Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain and impossible to ignore – Agatha Ruiz de la Prada’s world of colour has landed in Benalmadena Her free exhibition is now open at the Centro de Exposiciones and runs until 19 September 2025 The Spanish designer, known for her playful shapes and loud prints, blurs the line between fashion and art. Her creations feel more like sculptures than clothes, and that’s precisely why they’re in a gallery From oversized hearts to star-shaped gowns every piece on display is full of fun and creativity Agatha first made her mark in Madrid in the 1980s during the famous Movida Madrileña a time when Spain’s art and fashion scene exploded with new energy she’s become one of Spain’s most iconic designers and a great way to spend an afternoon in Benalmadena The Centro de Exposiciones is located on Avenida Antonio Machado and is open Tuesday to Saturday Don’t miss your chance to see the world through Agatha Ruiz de la Prada’s eyes – it’s bold and like nothing else you’ll find on the coast Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Website#e0b2f77cf7882ed690bf57e9{display:none} Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish Atom Egoyan with his "Ciudad de Benalmádena" Cinematography Award at the 2024 Benalmádena International Film Festival in Spain The 23rd annual Benalmádena International Film Festival (FICCAB) paid tribute to Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan who was awarded the “Ciudad de Benalmádena” Cinematography Award on Saturday at the festival’s opening ceremony held in Spain Egoyan was honored alongside director José Antonio Hergueta from Malaga In attendance was the Mayor of Benalmádena as well as a number of other dignitaries and guests which focuses on alternative productions and short films recognized Egoyan for his avant-garde approach and complex narratives Known for films such as “The Sweet Hereafter” (1997) and “Ararat” (2002) Egoyan emerged in the 1980s as part of the Toronto New Wave and leapt to fame with “Exotica,” a film set in a strip club on the outskirts of Toronto He has previously been nominated for two Oscars and has won various awards at international film festivals attendees had the opportunity to watch a screening of “Exotica,” officially kicking off the 23rd annual FICCAB The festival will also feature screenings of Egoyan’s “Remember” (2015) © 2021 Asbarez | All Rights Reserved | Powered By MSDN Solutions Inc © 2021 Asbarez | All Rights Reserved | Powered By MSDN Solutions Inc. Home » Costa del Sol News » Demolition Of Benalmadena Steamboat Begins Demolition Of Benalmadena Steamboat Begins The landmark steamboat in Benalmadena marina is being scrapped after years of neglect Work has begun to scrap the legendary and historic Willow steamboat in Benalmadena marina.  Earlier this week demolition work got underway as the boat is being scrapped after years of neglect.  The paddle steamer has been derelict since its owners went bankrupt in 1998, and began sinking following a storm in 2019 Heavy machinery including a hydraulic claw is now dismantling Willow The demolition has been ordered by the town hall Pedestrian walkways around the vessel have been closed and security are monitoring the site to prevent sourvenir hunters and curious visitors from trespassing Willow’s bell is being donated to The Brotherhood of the Virgen del Rocío de Benalmádena Willow’s bell is being donated to the Brotherhood of the Virgen del Rocío de Benalmádena who will restore it and install it in the bell tower of their main building The wood and metal removed from the boat will be sent for recycling A photo of Willlow in service on the Mississippi Willow is 65 feet abreast and 200 feet long The huge steamer was originally used by the lighthouse service on the Mississippi where she remained in service until a collision in 1944 brought her work on the river to an end The was then used by the US Army Corps of Engineers as an accommodation boat In 1962 Willow was moved to Florida where she lay derelict until a British company transported her to Belgium for refurbishment in the early 1990s When the Belgian company went out of business the partially restored vessel was taken to Birkenhead before being moved to Spain in 1996 Willow began to sink after a storm in 2019 Willow was operating as a restaurant and entertainment venue but in 1998 her owners went out of business with plans to scrap the sinking steamboat announced last year Written by Dave James Keep up to date with all the latest news from the Costa del Sol with the coast’s official English speaking radio station Some recent headlines from the Costa del Sol. See all the 93.6 Global Radio News Torremolinos has inaugurated a new therapy care programme in the Nilo space (El Rinconcito de Nilo) located in the Los Pinares special employment centre people with disabilities and children to improve their integration through workshops and activities that facilitate interaction between animals and people This project is organised by the town hall and the Nilo foundation an organisation that carries out its work through therapy education and activities that promote development and the improvement of the quality of life of all those who need it The launching of the project was attended by the president of the Nilo foundation who described it as “a beautiful project that combines a series of elements that make it unique" The foundation also invited pupils from the La Paz Mar Argentea and Los Manantiales schools to help them understand that living or interacting with a pet can contribute to improving quality of life especially in terms of mental and social well-being There are animals that reveal themselves to us as true companions and friends in difficult times have a great sensitivity to those people who need special attention," the mayor said The Nilo project runs animal-assisted therapy programmes in several centres for the elderly the foundation works on environmental education raising awareness among students about the responsibility of having a pet and promoting animal welfare through positive canine education Comentar es una ventaja exclusiva para registrados and Mami Curl and Company are all playing the three-day Harley-Davidson Club meet in Arroyo de la Miel As if the poor residents of Arroyo de la Miel didn’t have it bad enough with the racket caused by the constant buzz of Uber Eats mopeds whipping around all day and night, now the noise-beleaguered neighbours of Benalmadena will have to put up with three days of the roar and rumble of Harleys rolling through their barrio Those who attend the event will not only enjoy live music but also the Harley Davidson motorcycle exhibitions at the fairgrounds as well as other vehicles to enjoy with family and friends throughout the weekend In 2024, the Harley show packed out, with Harley-Davidson clubs from all over the country and crowds enjoying the early days of spring The parks and gardens councillor of Benalmádena town hall visited the finalisation of the work that has been carried out in the playground of Parque La Paloma modernised and improved to ensure the safety of the children who use the facilities The councillor said the work involved the installation of “a new floor where cheerful colours predominate” adding that the council has chosen "to increase the attractions for the little ones with a slide and climbing apparatus "We continue with work on a daily basis in order to improve the image of the emblematic areas of the town because these spaces are for the benefit and enjoyment of our residents and visitors," he said Olea explained that the park has also undergone several actions in time for the start of the summer season Hollywood star Danny DeVito was once asked at a press conference in Madrid what he thought of the city ‘It’ll look great once they find the treasure!’ quipping about the amount of roadworks and digging that was going on around it seems it’s Benalmadena’s turn for non-stop road works this year with the municipal water company taking picks and shovels to the centre of town in readiness for the summer rush The town has long suffered leaks and the water supply being cut off and now the council has decided it’s time to update the pipes work will also progress on Calle Sagitario to minimise disruptions to the broader Gamonal project The renovation includes replacing 150 metres of piping on Calle Zodiaco leave plenty of time for navigating these central areas of town through May as it is hoped works will be completed by June Website#ibb36d0c5212286b13816463{display:none} the power at the Selwo Marina animal park in Benalmádena went out at 12.30pm on Monday The park's management team activated the emergency systems especially bearing in mind that one of the popular inhabitants there are the penguins Selwo Marina is home to the only penguinarium in Andalucía The site requires specific care to guarantee the wellbeing of the 44 penguins of different species that live there The filtration of the Isla de Hielo (Ice Island) are key to keeping the place in optimal conditions "We were prepared - we have a generator that provides service to critical areas," said Selwo Marina's director Alberto Martín they managed to keep the park running quite normally "You always have the fear that the blackout could last longer for which it would have been necessary to look for more supply but we were calm because we knew it would not go beyond 24 hours" The park was open all day and continued receiving visitors The same happened at Selwo Aventura in Estepona seeing as all the animals are outdoors and their everyday life does not require specific conditions dependent on electricity including those that had booked three cabins in the hotel within the premises of the zoo "We warned guests that there was no electricity in case they wanted to change their bookings but they all decided to keep their accommodation," said Martín Benalmádena is gearing up for one of the biggest blowouts of the year – Carnival 2025 unfiltered joy as revellers take to the streets in honour of tradition and fun with the highly anticipated opening speech delivered by local favourite Antonio García – a well-known figure in the carnival scene and a member of Orquesta Esencia The speech will set the tone for the festivities at the buzzing Plaza de la Mezquita where carnival-goers can also tuck into the much-loved Mejillonada (a mussel feast) while enjoying performances from lively carnival troupes Benalmádena Pueblo will see a flurry of feathers and sequins as the Carnival Parade sets off at 5 PM from Plaza de las Tres Culturas and the infectious energy of hundreds of participants The parade will wind its way through the old town complete with a performance from Los Papitos and a cheerful prize-giving ceremony as the Plaza de la Mezquita transforms into a carnival playground for the Inter-School Gala and the Seniors’ Carnival Parade showcasing their best costumes and dance moves And what’s a carnival without some serious Spanish flavour Attendees can warm up with a hearty serving of Callos Carnavaleros – a traditional spicy stew that’s as much a part of the carnival as the costumes There will also be a Drag Queen Gala on Friday and performances that will leave jaws on the floor The parade will bring non-stop music and magic to the streets before wrapping up at Plaza de la Mezquita and carnival-goers can dance the night away to the infectious beats of Kalima the cherry on the icing of the cake will be the traditional “Entierro de la Lagartija” – ‘Burial of the Lizard’ – on Sunday,February 23 The traditional symbolic burial of a giant lizard (not a real one,) will wave goodbye to the Benalmadena Carnival until next year This final event is observed with humour and is meant to be about creativity and fun so keep your black suit or dress in the wardrobe please you’ll give ‘guiris‘ a bad name Stay tuned to the Euro Weekly News for more local stories that matter Read more news in English from around Spain Get more Costa del Sol news today Residents and visitors in Benalmádena enjoyed the popular Sabor a Málaga food and drink market which was held in the town for the second consecutive year last weekend The warm temperatures and sunshine attracted a steady flow of visitors to the 'Sabor a Málaga' foodie fair which brought together producers from all over the province More than 30 family-run businesses presented a variety of different products Attendees also enjoyed live cooking demonstrations The town hall said the three-day fair “attracted a full house” again this year and offered “a multitude of activities and products from all over the province” Benalmadena is set to host the Sabor a Malaga fair this weekend at Plaza Adolfo Suarez in Arroyo de la Miel This marks the second consecutive year the town welcomes the popular food and drink market The fair will feature 36 producers from across the province, offering a range of local products, including extra-virgin olive oil Attendees can enjoy a full programme of activities Live music performances are also scheduled featuring the municipal music school’s guitar and piano concert visitors will also find children’s entertainment and a special corner for local sweets and desserts Organised by the Benalmadena Town Hall in collaboration with the Diputacion de Malaga’s Sabor a Malaga brand the fair aims to promote the region’s agri-food sector and support local producers Last year’s edition had an economic impact exceeding €220,000 highlighting the event’s significance for the local economy Whether you’re a food enthusiast or looking for a family-friendly outing the Sabor a Malaga fair offers an excellent opportunity to experience the flavours and culture of the province Website#c743e6cbdd67470fef0827a6{display:none} Hundreds of people with a passion for books visited the 'Letras B' literary festival in Benalmádena last weekend a three-day event that presented renowned authors stands dedicated to local writers and children’s workshops the event included presentations by several literary figures whose books have a specific focus on the reality of trans women; and novelist Silvia Hidalgo winner of the Tusquets award for novels in 2023 The festival also focused on younger readers storytelling and talks by renowned authors of children’s books The event was attended by the delegate in Malaga for tourism culture and sport of the regional government who said that the initiative had “put Benalmádena in the spotlight as the epicentre of culture on the Costa del Sol” “This is a festival that aspires to become like similar ones held in large cities such as Malaga the only one of its kind in the Costa del Sol except for the dedication of its ex-employees taking care of the site the fun fair will reopen completely renovated and somewhat transformed This change is the result of months of negotiations between the council of Benalmadena and the owner, Tremon Group, who are to sign an agreement to revitalise the area of the Costa del Sol Tivoli was the number one major concert stage and the amusement park par excellence on the Costa del Sol and buildings representing the cultural diversity of the town sold the park to businessman Rafael Gómez Sánchez years of legal squabbles began over the payment from Tremen to Sandokán who wanted to recoup some cash from the site The park closed in 2020 declaring itself bankrupt the workers of Tivoli have been campaigning to get the park up and running once more The ‘Ganany,’ a jaw-dropping 21-metre electric catamaran turned heads during its brief stop at Puerto Marina boasting over 200 square metres of living space accommodates eight guests with three crew members Its sleek design and environment-friendly tech featuring foldable sail-like wings that generate energy ‘This catamaran is a marvel, both aesthetically and technologically, built with sustainable materials,’ said Irene Bruzón, Puerto Marina’s operations director. The marina with 1,000 berths for boats up to 35 metres hosted the ‘Ganany’ for a technical stop to comply with regulations requiring a full fuel reserve Sailing from Brittany, France, to Marseille, with a prior stop in Cádiz, the ‘Ganany’ also allowed a passenger transfer, with one guest disembarking and another joining from Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport. During its Mediterranean journey, the crew will be studying posidonia particularly abundant along the Costa del Sol eastern coast Available for charter at the snip of €49,000 for seven nights the ‘Ganany’ follows other notable visitors to Benalmadena like the ‘Nao Victoria’ replica last December Its brief visit left a lasting impression on the marina’s hip nautical scene The popular Festival of Legends cycle of tribute concerts returns to Benalmádena this month with its winter schedule of shows which will take place until the end of March The tribute shows will offer a mixture of rock and roll disco and pop music made famous by some of the greatest performers in the history of music Along with the professionalism of the musicians the concerts stand out for elaborate stage shows that endeavour to recreate the performance of the original artistes all held in the Sala Atlántico of the Hotel Estival Torrequebrada will present the best-known hits of Liverpool's is performed by Malaga band The Silver Beats who have been recreating the fab-four's music for more than two decades Their show consists of some of the band's earlier hits Dressing in the classic Beatle's early-60s-style guitar riffs and solid rhythm recreates the songs from one of modern music's most inspirational eras Those who are more in favour of McCartney's solo music will enjoy the Paul McCartney Tribute Show which will take place the following Sunday (23 February) The concert will include some of the former Beatle's solo hits along with chart-toppers from his time with Wings Future concerts in the series include tributes to Abba (9 March) The Bee Gees (23 March) and Michael Jackson (30 March) All shows start at 6pm (doors open 5pm) and tickets cost 20 euros in advance or 25 euros at the door Tickets can be obtained from the Ruben money exchange outlets and El Corte Inglés, online (www.evenbrite.com) or by phoning 633647260 Benalmádena Pueblo was shaken this week by the murder of Catalina (Lina) who was killed by her ex-partner in the early hours of Sunday allegedly strangled Lina in front of their three young children and set the family home on fire The incident happened at around 5.25am on Sunday who Lina had separated from not long before the incident drove up the road to what had been his home for the past 11 years Augustine hit Lina and then tried to suffocate her by hanging her from the ceiling probably with the intention of framing it as a suicide He did not succeed and ended up strangling her in the presence of their 11-year-old son After killing his wife and attacking his son Augustine covered Lina's body with mattresses and set them on fire He then called 112 to report the fire at the property At the scene his son contradicted his story: "Dad you killed mum," the boy told the emergency services were inside the house near the door and rescued by police Lina's body was recovered after the emergency services had extinguished the flames The only record the police had of Lina's case prior to the murder was from 20 January when an officer convinced her to file a complaint against Augustine The couple were by then in the process of separation; she reported that he had threatened her and taken her phone driven by suspicions that she was being unfaithful and the magistrate declined the restraining order requested by the prosecution as contradictions were found in Lina's statement Augustine appeared in court in Malaga on Tuesday when he claimed to have no recollection of the incident His lawyer requested an examination to determine whether he suffers from a disorder that affects his volitional and intellectual capacities Catalina became the first victim of a gender-based murder in Andalucía and second in Spain in 2025 with vigils and protests against femicide in Benalmádena and Malaga calling for justice and an end to gender-based violence from her first marriage and three children Spanish Indie rock royalty Sexy Sadie are back – but blink and you might miss them a defining force in Spain’s indie scene of the ’90s are making a long-awaited return to the stage for a single unmissable performance on March 8 at the Puerto de Benalmadena this one-off mini-festival will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Lost & Found the album that cemented their place in indie history But that’s not all- the gig also serves as the launch party for Found in Malaga-Sexy Sadie/Lost & Found 20th Anniversary a tribute album where 12 bands from Malaga pay homage to the group with their own spin on Sexy Sadie classics For those who lived and breathed Spanish indie in the ’90s Sexy Sadie were more than just a band – they were a movement Singing in English with the confidence of their British and American counterparts the quartet set the standard for Spanish indie rock they hit their creative peak with Lost & Found (2003) sees a dozen bands from the region reinterpret Sexy Sadie’s biggest hits proving their music is as influential as ever And what better way to mark the occasion than a festival where fans can experience it all live The Sexy Sadie’s Day festival kicks off at 1 PM with a ’90s-style brunch soundtracked by 90Roll setting the scene for a day drenched in nostalgia six of the tribute album’s artists will take the stage delivering their fresh takes on Sexy Sadie’s hits alongside their own material – and it’s all completely free Los Turistas will open with a Spanish adaptation of I Won’t Hurt You WasabiCru bring sultry R&B grooves to A Scratch in My Skin Bauer inject a dose of Beatle-esque magic into Always Drunk blending electronic elements with searing guitar work Scandinavia will make Take From Me explode in all the right ways will add a gospel-infused charm to Forever Is Longer Than the Universe Itself Rubio Americano will close the local lineup with their art-rock reimagining of I Do it’s time for the moment everyone has been waiting for will take to the stage for a one-night-only performance and the only one planned in Andalusia – a rare chance to witness a slice of indie history unfold before your eyes With an atmosphere set to be electric and a crowd packed with fans old and new this promises to be the indie event of the year Sexy Sadie’s Day is the comeback gig no indie lover can afford to miss because this is one trip down memory lane that will be loud Read more news about life in Spain Get more Costa del Sol news The police investigation into the death of 48-year-old Lina in Benalmádena allegedly at the hands of her ex-partner has discovered a history of jealousy When on 20 January a Local Police officer convinced her to file a complaint against her partner had taken her phone away and had threatened to hit her her then husband had accused her of having an affair the police assessed her level of risk as medium and only monitored the situation until her death on 9 February Local Police officers arrived at Calle Álamos 27 in Benalmádena after receiving a call from Augustine It was around 5.25am and the only people they saw were Augustine and his eldest son The man explained to the officers that the house was on fire and that there was a woman inside Sources stated that he did not check where the couple's two young daughters The girls were found at the entrance of the two-storey building and were taken out of the house by the police officers he drove up the road to what had been his home for the past 11 years He apparrently hit Lina with his fist and then tried to suffocate her by hanging her from the ceiling he did not succeed and ended up strangling her in the presence of their eldest son After killing his wife and beating his son Augustine placed several mattresses on top of the body of his ex-wife and set them on fire Firefighters doused the flames and recovered Lina's body which was first taken to a hospital where she was to be checked for internal injuries Augustine appeared in the 3rd court of violence against women in Malaga city on Tuesday 11 February He claimed that he could not remember anything and that he had forgotten everything about the events His lawyer requested that a forensic examination be carried out to determine whether his volitional and intellectual capacities are affected - in other words to assess whether he suffers from some kind of disorder that might inhibit his ability to discern right from wrong with whom she was in the process of separation Augustine had seized her phone and threatened to hit her which assesses the danger that a certain situation poses to victims by means of a series of questions interpreted by a computer algorithm and the people that operate it The magistrate declined the restraining order requested by the prosecution Benalmádena’s Bicycle Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary this Sunday A family-friendly cycling event is being held and expected to draw more than a thousand participants Organised by the Benalmádena City Council’s Sports Department, the festival kicks off at 11:00 am at the Arroyo de la Miel Sports Centre. According to Benalmádena.es, two cycling routes will be available: a children’s course for little ones born between 2020 and 2022, involving 30-minute laps around the athletics track, and an 8.6-kilometre urban route through Arroyo de la Miel and Benalmádena Costa Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian Councillor for Sports Alejandro Carretero said “We expect around a thousand runners to participate in this fun event that combines a good atmosphere and where the most important thing is to have fun.” (Cited by Area Costa del Sol) there is some competition involves as participants are being encouraged to dress up with prizes for the most original costumes and bicycles as well as rewards for the two primary schools with the highest participation Gift raffles will also take place during the event local clubs including UDA Benalmádena and Crazy Legs Skating and community businesses are supporting the celebration of a festival that has become a very important tradition for our municipality.” Find more event information here View all news from the Costa del Sol. The legendary Tivoli amusement park on the Costa del Sol looks set to reopen its doors Benalmádena town hall and Tremón - the real estate group that owns the site - were expected to sign a deal this week Tremón will begin the renovation of the rides and attractions which are currently in a state of disrepair The company has also been allowed to include the building of a leisure and retail facility - its long-held plan for the site - as part of the refurbishment BACKGROUND: Click for more news on the long-running Tivoli saga Further details about the agreement have yet to be revealed What is known is that it comes after months of secret negotiations led by Benalmádena’s mayor amid criticism from the opposition and under growing public pressure for Tivoli to reopen Although this residents’ demand will eventually be met there is still a long way to go before the park’s rides are back in operation The council must first approve an urban development agreement and insert the arrangement into the master town plan (PGOU) While the latter can be approved by the overall majority of the ruling party on the council it may need between one and two years to process after which the long renovation works and construction can begin The investment will exceed 100 million euros and create dozens of jobs in Benalmádena The long-debated deal was due to be signed on Thursday or Friday this week The light at the end of the tunnel first appeared last year when Tremón registered the name the Andalusian high court overturned a council vote under the former PSOE mayor to block the opening of retail and leisure projects on the land The solution that has now been reached would be to honour the court ruling to allow new commercial uses while protecting Tivoli’s historic identity as an amusement park when its first owner - Bent Olsen from Denmark - unveiled his “dream factory” a lake with boats and almost twenty fountains that offered a spectacle of water light and sound kicked off the history of a complex that has seen periods of highs and lows without ever losing the affection of several generations of Costa del Sol residents and visitors which for decades has been plagued by disputes and argument The park had previously passed from the first owner to property-developer Rafael Gómez such as non-payment of social security quotas and neglect of the attractions Tremón has been pursuing its Tivoli plan for years despite long-drawn-out bankruptcy proceedings which began in 2008 The developer started planning the extension of Tivoli as a shopping and leisure park years ago - a dream that is finally on its way to becoming a reality March 8 might be Women’s Day worldwide but in Benalmadena Equality councillor Jesica Trujillo has prepared a month-long programme whose object is to continue advancing towards “real equality and establishing the rights of all women.” The councillor invited all members of the public to enjoy and learn from the planned events which are just about to begin March 4: A round table talk organised by the Women’s Democratic Movement (MDM) at the Casa de Cultura cultural centre at 6.30pm March 5: Storytelling at the Manuel Altoaguirre Library focusing on “Colours and Princesses fart too” at 5.30pm Women of the World exhibition in the Patio of the Casa de Cultura at 7.30pm “Inconclusos” flamenco dance recital at 8pm This is free but limited to the venue’s capacity March 6: The town hall’s formal Women’s Day celebration with official recognition for prominent Benalmadena women will be held at the Casa de Cultura at 11am March 7:  Second Benalmadena Equality Gala organised by the town hall and the MDM with awards for the women who have stood out for their defence of equality on a national The gala will be presented by the actress Irma Soriano and journalist Luis Algoro March 13: Screening of the film Gondola at the Casa de Cultura at 8pm March 14: The Amigos de La Historia (Friends of History) group organise an informal debate focusing on The Woman in Pre-history at 5.30pm at the Casa de Cultura Pepa Luna Casanova presents her book Gloria en el Infierno (Glory in Hell) with a talk afterwards at 6pm at the Arroyo de la Miel public library March 21:  Talk on Mujeres Artistas (Women Artists) at the Museo Precolombino at 6pm No entry fee although it is necessary to book beforehand March 22: Storytelling at the Arroyo de la Miel public library with Olga Lopez de Lerma March 28: Children’s Workshop at the Museum Precolombiano with booking necessary beforehand Arroyo de la Miel sports hall was converted into a temporary shelter for those affected by the flooding 15 households from the San Marcos neighbourhood were temporarily ordered to leave their homes on Wednesday where an extreme risk of flash flooding threatened the low-lying structures in the Bungalow Cristina urbanisation in south Benalmadena The urbanisation is located in the middle of a channel from the Arroyo de la Miel River The local police and council decided that the zone was in extreme risk of flooding they took the decision to request that neighbours in the path of a potential flood to ‘voluntarily’ abandon their homes until the threat had passed nine homeless people known to be in the area were taken in for their own protection in the sports hall It is not known if homeless people have been offered more permanent accommodation since To shelter the temporarily displaced, many of them families, they were taken to the Arroyo de la Miel sports hall which was specially adapted to cater for them In parallel, several roads in the town had to be cut off due to large accumulations of water during the heavy rains the flooding was not as bad as predicted it might be "For them" or "You are not alone" are only two of the slogans under which the Peña Caballista de Benalmádena horse riding club encourages residents of Benalmádena Pueblo to donate to the campaign launched in support of a murdered local woman's four children The fundraising campaign is one of several that were triggered by the outcry over Lina's death at the hands of her ex-partner a week ago Lina was a lifelong town resident and a well-known and loved member of the local community have launched several campaigns to support the future of her children The amount of donations raised so far has been considerable On Friday 14 February, the Peña Caballista horse riding club reported that it had managed to raise 6,231 euros in just three days with donations coming in not only from Benalmádena residents but from all over Andalucía and even Spain A donation box can also be found in Benalmádena Pueblo's pharmacy "We would like to thank everyone who is willing to help Lina's children All the money raised will go directly to her children," the club stated on its social media Members of Lina's immediate family have also opened their doors to locals who would like to donate have undertaken their own fundraising campaigns to contribute to the cause The desire to help has even reached children who have set up makeshift stalls in the centre of Benalmádena Pueblo they collect the coins earned in a piggy bank that reads 'For Lina's children' Local residents have expressed their continuing pain and indignation through a variety of demonstrations Lina's ex-partner and the alleged perpetrator was seen damaged and covered in graffiti that read 'murderer' a tow truck has removed the parked vehicle from near the house where the man had left it on the night of the incident A man has been arrested in Benalmádena for allegedly killing his wife and setting fire to the family home where the victim lived with the couple's three children - all minors - and another son from a previous relationship The incident happened at around 5.25am this Sunday morning The arrested man was the one who first phoned the 112 Andalucía emergency service system and reported the fire at a property but without indicating that it was or had been his house A Local Police patrol quickly arrived at the scene and rescued the children the officers found the victim inside the house and arrested her partner as the person allegedly responsible for her death He had also allegedly assaulted the children They had been together for about 13 years and had three children together The couple lived in a two-storey house in Benalmádena Pueblo The mother of the deceased lived on the upper floor while the victim lived on the ground floor she had recently separated from the alleged perpetrator of her death It has been revealed that Catalina, the 48-year-old mother of four who was killed by her partner in Benalmádena on 9 February had been denied a restraining order from the court due to the case being classified as "medium risk" had not been granted stronger precautionary measures because there was no evidence of the existence of "an objective situation of risk" for the victim allegedly killed her and set fire to the family home Although results from the autopsy are still pending sources have pointed out that the victim's body showed signs of assault with a knife One of Lina and Augustine's children also stated that their dad had killed her and set the house on fire Lina reported Augustine for raising his hand and threatening her Although he did not attack her on that occasion which is responsible for assessing the level of risk of domestic violence but the police classified her case as "medium risk" and continued monitoring it via phone calls The court discovered contradictions in her statement and denied her a restraining order Augustine called the emergency services to report that a fire had broken out in a house at Calle Alamos 27 without mentioning that it was the home of his ex-partner and their children A squad of Benalmádena's Local Police was the first to arrive The officers rescued the three children and identified Augustine It was then that one of the children told the officers that his mother was still inside and that his father had killed her the police found Lina's body in the two-storey house in the old part of the Pueblo The autopsy will determine the cause of death She started dating Augustine about 13 years ago where her mother lived on the second floor and Lina lived downstairs with her partner and their children Benalmádena locals claimed that he had been seen with another partner while Lina's Facebook profile described her relationship status as "complicated" She pointed out that Lina had not been part of the Municipal Women's Information Centre (CMIM) López stated that all resources have been activated to put the children in care Lina leaves behind four children - the 19-year-old boy from her previous marriage and three minors The children were inside the house when the crime took place The eldest allegedly had tried to stop his father and had been assaulted by him Lina is the first fatal victim of male violence in Andalucía so far this year and the second in Spain a 39-year-old Cuban woman murdered on 31 January in Langreo (Asturias) The perpetrator was a 72-year-old Spanish man without a track record of complaints from the victim and no previous convictions for gender-based violence Karilenia was stabbed to death in the middle of the street in the presence of two young women who tried to prevent the attack The increasingly popular Holiday World solidarity race in Benalmádena is set to return for its ninth edition next Sunday alongside the sixth annual half marathon (21 km) followed by the shorter races five minutes later which brings together hundreds of people every year in the name of charity offering participants and spectators a lively and scenic experience All routes start at the Rotonda de Los Elefantes and include stretches along Avenida del Sol with the half marathon extending to Puerto Marina Registration, available via Dorsalchip until Wednesday 20 November refreshment points and access to post-race festivities The event promises a family-friendly atmosphere a prize-giving ceremony and an outdoor paella to follow the races with all proceeds going to Fundación Proyecto Hombre an organisation supporting vulnerable communities Holiday World Resort is offering a special package for runners accommodation with breakfast and spa access for stays between 21 and 25 November For further details, visit the Holiday World Solidarity Race website Benalmádena town hall has announced that the popular Sabor a Málaga food and drink market will return to the town for the second consecutive year this weekend The 'Taste of Malaga' foodie fair will bring together 36 producers from all over the province who will offer products typical of their area This promotional brand of the provincial authority made its debut in Benalmádena last year and the town hall said that it had an economic impact that exceeded 220,000 euros the market will be installed in Plaza Adolfo Suárez in Arroyo de la Miel (as opposed to Pueblosol last year) and will offer typical products like chorizo and blood sausages Organised in collaboration with the town hall a programme of gastronomic activities has been organised all of which will focus on the qualities and characteristics of products produced in the province of Malaga The event will also offer a programme of live entertainment to coincide with the market including a guitar and piano concerts by the municipal school of music The event was announced on Tuesday by commerce councillor Raúl Campos the president of the local traders' association (ACEB) “We are going to experience much more than an exhibition of products because this magnificent event is a meeting point where we can learn first-hand about the care and know-how behind each product and the commitment of the provincial council to the Malaga agri-food sector,” Campos said The scrapping of the semi-sunken famous Willow paddle steamer in Benalmádena marina is approaching its final stretch The process began in early February and is seeing a possible grand finale at the end of next week when the vessel will sink into non-existence leaving behind previous lives as a boat on the Mississippi river Only the hull of the 100-year-old ship remains to be scrapped with the rest of the vessel already dismembered According to Benalmádena's port councillor the whole operation has been going according to plan despite the slight delays caused by heavy rains A 20-tonne shear machine and a hydraulic claw were in charge of removing the structure The scrapping project was preceded by establishing safety measures and fencing off the entire area around the Willow to stop curious onlookers from crossing over to the ship the removal of various materials and objects started A fundamental step was the installation of anti-pollution barriers along the entire perimeter of the vessel These procedures have required the intervention of professional divers toxic substances would be contained and not pollute the waters of the marina The town hall has estimated that the scrapping work will eventually cost more than 300,000 euros which will generate annual income of about 100,000 euros with new boats" the removal of the Willow eliminates a source of pollution and improves the port's appearance which has been moored in Benalmádena for decades was built at the beginning of the last century to sail on the Mississippi river in America After being brought to Benalmádena it was used for some time as a floating nightclub It was refurbished in Liverpool before coming to the Costa and was one of the few Mississippi steamboats to be found in European ports we reported that local resident of Benalmadena had gone missing and had not been seen in 24 hours We can happily report that David has now been found thanks to the power of  social networking who can get confused easily and lose his sense of direction was out with his wife on Monday afternoon when they became separated It was reported on Facebook at around 4.30pm Well done everyone who shared the call for help His name is David Berry and he has been missing since Monday He was last seen in Benalmadena on the promenade at the Panda Bar David gets easily confused and can lose his sense of direction While out with his wife at 3.30pm on Monday they were separated and has not been found since He was wearing a black vest with pink shorts David always has a blue flannel hanging from his pocket He doesn’t have any money or mobile phone on him Offer to buy him a cup of coffee and see if you can keep him there until his family and friends come to pick him up Benalmadena. Paseo Maritimo Benalmádena's Tivoli amusement park is finally looking at a reopening date in the medium term It is expected that it will be open to the public again in approximately four years following a bureaucratic process and the renovation and construction work itself The timeframe was outlined by Andrés Gilabert The agreement envisages that the amusement park will be completely renovated except for some old attractions that may be retained for nostalgia's sake The 'new' park will cover the same or larger area Tremón has planned the division of the land into two areas: shopping centre and the amusement park The project also envisages the construction of "at least" two hotels the group has made clearer plans for one of the hotels which will be located outside the amusement park on the land of the current Tivoli car park esplanade and the Emabesa offices revolving around a brand "with 50 years of experience" Gilabert used Port Aventura park and hotel as an example of a themed complex Tremón anticipates investing between 100 and 200 million euros in total for both renovation and construction It also expects that the facility will create 1,000 jobs first offers for which will receive all former Tivoli workers who are still available According to the agreement with Benalmádena's town hall giving priority to previous employees during the hiring process will reward the company with a series of tax benefits "We want to create a tourist complex that doesn’t compete with the beach isn’t seasonal and stays open all year round We already have 80% of the success secured guaranteed by the location," said Gilabert while Tremón will be in charge of the construction and development of the project it will also look for operators interested in renting it out The mayor of Benalmádena insisted that the signed agreement stipulates that under no circumstances can the hotel or commercial areas be opened before the amusement park The plan is for either all the facilities to open together or the amusement park to come first despite the "tough" negotiations spanning a year and a half the "best possible outcome" for Benalmádena has been achieved Lara also said that the town hall will try to speed up the administrative procedures as much as possible the company will have three months to present a proper initial draft of the project A grey seal has made an appearance on the beach of Fuente de la Salud in Benalmádena and there’s growing speculation that it could be none other than Carmela the now-famous seal that’s been making her way along the Costa del Sol in recent weeks The local council announced the sighting on social media this morning explaining that authorities are working to confirm whether it is indeed Carmela who has already drawn national attention for her unusual journey through southern Spain and confirmation is underway,” the Benalmádena Ayuntamiento said urging the public to give the animal space and avoid disturbing her Environmental officials have already been alerted to ensure her safety she’s since been seen further south — in Conil in February she’s turned up on several Costa del Sol beaches including Sabinillas (Manilva) and Estepona Her movements are being closely monitored by marine biologists and environmental organisations like Ecolocaliza who have been quick to remind beachgoers that Carmela is perfectly capable of taking care of herself spraying with water or any interaction,” they explained “The best thing we can do is observe from a respectful distance and let her rest when she hauls out on the sand.” experts stress that getting too close to a wild seal can be harmful both for the animal and the people involved and disturbing them can have serious consequences — not to mention stress them out unnecessarily if you’re walking along the coast and come across a big Because if it is Carmela — and all signs point to yes — we’re lucky to witness one of the most unusual coastal visitors Spain has seen in years Find more news about Costa Del Sol Six and a half years have passed since a man allegedly tried to throw his wife over the balcony of their flat in Benalmádena The court has now suspended the two-year prison sentence which was previously reduced from the nine years that the prosecution had asked for the victim has continuously stated that it was "just an argument" and that she "does not want to press any charges" The incident took place in the evening of 18 September 2018 when neighbours reported to the police that they could see half of the woman's body hanging off the balcony and hear her screaming: "He's killing me call the police!" Even though the woman sustained injuries and an anxiety attack the Finnish couple based in the Costa del Sol town have not undergone the formalities of legal separation The defendant has expressed his desire to continue the relationship The victim was not present during the last trial due to cardiac issues Previous court hearings declared that the incident had also caused distress to the couple's children The prosecution had initially asked for a nine-year prison sentence for attempted murder and a 10-year ban on communication as well as a restraining order for the same period taking into consideration the victim's claims and citing lack of evidence to support murder intentions the court reduced the sentence to only two years in prison for threat and injury The National Police is investigating reports of a new shooting incident Word has it that a man has been shot in the head the man’s friend raised the alarm and notified the police saying that he had suffered an attack by firearm The alarm was raised at about 8.30pm on Thursday, December 26, in the Torrequebrada area Locals in the area also called the emergency services startled by the sound of gunfire A number of police officers and ambulance services were sent to the location. Apparently, officers are trying to locate the victim with the help of the firefighters the event took place in a steep and dark area by a cliff witnesses spoke of a hooded man who had fled in a large 4×4 so he was suspected to be the perpetrator of the shooting It is worth remembering that this latest incident with firearms that has taken place two days after another shooting a man was shot in the middle of a public road in Marbella in broad daylight when he was at the entrance of a pharmacy on Avenida de las Naciones Unidas in Puerto Banús was injured in the leg after being hit by at least one of the bullets Emergency services received a call at 11.30 alerting them of the incident On this occasion officers recovered the casings of 22 calibre bullets As well as the processions throughout Malaga province during Holy Week three towns celebrate the religious festival by performing the Passion Play In Riogordo around 600 locals take part in El Paso including foreign residents who live in the town It has both Spanish and international recognition and its own outdoor theatre This year El Paso de Riogordo is taking place on Good Friday (18 April) and Saturday 19 is made up of 17 scenes and lasts for approximately three hours Tickets are available at El Calvario box office on the days of the performance They can also be purchased through www.mientrada.net Cerería Zalo and Tienda Nazareno (both in Malaga city) and at Pasatiempos bookshop in Torre del Mar El Paso de Benalmádena is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and is performed by local residents The performance will take place on Maundy Thursday (17 April) and Good Friday (18) at El Retamar park El Paso will be performed through the streets on Saturday 19 April from 6pm The performance will start on Plaza San Francisco and will end in the Botanical Orchid Park El Paso has been performed in Estepona since 2014 and involves around 100 people The itinerary is: Plaza San Francisco (Last Supper) Plaza Manuel Alcántara (prayer in the olive garden) C/ Castillo (Palaces of Pontious Pilate and Herod) C/ Terraza and Parque Botánico Orquidario (Crucifixion) Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox (List price   3  months 12 Bulletins)  and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible: Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc Also attach a photo to illustrate your article The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive Comes to Benalmadena Petrolheads are in for a treat this Sunday, September 29, 2024, as the Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive will take over the streets of Arroyo de la Miel in Benalmadena The meet up starts at 10am in Puerto Marina, Benalmádena where participants can soak up the atmosphere and meet other fellow classic car enthusiasts There will be two hours of socialising before the driving starts At 12:00 pm, the engines will roar to life, and the cars will begin their 18-kilometre drive. Drive through Arroyo de la Miel, then onto some truly breathtaking Costa del Sol views This charity drive is as much about the good cause as it is about the cars it’s good to remember that your participation is helping to make a difference A social event in Benalmadena for classic car lovers For more information, visit: https://www.gentlemansdrive.com/ New records were set in Benalmádena on Sunday as the third round of the Merrell Skyrunner World Series came to Monte Calamorro Luca del Pero and Patricia Pineda claimed victory in the Calamorro Skyrace beating the previous best by over a minute The Italian finished the gruelling 731-metre climb in 2 hours 24 minutes and 19 seconds while crossed the line in 2 hours 59 minutes and eight seconds The women’s race saw an intense start as Iris Pessey Denisa Dragomir and Pineda led the field up the steep ascent closely followed by Marta Martínez Abellán A fierce duel between Dragomir and Pineda unfolded after the 9.5-kilometre mark but it was the Andalusian who pulled clear with a decisive move on the final climb The men’s race set off half an hour later from Benalmádena Pueblo’s sports centre Del Pero broke clear from last year’s winner Roberto De Lorenzi and local hopeful Nicolás Molina on the dramatic Calamorro ridge before pulling away at kilometre 20 to seal the win De Lorenzi and Molina completed the podium Organised by Grupo Alpino Benalmádena since 2008 the race offered 9,700 euros in prize money and remains a landmark event in the skyrunning calendar It's not that the visit of the Ganany to Puerto Marina in Benalmádena was long the presence of the vessel at one of the moorings generated a great deal of interest and much admiration explained - both in terms of aesthetics and technology The vessel is a catamaran over 21 metres in length and boasts more than 200 square metres of living space featuring luxury cabins and a total capacity of eight people with a unique sail system that works like a bellows as they remain folded when not in use," Bruzón explains these wings generate energy for self-sufficiency which is complemented by other clean methods as the Ganany has solar panels and also makes use of rainwater which has around a thousand moorings equipped to accommodate boats between six and 35 metres in length it is necessary to keep a full fuel tank in case other energy sources fail the boat does not actually require fossil fuels to sail under normal conditions explains that the Ganany had departed from Brittany On its voyage it has also stopped off in Cadiz can be chartered for around 49,000 euros for seven nights the Ganany also took the opportunity to make a transfer with the disembarkation of one of the passengers and the addition of a female passenger The sailing time will also be used to carry out a study of posidonias the endemic plant of the Mediterranean that forms a fundamental part of its ecosystem has a special presence on the eastern coast of Malaga especially in the Paraje Natural del Maro-Cerro Gordo It also plays an important role in Calaburras the replica of the ship that five centuries ago led the greatest maritime adventure of all time also visited the port of Benalmádena amidst great interest during which it was possible to admire the meticulous carpentry work and historical rigour that made possible the reconstruction of this sailing ship a technological milestone of the 16th century residents and a local bullfighting association are all eagerly awaiting the results of a new technical report that will determine the state and fate of the old bullring which was built during the tourism boom of the 1960s Situated at the entrance to Benalmádena Pueblo its well-preserved exterior deceives locals and visitors while the inside hides a state of deterioration Only after the report is issued will the municipal authority - owner of the bullring - decide its future The bullring was closed in 2010 after the municipal architect signed off a report in which it was determined that the building was in a state of urban ruin technicians from Malaga's provincial authority will repeat the assessment to a large degree responding to the appeal of the bullfighting association which disagrees with the status given to the facility Aficionados believe that the site can be used for multiple purposes after a full restoration the new report might declare a state of advanced deterioration which would require the demolition and the construction of the facility anew and the town hall has not yet announced what its intentions are regarding the building Everybody agrees that staging bullfights will be difficult but the cultural association maintains that the space could be used for multiple purposes including the training of young bullfighters These are the prizes for the best Valentine’s selfie in Benalmadena this weekend The Association of Merchants and Entrepreneurs of Benalmadena (ACEB) has launched a romantic Valentine’s selfie competition ‘Enamorados en Benalmádena’ (Benalmadena Lovers) which aims to promote shopping and dining out in the Costa del Sol town The contest is on until February 14, and those who want to participate must take a selfie photograph at the Valentine‘s Day point located next to the Casa de Cultura in Arroyo de la Miel post it on the Instagram social network (in public mode) tagging the ACEB and with the hashtag #enamoradosenbenalmadena get snapping for a romantic day out with your significant other and soak up the festive vibes in Benalmádena this December this Costa del Sol gem is pulling out all the stops to make your Christmas one to remember Here’s everything you need to know about the town’s sparkling schedule leading up to the big day Kick off the season with the Christmas Guitar Festival at the Casa de la Cultura the Municipal School of Music and Dance will strum your heartstrings with their orchestral magic Benalmádena’s Ice Rink and Christmas Market at Dársena del Levante are open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM Glide into the festive spirit and snag some quirky gifts for your loved ones Head to Arroyo de la Miel Library from 6 PM to 8 PM for a Christmas craft workshop It’s perfect for kids aged 8–12 who want to get hands-on with festive fun the Pastorales Competition will warm your soul with traditional Málaga music at Casa de la Cultura at 8 PM catch the swashbuckling Pirate Parade weaving through Arroyo de la Miel enjoy carols and choruses at the Candela Navideña in Plaza Adolfo Suárez or head to Parque de los Limones at 7 PM for a homely Christmas feast and choir performance Start the day with the 40th Turkey Race (Carrera del Pavo) at 11 AM Plaza Austria transforms into a winter wonderland with storytelling Don’t miss the Living Nativity at Parque de los Limones at 4 PM – it’s a magical spectacle featuring local performers The Casa de la Cultura hosts two breathtaking dance performances Spanish Dance takes centre stage with performances at 6.30 PM and 8.30 PM Bring the little ones to La Casa de los Deseos in Plaza de Austria to write their letters to Santa and enjoy crafts and musicals like “The Magic Elves.” The festivities run daily from 12 PM to 8 PM The grand unveiling of the Christmas Videomapping projection at Plaza Adolfo Suárez kicks off at 7 PM Don’t forget the free Tango and Latin Dance Festival at 7.30 PM at Casa de la Cultura It’s a jam-packed day with a Disney Princess Parade from 12 PM to 1.30 PM a Santa’s Party in Benalmádena Pueblo from 11 AM to 3 PM and a Christmas Guateque for the golden oldies at 5.30 PM the Zambombá Navideña brings flamenco vibes to Plaza de la Mezquita with Samara Amaya and friends Catch Santa again at Arroyo de la Miel’s Plaza Adolfo Suárez from 11 AM to 3 PM followed by magical musicals and crafts at La Casa de los Deseos Wrap up the pre-Christmas fun with the Candela Navideña at Paseo del Generalife in Arroyo de la Miel at 7 PM Treat the family to a heartwarming theatrical performance Benalmádena is pulling out all the stops this Christmas with festive treats for all ages From choir serenades to pirates parading through town Read more news from around the Costa del Sol Find more news in English from around Spain Read more news in English from around Europe Benalmádena Town Hall is working on the placement of 14,000 new plants to decorate the municipality in preparation for Holy Week El Bil Bil castle and the Sunset resort roundabout as well as the main streets and boulevards will be adorned with various flower species The colours chosen are different shades of white Fans of the British punk rock scene of the 1970s will enjoy a concert at the Vinilo Café Pub (Avenida de Salvador Vicente) in Benalmádena on Friday 10 January Billed as 'punk rock meets trans-European metal disco' the concert will feature two prominent bands on the Costa del Sol's alternative music scene: The Zex Pistols and Sangia Furlo The recently formed Zex Pistols perform a tribute to the British band fronted by Johnny Rotten who were pioneers of the punk rock scene that exploded onto the London music scene in 1976 The group's repertoire consists of the songs from The Pistols' groundbreaking album along with versions of other well-known punk songs from that era which they describe as "a powerful sound with a retro-futuristic a collection which consists of their own compositions The night promises to recreate the ambience of a subcultural revolution that changed the face of modern music on both sides of the Atlantic in the middle of the 1970s Benalmádena beaches councillor Presi Aguilera has announced a project that will include the renovation of the walkways along its coast after the destruction during inclement weather earlier this year The councillor said that the plan is “of great importance” in order to keep the beaches in perfect condition and ensure the safety of users which has a budget of around half a million euros Fuente de la Salud and Torrebermeja-Malapesquera areas with the initial forecast that they will be ready “if there are no unforeseen circumstances” "It is evident that the beaches of Benalmádena had to be modernised both in services provided to their users and in their daily cleaning and maintenance," Aguilera said The work is part of a plan to improve beach accessibility and facilities The councillor pointed out that the council has also carried out a modification of the beach cleaning and maintenance contract which will make it possible to keep the toilets open 365 days a year The modified contract also allows expanding the manned bathroom and toilet facilities adapted for people with reduced mobility "The coast is an absolute priority for the local government which is making great progress in terms of the hard work that has been done to remove reeds and branches during this year's storms and the initiatives carried out to keep our beaches in perfect condition throughout the year." Benalmádena has become the preferred residence of numerous foreign artists and musicians over the years and many of them have left their mark in some way or another This is certainly the case with Mexican artist Juan de Dios Felipe Orlando García Murciano although his family moved to Cuba when he was just six years old in addition to completing several university studies Orlando was described as a true Renaissance man in modern times: he was a writer he often referred to himself as a "citizen of the world" Developing a passion for the south of Spain he decided to settle first in Mojácar (Almeria) where there is also a street named in his honour He descended from a culturally educated family and from his youth he mixed with important personalities from the 1930s avant-garde movement Throughout his career he maintained friendships with artistic personalities such as the Catalan painter and sculptor His travels around the world brought him to Spain in the 1960s to take possession of a collection of pre-Columbian pieces that his grandfather had left him as an inheritance These are now displayed in the museum that bears his name in Benalmádena Pueblo was director and curator of this museum for 30 years until his death in Benalmádena on 10 April 2001 Benalmádena town hall described him as someone with an "intense intellectual and artistic activity bequeathing a vast cultural heritage both to Benalmádena and to the world" Work is currently under way in some of Benalmádena's most emblematic areas where infrastructure is being renewed and the paving is being replaced the work in the whole of the Gamonal area is entering the final stretch as part of one of the most ambitious projects in the municipality with a budget of 2.6 million euros to renovate a neighbourhood with a high footfall of both residents and tourists the town hall is already planning the remodelling of another key area in the town it is working on a project that will change the image of the area between the health centre and the Cercanías train station It is one of the projects that the municipality has submitted to the new call for European funds in order to obtain funding the area around the health centre and Calle del Nacimiento and Calle Orión "We are working to put it out to tender for more than 730,000 euros It is a project that will enhance the activity of the Arroyo de la Miel 'open shopping centre' with the improvement and expansion of the accessibility of pedestrian routes and the total renovation of the pavements," mayor Juan Antonio Lara The idea is to give priority the pedestrians and encourage passing trade in one of the busiest areas of the municipality "The installations and flooring of all the streets are going to be renovated on Calle Mercurio (the street that leads from the health centre to Tivoli ) a new pavement will be installed on the left side to extend the pedestrian area," explained works councillor José Luis Bergillos an improvement of the façade of the railway station has also been suggested as it needs the authorisation of Spain's national railway infrastructure administrator (Adif) The project itself also needs the approval of Adif because the work would affect certain areas owned by the public company the ramp and the pergolas in Plaza Adolfo Suarez would be affected That is why there is still no date set for the start of the work Benalmadena Council has just greenlit modifications to this year’s Strategic Grants Plan introducing financial aid to support various community sectors The approved measures will help residents struggling with property tax (IBI) payments, local traders and hospitality businesses affected by street works and the Benalmadena Association for Disability Care (ABAD) which has already received €300,000 to build a new day centre will support hospitality businesses investing in terraces that comply with council regulations The council also put aside €800,000 to encourage hotels to operate all year round and to fund new investments that improve competitiveness making Benalmadena’s more attractive as a tourist destination A further €250,000 has been reserved to aid businesses affected by public works projects This subsidy targets ground-floor commercial or dining establishments open to the public requiring applicants to be fully registered and operational before the grant call The grants will go some way to make up for Benalmadena’s focus on supporting vulnerable residents ensuring the town remains a great place to live The people of Benalmádena have stepped up to the mark following the violent death of Lina the 48-year-old woman who was allegedly murdered by her ex-partner in the early hours of Sunday morning The local Santo Domingo de Guzmán church community has started to raise funds for clothes and other necessary items for Lina's children The alleged perpetrator set fire to the house where Lina lived with her children which now places the entire immediate family of the deceased in a complicated economic and housing situation Both Lina and a large part of her family have always been linked to the church community that is now working to support the children After the idea for the campaign was first proposed by the parish priest during Sunday afternoon's mass the people of Benalmádena have also warned of a hoax that has been spreading on social media networks under the pretense of an appeal to deliver clothes and toys to the parish the community is only accepting monetary funds to buy vital things necessary for the children The church's catechists are responsible for receiving these contributions and ensuring the funds are properly allocated They are also going to place a collection box in the pharmacy in the Pueblo The Peña Caballista de Benalmádena horse riding club has also published an account number that will also be accepting donations with the same purpose The grief of Benalmádena's residents was reflected in the dark sky over the Costa del Sol town when yje town hall declared an official day of mourning for the violent death of one of its residents on Monday 10 February Lina had spent her whole life among the local community "Yesterday afternoon you couldn't hear anything we would hear the clamour of children as they were going to school and the streets would be filled with their laughter but today we only hear suffocating silence," said Luisa who saw the victim's house as it was being engulfed in flames on the night of the incident "We saw there was a fire and we rushed over to see what was burning Four orphaned children have been left behind," said other neighbours The community organised two events to condemn the 'macho' crime The first took place in front of Benalmádena's town hall municipal workers and residents held a minute of silence a neighbourhood rally under the slogan 'Ni una más' ('Not one more') was organised by the Movimiento Democrático de Mujeres de Benalmádena in front of the Casa de la Cultura de Benalmádena Pueblo The principals of all Benalmádena's nursery primary and secondary schools have also come together to release a joint manifesto: "We know that this is an extremely difficult and painful time and we want to insist that schools fight and care for our students we come together to provide a safe and supportive environment for all those who are affected by violence." Lina worked as a supervisor in the safe school route service at the Jacaranda primary school we saw her every day - she was a lifelong town local with a large family here," said Juan Antonio Lara He stated that the victim's children are already receiving psychological support and that a technician from Benalmádena town hall is analysing the state of the house to determine the measures that will be necessary before it can be inhabited again Benalmádena will host the popular Semana Flamenca initiative from Saturday 16 until Friday 22 November a week of flamenco recitals held in the Casa de Cultura The cycle coincides with International Flamenco Day (16 November) first celebrated in 2010 after the Unesco declaration of flamenco as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity Organised by the Peña Flamenca La Repompa de Malaga and Benalmádena town hall the initiative is a showcase for celebrated dancers singers and guitarists which represent both the pure and the new trends within the world of flamenco this year’s festival will present the screening of a new film about two of the most revered singers in the history of flamenco: La Fernanda and La Bernarda de Utrera was made to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of La Fernanda (1923-2006) known as the ‘queen of the solerares’ (the style with which she excelled) The documentary includes footage of the two sisters singing at festivals and during family celebrations along with testimonies by some of performers who knew and worked with her and also from flamenco specialists from Spain The cycle begins on Saturday 16 November with Flamenco and Poetry performed by Cuadro Filo de los Patios; while on Monday the venue will be taken over by local up-and-coming singers such as Antonio El Gato The final show will bring together some of Malaga’s most respected performers guitarists Andrés Casino and Juan Ramón Caro while the dance will be supplied by Carmen Comacho Tickets for the performances, which start at 8pm, can be obtained from www.benalmadena.es