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30 April 2007

Guernica Commemorates 70th Anniversary of Bombing

The bombing of the Spanish town of Guernica by Luftwaffe bombers was commemorated this week. At 4.40pm on 26 April 1937 the bustling market town was attacked by German and Italian planes during the Spanish Civil War. Guernica is regarded as the first European town where the civilian population was bombarded systematically in a form of modern warfare. About 80% of the buildings were destroyed and hundreds of people killed and injured. In response to the atrocity Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso, painted his famous work Guernica, which has come to symbolise the barbarity of war.

El Bulli is World's Best Restaurant for the Third Time!

This restaurant made famous for its surrealist dishes and the real difficulty of booking a table there, has been voted the world's best restaurant.......again. Owned by Spanish cook Ferran Adria, it won the prestigious title awarded by Restaurant magazine for the third time, the restaurant in Rosas, near Barcelona, won the majority of votes from no less than 651 judges, it has not dipped below third place in the past six years in the respected competition by the gastronomes' bible.

Spain Honours it's Greatest Living Poet

Antonio Gamoneda was awarded the Cervantes Prize for his life's work. Gamoneda said the meaning of his life and work is rooted in poverty, which in a similar way influenced the life story of the author of "Don Quixote," to whom he devoted his speech of gratitude after being awarded the prize. At the University of Alcala de Henares, the Madrid suburb where Cervantes was born, Gamoneda accepted from King Juan Carlos the most prestigious literary award in the Spanish-speaking world, "from poverty through prose, Cervantes is the most important figure in the Spanish language among the creators of modern poetic thought and its expression in words," Gamoneda said.

Alhambra to Host Lorca, Dali and Picasso Exhibition

An exhibition is being organised for March 2008 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of a publication of a cultural magazine in Granada. For the first time, the Alhambra in Granada is to play host to an exhibition of the works of Picasso, Dali and Lorca. The collection is being arranged to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the magazine, Gallo, founded by the Granada poet and other intellectuals, and will open to the public in March 2008. The exhibition will reflect what cultural life was like in a provincial city in Spain in the 20’s, and comes even though the Gallo magazine itself only reached a total of two editions, although material for a third was compiled.

Statue of St George Placed in the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

A bronze statue of Saint George (Sant Jordi in Catalan) has been placed in the Barcelona cathedral on the occasion of the 550th anniversary of the Saint being named Patron of the region. The 3 metre tall statue is the work of Josep Maria Subirachs, who received the order to create works on the Pasion façade of the cathedral some 21 years ago. Sant Jordi was also placed in the Cathedral on St George's Day to mark the 125th anniversary of the foundation stone of the Cathedral being laid last March.

St George's Day in Spain is celebrated in the Cataluna region in particular where the custom is to give a red rose and a book to friends.

Spain Experiences Greatest Increase in Population Due to Immigration

In 2006 the Spanish population increased by 726,100 people to a total of 44.4 million inhabitants. The increase is explained, above all, by the massive arrival of 636,000 immigrants and other 90,000 by the natural growth in the population. This makes Spain the country in the EU with the greatest population increase in 2006. Following Spain, the EU members with the greatest increase were France (450,100), UK (314,000) and Italy (182,100). A total of 8 countries of the EU, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland and Rumania experienced a decrease in their populations.

New Regulations for Spanish Post Office

New regulations for Spain’s post office, Correos, means it will be penalised in the future if deliveries are late. The new rules demand that 93% of letters must be delivered within three days of posting. The plan will see a reduction in the grants paid by the Development Ministry to Correos if targets are not met.

Malaga Regatta

The 6th edition of the City of Malaga/Costa del Sol Regatta takes place this weekend between 26th and 29th April at Malaga's port. It is organised by the Royal Mediterranean Club of Malaga.

Hommage Apassionata Horse Spectacular

The spectacular equestrian event Apassionata will take place today, Saturday 28th April, at Malaga's Jose Maria Martin Carpena Sports Centre. There are two performances, 5.30 pm and 9.30 pm. Tickets from 18 to 55 Euros available through El Cortes Ingles ticket sales.

Malaga to Celebrate National Day of Internet

The Department of Innovation, Science and Business and the Association of Internet users (AUI) will celebrate "diadeinternet" on 17th May. It is expected that countries from Latin-America will participate in the "diadeinternet" including Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain and Mexico.

Lie-detector Tests Offered by Malaga Company

A new company based in Malaga, Omnis, has been launched to offer lie-detector tests to anyone willing to pay 700 Euros. The service is aimed at companies wanting to use the polygraph testing as part of their screening process for job applicants, as well as at individuals looking to settle domestic disputes or other private matters, according to Omnis’ management. Omnis believes that people wanting to know the truth will make polygraph testing a booming business and it already has plans to expand its operations to Madrid and Barcelona. The test takes approximately two hours.

Zapatero in Malaga Next Week

To assist in the attempt to win the post of Mayor of Malaga, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the President of the Government of Spain, will be in Malaga on Wednesday 2nd May to lend his support to Marisa Bustinduy, the PSOE candidate for Mayor. Following a rally in a hotel in Malaga, Zapatero will then proceed to Marbella to support Paulino Plata in his bid for Mayor of Marbella accompanied by the President of the Junta de Andalucia, Manual Chaves.

Bicycle Hire Available in Malaga from May 2007

To promote eco-friendly transport in the centre of the city, the Ayuntamiento of Malaga has arranged a pilot scheme of low-cost bike hire to take place during May. The project will start with 25 bikes, located in two bases, the Plaza de la Mariana and Plaza de Uncibay. The bikes are a standard model from the company, Cemusa, with 3 speeds, front and rear brakes, automatic front and rear lighting, non-slip pedals and adjustable seats. Rates will be first half an hour free followed by 50 centimos for the first hour and then 1 Euro per hour thereafter. The bikes will be available from 7.30am to 8.00pm from April to October and 8.00am to 6.00pm the rest of the year.

Guadalhorce Area Predicts Doubling of Economic Activity in Next 8 Years

A new study predicts that over the next 8 years the economic activity of the Guadalhorce Valley will double. This could provide 3,000 more businesses and 10,000 jobs. The expansion will involve 1200 hectares of industrial land, improvements in communications, a possible supply of natural gas to the area and an improvement in broadband telecommunications.

Reproduction of Arab Arch to Adorn New Roundabout

The famous Arab arch of Alora's castle is to be replicated on the new roundabout at the crossroads of the Fuente de la Mania. The Mayor of Alora, Jose Sanchez Moreno, announced that the arch will be of granite and be imported from China. The arch will be 5 metres high and approximately 5 metres wide and will form part of the decorative aspect of the roundabout which is due to be completed by the end of June.

Day of the Virgen de la Cabeza

Tomorrow, Sunday 29th April, a mass and procession will take place at the Ermita de Santa Brigida (Barriada de la Estacion) at 7.30 pm in honour of the Virgen de la Cabeza. There will be buses from Alora (leaving from the Cervantes Theatre) at 7.00pm, 8.00pm and 9.00pm returning to Alora at 8.30pm, 9.30pm and 10.30pm.

New Library for Pizarra

Pizarra's new public library opened for the first time on Monday 23rd April. The Maria Zambrano library is on the top floor of the multi-purpose building which also houses the health centre. Inside the library, multi-media room and children's area there is a collection of around 10,000 books available for lending as well as games, films and six computers adapted for disabled use. The building work and furnishings have cost nearly 200,000 Euros and the project has taken four years.

May Day Bank Holiday

Tuesday 1st May is a public holiday in Spain and internationally. In Spain it is called Dia del Trabajador (Day of the Worker). The DGT Spanish traffic authority said it expects 8.2 million journeys to be taken on the roads of Spain over the bank holiday weekend.

Malaga 2 - 0 Elche

A vital victory for Malaga keeps them two points clear of the relegation zone. Malaga play Salamanca tomorrow, Sunday 29th April, kick off at 6.00pm. Next week's game is also away, this time in Madrid against RM Castilla.

Tennis Barcelona Open

Rafael Nadal extended his unbeaten run on clay to 70 matches and advanced to the semi-finals of the Open Seat Godo by beating Potito Starace of Italy 6-2, 7-5 yesterday, Friday 27th April. Spain's David Ferrer also beat David Nalbandian 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 for a place in the semi-finals. Nadal and Ferrer will now face each other for a place in the final.

Stuart Little One Shot Ahead in Spanish Open

Stuart Little retained his one-shot lead in the Spanish Open in Madrid after the first half of the field completed their second rounds. Little, on eight-under (136), led overnight and the leader board had not changed when the remaining players began their second rounds. Nearly 10 hours have been lost to bad weather but the tournament is still scheduled to be decided over 72 holes.

Desafio Espanol has Good Day in Americas Cup

The Spanish boat, Desafio Espanol is now joint third in the classification; a second double win in the America's Cup for the team. The wins were against United Internet Team Germany and Victory Challenge. The Spanish are now ahead of Mancelona Latino in the provisional rankings and joint third with Luna Rosa, with two more regattas to go in the first round where each boat faces each other.

This news was written and contributed by 1Casa.

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