups in the two Parking Express zones is given before charges kick in.

ing the island hours after the verdict.

They have been in custody since they were arrested last year by Guardia Civil agents in a Portals Nous (Calvia) apartment. Both pleaded guilty and agreed to give €40,000 to the victims, who they reportedly hand picked and surveilled before the crimes.

On July 6, one of the men waited in a car while the other entered a Eivissa villa, where they swiped €16,000 and $25,000. They also took luxury watches and jewellery.

Using the same modus operandi, they raided a luxury chalet on the Costa d’en Blanes, where they took a Rolex, a sapphire ring worth €27,000 and diamonds worth €3,000.

Snatched

They also struck in Palma on July 17, entering the Genova neighbourhood house through the window and snatching watches, jewellery and €200 in cash.

Just hours later, the Guardia Civil Citizen Safety Unit (USECIC) arrested the suspects at a rented apartment in Port Portals. One of the men was using a fake driving license and was also tried for assuming a false identity.

A RUSSIAN mafia that laundered millions of euros in Spain boasted of its contacts with 'well-known Spanish politicians', it has emerged.

A Policia Nacional probe that brought down the gang in January discovered they had phoned Cuban authorities about plans to build a solar energy farm on the island and told them they were close to several Spanish political leaders.

Raids

Among the gang’s clients were Serbian and Albanian cartels, the Mocro Maffia, Colombian cartels, the Armenian mafia, clans from Ukraine and even some from China.

Some 14 people have been arrested and properties were raided in Madrid, Malaga, Marbella, Torremolinos, Coin, and Ayamonte as well as Lisbon in Portugal, with €1 million in cash seized.

A Policia Nacional officer from Huelva was among the mafia's payroll and provided Spanish residency documents to its members, saying they needed asylum due to the Ukraine war. He also had 'political contacts', offering the mafia investments on the Huelva coast in land and hotel complexes.

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Spanish prosecutors consider the yacht is still tied to the businessman through the dense web of companies through which he manages his wealth.

Rubiales dodges jail

SPAIN’s former football chief Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of sexual assault for the infamous kiss he planted on Jenni Hermoso af ter the 2023 World Cup final. The judge fined him €10,800 after the nine day trial in Madrid’s National Court, but

ish Football Federation dodged a jail sentence. He was, however, acquitted of the more serious crime of coercing Hermoso into publicly saying that the kiss was consensual, for which prosecutors had demanded two-and-a-half years.

Last week’s ruling prohibits Rubiales from approaching Hermoso within a radius of 200

ROYAL RIP-OFF

A SPANISH mayor has called on Meghan Markle to change her As Ever logo, insisting it plagiarises her town’s ‘historic’ coat of arms.

As Ever is part of Markle’s personal lifestyle brand that she uses to sell a range of products such as fruit preserves and home essentials.

But Xisca Mona, leader of the sleepy village of Porreres, in Mallorca, told the Olive Press this week that she was ‘shocked’ upon seeing the logo.

It features a palm tree flanked by two hummingbirds, which Markle claims symbolises her home in California with husband Prince Harry.

Yet the design is remarkably similar to Porreres’

Megan Markle under fire for ‘copying’ historic coat of arms of Mallorcan town for her lifestyle brand

by Laurence Dollimore

coat of arms, which also shows two birds flying on either side of a palm tree.

Xisca told Olive Press: ‘We are still a bit shocked, we thought it was fake news at first, we didn’t know what was happening.

‘Then loads of newspapers and media started calling us and we realised it was serious.’

She said the similarities are ‘undeniable’, adding: ‘They are the same, except the birds are a little different and they used different colours, but they are nearly identical.’

She continued: ‘All jokes aside, we really want them to change the logo because our coat of arms is very special to our culture and has been linked to our

town since it was founded hundreds of years ago.

‘It is very important to our identity and now it is being used to sell products like jam.

her

‘The truth is that although this has given our once unknown town some publicity in just a few hours, we don’t like our coat of arms being used, we want them to pull the logo.’

However, while there is a desire to fight the Sussexes, Xisca said the town hall will probably choose not to. She explained: ‘We simply cannot fight such a big company like that, we are a small town with limited resources.

‘We may send a letter ask-

- in reference to the locally renowned apricots.

IT’S not so usual that legendary 84-year-old Tom Jones is set to enter tain Spanish crowds once again. Far from embracing retirement, the Welsh crooner will post two concerts in Spain as part of his hectic Defy Explanation Tour 2025. Fans in Andalucia will be treated to a show in Chiclana de la Frontera, Cadiz, on Au gust 11, which he will follow by taking to the stage in Al icante just two days later on August 13.

Gere-ing down

HOLLYWOOD legend Richard Gere is looking to put down roots in northern Spain's picturesque Galician coast.

The Pretty Woman star, 75, and his Galician wife Alejandra Silva, 41, have been spotted viewing luxury properties in the exclusive enclave of Oleiros, just 15 minutes from A Coruña city.

Sources close to the couple confirmed they've been interested in purchasing a sea-view prop-

erty in the area for at least two years, though no deal has yet been finalised.

"They visit every summer and stay with Alejandra's family, but now they want their own place," revealed a local estate agent.

Oleiros, with its population of 38,333, has become one of Galicia's most desirable addresses.

It boasts the highest per capita income in the region and ranks among Spain's 25 wealthiest municipalities.

The coastal town is known for its Blue Flag beaches including Santa Cristina ing them to remove the logo and to find a new one.’

She added that the people of Porreres ‘invite Meghan and Harry to the town’ with open arms and joked that if they want to use their coat of arms as a logo, ‘they

and Bastiagueiro, historic Santa Cruz Castle, and stunning sea views along its maritime promenades.

Gere wouldn't be the only high-profile resident – Pablo Isla, former Inditex chairman, and Sandra Ortega, daughter of Zara founder – and Spain's second-richest person – Amancio Ortega already call the area home.

EXCLUSIVE

should at least sell apricot jam’

TWINNED: Megan Markle’s brand logo (left) bares a striking resemblance to the coat of arms of Porreres

REQUEST: Mayor Xisca Mona has politely asked Megan Markle to change

brand logo

Heating up

LAST year was the Balearic Islands’ third warmest year for sea temperatures, with an average of 20.2C.

According to the Balearic Islands Coastal Observation Forecasting System (ICTS Socib), a temperature of 31.87C was recorded on August 12, reflecting the ‘extreme’ conditions in the area.

The sea surface temperature has risen 0.4C per decade since 1982 in the Balearic Sea. Meanwhile in the Mediterranean as a whole, 2024 saw a record temperature increase, rising 1.55C above the previous average (15.37C).

ICTS Socib also recorded extreme changes in the Mediterranean including prolonged marine heatwaves, unprecedented temperatures and rising sea levels.

Taking off

RYANAIR will launch two new routes from Palma de Mallorca this summer, it has been announced.

The budget airline will now fly to Lubeck (Germany) and Pardubice (Czech Republic).

This summer they will have 16 planes and 80 routes operating from the airport.

The budget carrier claims this represents an investment of €1.6 billion while providing 6,900 jobs.

COSTLY: Over 4,000 women failed to have routine mammogram screenings

CANCER BLUNDER

THE Balearic Islands health agency ‘forgot’ to enroll over 4,000 women in the island’s Breast Cancer Prevention Programme, it has emerged. Between 2021 and 2024, some 40% of women between 50 and 54-years-old were missed by the system.

As a result, they were not invited to complete routine mammograms designed to detect early signs of breast cancer.

This number rises to 43% when women who turned 50 during this period are taken into account.

The Balearic Islands health system also failed to enroll them in the system.

BAD GUESTS

Outrage after German tourists destroy monument in Mallorca while taking a selfie

By Yzabelle Bostyn

A PAIR of German tourists are in deep trouble after they toppled over a sculpture while climbing on it to take a selfie.

The couple, aged 27 and 28, slipped and fell after mounting the statue at the Palma Contemporary Art Museum.

The sculpture ‘Julia’ – an original artwork by Catalan artist Agusti Roque ac -

quired in 1999 – suffered serious damage as it fell over and hit the ground.

Various Policia Local agents and ambulance workers quickly arrived on the scene after the incident, which took place at about 4pm. The German tourists, who sustained various cuts and bruises, were treated in a private hospital in Palma.

TOPPLED: A pair of Germans tourists trashed a work of art by climbing on it

The work they nearly destroyed, meanwhile, will be restored and put back in its place just outside the museum, at the intersection of Calle de Sant Pere and Calle de la Polvora. According to the museum, the ‘excess weight’ put on the artwork caused it to injuries would have been a lot worse as the statue is made of heavy steel,” they said in a statement.

tumble – fortunately it did not collapse on top of the tourists.

“If that had happened, their

Bicycle warning

A CYCLING expert has raised concerns about safety in Mallorca following a recent accident involving six German national team cyclists.

The cyclists were struck by a car driven by an 89-year-old man near Palma airport last month.

Mallorca has become a global hotspot for cycling, attracting around 400,000 riders annually, however experts warn the roads are becoming dangerously overcrowded.

Gordon Neale, who established the first professional Mallorca training camp for British cyclists, the Olive Press of the growing risks for cycling tourists on the island.

“The roads are too busy,” he says, pointing to large cycling groups that often lack experienced leaders.

Many organisers struggle to provide enough trained guides due

to financial constraints.

Additionally, Neale notes that the type of cyclists has changed.

DANGEROUS:

Mallorca´s roads have become a hazard (below) a cyclist from the German national team

More triathletes now train in Mallorca, using ‘tri-bar’ bikes, which offer less control than standard road bikes. These athletes are also highly competitive, often racing to record the fastest times on open roads.

“Being seriously competitive on the open road is asking for problems,” Neale warns.

THE Balearic Islands continue to have some of the most expensive properties in Spain, latest figures confirm.

According to Idealista, Santa Eularia in Ibiza and Calvia in Mallorca were the second and third priciest towns in the country last year, with average prices of €1.9m and €1.8m respectively. They were beaten only by Benahavis, in Malaga, where the average price was just above €2.3 million.

Within the two Balearic municipalities, one can also find the most expensive neighbourhoods in Spain.

Fotocasa Real Estate Index has revealed that Santa Eularia des Riu occupies eighth position, where the average price per square metre is €9,456. This is 396% more expensive than the national average, which comes in at €2,389/m2. Within Calvia, Portals Nou sits in eleventh place in the list for most expensive Spanish neighbourhoods. The average price per square metre is €8,372, up 350% from the national average.

Location, Location HOUSING BOOST

AROUND 300 affordable rental flats will be built in Calvia, it has been announced. Plots of municipal land have been identified in Calvia Vila, Peguera, El Toro, and Magaluf.

As part of a ‘Build to Rent’ programme, private developers will hand over ownership of the properties after 75 years to Calvia City Council. In addition a site at Calle Bonavida in Peguera will see 24 homes built and sold to local purchasers by the Balearic Institute of Housing.

The donated council land is worth just under €900,000 and construction will start after the summer and take around eight months. People who can prove they have lived in Calvia for at least seven years will be given priority in buying homes there.

THE Balearic Islands grew by 1.04% in 2024 to hit a record population of 1.24 million residents, but the growth was driven by Mallorca, while the smaller islands all saw slight population decreases. While Mallorca's population grew by 0.125% to 966,908 in the last quarter of 2024, the other islands saw slight declines, with Ibiza dropping 0.023% to 163,453 residents, Menorca down 0.143% to 102,477, and Formentera to 11,556, 0.764% fewer people. Foreigners now make up more than 21% of registered inhabitants, with 979,484 Spaniards versus 264,910 from overseas, new statistics reveal.

The islands saw an overall increase of 12,907 people during 2024, with foreigners accounting for the majority of new residents, according to Spain's National Statistics Institute.

EXPERTS WHO CARE ABOUT YOU

Voted top expat paper in Spain

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 million people a month.

OPINION

You can’t have it both ways

WHILE Spanish towns want to reap the economic benefits of motorhome travellers, it seems no one is investing in the necessary infrastructure to make this influx comfortable for both residents and caravaners.

Since Covid-19, Spain has become an exponentially popular destination for van lifers and snow birds, caravaners who come from northern Europe to escape the winter cold.

Despite over 350,000 people travelling around the country in motorhomes and caravans, there are just 1,100 official sites to park up – causing chaos for locals and tourists alike.

The lack of facilities means many caravaners pitch up in national parks, next to beaches and on abandoned lots.

Though most are respectful of their surroundings, there are some that couldn’t care less about the state they leave their winter homesteads in once they travel back to the UK, Switzerland and Germany.

We have heard multiple reports of caravaners throwing human waste into public drains, onto beaches and into bushes, producing a ‘foul stench’ and prompting public health concerns.

Others report seeing van lifers masturbating and committing other sex acts in public, often targeted at their female counterparts who are left feeling unsafe and disturbed.

It seems that the swathe of unregulated parking opportunities in Spain has attracted Europe’s riff raff and they won’t go away until local authorities do more to stop them.

Local councils could filter out bad apples by installing facilities and charging motorists to use them, like is often the case in France.

Police could also perform more checks on illegal car parks and clamp down on those overstaying their welcome.

It is a shame that a few disrespectful travellers give the rest of the van life and caravanning community a bad name.

Instead, we should focus on putting measures in place to ensure Spain attracts only the respectful, peaceful and clean people that local communities would welcome with open arms.

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

Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es

Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Tom Ewart Smith tom@theolivepress.es

TIME TO MOVE ON?

Expats claim caravaners and van lifers are ruining the costas as they invade thousands of natural spaces and parking lots, dumping excrement, taking litres of water for free and even committing sex acts in the open air

WHEN Cor Vandenhoek moved to Torrox Costa nine years ago, he invested in one of the most expensive properties on the market under the promise that nothing would ever obscure his view to the sea

It was a vow that was sadly to be broken.

Just seven years later, the abandoned lot in front of the Dutchman’s upmarket Punta del Faro Urbanisation is ‘inundated’ with over around 60 new homes.

Not the sort of bricks and mortar properties that you might expect an expat homeowner would be complaining about sullying his view… but a phalanx of illegally-parked camper vans (see below), whose occupants’ behaviour leaves a lot to be desired.

The retired hotel owner has certainly got a point, with the long line up of campers stretching almost as far as the eye can see.

It is a similar picture at hundreds, possibly thousands of beauty spots, from Huelva up to the French border with Catalunya.

While ugly, it is what the so-called ‘van lifers’ get

up to in them - and outside of them, cruciallythat has most incensed Cor and, as the Olive Press has established, thousands of his neighbours and fellow expats along the costas.

“I wanted to retire and have a quiet life here but I have never seen such chaos. Torrox was a beautiful place, the Saint-Tropez of Spain, but now it’s being abused and we can do nothing about it,” the 75-year-old told the Olive Press Cor claims he has seen the caravaners ‘masturbate in broad daylight’ and ‘throw human faeces’ in the bushes from his balcony. And it’s a story we have been hearing for months, since we first reported on the issue.

“I can’t even walk my grandchildren to the beach because there’s dirty tissues, condoms and shit everywhere,” continued Cor, who sent us a series of photos as evidence, as have many other readers from around the costas.

The pensioner also claims the van lifers put

their rubbish, including human waste, into his urbanizations’ bins, paid for out of each resident’s €128 per month maintenance costs.

It is a similar story up the coast in Fuengirola.

Age Care volunteer Ray Mynott, 77, told the

Olive Press that he had seen many caravaners dump excrement around the fairground.

“They also dump their shit in the storm drains, blocking them, or directly dump them in the nearby Parque del Rosario.

“When we go to walk the dog, there’s a really unpleasant smell and I’ve even seen someone park his van over the storm drain to empty his waste directly into it. This goes down into the river and into the sea.”

The former chauffeur continued: “I’ve also seen people take around 16 litres of water from the park in a single day. They literally just park up and fill all their containers. They don’t pay any taxes for that.”

And the local welfare leader added that many expats believe the van lifers are up to no good.

“A lot of people in the Los Boliches area do not feel safe anymore because we don’t know who these people are,” he explained.

“The council thinks it’s helping the economy, but when I asked one of the restaurant owners near the feria ground where they all park he told me all the campers do is use their toilets.” And it is not as if the van lifers disagree. Veteran traveller and member of the Catalan Caravaners Union (UCC) Cesar Semarro told the Olive Press this week: “There’s always some pigs that behave badly. They ruin it for the rest of us.” However, he claimed this was a small minority of motorhome owners who do not represent the largely ‘respectful’ community.

The 78-year-old, who has been travelling

ARE YOU BURYING THE SARDINE?

ASH Wednesday is approaching once again, and with it will come the rather strange sight of Andalucians ‘burying a sardine’.

turn to dust fairly soon.

Yes, odd but true, but this will mark the end of the indulgence of Carnival and the start of the restraint of Lent.

For the British, a sardine is generally just an inch long thing crammed in a flat little tin full of oil, and Lent merely vague childhood memories of pancakes sticking to the ceiling.

In Andalucia however, sardines are something very different, and Lent is a very important thing to celebrate. Let’s tackle Lent first.

To rub it in, as it were, he smears every forehead with real ashes, and the people wear this stain proudly for the rest of the day. It’s really all about the start of Spring, and the end of Winter.

Historians tell us it is actually pagan and existed long before Christianity hijacked it some thousand years ago.

This year it starts on March 5, better known as Ash Wednesday. Don’t be surprised if you see people out and about with a grey smudge on their foreheads. They’ve been to church, for a special ceremony in which the priest reminds them that we’re all made of dust, and will all re-

We are actually celebrating the return of flowers, lambs and baby birds etc, as we say goodbye to ice and snow. Which brings us to sardines. Have you ever seen a small wooden boat packed with sand at a beach restaurant here? With fish cooking on balsa-wood splints over a charcoal fire?

This is a classic Malaga delicacy, called espeto de sardinas

The migrating fish (big, oil-free and delicious) swim along the coast at this time of year, and a percentage of them end up as part of an espeto or ‘skewer’.

This is where we need to turn to Francisco Goya, the Spanish painter.

By Michael Coy

Goya (who died in 1828) loved to depict popular festivals around the country, and that’s why one of his canvases (right) is entitled, Burying the Sardine It is a ceremony which is still maintained today in many Spanish towns. Some say it dates back to King Carlos III after being served a plate of sardines which had ‘gone off’ in the 18th century. Understandably furious, he commanded the offending fish to be buried. Whether true or not, the festival is an Ash Wednesday event which is symbolically about destroying the past and being born into the sunny, warm future.

Many places have different versions of the ceremony, and expect to see people dressed in mourning. While others put on the disfraz (disguise) of priests and nuns. Some places carry the sardine through the streets – don’t worry, it’s a dummy sardine – and bury it, sometimes in a coffin, in an actual grave. And that’s when the fun begins. Are you going to bury the sardine this year?

SEX ACTS: And the leftovers in the bushes by Cor’s Torrox home, while Cesar (above right) with his van and quad

by Yzabelle Bostyn

Find out how to declutter, not only your living space, but also your mind on page 8

A YEAR TO DREAM

Valencia’s ‘starchitect’ Fran Silvestre brings his award-winning style to Sotogrande

Just can’t get enough!

THE British are still the most important international buyers in Spain. Despite Brexit they still bought 40% more properties here than the Germans last year.

Only Polish and Dutch buyers increased on a larger scale than the Brits, who bought a staggering 8,728 properties last year.

The Germans bought just 6,230 properties and the French 5,025, which is a worrying drop of 14% in 2023.

Overall though, it was almost a re-

BritishbuyersledstrongresurgenceinSpain’s foreignpropertymarketlastyear

By Walter Finch

cord year for foreign buyers, who bought 92,958 properties, which is a 6% increase on 2023 and only marginally below Spain’s record year of 2022.

According to data from the Spanish Land Registry, Polish buyers are the rising stars in the market with a dra-

matic 36% increase in purchases. Dutch and American buyers also showed strong growth, rising by 18% and 13%, respectively.

Norwegian buyers, however, virtually fell off the map, with a collapse in home purchases of 63%.

The final quarter of 2024 was particularly strong meanwhile, with 24,985 sales involving foreign buyers - a 27% year-on-year increase

and the best Q4 on record.

This suggests that international demand for Spanish property is accelerating as the market heads into 2025.

Despite the slight slowdown in 2023, the 2024 figures indicate that Spain’s appeal to foreign buyers remains robust, with Brits continuing to lead the charge.

With no signs of demand waning, the Spanish property market looks set to maintain its momentum in the year ahead.

But buy-to-let investors have been

spooked by Spain’s new housing legislation, which has included ‘tenant-friendly’ policies such as rent controls in ‘strained’ neighbourhoods. Nationally, properties sold as investments account for one in four sales.

In Madrid, which has so far weathered the regulatory storm, it’s still a healthy one in three.

But in Catalunya, where investors are getting cold feet, it’s dropped from to less than one in four – its lowest level ever.

Mark Stucklin

FOREIGN buyers conti-

nued to drive the Spanish property market in 2024, with purchases involving international investors increasing by 6% compared to the previous year, according to figures just released by the Spanish Land Registry.

This marked the second-highest level of foreign demand on record, highlighting the ongoing strength of international interest in Spanish real estate.

Over the course of 2024, a total of 92,958 property sales involving a foreign buyer were inscribed in the registry. This was not only a 6% increase from 2023 but also represented a 38% jump compared to the average number of foreign-buyer transactions over the past ten years.

The figures confirm that demand from overseas buyers has not faded following the post-pandemic boom, which peaked in 2022.

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

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Rental rut International boom

Foreign buyers boost Spanish property market in 2024

Instead, the market appears to have bounced back after pausing for breath in 2023.

British buyers retained their position as the most active nationality in the Spanish property market, accounting for 8,728 home purchases. They were followed by buyers from Germany and France. Despite retaining their place among the top three, French demand showed signs of weakening, with transactions down by 14% compared to the previous year.

Several other nationalities made notable moves in 2024. Polish buyers increased their acquisitions by an impressive 36%, reflecting growing inte -

rest from Eastern Europe. Dutch buyers also expanded their presence in the market, with purchases rising by 18%, while American buyers increased their acquisitions by 13%. These nationalities have been showing increasing interest in Spain, drawn by its climate, lifestyle, and relative affordability compared to their home markets. However, not all nationalities shared the same enthusiasm. Norwegian buyers sharply reduced their activity, with purchases plummeting by 63%. Russian demand also fell, down 17%, likely reflecting the ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties. While French demand also contracted, other Western European buyers, including the British and Dutch, have remained resilient. The final quarter of 2024 was particularly strong for foreign transactions. Between October and December, 24,985 sales involving international buyers were recorded, making it the best fourth quar-

ter on record. This late surge suggests that demand from overseas was gathering pace as the year drew to a close, providing optimism for the start of 2025.

Local estate agents have reported a steady stream of inquiries from foreign buyers, many of whom are seeking holiday homes or investment properties. Coastal areas and popular inland regions continue to attract the lion’s share of interest, with regions such as the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, and the Balearic Islands remaining top choices.

Market observers believe that several factors are driving foreign interest in Spanish property. These include Spain’s reputation as a safe and attractive destination, the flexibility of remote working, and the enduring appeal of the Mediterranean lifestyle. With international demand showing few signs of slowing down, foreign buyers look set to remain a key pillar of the Spanish property market in 2025 and beyond.

SPAIN’S property rental crisis is worsening with long-term rentals falling for the 14th consecutive quarter – while tourist apartments surge across major cities.

The latest data from property portal Idealista reveals permanent rental supply dropped another 3% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year, with twelve provincial capitals now recording their lowest availability since records began.

The crisis has hit particularly hard in tourist hotspots, with Barcelona seeing 43% of its rental properties now dedicated to holiday lets – the highest proportion in Spain.

San Sebastian follows at 36%, while Madrid has seen tourist rentals climb to 15% of its market.

Teruel suffered the steepest decline in permanent rental availability, plummeting 35% year-on-year, while Barcelona dropped 26% and Pamplona 23%.

The numbers underline Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s recently-announced plans to raise the tax levy paid by nonEU residents who buy a second home by 100%.

“Our obligation is to prioritise homes for locals over tourist use,” he stated. “We will make a change so tourist apartments are taxed as a business so they will pay the same as hotels.”

Idealista spokesperson Francisco Iñareta warned the situation has reached ‘absolute emergency’ levels, with even middle-class families – alongside vulnerable groups – now being priced out of the market.

“The situation of exclusion from renting affects an increasing number of families,” he said.

COUNCIL HOUSE WINNER

Spanishsocialhousing projectscoopstop architectureprize

By Dilip Kuner

A REVOLUTIONARY social housing project in Spain has bagged the RIBA International Prize 2024 - the world’s most coveted award for cutting-edge architecture.

Modulus Matrix: 85 Social Housing, designed by Peris + Toral Arquitectes, is turning heads in Catalunya with its unique, eco-friendly design.

The six-storey, timber-framed block in Cornella, near Barcelona, is home to 85 apartments that are nothing like your average council flats.

Inspired by Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu, the building’s layout features

modular rooms that all measure the same size (3.6m x 3.6m) and are arranged around a central communal courtyard.

The clever design encourages socialising, with open spaces that can easily adapt to different family structures and needs.

EMERGING AWARD: went to ARCity for blending the

Every flat benefits from cross-ventilation and dual orientation to maximise natural light and airflow. Plus, the building is made from timber, cutting down on carbon dioxide emissions and slashing construction time.

Inside, there’s no fixed layout: the rooms can be rearranged as residents see fit, and spaces like kitchens are at the heart of the home, challenging traditional gender roles by making domestic chores visible.

GAME CHANGER: Scheme is a ‘new blueprint for adaptable long term housing solutions’ around Spain and Europe

Private balconies and Barcelona shutters offer added privacy, while thoughtful acoustic measures ensure peace and quiet between flats.

The project was completed in 2021 and aligns with the goals of IMPSOL, a public body behind socially innovative housing in the area.

The group has won plaudits after churning out similar projects in the area, each aiming to deliver affordable, high-quality housing to more people.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) - which has been celebrating outstanding work for over

180 years - was particularly impressed with its social premise.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki hailed the design as a ‘game-changer’ saying it offers a new blueprint for adaptable, long-term housing solutions. And it seems the locals agree — many residents initially sceptical about the layout have since come to love how the design suits their everyday needs.

Meanwhile, the RIBA Emerging Architect Award 2024 went to ARCity, a firm from Shenzhen, China, for their bold Six Bricolage Houses project, which blends modern design with oldworld charm.

old with the new in Shenzhen, China

WHITE Magic

HE has done it again. Renowned Valencian ‘starchitect’ Fran Silvestre has unveiled his latest jaw-dropping home, and it is no disappointment. His firm of architects has become a household name in the past two decades with its iconic houses, which are predominantly white with edgy, clean cut lines - and very expensive.

On his seeming obsession with white, Silvestre explains: “We use white for three reasons.

“There is a strong contrast between blue and white. It is a symbol of culture. The second reason is scientific. When you have a white interior it makes it look more spacious.

“There is also the thermic question. You cannot have a big black box under the Spanish sun. “And lastly, it is the subjective reasons about the perception of beauty.”

His latest creation overlooking Sotogrande golf course exemplifies Silvestre’s vision of harmony between architecture and its surrounding environment.

The design centres around what he calls ‘the interplay of shadow and light’ with the boundary between indoors and outdoors blurred by a cantilevered roof that brings both elements together.

This generous roof not only provides shelter from the scorching Cadiz sun but also protects against the heavy rains that often fall from the nearby Sierra de Grazalema, known as the rainiest place on the Spanish mainland.

Silvestre explains that the house is divided into four zones: the ground plane, the shadow cast by the roof, the transparent glass that facilitates efficient temperature control, and the soft, warm wood interior. The design also

incorporates a layer of water actually on the roof (it could be called a roof-wide paddling pool!), which serves as both thermal and acoustic insulation.

The goal for Silvestre was to create minimal impact on the environment while offering an immersive experience of ‘inhabiting shadow’ in the serene surroundings of Sotogrande.

This latest home is a fitting continuation of the stunning designs that Fran Silvestre Arquitectos have become renowned forand is indeed his latest signature design. No costings have been revealed, but you could think of a number, add a few zeros, and you probably won’t be too far wrong!

IMPACT: The home is designed with the environment at heart

Fran Silvestre’s latest Sotogrande design is the work of a magician

INHABITING SHADOW: This is the aim of Fran Silvestre in Sotogrande landscape

29thDecember 12th 2023

DECLUTTERING FOR BALANCE AND RENEWAL

TIME FOR A SPRING CLEAN?

WHEN clutter takes over it starts innocently: a drawer that won’t close, a chair overtaken by things meant to be dealt with ‘later’ or a collection that quickly grows.

Clutter becomes a mental weight, adding stress and making a space feel heavier.

Clutter doesn’t just sit in a cornerit seeps into the mind, creating unfinished business or chaos, turning a restorative space into something overwhelming.

Even small things impact focus, mood and well-being.

Ever walked into a room that made you feel instantly drained? That’s clutter at work.

Creating a Balanced Home

A balanced home isn’t about per fection or minimalism; it’s about designing a space that supports daily life.

The difference between a space that flows and one that doesn’t lies in what we choose to keep or let go of.

Clearing out the excess (old clothes, forgotten gadgets, or things that no longer serve us) brings a space to life.

Decluttering creates room for what truly matters: peaceful moments, inviting corners, and a home where you can recharge. Your space should nurture, not drain.

The Real Benefits of Decluttering

● Instant stress relief – Clutter is visual noise, keeping the brain in a state of tension. Clearing it out creates an immediate sense of calm and ease

● Sharper focus and mental clarity – A clutter-free space reduces distractions, helps the mind to think more clearly and boosts

Deeper, more restful sleep – A tidy, peaceful environment signals the brain to un-

wind, making it easier to fall and stay asleep

● More energy and motivation – Clutter drains mental and physical energy. Letting go creates space for fresh ideas, new habits and a lighter, more inspired way of living

● Easier decision-making

– Less stuff means less overwhelm. With only what truly matters in sight, everyday choices (what to wear, what to cook, what to focus on) become simpler and more intentional.

● More time for what matters – No more wasting

The Queen of eliminating clutter, Brandi Freeze, explains how her company Airy Spaces can work miracles for you this spring

hours searching for lost items or shuffling piles of ‘stuff’.

“

A streamlined space frees up time for hobbies, loved ones and moments of bliss. Letting go isn’t losing, it’s gaining freedom. The less clutter in your space, the more room there is for the life you actually want to live and build.

Spring Cleaning: Revitalize Your Space: It is a lot More Than Just Tidying Up Spring invites a fresh start, not just for our homes, but our mindset. Stripping away the old creates space for new possibilities and a vibrant environment.

reasons - past jobs, occasions, or sizes we hope to fit again.

Asking, ‘Does this reflect who I am now?’ helps simplify decisions. Letting go makes getting dressed easier and more enjoyable. Here are a few of my tips for making a great head start this Spring.

“ Spring invites a fresh start, not just for our homes, but our mindset.

Start with a seasonal wardrobe reset. We hold onto clothes for many

Clearing the Kitchen Counter

The kitchen is often the busiest space. Clutter here adds stress before a meal begins. Clear countertops make meal prep a simple, creative process.

The One-Year Rule for General Spaces

A helpful guideline: if an item hasn’t been used in the last year, it’s likely not essential. This applies to books, electronics, and sentimental items. Letting go frees up space and mental energy.

Mindful Tech Declutter

Technology is a hidden clutter source. Unused apps, outdated gadgets, and overloaded inboxes contribute to mental overwhelm. Organizing digital files, deleting apps, and clearing inboxes reduces distractions and streamlines tasks.

Clearing Out Common Areas

Living rooms, entryways, and hallways often accumulate clutter, but they set the tone for how we feel at home. Keeping them clear creates a welcoming atmosphere that promotes relaxation.

Simple acts such as tidying shoes, sorting mail, or clearing away old magazines will have an immediate impact.

Keeping It Simple: Small Habits for Lasting Change

Once decluttered, maintaining balance doesn’t have to be a chore. A quick tidy-up before bed prevents buildup. Designating key areas (like counters and bedside tables) as ‘no-clutter zones’ creates calm and a welcoming start to the day. Being mindful of what enters the space is just as important. Before adding something new, ask, ‘Does this bring value, or will it just take up space?’

Over time, this keeps things intentional and meaningful. When a home is in harmony, life flows more smoothly. Small shifts create more ease, calm, and a home that supports the life we want to live.

About Airy Spaces

Brandi Freeze is the found- er of Airy Spaces, which is based in Sevilla. She is passionate about helping people and creat- ing functional and nurtur- ing spaces. Specializing in declutter- ing and home organization, Airy Spaces offers custom- ized solutions that bring balance and harmony to homes while working to- wards a simpler, more in- tentional way of living. For decluttering tips, chal- lenges, and inspiration, visit www.airyspaces.com or follow @airyspaces on social media. Happy Decluttering!

in mobile homes for over 50 years, explained that the style of travel skyrocketed in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“People came to Spain because it’s a paradise with year-round sun. But because of the pandemic, they didn’t know the etiquette,” he confirmed. “Now they abuse the system, especially the snowbirds who come for winter,” he added. Above all, he insisted it was important to understand the difference between parking and camping.

Parking for a day or two he believes is an entirely acceptable norm and gives everyone a chance to enjoy places.

“But camping is staying for months and acting like the street was your back garden. These people give us a bad name.”

Huge growth in numbers

The Olive Press has established that around 350,000 motorhomes are normally to be found travelling around Spain at any time, with the majority coming from abroad.

According to the Spanish Caravaning Association (Aseicar) 6,459 new motorhomes were registered in 2024 in Spain, a 22% increase compared to the previous year.

Catalan Semarro claims these campers are a great source of income, especially in ‘empty Spain’ (by which he means the interior) which of course is largely true.

“Our association and others like ours offer guidelines on how to behave and if these rules are followed, you should be welcomed by locals

JOY: At Goya’s Burying the sardine festival

with open arms.

“That means spending money in bars, shops and restaurants,” he said.

“If a small inland village has 50 residents and four or five caravaners come and spend money, that’s a good income for the

local villagers.”

One inland village, L’albi, in Lleida province, allegedly calculated €62,000 in local sales from motorhome owners in just one year alone after providing a safe parking area, including toilets, water and picnic tables.

However, most towns in Spain lack these essential facilities, caravaners claim.

And it is not only losing vital income, but it is causing problems.

“The coast is oversaturated for sure and many campsites are booked up a year in advance,”

regular British traveler Alan Harris, from Dorset, told the Olive Press

“I think the solution is for councils inland to provide proper sites with facilities and then charge a small fee. That’s what they do in France and the situation is much better.”

frequently come under the crosshairs of the local police in Orgiva with claims of drug-dealing and other illegal activity.

Erikkson has crossed paths with many such undesirables, revealing on her YouTube channel that she frequently sees gay men having intercourse in bushes and has had to chase off men masturbating near fellow van lifers.

But being fair, most of the van lifers are simply looking to drop out and are largely harmless, choosing alternative ways of life.

It’s mostly Germans who don’t want

to spend money and overstay

The 70-year-old former plumber continued: “I once spent €1,000 in a week in Javea, if you multiply that by the amount of people, that’s an awful lot of money for the local economy,” he said.

“Despite this, Javea council moved the campers on and the nearby bars were utterly horrified, they’d just lost lots of business.”

However, he admitted that some caravanersmostly Germans - come to Spain with ‘huge’ vans loaded up with supplies.

“It’s mostly Germans who don’t want to spend money and overstay their welcome,” he claimed.

He also admits that many long-term caravaners are moved on following complaints from residents who own ‘expensive’ beachside homes.

One classic person who regularly overstays her welcome, by her own admittance, is Therese Erikkson, 33, from Sweden.

The vanlife videographer appears to like winding up local residents.

“My favourite spot in Marbella is in front of some million euro mansions,” she boasted in an interview with us.

“They hate us parking in front because they see us as a threat to normal society, they want you to be in the rat race with them.”

While describing life in Marbella, or anywhere on the costas, as a ‘rat race’ seems a little wide of the mark, it is the fact that van lifers and most winter visitors are not obliged to pay local taxes, that really annoys residents.

And some are unlikely to pay tax at all going on investigations of large van-lifer settlements by the Olive Press around Orgiva, in Granada, and in particular, up on the Algarve, in nearby Portugal.

One settlement ‘Beneficio’ that often had up to 1,000 people living in it, has

GREEN AND SEEN

Don’t waste paper, don’t waste your money - Olive Press nears 0.5% returns target

our target of

to our new high-tech delivery

In a promise to our readers - and more importantly advertisers - we are continuing to ensure that 99.5% of newspaper copies are accounted for.

After implementing the new tech for the first time last issue, we had just 0.67% of our papers returned across ALL of our pick-up points in Spain.

It’s all thanks to our new ‘Proof of delivery’ system which helps us guarantee that Spain’s most popular English newspaper gets into all the right hands.

This is a stark contrast to our rivals, whose newspapers get left in huge piles each week and often end up getting blown around the streets.

Yes, wherever you live, you will have seen hundreds of canopies left, literally sitting on the shelf. Unclaimed and unloved.

And some of them, including freelancer Erikkson, is all for contributing more to the local authorities.

“I think a subscription system would be good, a yearly membership to park wherever you want in Spain for €50 to €100,” Erikkson, who trains photographers, suggested.

“We’re mostly hardworking, normal people who want to travel. I hope Spain can see that we contribute to society.”

It’s a question that will raise much debate but, unless it is better regulated and can be proven to contribute to the local economies, it will end up causing much more conflict over the years to come.

What does the law say?

Caravans and motorhomes can legally park jas normal vehicles in Spain. How ever, Spanish road authorities (DGT) updated the law in June 2024 so that campers cannot take up more space than the vehicle itself (for example, by putting up a hammock or shade), stand on anything but wheels and emit any fluids such as chemical toilet waste. While it was lauded as ‘protecting’ car avaners, the law failed to include other types of mobile homes, including con verted vans.

The new regulation also did not clari fy if it is permitted to sleep in mobile homes, but most have interpreted the law as a green light, saying as long as vehicles are parked correctly, they can do as they please.

Many municipalities however, have their own rules when it comes to over night parking, so make sure you check before taking a lie down. Fines can range from €200 in prohibit- ed areas and up to €60,000 in environ- mentally-protected areas.

Indeed, rival distributors tell us they now call delivery day ‘pickup day’ as there are so many papers going unread that have to be returned.

We have never had that problem and are always the first free newspaper to get picked up wherever we distribute.

To guarantee this continues, we have teamed up with the UK’s largest free newspaper delivery company, Self Select Media.

In a high-tech and vital new way of delivering our newspapers, we get proof of delivery of every drop with photos and exact numbers distributed… and even better, monitor the numbers into the single digits.

ROOM FOR TWO: Therese shares her van with furry friend Tindra

GRIDLOCK: Charity worker Ray Mynott says vanlifers dump their shit in the nearby park and take up to 20 litres of free water a day

November 29thDecember 12th 2023 LOOKING

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

IT’S A WRAP!

FOR the Spanish, London could be just as exotic as Madrid or Barcelona might be for the British. This was an epiphany that Londoner Keren McConnell had as a child when gazing at a Spanish fruit wrapper that featured a design of the Tower of London.

The graphic designer, 59, has a business called McConnell Design that takes inspi ration from these throw-away fruit wrapper de signs, and she be lieves peo ple could take a page out of her book when looking for cre ative in spiration, rather than relying on al gorithms.

It was during a trip to Spain in the 1970s that a six-year-old Keren began a fascination with the brightly-coloured papers used to wrap fruits like oranges and lemons.

How Spanish fruit wrapper collection offered one artist authentic inspiration in a world dominated by online influence

By Tom Ewart Smith

the Londoner continued to collect these peculiarly artistic pieces of paper during holidays to Spain

As a result, Keren developed a scrapbook back in London in which she would stick these wrappers alongside other ephemera that she found Keren’s ar

fruit wrappers, showing her how ideas could spread and cross-pollinate. As a result, the ‘Stop’ design is one of her favourite papers, along with the ‘Tower of London’ and ‘Volante’ features.

While these designs may be Keren’s favourite wrappers, perhaps the most significant one pictures two birds with the word ‘sinfonia’ etched multiple times around the centrepiece. Keren says that the little birds have been deliberately used as inspiration for a ‘floral design’.

The textiler also claims that the shape of the lemon images and road signs on various wrappers have influenced her work.

This kind of authentic inspiration leads to questions about where young people today find their motivation when entering creative industries.

Unique

Across

6 Its capital is Gaborone (8)

8 New stocks (1,1,2)

9 Hallucinating (6,6)

10 Asian magician (6)

12 Adapt looter adapted (6)

14 Old king who died young (3)

15 Web designer (6)

16 They may be shod (6)

17 Of equal extent (12)

20 Inevitable consequence of dining out (4)

21 Light and delicate (8)

Down

1 Average men (4)

2 Highly regarded (8)

3 Something most visitors go through (4,8)

4 Iconic small car (4)

5 Mammal able to kill poisonous snakes (8)

7 Father got hut demolished for an annexe (12)

11 Mesmer’s field (8)

13 Not quite a full house (3,5)

18 Grain prepared for brewing (4)

19 Shorter than eons but longer than periods (4)

Not just for how they looked but because she also ‘liked the feel of the tissue’.

from an early age as she mentions a ‘little denim jacket’ that she once had, on which she would sew small stop signs.

She found a similar design on one of those

Keren believes aspiring designers ‘probably get their inspiration online’, from Pinterest or Instagram, for She claims that, due to the platforms’ algorithms, those looking for designs online will encounter similar results ‘time and time

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, again’, limiting originality. Whereas, “if you have an authentic collection like this… you are getting im -

INSPIRATION: The Sinfonia wrapper, which she discovered discarded as a child, influenced Keren’s floral designs

LA CULTURA

Big debut

ROSALIA will appear in the third season of hit US TV show, Euphoria, it has been announced.

The Spanish singer will star alongside series regulars like Zendaya and other special guests including superbowl champion Marshawn Lynch.

Filming will begin this week, some three years after the release of the second season by HBO.

Emmy

It follows the lives of high school students and their problems with drugs, sex and violence, gaining international acclaim and amassing 25 Emmy nominations.

Despite this, rumours the series had been cancelled swirled after multiple setbacks provoked by the Hollywood writer’s strike and unavailability of the actors involved.

agery that you cannot get else where”.

Keren encourages young de signers ‘to get off-line’ and en gage with physical objects such as old books they can find or to be on the lookout for inspiration when travelling.

Beyond their creative val ue, collections like hers offer a chance to dis connect from the pres sures of everyday life.

HANDSOME CHEQUE

Cape belonging to historic - and tragic - Andalucian bullfighter sells for €5,000

A CAPE belonging to a legendary Spanish torero who died in one of bullfighting’s most tragic deaths has been sold for €5,000 by its owner, who needed to fund medical treatment.

The artefact carries particular significance as it belonged to a man whose death in 1984 shocked Spain and changed

A SPANISH short film about ‘empty Spain’ lost out at the BAFTAs last week.

The eight-minute stop motion picture Adios narrates a father’s struggle as his son moves abroad from rural Spain.

By Michael Coy

the trajectory of a bullfighting dynasty.

Francisco ‘Paquirri’ Rivera, once considered the most handsome man in Andalucia, met his fate in the small town of Pozoblanco – with inadequate medical facilities

The film, by Jose Prats, who has worked with animation giants like Aardman and Warner Brothers, was recognised for its ‘emotional depth and detailed visuals’.

– during what should have been a routine late-season appearance.

The circumstances surrounding his death raised questions that persist to this day.

Since penicillin was intro duced in the 1940s, hardly any toreros have lost their lives to bulls.

TRAGIC: The cape of a legendary torero was sold for just €5,000

but the ambulance changed direction and rushed him to a nearer military hospital - to no avail.

The tragedy left behind two young sons who would follow in their father's footsteps.

Hobbies such as scrapbooking and collecting may seem trivial to some, but these activities

Despite this, it lost to Wander to Wonder by Nina Gantz, which follows what happens when two children’s TV stars are left behind after their creator dies.

ity and a meaningful way to pass the time.

For Keren, the nostalgic value of her fruit wrappers is equally important.

They remind her of her childhood travels and the fond memories she made along

But Paquirri was as signed to face a bull named Avispero through an unex plained change in the traditional drawing of lots, which managed to gore him.

The bullfighter was losing so much blood that it was decided to transfer him to a hospital in Cordoba city,

The younger son, Cayetano Rivera Ordoñez, himself a renowned torero, had no clue about the sale of his father’s cape until journalists approached him and told him.

He was so surprised that the woman, who had originally been given it as a gift by Paquirri, had chosen to sell it that he refused to make any comment.

the way. Her collection is not just a source of creative inspiration but a tangible link to a simpler, more vibrant time in her life.

MADRID’s El Prado museum will bring together eight El Greco paintings in a never before seen exhibition. The artworks were commissioned for the Monasterio de Santo Domingo el Antiguo, Toledo and will be on display until June 15.

Brought to Madrid from all over the world, the ‘extraordinary’ paintings will be shown in the cen tral gallery of the Villanueva build ing.

The paintings come from as far and wide as Chicago with the support of the Fundacion Amigos del Museo del Prado

Must see in Madrid Bye BAFTA

LOOK AROUND: Keren urges young designers to seek inspiration in their everyday lives

17 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

Scan to find out more

Ciao GREEN HEART

CHOCOLATE is becoming more expensive and less available thanks to climate change, a study has found.

US research group Climate Central found increasing temperatures are making the sweet treat’s main ingredient, cocoa, more difficult to grow. Over the past ten years, farmers have found that they can’t grow the year-round crop for three weeks of the year due to higher temperatures. This can also lead to a reduction in the quality of the harvest.

A separate report from UK charity Christian Aid suggested this is having a negative effect on cocoa farmers.

KNOCK IT DOWN! chocolate!

Working with water

The solutions to Spain’s drying-out rivers are not ‘crazy rocket science’ explains Leeds-based professor

A LEADING ecologist has set out to save Spain’s dwindling river systems from the twin threat of climate change and excessive demands on water consumption.

Julia Martin Ortega (left), a professor of ecological economics at the University of Leeds, has warned that rising tem-

THE JUNTA will meet with the central government on March 4 to discuss the demolition of the illegally-built, 24-storey Algarrobico hotel in Almeria.

The Andalucian government will be looking for a ‘quick, realistic and effective’ solution to the 20-year Cabo de Gata eyesore.

Carboneras Council will also be involved in the talks, following the Junta’s request in March 2024 that they reclassify the land as protected natural park land.

“We need dialogue, realism and pragmatism,” Junta spokesperson Carolina España said.

EXCLUSIVE

By Yzabelle Bostyn

peratures are causing ‘intense river dryness’ across parts of the country.

But the academic says her solutions to this ‘intense dryness’ are not ‘crazy rocket science’. They include creating more shade near rivers to cool down waterways, clearing forest to prevent fires and switching to less water-intensive crop farming.

“The natural system is disrupted and unbalanced, so to fix it we need to work with it,” Ortega, 45, told the Olive Press

One river that has been particularly affected has been the Rio Genal in Ronda, which flows through a number of villages, including Genalguacil, Jubri-

que, and Benarraba, before eventually joining the Río Guadiaro near Casares.

The Genal has been hit with longer dry spells in an increasing number of areas, according to Ortega, with knock-on effects for the local biodiversity and community.

The Sevilla native academic is part of an international study known as ‘DRYvER’, which has been studying rivers across Europe for the past five years,

measuring the effects of global warming.

“While it is normal for rivers to dry over the summer, this process is now starting earlier, finishing later and spreading,” she said.

“Patterns of river dryness are intensifying in Spain due to climate change and water use. It’s only going to get worse.”

Some of the consequences of these effects are that

Don’t bite back

AMERICAN companies in Spain have reminded a Trump administration planning to slap tariffs on the EU that the US has a trade surplus with Spain. The American Chamber of Commerce in Spain sent a letter to the US stressing Spain imports more from the US than it exports. It comes after Trump claimed he was considering setting reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose import duties on US products.

“We call for dialogue and the search for consensual solutions that avoid trade retaliation and reduce uncertainty for companies and workers on both sides of the Atlantic,” the chamber ruled.

they rob species of their habitats, flooding becomes more intense and the likelihood of forest fires goes up.

The lack of water also has a profound effect on local communities, Ortega warns – some residents even lamented the loss of their connection to the river during workshops.

Identity

“It affects them deeply because they have less opportunities to connect with the river, where they used to spend time with their families and nature. They lose this sense of identity and cultural cohesion,” she said.

“People really care about the issue but there’s not enough knowledge, we need more awareness so that people can take action.”

This may also have an economic impact, with tourist activities in the waterways limited and a lack of water for agriculture.

THE SPANISH government has called on the EU to protect green financial policies over fears they will be scaled back in the pursuit of ‘simplification’. It likened the changes to ‘open heart surgery’ and urged ‘surgical precision’ to avoid the collapse of EU green policy.

“Achieving our climate targets and strengthening the green agenda will go a long way towards reinforcing the competitiveness of the European Union,” said the letter, signed by the ecology minister Sara Aagesen. It comes after calls from businesses to reduce red tape that requires investments to be climate friendly. The ‘unprecedented simplification’ process aims to reduce the administrative burden by 25% for all businesses and 35% for SMEs. Brussels will present the first phase of the amendments on February 26.

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Hotel hotspot

Spain’s accomodation sector received the most investment in Europe in 2024, beating the UK

SPAIN has cemented its position as Europe’s hottest hotel investment market after €3.3 billion poured into the sector during 2024. Although down slightly from 2023’s €4 billion, it was still enough to beat competition from the UK into second place. Madrid and Barcelona remained key players, securing €589 million and €572 million respectively, but it’s the country’s secondary cities that are increasingly catching investors’ eyes, according to consul-

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

Across: 6 Botswana, 8 I P Os, 9 Seeing things, 10 Shaman, 12 Retool, 14 Tut, 15 Spider, 16 Hooves, 17 Commensurate, 20 Bill, 21 Ethereal.

Down: 1 Joes, 2 Esteemed, 3 Main entrance, 4 Mini, 5 Mongoose, 7 Afterthought, 11 Hypnosis, 13 Two pairs, 18 Malt, 19 Eras.

By Walter Finch

tancy firm Christie & Co.

The Balearic Islands emerged as a particular powerhouse, attracting €679 million in investment, outperforming the Canary Islands’ €598 million.

This surge in island investment highlights the growing appetite for premium holiday destinations among international tourists and investors alike, with foreign

investors accounting for 40% of all deals.

“We’re seeing a significant shift in focus,” explained Alberto Martin of Christie & Co.

“While Madrid and Barcelona continue to attract investment, secondary cities are becoming the new hotspots for investors looking for promising repositioning opportunities.”

The luxury sector dominated the market, with four and five-star properties accounting for 70% of all room transactions, reflecting a post-pandemic shift towards upmarket accommodations. Several headline-grabbing deals marked 2024, including the €200 million acquisition of Madrid’s Miguel Angel Hotel (pictured) by Stoneweg and Lopesan, while the

prestigious Six Senses Ibiza changed hands in another major transaction.

Looking ahead to 2025, experts predict investment levels will remain robust, staying above the €3 billion mark.

Opportunities

Secondary cities and island destinations are expected to lead the charge, offering fresh opportunities for growth in Spain’s flourishing hospitality sector.

For potential investors and property watchers, the trend towards individual asset purchases, which made up 75% of all transactions, suggests a market increasingly accessible to family firms and private investors, rather than just large corporate players.

Eastern promise

SURGING investment from China is fueling the rapid growth in specialised law firms that employ Chinese-speaking lawyers in Spain.

The Chinese Law Association in Spain claims there has been a significant increase in legal firms catering to Chinese clients, particularly those advising on investments in strategic sectors.

The association estimates approximately 50 specialised firms now operate in this niche market.

This trend corresponds with China’s position as Spain’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching €51.8 billion. Chinese investors are particularly active in renewable energy and electric vehicle manufacturing, attracted by Spain’s climate, infrastructure, and favorable geopolitical position.

Major Chinese investments include a €4.1 billion joint venture between automaker Stellantis and Chinese battery manufacturer CATL to build one of Spain’s largest electric vehicle battery plants in Zaragoza.

Last summer, Chinese legal giant Grandall Law opened an office in Madrid, having previously operated through local partners. Experts have noted that Chinese investors also value Spain as a gateway to North African and Latin American markets.

BONANZA: Spain’s hotel sector recieved €3.3bn in investment last year

DRY: Ecologists in action from Leeds doing hydrology studies in the Genal Valley

PARCHED: Rio Genal in Ronda is suffering from increased dryness

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

‘Costs more than the flight!’

PUNTERS have expressed their shock after spending ‘more on breakfast than their flight’ at a new Malaga Airport cafe.

TikTokers Carliyo and Natalia Palacios were shocked when they tried Madrid three-star chef Dabiz Muñoz’s Hungry Club The pair suspected prices would be high before even looking at the menu, knowing the world-renowned chef’s fame. They soon got a wake up call when they realised breakfast cost them a whopping €36.50.

Natalia ordered a ‘posh’ ham and cheese toastie, totalling €15.40.

Meanwhile, Carliyo went for a stracciatella and pesto sandwich clocking in at €16.50.

“It looks great, but the truth is this is costing us more than the flight,” Carliyo exclaimed.

“Yeah and the uber!” Natalia agreed.

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

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CALM DOWN RYAN

THE boss of Spain’s airport operator, Aena, says he’s happy to meet with his Ryanair counterpart so long as he ‘calms down’ over the current dispute over regional airport taxes and big fines.

Maurici Lucena said that stunts by Ryanair chief, Michael O’Leary, like appearing with a clown dressed as Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy achieved nothing.

Lucena said: “We are waiting for them with open arms if they calm down and return to treating everyone normally and respectfully.”

He added that Ryanair should look at how it conducts relations with institutions and that the Spanish government ‘deserves respect’.

But Lucena also praised the Irish carrier for its ‘operational excellence and for pioneering cheap air travel.

AIRBNB STEPS UP

Agreement signed between Ibiza and Airbnb to take down illegal tourist apartments and block offenders from the platform

IBIZA council and Airbnb have signed a ‘historic’ agreement to remove illegal tourist accommodation from the platform. The ‘pioneering’ plan will remove ‘flagrantly’ illegal properties from the website, including caravans, tents, yurts and boats. The agreement means properties will be taken down ‘with - out discussion or appeal’ in order to prevent costly legal delays. In the first 15 days of the operation, over 300 adverts

HEALTH

Chocs away!

A LEADING Spanish scientist has revealed chocolate can help you live to a century.

Endocrinologist Florence Comite, who says dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, a type of antioxidant that fights cell aging. She eats the chocolate everyday, backed by numerous studies showing a link between cacao and lowered risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Dark chocolate can help improve blood pressure, blood circulation and the elasticity of blood vessels. It can also reduce LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol and increase HDL, or ‘good’ cholesterol. However, to achieve this desirable outcome, the chocolate consumed must have a high cacao percentage, ranging from 70-90%.

By Yzabelle Bostyn

have been taken down and Airbnb users who violate the law will also face being blocked from the platform. In Ibiza, there are 100 open cases, which is expected to reach over 200 with the introduction of new measures.

The agreement has been signed by Ibiza council leader, Vicent Mari and Spanish Airbnb director, Jaime Rodriguez de Santiago.

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Other entities have also been involved in the talks, including the Ibiza Tourist Accommodation Association (AVAT), the Ibiza and Formentera Hotelier Federation (FEHIF) and the Ibiza Tourism Board.

“Airbnb has chosen Ibiza to establish their fight against the intrusion of tourist

NUMBERED: Illegal Airbnbs in Ibiza could finally become a thing of the past

flats,” Mari said. “The island is small but a big player in Spain’s tourism industry.”

Meanwhile Santiago has expressed his wish that Ibiza be the ‘first of many’ councils to collaborate with Airbnb.

“This is the start of a long relationship,” he said.

BABY MAKERS

THE rate at which people are procreating in Spain has gone up for the first time in a decade.

A total of 322,034 babies were born across the country in 2024, which was a modest 0.4% bump (1,378 more) on births compared to 2023. The rise, small as it is, marks a turning point after ten consecutive years of declining birth rates – although the preliminary figures could be revised and eliminate the good news.

Experts reason that the birth rate bump has been driven by rising net migration to Spain. "If fertility decreases but birth rates increase, it means the fertile population is growing,” explained Albert Esteve, director of the Center for De-

Spain’s birth rate increased for the first time in a decade in 2024 thanks to net migration

By Walter Finch

mographic Studies at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

“And the only way to in crease the fertile pop ulation is through immigration."

Spain offset its low fertility rate of just 1.4 babies per woman in 2023 by welcoming net migration of

THE SPANISH consumer watchdog (OCU) has issued a warning about eating chickpeas and other legumes without cooking them.

Uncooked chickpeas can interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients such as minerals and proteins. While not dangerous, OCU recommends cooking, boiling, sprouting or soaking chickpeas to remove the undesired-nutrients they contain, such as phytic acid. This also makes chickpeas more tender and easier to digest. However, it is worth noting that anti-nutrients have some benefits including protecting against insulin resistance and serving as an antioxidant.

642,296 people – among the highest immigration rates in Europe.

Regional variations were significant. Cantabria (13.3%) and the Balearic Islands (5.7%) recorded the highest increases in births, while Galicia (-4.4%) and the Basque Country (-3.7%) saw the sharpest declines. Only five regions achieved positive population growth: Madrid, Murcia, the Balearics, Melilla, and Ceuta.

The data also exposed Spain's continuing trend toward later motherhood.

Births to mothers aged 40 or older have increased by 8.5% over the past decade, now representing 10.4% of all births compared to just 7.2% in 2014.

A recent CIS (Center for Sociological Research) study identified economic constraints, work-life balance challenges, and housing costs as the primary barriers to family formation in Spain. Over 77% of respondents cited ‘lack of economic means’ as the main reason for having

fewer children. Even with this slight recovery, birth rates remain 24.7% lower than a decade ago, going to showing the demographic challenges Spain continues to face.

SPAIN’S wine exports grew in value last year but volumes fell, according to industry figures.

Exports increased in value by 1.4% to €2.98 billion last year, although the rise came as volumes slid 5% to around 1.9 billion litres.

The figures mark ‘the second best year’ for Spain in terms of the value of its wine exports – only bested in 2022. In 2024, the UK was the main market for Spanish bottled wines in terms of value and volume.

More than 98.8 million litres of Rioja was exported last year- up 4.4% on 2023.

Heart healthy

A SPANISH cardiologist has revealed the best time to drink coffee for your heart health.

According to Aurelio Rojas: “People who only drink coffee in the mornings have better life expectancy and are less likely to have heart attacks.” A European Heart Journal showed drinking coffee exclusively in the morning reduces cardiovascular illnesses by 31% and premature death by 17%.

“However, if you drink it all day, those benefits disappear because it can affect your circadian rhythm, increase the risk of inflammation and provoke high blood pressure,” he warned.

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Dr.Mónica Bonet – University of Barcelona Dr. Alex Kerkoc – U.I.C Barcelona Susan Taylor-Vickers – BSc, EDH Mercadona Centre, Son Caliu, Palma Nova

Doped on duty

A TRIO of Malaga police officers have been hospitalised after accidentally eating drug-laced sweets that they confiscated from a Fuengirola cannabis club.

Spidey scare

A PILOT with a spider allergy was bitten by a tarantula mid-flight between Dusseldorf and Madrid. The plane landed safely and the pilot was treated with anti-inflammatory medicine.

Tangled web

A CADIZ man, 36, has been fined for faking his own kidnapping to get out of paying €400,000 for a luxury flat he committed to buying to ‘prove’ he had won the lottery –which he had not.

NARCO NOUS

Secret tunnel between Spain and Morocco uncovered – but this one used to smuggle drugs

A TEAM of engineering specialists from Spain and Germany studying the feasibility of digging a tunnel to Morocco have been beaten to it. Commonly believed to be the engineering feat of the century, it turns out a mafia of enterprising narco traffickers dug one several years ago. Of course, theirs doesn’t connect two continental shelves

EXCLUSIVE

By Laurence Dollimore

under the Strait of Gibraltar. Instead, it runs between Morocco and the north African Spanish territory of Ceuta. Images show how the entry hole was built into the floor of a warehouse, before being hidden by a metal manhole covering, which opens up to reveal a

Toothy tourism

A NEW York architect has allegedly saved thousands by flying to Barcelona for emergency dental treatment.

David, who bought €428 return tickets to the Catalan capital just five hours before the flight, had three back to back appointments with an

series of ladders. These gave way to ‘a cavity approximately 12 metres deep,’

operation for a total of €333. The dentist diagnosed him with nerve cell necrosis from an infection. David then underwent four tooth reconstructions, totalling €361 at a Vitaldent clinic, coming to a grand total of €1,123. When compared to the cost of dentistry in the Big Apple – €4,200 – the enterprising architect saved himself over three grand.

according to the Guardia Civil in a statement. It continued: “It led to an underground gallery propped up with wood that runs towards the border, which would have been used to transport drugs between Morocco and Spain."

Water Repellents, Paints and Coatings

NOSES IN THE TROUGH: Two Guardia were arrested over drugs tunnel

The authorities, unable to explain how such large quantities of drugs were entering Ceuta, had long been searching for the entry route, according to local reports.

The Guardia Civil added: "This is the third phase of the so-called 'HADES' operation, in which 14 arrests have been made in the last three weeks, two of them Guardia Civil officers. "These arrests are related to the seizure of three trucks that were hiding more than six tonnes of hashish in hidden compartments."

A GOAT had to be saved from a fifth-floor windowsill in Madrid, leaving rescuers dumbfounded as to how it got up there. Emergency services were alerted by a concerned neighbour who had noticed the sight of the animal trapped 20 metres above street level. The goat, perched on the overhang in Villaverde district, was at risk of falling to not just to its own bizarre death, but potentially the even more bizarre ending for anyone walking below. Most bizarrely of all, the building, has been ‘empty for some time’ according to neighbours. It is so far unknown who owns the goat nor how it got there, with one local woman exclaiming that it ‘came from heaven’.

Damn the gram

ANOTHER self-seeking daredevil has been hit with a fine for climbing up 25 metres onto a famous monument ‘for the gram.’ Emergency services quickly attended the scene at the old Roman aqueduct in Segovia, fearing the man might be preparing to throw himself off. After coming down to the assembled Policia Local and being identified, the man was hit with a fine that could be as high as €3,000.

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