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 Overlooking the shore of Playa Cura on Avenida de los Marineros Pizza Nº1 is surely the most loved Italian eatery in Torrevieja offering authentic flavours and beachfront charm has drawn in locals and visitors with their traditional recipes opened the first Pizza Nº1 in 1992 on Ramón y Cajal moving to its iconic Playa del Cura location in 2011 pastas like the acclaimed fettuccine a la Fina Diners often talk about the authentic Italian flavour and favourite dishes such as the spectacular lasagna and pistachio pizza The beachfront terrace and air-conditioned salon offer a welcoming respite from the sweltering sun while the very same Salvatore greets customers with the warmth and adds a family feel to the experience Often considered among Torrevieja’s top 12 seafront restaurants Pizza Nº1 is celebrated for its cosy atmosphere and generous portions Pizza Nº1 is a must-visit for Italian food lovers and a true taste of Italy by the Mediterranean Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Website#e5312084782c351f423ea47f{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 Film music fans are in for a treat as the International Auditorium in Torrevieja hosts a special night celebrating three film scores legends Saturday May 10 will be a day of celebration for film music enthusiasts, as Torrevieja will host the Royal Film Concert Orchestra, featuring music from three giants of film scoring history: Hans Zimmer The Royal Film Concert Orchestra will be conducted by Fernando Futones visiting Torrevieja after touring the world delighting audiences with movie classics The show will take place on Saturday May 10 at 8pm Tickets are available at culturatorrevieja.com Website#c967ed4aeda16dfe50514095{display:none} Return along with the Councilor for Parks and Gardens and the head of the company awarded the contract presented the municipality's new Green Area and Open Space Maintenance Service this morning the City Council will improve the maintenance and upkeep of its green spaces with a significant increase in human and material resources The number of professionals assigned to the service has doubled while the number of vehicles and machinery has tripled has been selected to manage this service for the next 15 years after submitting the highest-rated bid by the City Council's contracting committee The new service has a budget of €111 million The contract covers the maintenance of 362 public spaces totaling more than 2 million square meters This represents an increase of 800,000 square meters compared to the current area of 1.2 million square meters The service not only includes the maintenance of existing green areas but also improvement and adaptation actions that will allow for the modernization of facilities and the adaptation of spaces to meet accessibility The service also has an Immediate Action Plan for rapid intervention in the most deteriorated areas and supplying and installing ornamental planters and flowerpots A permanent Technical Office will also be launched to coordinate the work along with a Citizen Service Point and an informational web portal where incidents can be reported and which will provide real-time data on the status and progress of the work A commitment to sustainability and technology Another new feature will be the incorporation of computerized management systems which will allow tasks to be controlled and planned more efficiently This tool will facilitate incident tracking and decision-making based on up-to-date data The service will also incorporate innovative software for managing green areas as well as a fleet tracking system that will allow vehicles to be tracked in real time the contract emphasizes sustainability by incorporating electric vehicles and irrigation control technologies such as humidity sensors and remote management which will help optimize water use and reduce the energy impact The service will also include maintenance irrigation as well as the upkeep of all ornamental fountains in the municipality and preventive species maintenance programs to protect and promote biodiversity the contract includes improvement and modernization projects the adaptation of green spaces to meet accessibility and the creation of fourteen new parks and gardens The new contract includes the creation of more than 90,000 square meters of new green areas that will contribute to improving environmental quality and public well-being Among the main projects are the new parks planned in: The new contract also includes the planting of more than 15,000 trees in the coming years The new service launches with a clear vision for the future: transforming the urban environment through landscape care and promoting environmentally friendly management Torrevieja City Council reaffirms its commitment to a greener An English-language traffic information platform based in Torrevieja is heading to the Costa del Sol next week for a series of educational talks focused on Spanish traffic laws The N-332 group was set up around ten years ago by Francisco Javier Morales a Guardia Civil officer who saw that there was a need for education and information in English to avoid potential problems faced by foreign drivers The group's name originates from the N-332 a road which runs along the east coast of Spain and through Torrevieja the road where the Guardia Civil officer who thought of the idea patrols a former driving instructor from the UK who was working as a journalist and radio presenter in Torrevieja at the time and who has now lived on the Costa Blanca for more than 20 years SUR in English contacted Nolan prior to his arrival on the Costa del Sol to talk about how and why this platform was set up and what services it offers and to whom and through comparison I became involved almost straight away The idea came from the fact that the area around the east coast is a favourite for foreign residents and visitors which became a focus for one Guardia Civil officer in particular He would have to deal with traffic incidents and although fines are inevitable for traffic offences dealing with the same infractions on a regular basis that there was a need for information and education to try to avoid these dangerous situations How did you go about setting up the platform Once the need for education had been established and English was a preferred language as it is more common amongst other nationalities it was then concluded that Facebook would be the ideal platform to initially start sharing the information as it is used by most age groups and most nationalities The creation of a website was immediately necessary to accompany the Facebook content so we could reach people both instantly and with a reference source we have built up a considerable following on Facebook Throughout this year we will have other developments where information will be shared such as a radio station giving information which will also feature sections for parents and teachers as well as dedicated areas for young adults and children What are the main topics that people ask about There is no doubt that the number one topic asked about is roundabouts because they are confusing for a lot of people the rules in Spain are actually among the simplest and safest One of the problems when it comes to foreign drivers is that they are not aware they are doing anything wrong UK drivers were taught one way of navigating them and pretty much every nationality taught something different but at no point would any driver ever consider thinking something like I wonder if they drive differently on roundabouts" What are the main problems foreign drivers have in Spain When we have areas of Spain where many different nationalities are driving and all in the belief that they are doing it right Add to that the drivers who are doing wrong and it is no surprise that roundabouts are amongst the most problematic areas Is it mainly the British who need information but the benefit of English is that it is a more common language We have and continue to give presentations to Scandinavian residents because from our point of view it doesn't matter because we are explaining what is necessary in Spain and although my comparisons might be with UK driving Is it just information about Spanish traffic laws Primarily we intended to deal with Spanish traffic law exclusively our direction changed during the Covid pandemic as we were able to share information with our followers easily our focus has returned to Spanish traffic law but we have also included other information which we think will be of use to our followers Francisco is a traffic officer but he is also Guardia Civil forged links with all security bodies and so if information is pertinent Comentar es una ventaja exclusiva para registrados The Torrevieja Youth Symphony Orchestra has been recognized for its educational and cultural work was appointed Resident and Principal Orchestra of the Torrevieja International Auditorium reinforcing its position as a cultural benchmark in the region Tickets for the concert are available for a cost of €3.5 at the theatre box office Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" The Torrevieja Council has launched a new awareness campaign aimed at encouraging pet owners to properly identify their animals Led by the Department of Animal Protection the initiative emphasizes the importance of registering dogs and ferrets to ensure lost or escaped pets can be safely reunited with their families The campaign highlights that proper identification is not only a legal obligation but also a vital tool for reducing the number of animals that go missing or end up in shelters One of the key focuses is on the identification and sterilization of cats over six months old can easily become part of feral cat colonies and contribute to the uncontrolled growth of the community cat population if not sterilized hundreds of unidentified cats arrive at the municipal shelter many of whom cannot be returned to their owners due to the lack of identification Given Torrevieja’s status as a popular destination for both residents and international tourists with pets the City Council also stresses the importance of foreign visitors ensuring their animals are identified in their country of origin and registered in the Valencian Community’s RIVIA database This ensures authorities can contact the owner if a pet is found Animal Protection Councilor Concha Sala stated “Our goal is to raise awareness among pet owners that identification is one of the key pillars in preventing animal abandonment and in building a more just The campaign is now visible across Torrevieja particularly on public display panels (“mupis”) Log in to leave a comment © 2021 The Leader Digital the University of Alicante Campus in Torrevieja in collaboration with the City Council and the Casino de Torrevieja Cultural Society held a debate featuring media professionals and a university expert in fake news research representatives of some of Torrevieja's leading media outlets and the author of the book "Disinformation and Power: Alchemy of Persuasion" discussed the need to verify information to discover the truth as well as promoting media literacy among young people and professionals to counter the dangers posed by information overload is a professor of Semiotics of Mass Communication at the University of Alicante He won the Miguel de Unamuno Essay Prize in 2019 for "Magics of Fiction" (Devenir 2020) and the Ciutat de València International Essay Prize in 2017 for "Masks of Lies" (Pre-Textos He has published in cultural magazines such as Revista de Occidente and is a regular contributor to the "Arte y Letras" supplement of the Alicante newspaper Información professor of journalism at the University of Mexico (UMH) and journalist for the newspaper Información of Televisión Torrevieja (TVT); and Rafa Ballester the author was able to present his book in a relaxed and engaging manner and future of information with news professionals Book information available from this link Synopsis of the book "Information is power" is a reviewable motto When information circulates in an overabundance and is just a click away when we are assaulted at every turn with messages that fit us like a glove then the lever of power is wielded through noise It becomes a thick broth where stories compete for limited attention and the truth is not a stable horizon for confronting them but rather a value quoted on a market: it is privatized and monetized without relation to the facts This book provides a brief introduction to 'Trumpology' the Cambridge Analytica case and computational propaganda the Pizzagate case and the role of WikiLeaks but also refers to those who contribute to polarization by attacking immigration It talks about the content (in)moderation strategies of Facebook and X pseudo-media that spread hoaxes or encourage hatred of the conspiracies that lied with the story of the 'plandemic' when the virus arrived and that now continue to deny climate change or scare people with the Great Replacement It examines our fondness for rumors and fictional lies and for sharing them for a handful of likes a coda is dedicated to the DANA that hit the province of Valencia and to Trump's second victory in the American elections The Vista Alegre exhibition hall in Torrevieja (Calle Concepción 2) is currently hosting an exhibition called “Gods The exhibition includes pieces from the Archpriestal Church of the Immaculate Conception such as the antique image of Christ of the Flagellation along with many items provided by the brotherhoods One of the standout pieces is an old vestment of Our Lady of Sorrows hand-embroidered in the early 1900s by Antoñita Barceló and saved during the Spanish Civil War by the Moscardó family Some objects also come from private collectors Also featured is the sculptor’s easel used by the Blanco brothers, a symbol of the connection between past and present Holy Week traditions This easel was used to create several important sculptures the exhibition includes more than 320 items These range from religious sculptures and processional thrones to tunics The exhibition runs until Friday, 30 May. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 4:00pm to 9:00pm, and on Saturday and Sunday (April 19, 20, and Monday April 21) from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. It’s taking place at the Vista Alegre hall in Torrevieja the art course "Reivindicarte: A New Reading of Art" concluded the course "The Mathematics That Surround Us" concluded an active and practical course on yoga and literature was held followed by an experiential course on "The Neuroscience of the Senses." the auditorium of the Torrevieja International Conservatory (the temporary headquarters of this National Distance Education University lecture hall) is once again filled with senior students those who signed up to enjoy this eight-lecture seminar and a guided tour of the Segura landscapes of our region assimilating unknown aspects of "The Huerta del Bajo Segura: Heritage Values of an Ancient Landscape Professor of Human Geography at the University of Murcia and Professor at the University of Alicante authors of the best studies on the subject and on the cultural conflicts of urban development will address issues related to material identity – territorial support and physiognomy – and immaterial identity – functionality and image The objectives of this course are diverse to understand the forms and functions of the vegetable garden spaces that represent the hallmarks of most municipalities in the Vega Baja del Río Segura region and to identify humanized landscapes and understand the role of human action in their adaptation to a semi-arid Mediterranean lacustrine environment based on the physical and social characteristics of the vegetable garden agrosystem it seeks to understand and interpret the constants and changes in the territory through the learning of concepts and methods specific to the science of geography by scheduling this series of sessions during the month of May we seek to foster commitment and participation in decision-making processes regarding the active conservation of territorial capital that impacts population development: a living garden with its sustainable activities and lifestyles this university outreach activity by UNED Torrevieja promotes the development of debate skills by exercising critical thinking and fostering recognition of the multiple heritage values of a millennia-old legacy Having these authoritative university voices is the culmination of an interesting academic year there is a reserved quota for teaching staff a bus tour of the municipalities of Bajo Segura and a gastronomic gathering with a rural menu featuring local foods However, those wishing to register may be eligible to fill a vacancy and will be informed after contacting UNED Torrevieja: by email: torrevieja@elx.uned.es or by phone at 603 875 563 T0rrevieja’s beaches will not have beach bar service during Easter The council have confirmed that the ten planned spaces will not be ready in time for mid-April due to processing delays the beach bars should have started operating a week ago as the specifications for beach establishments allow for a 231-day operating period each year Two more are located at the section of Parque del Molino del Agua with another two to the south of the beach The award process is currently in the tender submission phase If you are looking for great food with a view Luz de Mar in Torrevieja is the place to go Located right in front of Playa de Los Locos, this restaurant offers a relaxed setting where you can enjoy traditional Mediterranean dishes made with fresh local ingredients You can dine indoors or sit on the large terrace facing the sea which is full of flavour and cooked just right We were also served a small starter plate with olives The staff also gave us a great wine recommendation that went perfectly with the meal Luz de Mar isn’t just about main meals Overall, Luz de Mar is a great spot for anyone wanting a good meal with an amazing sea view and a setting that makes you want to stay a while and enjoy a drink Website#d134b5e369a2707c9d405161{display:none} Torrevieja is in no rush to meet the legal deadline for introducing a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) This is despite being required to do so under European regulations for cities with more than 50,000 residents. The aim of the law is to reduce pollution by limiting traffic in certain areas, but Torrevieja has already missed the deadline the council wants the LEZ to coincide with other planned changes in the city such as pedestrianising certain streets and restricting vehicle access in the port area These changes are meant to reduce the impact on drivers and are part of wider redevelopment works LEZs are meant to limit access to more polluting vehicles to improve air quality and cut greenhouse gas emissions more polluting vehicles can’t enter central parts of a city However, Alarcón said he doesn’t think an LEZ is necessary in Torrevieja, as he believes the air quality is already good. Measurements from national monitoring stations along the CV-905 usually show levels within normal limits. But this isn’t always the case. Ozone levels often exceed legal limits, and the same goes for fine particles. The city has 60,000 registered vehicles, with around 40,000 using the N-332 bypass and 35,000 travelling daily on the CV-905. Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox! Known as the PEOPLE’S PAPER, Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain. And it’s FREE! Covering the Almeria, Axarquia, Costa Blanca North, Costa Blanca South, Costa del Sol , Costa Calida, Mallorca and beyond, EWN supports and inspires the individuals, neighbourhoods, and communities we serve, by delivering news with a social conscience. Whether it’s local news in Spain, UK news or international stories, 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. WATCH NOW: Expat in Spain shares the worst thing about moving to the European hotspot An earthquake has hit a popular tourist hotspot in Spain as Britons were left "terrified" by the "strongest quake ever" A magnitude 3 earthquake struck Costa Blanca region overnight sending tremors through the popular tourist resort of Torrevieja British holidaymakers and expatriates were just some of those who felt the powerful tremors just after midnight as residents reported buildings shaking and loud noises The seismic activity left many residents frightened by the unexpected disturbance as one resident admitted online: "I'm terrified." A magnitude 3 earthquake sent tremors through the popular tourist resort of Torrevieja The earthquake's epicentre was located just five kilometres from the holiday hotspot according to the Instituto Geografico Nacional The seismic event woke many from their sleep with some describing being "almost thrown out of bed" when the quake struck A British ex-pat living in the Los Balcones resort just south of Alicante described the terrifying experience taking to social media to post: "It was something else I couldn't go back to sleep as I thought there was more to come." He added: "This was the strongest and loudest I've experienced yet." Another resident told Spanish Eye it was "the strongest quake I have ever felt in my life" Many took to social media to share their experiences of the rare overnight seismic event who described himself as "used to these types of events" said this earthquake produced "a very loud noise as if rocks had been breaking deep underground We were probably very close to the epicentre." One Spanish resident simply wrote on social media: "My whole house shook!" Another resident told Spanish Eye it was 'the strongest quake I have ever felt in my life' (Stock) The earthquake was not an isolated incident with a series of additional tremors registered off the coast of Barcelona Others described the specific effects in neighbouring towns "In Orihuela Costa there was a lot of noise and vibrations," reported another resident The tremors were particularly alarming for those experiencing such an event for the first time - including British tourists visiting the region during the Easter holiday period a debate will take place at the Torrevieja Casino featuring news professionals and an expert in research and critical and constructive reflection on fake news Journalists representing some of Torrevieja's leading media outlets and the author of the book "Disinformation and Power: Alchemy of Persuasion" will discuss within the framework of World Press Freedom Day the current situation facing the media in a context dominated by disinformation and hoaxes This is an initiative of the University of Alicante Headquarters in Torrevieja in collaboration with Torrevieja City Council and the Torrevieja Casino The debate will be moderated by Jesús Mula from Televisión Torrevieja TVT; and Rafa Ballester Attendance at the event is free until capacity is reached Information and documentation about the book is available at this link “Information is power” is a revisable motto It becomes a thick broth where stories compete for limited attention This book offers a brief introduction to “Trumpology,” the Cambridge Analytica case and computational propaganda The discussion focuses on Facebook and X's content (in)moderation strategies finance pseudo-media outlets that spread hoaxes or incite hatred on the conspiracies that lied with the 'plandemic' story when the virus arrived Our fondness for rumors and novelistic lies and for sharing them for a handful of 'likes' is analyzed a coda is dedicated to the DANA that hit the province of Valencia and to Trump's second victory in the North American elections Torrevieja City Council has launched an awareness and visibility campaign to promote the identification of companion animals This action by the Municipal Department of Animal Protection aims to highlight the importance of owners of companion animals (canines and ferrets) fulfilling their obligation to identify their pets they can be found and rescued so they can return to their homes This campaign also aims to promote the identification and sterilization of all cats over six months old not only because it is a mandatory legal requirement from becoming part of a feline colony or from contributing to the growth of the community cat population if they are not sterilized Hundreds of cats arrive at the Municipal Shelter each year without being identified and many of them are lost and cannot return home to their human families The Department of Animal Protection also emphasizes that due to the large influx of citizens and international tourists with pets in Torrevieja it is important that information reaches them in order to convey the need for animals to be identified in their country of origin and must be registered in the Valencian Community database (RIVIA) the details of their owner are available to inform them of the collection of their pet According to Councilor for Animal Protection Concha Sala this awareness campaign aims "to do everything possible to raise awareness among pet owners that identification is one of the fundamental pillars for eradicating animal abandonment and building a more just The campaign has begun to be visible primarily on the billboards distributed throughout Torrevieja's various public spaces Torrevieja begins 2025 with a population of 106,350 registered inhabitants marking an increase of almost 6,000 people in just one year This makes it the third most populous city in the province of Alicante and the fifth in the Valencian Community following the provincial capitals of Valencia According to the Torrevieja City Council’s population and registration data while 52.09 per cent (55,390) are from international backgrounds coming from 123 different countries across five continents An interesting fact is that Torrevieja has recently added two residents from Dominica increasing the number of countries represented in the city’s population registry from 122 to 123 The city’s registered population consists of 52,039 men (48.93 per cent) and 54,311 women (51.07 per cent) A noteworthy change in the past year is the significant rise in the number of Ukrainian residents This makes Ukraine the most represented foreign country in the city which has been surpassed by Colombia for the first time 5,227 are women (55 per cent) and 4,285 are men (45 per cent) Other nationalities with notable populations in Torrevieja include Morocco (2,961) The city’s international community now includes residents from 123 different countries six people are listed as “stateless” in the city’s records The world’s most successful musical has captivated over 300,000 spectators in Madrid Now, it will take the stage at the Teatro Municipal de Torrevieja on June 6 This marks a historic moment for The Phantom of the Opera as it is the first time the production is touring Spain With over 160 million viewers in 195 cities worldwide the show continues its legacy as one of the most beloved musicals of all time The story follows a masked and enigmatic figure who haunts the Paris Opera House exerting control over its owners and performers and manipulates events to showcase her talents The Phantom of the Opera premiered in London’s West End in 1986 and later on Broadway in 1988 It became the longest-running Broadway show in history in 2006 Torrevieja audiences will have a rare chance to witness this legendary musical live. Tickets are now available at the theatre’s box office and online at culturatorrevieja.com Quirónsalud Torrevieja Hospital today presented the charity race “5K Steps That Matter” at Torrevieja Town Hall as part of the hospital’s 25th anniversary celebrations All proceeds from the event will be donated in full to AFECÁNCER a local association supporting cancer patients and their families The race will take place on Sunday 25th May at 9:00 am in the Parque de las Naciones in Torrevieja The event offers various categories suitable for all ages and fitness levels This community event is held in collaboration with the Torrevieja Town Council through its departments of Sports and Health as well as the Torrevieja Athletics Club and the Brotons Group The event’s race packs will be prepared with the support of ADIEM Torrevieja an organisation that promotes the social and professional inclusion of individuals with mental health conditions Their participation adds further depth to the event’s inclusive and charitable nature highlighting the power of community and cooperation for a common cause Click here to get your race number the day promises to be a true celebration of solidarity with a full schedule of complementary activities: A day to remember as part of Quirónsalud Torrevieja’s 25th anniversary This charity race forms part of the activities commemorating the 25th anniversary of Quirónsalud Torrevieja Hospital – a milestone that celebrates the hospital’s strong ties with the local community and its ongoing commitment to health the hospital will be organising a series of initiatives including exhibitions with multiple events throughout February and the first two days of March The Carnival is a national treasure, with incredible events and parades held annually. This year’s carnival is bound to be a month of excitement and fun with Torrevieja’s Councillor for Festivities saying that the Carnival had received a subsidy of €100,000 towards its events this year February 7 at the Torrevieja Municipal Theatre with the proclamation of the Carnival and a film premiere The following day there will be the Coronation Gala for the Carnival King and Queen February 15 the sixteenth Drag Queen Gala takes place in the International Auditorium February 23 there is a Grand Parade Competition which decides whose group’s costumes and designs are the best and finally on Saturday March 01 there is the Grand Night Parade This is the parade that attracts thousands of visitors to travel from all over the world with its floats and entertainers outstanding costumes and performances it’s a truly spectacular city-wide performance On Sunday March 02 in the International Auditorium there will be the national Chirigotas Competition where groups of traditional singers compete to see who will be the winning act Organisers have said “Don’t miss this party full of magic and tradition!” There will be Carnivals across the Costa Blanca South next month, discover where here. the Torrevieja International Auditorium will become the epicenter of comedy with the arrival of El Monaguillo one of the most beloved comedians on the national scene who will present his show Efectivi-wonder which is about to sell out for the second consecutive year Sergio Fernández "El Monaguillo" has managed to captivate audiences with his unique style From his early days on the radio program "La Parroquia" on Onda Cero to his time on television shows such as "El Hormiguero," "Me Resbala," and "Tu Cara Me Suena," his ability to make people laugh knows no bounds He has also filled theaters throughout Spain with his stand-up comedy where last year his show sold out—a feat he's set to repeat this year—in which he blends personal anecdotes In "Efectivi-wonder," El Monaguillo transports us to his childhood and rudimentary but effective communication with a plastic cup and a string He also pays homage to the mothers of yesteryear those who "had heaven in their name" and whose patience was tested every day With his unmistakable humor and critical look at the contrasts between yesterday and today he promises to have everyone laughing out loud The last available tickets can be purchased at the Municipal Theater box office or online at www.culturatorrevieja.com El Charro Negro has been a top spot for authentic Mexican food in Torrevieja this restaurant was created to meet the growing demand for a true Mexican dining experience and it has continued to do so for more than two decades The restaurant stands out for its use of high-quality ingredients. “With many sourced directly from Mexico. The menu is a celebration of Mexican flavours,” El Charro confirms “And if you’re concerned about the spice level the heat is only there if you ask for it!” But El Charro Negro is not just about food. The restaurant works hard to provide a full Mexican cultural experience The décor and atmosphere are carefully designed to make you feel as if you’ve stepped right into Mexico El Charro Negro has become a popular destination for events and a range of services to cater to guests’ needs.” The restaurant also accommodates all dietary requirements El Charro Negro is open daily from 1:00pm to 11:45pm you can call (+34) 965 71 80 13 or visit the restaurant at Plaza Castelar 4 The 2025 Torrevieja Carnival has been officially confirmed promising a busy programme filled with music and fun for all ages Running until March 8, this year’s celebration has been designed with a more tourist-friendly approach, focusing the main events on weekends to allow more people to enjoy one of the most spectacular festivals in the Valencian Community Mayor Eduardo Dolón has emphasised the significance of the Carnival in Torrevieja noting that it has grown into one of the city’s most popular and widely attended events With over 2,000 participants across more than 30 groups the festival draws thousands of spectators each year One of the major highlights for this edition is the increase in prize money for the Carnival Parade Contest with awards rising from €15,000 to €22,000 This year also sees an expansion in participation with 15 international comparsas (groups) joining from various regions Torrevieja is among the few places in Spain where Carnival is celebrated with four open and inclusive parades reinforcing its reputation as a truly unique and diverse festival For programme information, head to the website: torrevieja.es Spain will host the 2025 World Nations Cup for walking football welcoming teams from around the world in what’s expected to be a major event for the sport making it a truly international competition Japan and England are each entering six teams and the Catalans are also sending four teams each As part of the build-up to the tournament, a training camp will be held on Saturday, May 3, at the Nelson Mandela Sports Pitch in Torrevieja The day will include matches and training sessions with both international and local teams Sweden will bring over-60 and over-65s teams England’s over 65s and several Spanish squads – including three over 60s teams and one over 50s team – will also take part A local team from the Orange Bar Entre Naranjos league will join the games as well After the matches, players and fans will gather at Mullins Irish Bar in Torrevieja for food and a celebration Spain’s teams include a mix of local players and expats some of whom will travel from Madrid for the event Organisers are currently looking for sponsors and encouraging local businesses to support individual players and help make the tournament a success. For more information, head to the website: spainwalkingfootball.com  or contact Mark via email at markkavanagh.swift@gmail.com and I’m writing from Touchlines Walking Football — an online publication dedicated to everything walking football and special moments that make the game so special From match highlights and player shout-outs to training tips and international stories I’d love to invite you to get involved — whether it’s sharing a club update Anything that brings the community together is welcome we’d be absolutely chuffed if you could share it with your players or members The aim is to grow Touchlines into a publication that reflects and connects the whole Walking Football world A 2.8 magnitude earthquake was felt in Torrevieja and along the coast and second line of the Vega Baja region The tremor occurred at 12:23 AM on Tuesday morning of the coastal area of Torrevieja town centre The Spanish National Geographic Institute (IGN) received dozens of reports from residents who felt the tremor which took place during the busy Easter holiday season the quake was felt in several other towns and residential areas including Orihuela Costa According to the European Macroseismic Scale which measures earthquake intensity from I to XII based on how people and objects are affected this earthquake was rated between levels II and IV Level IV describes a quake felt indoors by many people and by very few outdoors but the vibrations were only moderate and not frightening dozens of micro-earthquakes occur in the southernmost part of Alicante province only those above magnitude 2 are felt by the public building codes in the Vega Baja were updated in the early 2000s requiring seismic safety measures in construction projects Vega Baja is one of Spain’s areas with the highest seismic risk This risk is recognized both historically and scientifically and is accounted for in emergency and construction regulations The region experienced three major earthquakes in the 19th century The 10 most powerful earthquakes in the world since 1900 Wonder which was the most powerful earthquake in the world on your birthday? Or during a given month or even a whole year? Find it out using the earthquake search tool at this link: Volcano Discoveries a ceremony was held in Torrevieja Town Hall where 20 new Local Police officers were sworn in This increase in police personnel is part of the Council’s efforts to improve security in Torrevieja. With a population of over 106,000 the addition of new officers is seen as essential for ensuring public safety and responding effectively to any situation Mayor Eduardo Dolón expressed his satisfaction with the reinforcement of the Local Police stressing the importance of having a well-trained force dedicated to protecting both residents and visitors other public employees were also sworn in to take on roles in various municipal programmes the mayor welcomed the new officers and employees encouraging them to work with dedication to enhance the city’s image and quality of life He highlighted that these additions are vital for Torrevieja’s continued growth and well-being War in Eastern Europe has ignited a property boom in Torrevieja where newcomers who want a haven for their families and savings instead find familiar strife This article was published more than 6 months ago Ireneusz Bednarek spent years dreaming about having a place in Spain to escape the long Polish winters. When Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February, 2022 Bednarek’s dream suddenly felt like a necessity and he bought an apartment in Torrevieja on Spain’s southeastern coast Having a Spanish property was no longer just for vacations, he reckoned; it was a prudent way to move money out of Poland and a potential haven in case the war spilled across the border. Torrevieja was a doable two-day drive from his home near Katowice in southern Poland who followed his father to Torrevieja a few months later “It’s a Plan B in case the war trespasses into Poland.” What the Bednareks didn’t appreciate at first was that Poles weren’t the only East Europeans who’d discovered Torrevieja as a safe haven for themselves and their cash This small city nestled along Costa Blanca has become a magnet for people from Poland nearly half of Torrevieja’s 100,000 residents came from abroad Ukrainians and Russians among the largest groups Real estate agents say they can barely keep up with the demand from the three communities “It has been just crazy,” said Katarzyna Stadnicka who works in nearby Alicante for Ro Spain Real Estate but they want to take their money out of the region and invest it somewhere safer.” Start your day with context and insight on the biggest stories shaping our lives Stadnicka said she hardly sold any homes to fellow Poles when she came to Costa Blanca from Poland five years ago her compatriots make up 40 per cent of Ro Spain’s clients Poles bought 2,160 homes across the Alicante region That was close to a threefold increase from 2021 and it put Poles among the top five foreign buyers Ukrainians, too, have been snapping up property. Many fled to Poland when the war started and then moved on to Spain drawn by the low-cost of housing and relatives who moved here years ago Russians managed to buy 1,300 homes in 2023 The impact of so many newcomers can be seen almost everywhere in Torrevieja Torrevieja plays host to a Russian film festival and Ukrainians gather to mark their homeland’s Independence Day and the war has strained cross-community relations “We Poles don’t associate much with Russians,” said Mr who bought a two-bedroom house in town with his wife and sticks largely to the Polish and Spanish communities He works in a private hospital and part of his job involves outreach to the Polish community and serving as an interpreter for patients who only speak Polish who co-owns a monthly Polish-language newspaper called Polska Costa says Russians have been keeping a low profile in town “Right now, since the war started, I see less Russians They try to hide that they are Russians,” said Mr who runs Polska Costa with his partner Monika Meduna I saw Russian cars and heard lot of people speaking Russian they hide or change and say ‘I’m Ukrainian.’” Meduna said that when she came to Torrevieja in 2017 The couple bought a modern two-bedroom house for €120,000 (about $180,000) three years ago in a quiet neighbourhood that’s filled with expats from Ireland Bartosz Karallos and Monika Meduna quit their real-estate jobs last year to found a Polish newspaper in Torrevieja where they seldom heard many people speaking their language until recently Russian patrons are reluctant to set foot inside the door they see all the Polish stuff and turn around and leave,” said Grzegorz Osko who opened the café a year ago with his partner The café specializes in Polish delicacies and cakes baked by Mr and nearly all of their customers are Polish The few Russians who do come into the café “don’t say ‘hello’ or ‘please’,” he said Many local Russians have tried to distance themselves from the war or at least remain neutral Much of the community has been here for more than 20 years and many local Russians have no fondness for Vladimir Putin There are oligarchs and politicians who own sea-front villas But most of the community is made up of Russia’s burgeoning middle class and many haven’t been home in years Ukrainian refugees are leaving Poland for Germany, and the employment opportunities it offers Ukrainian men living abroad feel conflicted about returning home as war rages on with shortage of troops the organizers of the film festival changed its name from the “Sol Russian Film Festival” to the “Sol International Film Festival” and they issued a statement condemning Russia’s invasion “We would also like to point out the international character of our festival as well as its independence from any political ideology,” the statement added Many Ukrainians remain wary and they’ve called on the city to cancel the festival which they see as a propaganda tool for Mr Some have also questioned the festival’s funding No one connected to the festival was available for comment Ukrainians in Torrevieja are wary of perceived sympathy to the Kremlin among the local expats many of whom moved here long ago and do not look kindly on the Putin regime The recent murder of a Russian defector has raised further concerns about Moscow’s influence over the community two gunmen opened fire on former Russian army pilot Maxim Kuzminov near his home in Villajoyosa Kuzminov drew global attention a year ago when he landed his Mi-8 helicopter in eastern Ukraine and asked for asylum He took on a new identity and moved to Villajoyosa hoping to blend in with the Russian community Police say he was killed within weeks of arriving and they suspect the execution was ordered by Moscow Not all Ukrainians have been hostile to local Russians and some have had to make difficult compromises Valentin fled Crimea with his family shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion His children fanned out across Europe while Valentin and his wife settled in Torrevieja who asked that his surname not be published because he has relatives in Crimea He now runs a small restaurant in Torrevieja called Oasis given that he’s fluent in Russian and not Spanish But he’s philosophical about his situation and believes that a good meal can bring almost any warring people together Oksana Hrabova also didn’t have many options when she came to Torrevieja in 2022 with her two children They left Donetsk in eastern Ukraine and her fluency in Russian landed her a job as a bartender at the Tres Gatos pub She loves the place and is grateful to the pub’s Russian owner “It’s like a home,” she said of Tres Gatos Simonov has been in Torrevieja for eight years and he’s weary of the war and the disharmony it has caused they are against Russians,” he acknowledged with a sigh as he sipped coffee in the pub on a quiet Thursday evening in August and he used to run a specialty paper business he headed to Torrevieja with his wife and two sons on the advice of friends who’d come earlier with wooden benches and Russian mementoes on the walls The bar is stocked with Russian soft drinks and beer that Mr and the front entrance is decorated with a sign that proclaims the benefits of good beer and good company Simonov said Russians and Ukrainians mingle here without any problems The pub has also played host to performers from Ukraine He’s careful when speaking about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine He blames the war on the distrust between Mr Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and says they should have negotiated before Russia attacked Sanctions have made it almost impossible for him to get a bank loan and his Russian passport causes almost daily difficulties He’s holding out hope that in two years he can apply for Spanish citizenship the people and the natural beauty that’s unlike anything he’s ever saw back home Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Editorial code of conduct Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following Paul Waldie is The Globe and Mail’s Europe Correspondent Paul has been a reporter and editor for 30 years, taking on everything from the Bre-X gold fraud to the conviction of Conrad Black, the collapse of Lehman Brothers, Britain's departure from the European Union and the war in Ukraine numerous Wimbledon championships and spent a season with the Winnipeg Jets when the team made its triumphant return to the city in 2011 As editor of The Globe’s Report on Business section Paul managed the largest financial newsroom in Canada and was responsible for expanding the paper’s business and investment coverage in print and online In 2016, he moved to the UK to cover Britain and Europe. Since February 2022, he has been part of the team of Globe reporters covering Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 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Subscribe here Paul Attfield is a reporter at The Globe and Mail Born in England and raised both there and in France Paul is now a dual citizen of Canada and the United Kingdom He has called Toronto home since moving there from London in 2005 Working in The Globe’s sports department since 2006 Paul started out covering predominantly soccer and rugby he has become more of a general assignment reporter writing about pretty much anything involving a bat Temur Durrani is a national reporter for The Globe and Mail a Globe business podcast about how our failures shape us he was a technology reporter for The Globe’s Report on Business he broke news and wrote extensively about Canadian firms like Shopify turbulence in global cryptocurrency markets A globe-trotting newshound hailing from British Columbia and even the Raptors’ historic run to the NBA final Before joining The Globe in February of 2022 where he reported investigative stories and business features for broadcast and digital audiences he was a staffer at the Winnipeg Free Press A juror since 2021 for the annual Dalton Camp Award which grants young writers with a $10,000 prize for the best essay on the link between media and democracy TV and radio panels to provide news analysis He speaks in six languages fluently or conversationally (guess which ones!) takes his caffeinated beverages very seriously Carrie Tait is a reporter in The Globe and Mail’s Calgary Bureau Her coverage ranges from race relations in her home province of Saskatchewan to the lighthearted topic of skiing cats in Alberta Carrie has reported on the wildfires and floods in Alberta and British Columbia; how Cargill’s meat-processing plant in High River became the site of Canada’s largest single outbreak of COVID-19; and naming trends among Calgary Stampede participants she covered energy for the Globe’s Report on Business and has also reported for the National Post She joined the National Post’s Calgary bureau in 2008 Barry Hertz is the Deputy Arts Editor and Film Editor for The Globe and Mail He previously served as the Executive Producer of Features for the National Post and was a manager and writer at Maclean’s before that Barry’s arts and culture writing has also been featured in several publications, including Reader’s Digest and NOW Magazine. His favourite film franchise is the Fast and Furious series and he will offer no apologies for that fact Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre and his wife Anaida Poilievre depart a polling station after voting in Ottawa on Monday Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way. Click here to subscribe If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. 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For more information on our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines and our Terms and Conditions A full Holy Week and Easter programme in English will be shared between the churches of La Siesta and Lago Jardín in Torrevieja said it is a privilege to be in Spain during this time and explained that the English-language services aim to complement Spanish traditions for those who wish to take part Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday services Palm crosses will be given out and Mass celebrated on Saturday the Mass of the Lord’s Supper will take place at 7:00pm at La Siesta is the most solemn day of the Christian year a moving and thoughtful service will take place The Easter celebrations begin on Holy Saturday Bells are welcome again to mark this joyful beginning to Easter Mass will be celebrated at 9:30am at Lago Jardín and 11:30am at La Siesta Everyone is welcome to join the journey through Holy Week and share in the joy of the Resurrection find the churches on Instagram at @sspandptorrevieja The Torrevieja salt company kicked off its sea salt export campaign in mid-October Last week, the cargo ship Grinna, measuring 117 metres and flying the Norwegian flag, loaded approximately 6,000 tons of salt the salt dock has seen very few cargo ships with only a few small ones docking in September ship arrivals are expected to become more regular starting in November and should continue into the early weeks of 2025 The salt dock remains the primary outlet for Torrevieja’s salt exports large trucks can sometimes be seen queuing at the salt mine during heavy snowstorms in northern regions reminiscent of events like “Filomena.” The primary purpose of the exported salt is for road de-icing and Torrevieja is known for providing large volumes of sea salt which is highly valued for its ability to adhere to asphalt without melting quickly The current salt production campaign for 2023-2024 which spans from August through the following month is shaping up to be one of the most successful in recent years Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced in Kyiv that Spain and Ukraine will set up the “House of Ukraine” in Torrevieja This centre will cater to the needs of the Ukrainian community in Spain The announcement was made during an international summit marking the third anniversary of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine Sánchez attended in person to reaffirm Spain’s support for Ukraine Torrevieja already hosts a centre dedicated to assisting Ukrainians established by the Ministry of Migration at the start of the Russian invasion Located on the second floor of the Social Security Treasury building this facility provides displaced Ukrainians with administrative support and Referral Centres (Creade) set up by the Spanish government The decision to place the “House of Ukraine” in Torrevieja is no coincidence. Before the war, the city already had a significant Ukrainian population Ukrainians have become the largest foreign community in Torrevieja They outnumber the Russian and British communities Local schools have adjusted to the growing Ukrainian population additional teachers have been assigned to help Ukrainian students the entire class consists of Ukrainian children These students share classrooms with many Russian students as Torrevieja is also home to around 6,000 Russian residents Infrastructure and Territory of the Generalitat have institutionally opened this morning the Paseo del Mar parking lot in the Port of Torrevieja they were accompanied by the port's leisure center concessionaire Enrique Riquelme; the Director of Operations for Spain Luis Blanco; and the Telpark Off Street Territorial Representative Luis Blanco emphasized the company's pride in opening this car park and being part of the development of Torrevieja thanking all the institutions involved in making this a reality today The Mayor of Torrevieja emphasized the great teamwork that has been achieved carried out for this project through a public-private partnership in addition to highlighting this modern infrastructure facility as a perfect option for convenient parking Eduardo Dolón stated that today is an important day for the city of Torrevieja because it opens a parking lot in high demand by its residents and visitors He publicly thanked the Regional Minister of Environment and Territory for their strong involvement from the outset in these works at the port of Torrevieja which will transform the appearance of the entire city's waterfront Vicente Martínez has praised the 100 million investment in this great project of the port of Torrevieja which must serve to benefit the people of Torrevieja as a priority objective of any government and the City Council In addition to highlighting the milestone of opening the parking lot which is born to To serve all the citizens of Torrevieja and all those who come to visit it The car park offers a total of 640 parking spaces for rotation and subscriptions of which 18 are equipped for 22 kW electric charging and 2 additional spaces for people with reduced mobility and equipped for 22 kW electric charging The space incorporates an intelligent access system using license plate reading which allows entry and exit without the need for tickets facilitating more agile and efficient management for the user With 7 pedestrian entrances already enabled and 1 elevator in operation the car park will soon improve its connectivity with 2 additional entrances and 4 more elevators The remodeling of the parking lot is part of the project to transform the Torrevieja port area into a new leisure area as well as Telpark's commitment to incorporating high-value services aimed at facilitating more efficient and sustainable mobility presented 6,000 discount vouchers for free parking for 30 minutes in the Paseo del Mar Parking to APYMECO and the Torrevieja and Region Hospitality Association to promote local commerce and hospitality Construction site visit to the Paseo del Mar leisure center Following the opening of the new parking lot the first phase of an ambitious project that will revitalize Torrevieja's waterfront they visited the construction site of the Paseo del Mar Leisure Center which is expected to be completed this year Vicente Martínez has underlined the commitment of the Generalitat and the Torrevieja City Council to the improvement of infrastructure and the creation of quality public spaces that promote the economic and social development of the city and has highlighted the effort made by the City Council to integrate the port with the city through Significant investments he also highlighted some of the municipal projects such as the development of Paseo Libertad and its surroundings which is being coordinated with the Generalitat (Catalan Government) This includes the redevelopment of the urban front adjacent to the port and the creation of an elevated walkway providing direct access from the Dique de Levante promenade to the future leisure center March 18th in Torrevieja will begin with overcast skies accompanied by heavy rain during the early hours The minimum temperature is expected to be around 13 degrees The wind chill will remain within this range due to the high relative humidity and the probability of precipitation remains high leaving a mostly cloudy sky with no chance of rain weather conditions will show a slight improvement Although the sky will be partly cloudy throughout the day Temperatures will range between 11 and 18 degrees and relative humidity will decrease slightly March 20th will bring high cloudy skies in the morning and some cloudy periods in the afternoon cloudy periods are expected with an 80% chance of rain while temperatures will range between 14 and 20 degrees the chance of precipitation will decrease to 25% a return to more unstable conditions is expected Temperatures will range between 10 and 17 degrees Celsius Relative humidity will remain high throughout the week and Francisco Pizana have signed a collaboration agreement allocating a budget of €100,000 to the carnival the Torrevieja Carnival Cultural Association will manage all events and activities of the program The prestigious Golden Shield of the Association has been awarded to Concepción Mercader Valdés also known as “Conchita Valdés,” recognized as the main ambassador of Torrevieja’s carnival worldwide with her troupe “La Sal de Torrevieja.” This year’s official town crier for the carnival is Alicante-born comedian Jorge Cremades one of Spain’s most influential digital creators boasting over 3 million Instagram followers Festival Councilor Rosario Martínez Chazarra President of the Torrevieja Carnival Cultural Association have officially presented the 2025 Torrevieja Carnival program recognized as a Regional Tourist Interest Festival structured to attract tourism by concentrating the main events on weekends This will allow visitors to experience one of the most exciting and colorful celebrations in the Valencian Community the Association now has full autonomy over event management ensuring greater flexibility and efficiency in organizing the carnival Mayor Dolón emphasized the significance of the carnival for Torrevieja highlighting its transformation into one of the city’s most participatory and popular events with over 2,000 participants across more than 30 troupes The local government aims to have the carnival designated as a National Tourist Interest Festival in the coming years Among the new additions for 2025 is an increase in prize funding for the Carnival Parade Contest The revival of the “Teatrico” performance and expanded participation in the Foráneas Parade will also enhance the festivities with 15 troupes from various parts of Spain taking part Torrevieja remains one of the few Spanish cities to feature four open and inclusive parades HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2025 TORREVIEJA CARNIVAL PROGRAMPHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: “TORREVIEJA CARNIVAL 2024”Date: From Friday 2025Location: Torrevieja Carnival Cultural SocietyTime: 8:30 PMEntry: FreeA photographic exhibition curated by the Municipal Photography School and renowned photographer Víctor Galán showcasing highlights from the 2024 carnival OPENING GALA & FILM PREMIERE: “TORREVIEJA CARNIVAL 2024 2025Location: Municipal Theater (Plaza Miguel Hernández)Time: 9:00 PMEntry: €5 (Tickets available at www.culturatorrevieja.com)Comedian Jorge Cremades will open the carnival with his signature humor followed by the annual screening of the documentary film “Torrevieja Carnival 2024.” CROWNING GALA OF CARNIVAL ROYALTY & GOLDEN SHIELD PRESENTATIONDate: Saturday 2025Location: Municipal Theater (Plaza Miguel Hernández)Time: 6:00 PM & 9:00 PMEntry: €5 (Tickets available at www.culturatorrevieja.com)Presentation of the 2025 carnival kings and queens:• Children’s Queen: Lucía Martínez• Adult Queen: Mireya Ferrández• Carnival King: Pablo HernándezConcepción Mercader Valdés will receive the prestigious Golden Shield Award for her lifelong dedication to the carnival GRAND CARNIVAL PARADE & ANIMAL COSTUME CONTESTDate: Sunday 2025Location: Plaza Encarnación Puchol (La Mata)Time: From 11:00 AMThe event includes a pet costume contest in collaboration with the Municipal Animal Shelter and various animal welfare organizations followed by the Third Carnival Paella Contest featuring music and entertainment XVI NATIONAL DRAG QUEEN CONTEST “CITY OF TORREVIEJA”Date: Saturday 2025Location: International AuditoriumTime: 9:00 PMEntry: €10 (Tickets available at www.culturatorrevieja.com)Hosted by the flamboyant La Plexy the contest will showcase dazzling drag performances including a special appearance by Bella Vampi from Drag Race España 2025Location: From Virgen del Carmen Cultural Center along Calle Ramón GalludTime: 4:00 PM onwardsThe carnival’s most anticipated event and two new competitions for Best Makeup and Best Performance SCHOOL CARNIVAL WORKSHOPS & PARADESDate: February 25-26 2025Location: Various schools across TorreviejaAimed at bringing the spirit of the carnival to local students through workshops and parades 2025Location: From Virgen del Carmen Cultural Center along Calle Ramón GalludTime: 8:00 PM onwardsThe night parade will fill the streets with dazzling costumes concluding with an award ceremony and celebration at Vista Alegre Promenade NATIONAL TROUPE & CHIRIGOTAS COMPETITION “CITY OF TORREVIEJA”Date: Sunday 2025Location: International Auditorium of TorreviejaTime: 6:00 PMEntry: €8 (Tickets available at www.culturatorrevieja.com)A competition bringing together the best chirigotas (satirical musical groups) from across Spain FINAL CELEBRATION: PIÑATA BALLDate: Saturday 2025Location: Torrevieja Carnival Cultural SocietyTime: 8:30 PMEntry: FreeThe carnival concludes with a traditional masked ball featuring music and entertainment.Get ready for an unforgettable Torrevieja Carnival 2025 The sale of tickets for the departure of the brotherhoods takes place in the Parish halls (behind the Immaculate Church) from March 8 to April 6 The lunar calendar establishes the dates for the celebration of Holy Week coinciding with Holy Monday with the appearance of the first full moon of spring which next year will fall precisely on Monday The Junta Mayor de Cofradías de Torrevieja in collaboration with the Torrevieja City Council and the Immaculate Parish organize the Holy Week 2025 processions that will run through the streets of the city every night for 1 week At the doors of the parish of the Immaculate Conception.SOLEMN BLESSING OF PALMS AND BRANCHESThen from the doors of the Immaculate Conception.SOLEMNPROCESSION OF THE PALMS• Image by Ntro Father Jesus Triumphant.• Image of San Juan Evangelista children’s throne with the gospels of the Brotherhood of San Juan Evangelista next to the Band of Bugles and Drums of the Brotherhood.Itinerary: Plaza de la Constitución THE Costa Blanca has been rocked by an earthquake with tourists and locals left terrified by the tremors Brits in Torrevieja describe being "almost thrown out of bed" when the tremors hit after midnight One ex-pat living in the Los Balcones resort described his experience of waking up to the terrifying quake He said on social media: "'It was something else I couldn't go back to sleep as I thought there was more to come "This was the strongest and loudest I've experienced yet." Meanwhile another person residing in the area told the Spanish Eye that the tremor was the "strongest quake I have ever felt in my life" Various quakes were also registered off the coast of Barcelona, just north of the Balearic islands, shortly after. Another local said on X that while he is "used to these types of events," the scary quake last night made "a very loud noise, as if rocks had been breaking deep underground". He added: "We were probably very close to the epicentre." Another said: "In Orihuela Costa there was a lot of noise and vibrations." One Brit in the tourist hotspot took to Facebook to describe the incident as a "big earthquake" It comes after the UK Foreign Office issued updated travel advice for Brits travelling to Lanzarote after the Spanish holiday island was hit by torrential rain and flash floods. The powerful storm triggered widespread panic, with cars swept away and a state of emergency imposed. Brit holidaymakers have been hit with a daunting weather schedule in Spain for over the Easter holidays Popular tourist spots and beloved resorts are in the path of shock storms which are expected to rip through the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands Regional meteorological agency AEMET has released the concerning forecast for the coming days with many areas set to be hit by high winds and heavy rain On Tuesday and Wednesday, widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected across much of Spain The worst hit area for heavy rainfall is tipped to be the northeast quadrant of the peninsula which includes Barcelona and Catalonia Those taking a trip to the Canary Islands are also set to be affected with "very strong gusts" expected on Wednesday Conditions are set to improve on Thursday with it being described as the most stable day of the week by meteorologists Significant rainfall is still expected in Galicia with lighter showers on the Cantabrian coast along Northern Spain The Canaries will also face strong winds once again From Friday through to Monday, the forecasts are predicting a new front to form and cause weather chaos for tourists and locals alike The northwest is set to face "persistent heavy rainfall" which will target western Galicia as well as much of the country Temperatures will start to drop on Saturday and led to consistent showers and thunderstorms Sunday will see temperatures slowly start to rise again with less rainfall expected through to Monday Spanish officials have been telling Brits to prepare for the worst weather ahead of Easter weekend Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ hundreds of Torrevieja residents from various nationalities will gather for the 22nd International Christmas Carols Concert The event is also known as “Carols in the Square.” The concert will be held on the stage at Plaza de la Constitución the concert will feature performances from several groups the Melody Makers Singing Group from the United Kingdom the “Sanzienele” vocal group from the “Close to Romania” Cultural Association a Ukrainian children’s and teenagers’ choir students from the Singing Course at the Fco All choirs will be accompanied by the Torrevieja Youth Symphonic Orchestra Ensemble As in previous years, it is expected that the Plaza de la Constitución will be filled with hundreds of international residents, many dressed in Santa Claus costumes who will sing traditional carols from their home countries in this festive and unique celebration The recent departure of two of the five urologists at Torrevieja Hospital has left the specialty in a precarious situation The resulting vacancies have led to the cancellation of numerous appointments many of which patients have been waiting months for and have placed a significant burden on the remaining three urologists the hospital’s management has stated that a Public Employment Offer (OPE) is pending to address the staffing shortfall two of the five specialists in the Urology Department at Torrevieja University Hospital have left their positions This has resulted in the cancellation of many medical appointments especially those recovering from surgery within the public health system are turning to private healthcare options available in Torrevieja such as the local hospital and specialized medical centers According to the Torrevieja Health Department’s Management Report the urology specialty is already one of the areas with the longest wait times for specialized care This situation is expected to worsen with a 40% reduction in staff for a department that handled over 4,500 consultations last year The Health Department’s management has clarified that the Urology Department has been staffed by five specialists two have resigned from their roles at the hospital,” the report explained the remaining three urologists are continuing all the care responsibilities but the department’s future is uncertain as we await the resolution of the OPE related to this specialty This may result in new staff coming in to replace those who leave.” union representatives are concerned that before the OPE is resolved the remaining three physicians may choose to leave due to the increased workload and lack of immediate plans to fill the vacancies Union sources also noted that other medical specialties are maintaining their full staff levels after the challenges caused by the return of the Health Department to direct public management in November 2021 the department added 211 healthcare workers to its staff doubling the workforce since the Generalitat took direct control after the contract with Ribera Salud was terminated The department now employs 2,206 healthcare professionals the unions highlighted ongoing problems in urology and dermatology surgeries are being outsourced to the private Ribera Salud clinic in Rojales The three urologists in the department now handle a patient base of 215,000 residents across ten municipalities: Torrevieja Urology is a medical and surgical specialty that addresses conditions related to the urinary tract urinary tract infections and benign prostatic hyperplasia) and surgical procedures (e.g. The Torrevieja Health Department operates with a budget of €233 million in 2024 reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year €119 million (53%) is allocated to personnel expenses The workforce includes over 2,200 healthcare professionals the number of statutory civil servants now outnumbers the previously contracted staff from Ribera Salud in 2021 which includes a significant proportion of elderly and foreign residents the department managed 1,784,346 consultations in primary care in 2024 The average wait time for hospital consultations was 59 days Torrevieja saw the fastest population growth in Spain last year according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) It was followed by Arrecife in Lanzarote (5.1 per cent) and Granadilla de Abona in Tenerife (3.9 per cent) and Getxo experienced the largest population declines Spain’s total population reached 48.6 million in 2023 42.1 million were Spanish nationals (86.6 per cent) while 6.5 million were foreigners (13.4 per cent) marking a 6.8 per cent increase in the non-Spanish population Colombians led the rise in foreign residents followed by Peruvians (47,598) and Venezuelans (47,095) The largest foreign communities were Moroccans (920,693) Population growth occurred in all 17 regions with the biggest increases in Madrid (137,365 people) The Community of Madrid and the Valencian Community saw the highest growth rates at 2 per cent with the Balearic Islands close behind at 1.8 per cent At the provincial level, Valencia, Madrid, and Alicante had the largest increases The number of people aged 65 and older rose by 2.48 per cent while those under 16 dropped by 1.13 per cent 18.2 per cent of residents were born outside Spain The largest groups of foreign-born residents were from Morocco (12.4 per cent) Torrevieja has identified 231 feeding stations for stray cat colonies throughout the region Efforts have been made to accurately locate each colony and assess the number of cats residing within them While the exact number of felines in each colony has not been disclosed estimates suggest that there are approximately 2,550 stray cats in the area For over a year, collaboration with local associations has focused on implementing the capture, sterilisation, and return process known as the “CER Plan.” This method is recognised as an effective strategy for managing the populations of feral cat colonies the Torrevieja Council has funded around 400 sterilisations of stray and feral cats The goal for the upcoming months is to continue the sterilisation efforts and monitor the colonies promoting a more sustainable coexistence between residents and the local cat populations However, the presence of these cat colonies has a significant environmental impact, particularly near the natural parks of Las Lagunas de Torrevieja and La Mata Numerous colonies are found around the large urban areas of San Luis particularly in green spaces that have been neglected by the City Council