Mojácar gets ready to relive its history with the 2026 Moors and Christians Festivities
From the 11th to the 14th of June, the municipality will once again be filled with parades, gunpowder, music and spectacular historical reenactments.
Mojácar is finalising preparations for celebrating another edition of its emblematic Moors and Christians Festival, one of the most anticipated events on the Almería festive calendar. From the 11th to the 14th of June, the municipality's streets will be transformed into a stage where history, tradition, and spectacle come together.
For four days, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy some of the most representative events of these festivities, such as the traditional musket fire, the spectacular horse parade, the dressage exhibition and medieval tournament, and the grand Moors & Christians parade, which will fill Mojácar with colour, music and excitement.
The festivities, deeply rooted in the local identity, attract thousands of people every year who find in Mojácar a unique celebration, capable of combining the value of tradition with a carefully crafted presentation in one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful villages.
The Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, has invited residents and visitors to enjoy these festivities, which “are part of our essence and showcase to the world the cultural, historical and human richness of Mojácar.”
In addition, the Al-Mosaquer Moors and Christians General Association has announced the 6th National Photography Contest of the 2026 Mojácar Moors & Christians Festival, an initiative that seeks to capture the best moments of the celebration. The contest, open to participants from all over Spain, will accept photographs taken during the festivities from the 15th of June to the 15th of September and will give out prizes of 200 euros in each of its four categories: Moorish theme, Christian theme, black and white, and open theme. The selected images will form part of future exhibitions and promotional activities for the festivities.
With an extensive programme of activities and significant organisational and security measures in place, Mojácar is getting ready to experience four unforgettable days in which history will come alive once again next to the sea.
As a complement to the festivities, Mojácar Council is reinforcing the urban bus service during the busiest days. The service will extend its hours to 3.30am on Thursday 11th of June, and until 6am on the early mornings of Friday 12th of June and Saturday 13th of June, making getting between Mojácar Pueblo and the beach area easier and promoting more comfortable and safe mobility for residents and visitors. On Sunday 14th of June, the regular timetable will remain in effect, with additional services at peak times.
Among the main novelties of this edition are the celebration of the 1st Mojácar History and Archaeology Conference and the establishment of Town Day.
Hoppy launches its new shared electric bike service in Mojácar
Hoppy launches a shared electric bicycle service in Mojácar with 200 bikes. The first 120 bikes are available from Monday 8th of June, and the service includes geofencing, regulated parking, and technological measures to promote coexistence and the orderly use of public spaces.
Mojácar, 8th of June, 2026. Hoppy has this Monday launched its new shared electric bike service in Mojácar, a commitment to more sustainable, efficient and connected urban mobility, that will reach 200 electric bikes distributed throughout the town through a phased rollout over the next month.
The service begins operations with 120 bikes available starting today, while the remaining units will be incorporated gradually in different phases, allowing for the optimisation of territorial coverage, operational rebalancing, and the adaptation of the system to actual user demand.
The implementation of the service aims to offer a flexible, accessible, and complementary mobility alternative to public transport, particularly reinforcing last-mile travel, that is, those routes connecting stations, interchanges, urban centres, neighbourhoods, or areas of economic activity with citizens' final destinations.
The model promoted by Hoppy puts particular emphasis on intermodality, facilitating the use of electric bikess as a natural complement to other means of transport and contributing to reducing private vehicle use, the associated emissions, and urban congestion.
“Mojácar is a town with enormous potential for establishing more sustainable, connected, and efficient mobility models. We want to contribute to making getting around the town easier and more accessible, strengthening the connection between neighbourhoods, amenities, commercial areas, and transport hubs, always with a focus on coexistence and respect for public spaces,” commented Jacob Hammerstein, the company's Director of Public Affairs.
A technology-based system to guarantee order and coexistence
Hoppy's service incorporates a geofencing system, a digital technology – that together with vehicles’ geolocation - virtually delimits bicycle use in different areas of the town with the aim of guaranteeing safety, urban order, and coexistence between pedestrians, cyclists, and other users of public roads.
Through this technology, the system establishes mandatory parking points, so that trips can only end in designated and digitally delimited areas. This measure prevents disorderly parking and promotes responsible use of common space.
In addition, the system incorporates reduced speed zones and no-circulation zones, especially in certain pedestrian areas or areas of high urban sensitivity, where the bike will automatically reduce its speed or will be unable to operate at all.
“Technological innovation only makes sense if it helps improve urban life. We have designed a system that prioritises public order, safety, and respect for pedestrians and residents, incorporating tools that allow for responsible use of the service and harmonious integration into the town,” added Hammerstein.
How the service works
The system will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will be available to users aged 18 and over.
To use the bikes, users must download the Hoppy Mobility mobile app, available on both the App Store de Apple and Google Play, register, and locate an available bike using the integrated map.
Unlocking is simple: just scan the QR code located on the bike using your mobile phone.
At the end of the ride, the user must park the bicycle correctly within one of the geofenced authorised areas, which will also be physically indicated by unobtrusive horizontal markings on the ground. The trip can only be ended within these designated points, and a photograph of the correctly parked bike will be required to validate the service completion, hence reinforcing responsible use and the proper use of public space.
Territorial coverage, operational efficiency and sustainability
The progressive rollout of the fleet will ensure a capillary network of availability throughout Mojácar, facilitating coverage of different neighbourhoods, residential areas, commercial zones, university areas, and other areas of economic activity.
The service also incorporates operational rebalancing mechanisms, through which Hoppy will redistribute bikes across different areas to ensure a balanced supply, improve availability and respond efficiently to demand patterns.
From an environmental perspective, the system aims to contribute to the reduction of polluting emissions, the reduction of motorised traffic and the improvement of air quality, promoting low-emission urban travel and reinforcing more sustainable mobility habits.
Additionally, Hoppy highlights this model’s ability to generate territorial cohesion, bringing mobility opportunities closer to different parts of the town and facilitating better connections between neighbourhoods, public facilities, local businesses and areas of activity.
“We are particularly proud to be launching this phase in Mojácar and of being able to provide a mobility solution designed for the town, its residents and its visitors. We want to be a reliable and trusted long-term partner, committed to a safe, efficient service that is fully integrated into the urban environment,” affirmed Roberto Cerero, Managing Director of Hoppy in Spain.
With this launch, Hoppy reaffirms its commitment to Mojácar and to the development of sustainable, accessible and well-organised urban mobility solutions, putting technology at the service of a better citizen experience and balanced coexistence in public spaces.
Renowned Almerian painter Jover brings his universe of "Nymphs" to the Mojácar Museum
The artist is exhibiting his celebrated work in coloured Indian ink, an innovative take on Surrealism-Abstract that has been shown in international venues such as the Louvre Museum in Paris.
The exhibition can be visited from the 22nd of May to the 15th of June, Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 1.30pm in the Mojácar Museum's art gallery.
MOJÁCAR – The Mojácar Museum is hosting a solo exhibition by the painter Juan Ramón Jover Sánchez, known artistically as Jover. The Almerian artist, originally from the Campo de Níjar region, is presenting a carefully curated selection of his most representative works from his acclaimed NYMPHS series.
With a lengthy career spanning more than 120 exhibitions in countries such as the US (New York), France, Portugal and Belgium, Jover stands out on the contemporary art scene for his self-taught background and his constant experimental pursuit. After years dedicated to oil on canvas, the painter is currently immersed in a highly personal and innovative technique: coloured Indian ink.
Through this medium, the artist brings his Surrealist-Abstract vision to life. Jover's "Nymphs" are presented as ethereal and dreamlike compositions filled with a subtle chromatic balance. As mythological figures of an invisible nature, the painter deliberately plays with abstract forms so that it is the viewer's own imagination that, when contemplating the painting, completes the work, transforming it into suggestive feminine silhouettes.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, is delighted to have this art exhibition in the municipality, which further strengthens Mojácar’s close ties to art and culture.
This unique perspective and creative maturity have led to his work being acquired by multinationals such as the Swiss firm Syngenta and the American company VFM (whose silkscreen prints made it to the Spanish Royal Household), as well as having two of his works exhibited at the renowned Louvre Museum.
With this new cultural event, Mojácar becomes the epicentre of an interactive visual experience where colour, poetry, and the free interpretation of art come together.
Mojácar consolidates its leadership in sports tourism, gaining the prestigious “Bike Territory” certification from the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation
The municipality officially receives the quality seals at a ceremony backing the sustainable ‘Mojácar Green Cycling’ strategy.
A selection of specialised companies also received the distinction after meeting the strict requirements for promotion, infrastructure and services demanded by the RFEC.
Mojácar has today taken a historic step in its consolidation as a top-level tourist destination on officially receiving the Bike Territory certification, a prestigious seal awarded by the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC). This recognition places the municipality at the forefront of national cycle tourism, rewarding its decades-long track record as an undisputed leader and pioneer in the sports tourism sector.
The RFEC project awards the Bike Territory certificate to those entities and destinations that exemplarily combine their efforts to offer promotional activities, infrastructure improvements and specific services for the promotion of cycling and bicycle use. In this regard, the municipality has earned the award in the ‘Bike Territory Tourism’ category, aimed at regions that are firmly committed to promoting bicycle tourism.
A highly specialised business sector
The success of this certification is not only institutional, but also a reflection of the local private sector’s high level of specialisation and commitment. At the ceremony held on Thursday 28th of May, the seals were presented both to the Mojácar destination and to the first local businesses that have successfully passed the rigorous RFEC audits, gaining the ‘Bike Territory Businesse’ seal.
The first five certified companies are Hotel Marina Playa (Servigroup), Hotel Oasis Tropical (Best Hotels), Hotel El Puntazo, Bar San Pedro, and Mojácar Cycling Holidays.
To achieve this certification, the Mojácar establishments have demonstrated that their facilities and services meet strict quality criteria
The Local Council and businesses actively contribute to the Promotion of the Mojácar destination as the perfect place for cycling, at both the professional and amateur level.
Mojácar Green Cycling: Sustainability and Sport
The Mayor of Mojácar expressed his utmost satisfaction during the award ceremony, emphasizing that this milestone was a priority goal for the municipality. This achievement fits directly within ‘Mojácar Green Cycling’,’ the ambitious local project that combines specialisation in cycling, sustainability, and sports tourism with low environmental impact.
‘Mojácar Green Cycling’ is one of the strategic initiatives included in the Mojácar Destination Sustainable Development Plan, ensuring balanced tourism growth that respects the natural environment and with a high added value for the local economy by completely breaking the cycle of seasonality.
By obtaining the Bike Territory seals, Mojácar not only celebrates its history linked to cycling but is also pedalling steadily toward a sustainable and healthy future.
Mojácar consolidates the excellence of its coastline: six Blue Flags and top-quality certifications for the 2026 season
The municipality reaffirms its tourism leadership by obtaining one more Blue Flag than in 2025, also adding prestigious certifications in Quality and Sustainability.
MOJÁCAR, ALMERÍA – 6th of May 2026 – Mojácar has once again positioned itself as an undisputed benchmark for quality tourism in the Mediterranean, being one of the Andalucian municipalities with the highest number of flags and the municipality with the most awards in the Levante region of Almería. For another year, the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (ADEAC) has awarded the Blue Flag distinction to six of its beaches, recognising the excellence of its waters, safety, and the provision of top-notch services.
The beaches that will be displaying this award are: Marina de la Torre, El Descargador, Piedra Villazar, El Cantal, Lance Nuevo, and Venta del Bancal-Ventanicas. This milestone maintains the municipality's historic high, a trajectory of success that began in 1991 and which today covers almost its entire urban coastline.
The municipality has passed the rigorous annual assessment that certifies it meets the most demanding international standards in four key areas:
Bathing Water Excellence: This requires "Excellent" water quality based on regular analyses that guarantee the health of bathers. Environmental Management and Safety: This involves a professional deployment of lifeguards, first-aid personnel, and surveillance teams, as well as thorough cleaning of the sand. Services and Facilities: This guarantees the presence of clean toilets, recycling bins, and, as a priority, full accessibility for people with reduced mobility. Environmental Education: The municipality organises a significant number of activities to raise awareness among residents and visitors about the importance of protecting the marine and coastal ecosystem.
Beyond the Blue Flag, Mojácar's coastline stands out for its comprehensive management, backed by the most demanding certifications in the sector. Several of these beaches also boast the ‘Q’ for Tourism Quality and the ‘S’ for Sustainability, awarded by the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality (ICTE).
In addition, the municipality's commitment is reflected in the SICTED Quality Certification (Spanish Integrated System for Tourism Quality in Destinations), which guarantees service and management standards that place Mojácar at the forefront of national tourism. The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, has expressed his pride in these recognitions, highlighting the human and technical effort behind each flag.
"Mojácar is, by vocation and through its management, a sustainable municipality. Our aim is not only to maintain what we have, but to continue improving. We have achieved one more Blue Flag than in 2025, so these six Blue Flags, along with the Q and S certifications, are a success and the result of a firm commitment to the protection of our natural environment and ensuring full accessibility”, the Mayor stated.
"We are working to ensure that everyone, regardless of their mobility, can enjoy our waters safely and comfortably. Mojácar offers not only beauty, it offers guarantees," the Mayor concluded.
Mojácar council hosts the premiere of the documentary "Hacia el bosque" (towards the forest), a sensory and scientific look at autism
• The screening will take place on Friday 24th of April at 7.30pm in the Senior Citizens' Centre.
• The initiative has the collaboration of the local association TEAMA, and delves into the realities of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, highlights Mojácar Councill's ongoing commitment to visibility and social inclusion, inviting residents and visitors to attend the screening of the documentary “Hacia el bosque” (Towards the forest), a sound and cinematographic narrative that explores the realities of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The event will be held tomorrow, Friday 24th of April at 7.30pm in the Senior Citizens' Centre.
This activity takes on special significance in the municipality thanks to the presence and work of the TEAMA association, a leading local organisation supporting people with autism and their families in Mojácar. The Local Council is thus strengthening its alliance with local organisations to raise awareness about sensory diversity and the developmental stages of those living with ASD.
A cross-cutting and human focus directed by Óscar Gagliardi and produced by Agustín Ernesto Martínez-González, a neuropsychologist at the University of Alicante, "Hacia el bosque" is the result of extensive filming carried out between 2022 and 2025. The film offers a comprehensive overview, ranging from the uncertainty of families following the initial diagnosis to professionals’ accounts and data provided by internationally renowned researchers.
The documentary stands out for its high artistic merit and sensitivity. Óscar Gagliardi (Kilombo Films), filmmaker and father of a child with autism, brings a personal and intimate perspective by including a sound poem that reflects his own feelings and experiences. Martínez-González, director of the GINTA research group and composer of the musical project AMAGO, has composed the conceptual soundtrack that accompanies the story.
Music and Science in collaboration with the University of Alicante, funded by the University of Alicante, the project is not just an audiovisual piece, but a "sound narrative" based on the album released by the group AMAGO in 2023. The film aims for viewers to understand that people with autism have a different sensory world, inviting empathy through image and sound. Mojácar Council invites all residents and visitors to attend this free screening, which offers a unique opportunity to better understand ASD thanks to experts, artists, and, above all, the voices of those at its centre.
• Event: Screening of the documentary "Hacia el bosque".
• Date: Friday 24th of April 2026.
• Time: 7.30pm
• Venue: Senior Citizens’ Centre, Mojácar.
• Entry: Free until capacity reached.
MOJÁCAR: The municipality celebrates Book Day 2026 with an ambitious cultural programme for all ages
MOJÁCAR: The municipality celebrates Book Day 2026 with an ambitious cultural programme for all ages
From the 18th to the 26th of April, the locality hosts storytelling, literature, documentary films, creative workshops, and live music.
To celebrate International Book Day, the Local Council presents a week packed with activities designed to promote reading, creativity, and social inclusion.
With a varied programme, municipal venues are turned into the epicentre of culture from Saturday 18th of April to Sunday 26th of April.
Literary launch and documentary film
The activities began on Saturday 18th of April at 11.30am in the Municipal Library with the "El camión volador" (The flying truck), children's storytelling session by José Miguel Sanz Mira, an event designed to spark the imaginations of the very youngest.
On Thursday 23rd of April, the big day for literature, the "Perdidos por los libros" (Lost in Books) Book Club met at 7pm in the municipal library to discuss the classic "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
The programme will continue on Friday 24th at 7.30pm in the Senior Citizens' Centre with a screening of "Hacia el bosque” (Into the forest), a documentary about Autism", a documentary made by Oscar Gagliardi and Agustín Ernesto Martínez.
Weekend of street activities and music
On Saturday 25th of April, the activities move on to the streets with an intensive day:
• 11.30am (Plaza Arbollón): Fan painting workshop. Places are limited and require prior registration by calling 674 784 191.
• 12pm (Plaza Arbollón): Grand literary Gymkhana through the village streets, a fun way to connect literature with the beautiful urban environment of Mojácar.
• 8pm (Multi-Uses Centre): Musical grand finale with the show "Trashumancia" by Julio Béjar, which will mix live music and poetry, with free admission until capacity is reached.
Artistic Closing
To end the week, on Sunday 26th of April at 12.30pm, the La Fuente Art Centre will inaugurate the group exhibition "Pintando la vida para que no destiña" (Painting life so it doesn't fade), featuring works by the artists García de la Torre, Beatriz Onieva, and Gato Pardo.
Mojácar opens a new Children's Playground and Rest Area next to the Commercial Center
Mojácar Council has opened a new children’s playground and rest area next to the municipality's Parque Comercial Commercial Centre, a project that represents a significant step forward in improving public spaces and revitalising this strategic area.
The new space has been designed as a gathering point for residents and visitors, incorporating play areas for young children, pathways, and rest areas with benches. It also features shaded areas in both the children's play area and the rest areas, meaning it can be enjoyed at any time of day, especially during the months with the highest temperatures.
This action not only addresses the need to continue creating quality spaces for residents, but also has a direct impact on the area’s local business community. Its location next to the Parque Comercial helps generate higher numbers of visitors, boosts economic activity, and reinforces the role of local businesses as a key driving force for the municipality.
During the official visit, the governing team was accompanied by the president of the Parque Comercial Traders Association, with whom they were able to see the results of the project and share their thoughts on the opportunities this new space creates for the sector.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, emphasized the value of this type of project: “With initiatives like this, we continue to move forward with a model of municipality that looks after its families and supports its local businesses. This new playground and rest area not only improves our residents’ quality of life, but also contributes to creating more attractive surroundings that foster economic activity and social interaction.”
The Mayor also highlighted that “investing in this type of infrastructure means backing a more dynamic, more liveable Mojácar, and with more opportunities, where the public space becomes a point of connection between the daily lives of our residents and the activity of our businesses.”
With this initiative, Mojácar Council reaffirms its commitment to sustainable urban development, the continuous improvement of services and the creation of spaces that promote coexistence, well-being and the economic growth of the municipality.
Mojácar initiates its accesion to REDD to consolidates its position as an inclusive Tourist Destination
Mojácar has signed an agreement to begin the process of joining REDD – the Spanish Network of Destinations for Diversity – a strategic step towards a more inclusive, sustainable, and competitive tourism model. The signing marks a milestone for the municipality, reinforcing its position as a destination open to diversity and committed to tourism quality.
With its distinctive white architecture, renowned Mediterranean coastline, and wide range of cultural and gastronomic offer, Mojácar has enormous potential for continued growth through differentiation and inclusion. This agreement will allow for the development of a specific roadmap that incorporates inclusive communication guidelines, training for the local tourism sector, and support in integrating diversity into the destination's offer.
The aim is to consolidate a tourism model in which everyone feels welcome, encouraging the involvement of businesses, SMEs, and the self-employed in building a more accessible and diverse offer.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, underlined the importance of this step for the municipality: “Mojácar is a destination with its own identity, open and welcoming. With this membership, we want to reinforce our commitment to inclusive tourism, where everyone can enjoy what we have to offer on equal terms.”
He also pointed out that “this initiative allows us to continue moving forward in quality tourism by involving the entire local community - businesses, the self-employed and administration - to build a more competitive, sustainable destination and prepared to respond to new demands of tourism.”
As part of this process, Mojácar will make up part of international promotional activities alongside REDD, including its presence at leading tourism fairs such as Berlin’s ITB. These initiatives will allow for positioning the destination in new markets, highlighting its cultural identity, its natural surroundings and its experiential offerings.
REDD approaches this new step with the commitment to support Mojácar in developing a more inclusive tourism strategy, strengthening its appeal and expanding its reach to new visitor segments.
Mojácar reinforces road safety education among pupils at CEIP Bartolomé Flores
The Mojácar Local Police Road Safety Education Unit has over the last few days run road safety education sessions for Infant and Primary pupils at the CEIP Bartolomé Flores school, with the aim of introducing the youngest children to basic traffic rules and promoting safe mobility habits from an early age.
The sessions, taught by officers specialising in road safety, combined theoretical explanations with practical activities adapted to each educational level. Through interactive activities, games, and everyday examples, the pupils learned to recognise some of the most important traffic signs, understand the importance of respecting traffic rules, and adopt responsible behaviour both as pedestrians and as future drivers.
During the sessions, topics related to safely crossing the road, the correct use of pedestrian crossings, the importance of traffic lights and road signs were also addressed, as well as basic recommendations for riding a bicycle or scooter safely.
During the workshops, topics such as road safety when crossing the street, the correct use of pedestrian crossings, the importance of traffic lights and road signs were also addressed, as well as basic recommendations for riding a bicycle or scooter safely.
The school highlighted the positive reception of the activity by the pupils, who actively took part in the explanations and exercises proposed by the officers, showing great interest in learning how to move safely around the streets.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, gave a positive evaluation of this initiative, highlighting the importance of road safety education in the early stages of schooling. “These sessions form part of Mojácar Council's commitment to the safety and education of our young people. Teaching children from an early age to respect traffic rules is fundamental to raising responsible citizens,” he commented.
These sessions make up part of the annual road safety education programme that Mojácar Council, together with the Local Police, run in collaboration with the municipality's educational centres, an initiative that seeks to reinforce awareness and respect for traffic rules among very youngest.
Mojácar embraces the Woman's Day Race: sport, families and solidarity
Mojácar celebrated another edition of its Women's Day Race last weekend, an event marked by high participation and a festive, supportive atmosphere.
More than 300 people joined in with this sporting and social initiative, which once again brought together residents, families and visitors around equality, sport and solidarity.
The race, organised in collaboration with the Mojácar Red Cross, raised more than 1,110 euros, which will go towards supporting the social work the organisation carries out in the municipality.
The day started early with the Peque Playfest, a space especially designed for young children and their families. Boys and girls enjoyed various educational and recreational activities, such as the Teddy Bear Hospital, where they learned basic first aid and resuscitation skills in a fun way, introducing them to the world of care and healthcare through play.
They also took part in a personalised badge workshop, games, and activities designed to foster creativity, teamwork, and learning while enjoying the race atmosphere.
The event took place in a friendly and participatory environment, with music, entertainment, and a charity photocall that meant those taking part could take home a memento of the day.
The celebration concluded with a paella shared among participants, providing a fitting end to a morning of sport, fun and solidarity.
The organisers expressed their gratitude for the tremendous involvement of everyone who took part in the race, as well as the collaboration of the Mojácar Red Cross, whose participation was key to the success of this charitable event, which, once again, demonstrated Mojácar's commitment to social and community initiatives.
Mojácar thanks Ricardo Escudero for his contribution to tourism with the 2026 Golden Indalo
The Local Council recognises the career of the long-time Servigroup area manager in Mojácar and his involvement in promoting the destination for more than two decades.
Mojácar Council has presented the 2026 Golden Indalo to Ricardo Escudero in recognition of his professional career and his contribution to the development and consolidation of Mojácar as one of the leading tourist destinations in the Levante region of Almería.
The event was held at the Hotel Puntazo in Mojácar Playa and was part of the launch of the “Sustainable Mojácar” campaign, a day dedicated to reflecting on the present and future of tourism in the municipality.
The presentation of the Golden Indalo is one of the most emblematic and best-loved events on Mojácar's official calendar. Since 1993, the municipality has awarded this honorary reward to national and international figures - artists, journalists, sportspeople, companies, and institutions - who have significantly contributed to promoting Mojácar's image and prestige in the world.
Honouring someone with the Golden Indalo means expressing the affection and gratitude of the people of Mojácar to those who, through their professional careers, projects, or public presence, have helped the municipality gain recognition as a quality tourist destination.
This year, the award went to Ricardo Escudero, who, from 2003 and until just a few days ago, served as the area manager for Servigroup Hotels in Mojácar, playing a key role in the development of the local hotel sector and the municipality's tourism promotion.
For more than two decades, Escudero has worked closely with the business community, institutions, and industry professionals to strengthen the destination's tourism offer, standing out for his professionalism, unwavering dedication, and commitment to excellence.
The mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, underlined during the presentation of the reward that the Golden Indalo symbolises “the gratitude of the people of Mojácar to those who have contributed to the growth of our municipality.”
“Ricardo Escudero has dedicated a large part of his professional life to tourism and has been a figure closely involved in the development of our destination. In his role within the hotel sector, he has always worked with honesty, commitment, and a tremendous dedication to service. With this recognition, we want to thank him for his contribution to Mojácar continuing to be a benchmark tourist destination,” the Mayor said.
The motivation behind this 2026 Golden Indalo can be summed up in one word: thanks. This gratitude comes from his clients, from the numerous professionals who have been part of his team, from tourism sector business people, from institutions, and especially the people of Mojácar, who recognise in his career an example of dedication to the development of the destination.
Ricardo Escudero's professional career began in 1977 at the Hotel Los Dálmatas in Benidorm. He went on to develop his career in various leading hotels, holding management positions at the Hotel Papa Luna during the 1980s and 1990s and at the Hotel Torre Dorada from 2000 onwards.
In 2003 he arrived in Mojácar to take on the area management of Servigroup Hotels, a position he held for 23 years and which has been marked by his commitment to the continuous improvement of the tourism offer and his close collaboration with the local sector.
During the presentation, also highlighted was his approach to tourism, based not only on receiving visitors, but on welcoming people, collaborating generously, and taking care of every detail to offer quality experiences.
With the presentation of the 2026 Golden Indalo, Mojácar wishes to publicly recognise the career of a professional who has made a decisive contribution to the municipality's tourism growth and to thank him for all these years of work and dedication.
Mojácar presents the "Sustainable Mojácar" Campaign, its commitment to more sustainable tourism
The event held at the Hotel Puntazo included the presentation of the 2026 Golden Indalo to Ricardo Escudero
Mojácar Council has presented the “Sustainable Mojácar” campaign, an initiative forming part of the Tourism Destination Sustainability Plan, with which the municipality is reinforcing its commitment to a more environmentally friendly, innovative tourism model focused on improving the quality of life for residents and visitors.
The event was held at Mojácar Playa’s Hotel Puntazo and brought together institutional representatives, tourism sector professionals, and members of Mojácar’s community. Attending the event was Carlos Sánchez, Deputy for the Presidency and Promotion, who spoke during the presentation on behalf of the provincial government, and Mª José Herrada, the Almería Provincial Council Deputy for Tourism.
During the event, several videos were shown highlighting the project's main lines of action, as well as the measures the Local Council is promoting to move towards a more sustainable, accessible, and innovative destination.
The project involves the development of infrastructure and services that facilitate cycling for both residents and visitors, promoting a cleaner means of transportation and contributing to reducing the destination's carbon footprint. This initiative also aims to highlight the value of Mojácar's natural environment and encourage a more peaceful and sustainable way to explore the municipality and its coastline.
In addition, the plan includes initiatives designed to improve urban spaces and make them more people-friendly, with the creation of new shaded areas, children's areas, and urban traffic management measures. In also includes actions aimed at protecting the natural environment, such as planting native vegetation, channelling rainwater, and coastal regeneration projects.
These actions are also part of the modernisation process that the municipality has been developing in recent years, incorporating technology and smart systems to improve tourism management and the experience of residents and visitors.
During his speech, the Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, highlighted the importance of this project for the future of the municipality: “Mojácar is a destination with enormous natural and cultural wealth, and we have a responsibility to preserve it. With this campaign, we want to move towards a sustainable tourism model that protects our environment, improves the quality of life of our residents, and ensures that future generations can continue enjoying this unique place.”
The mayor also emphasized that the municipality continues to back innovation and sustainability as fundamental pillars for its development, allowing for balanced and responsible planning of tourism growth.
Carlos Sánchez, Deputy for the Presidency and Promotion of the Province, highlighted Mojácar's role within the provincial tourism sector and the value of these types of initiatives: "It is an honour to take part in the launch of 'Sustainable Mojácar.' Mojácar is, without doubt, one of the jewels in the crown of the 'Costa de Almería' destination and an emblem of tourism excellence based on our natural wealth and the talent of our professionals. The municipality is consolidating its leadership by committing to innovation, digitalisation, and smart urban management focused on data. Projects such as the new cycle tracks, the protection of the coastline, and the interactive infrastructure not only improve the visitor experience but also demonstrate the excellent work that Fran and his government team are doing to position Mojácar as a benchmark for sustainability."
Presentation of the 2026 Golden Indalo
The event concluded with the presentation of the 2026 Golden Indalo to Ricardo Escudero, long-time area director for the Servigroup hotel chain in Mojácar. This distinction, awarded by the Local Council, recognises his professional career and his contribution to the development and promotion of tourism in the municipality.
Escudero has been closely linked to the growth of Mojácar as a tourist destination through his work managing the chain's establishments in the locality, actively participating in the consolidation of Mojácar as one of the Almería Levante region’s leading tourist destinations.
During the presentation of the award, the Mayor of Mojácar underlined the significance of this recognition for the municipality: “The Golden Indalo symbolises Mojácar's gratitude to those who have contributed to the growth of our municipality. Ricardo Escudero has dedicated much of his professional career to tourism and has been a figure very closely linked to the development of our destination. With this recognition, we want to highlight the value of his work, his commitment to the sector, and his contribution to the growth of tourism in Mojácar.”
Carlos Sánchez also congratulated the award winner during his speech: "I would also like to sincerely congratulate Ricardo Escudero on his well-deserved Golden Indalo; his perseverance and professionalism are a source of inspiration for the sector and an indispensable contribution to job creation in our province. This recognition does justice to years of dedication to promoting tourism in the region. The Almería Provincial Council will always support initiatives such as this, which are committed to the quality and future of our land. Congratulations to Ricardo, to all the people of Mojácar, and to those of us who are lucky enough to enjoy this paradise."
The day ended with a Spanish wine reception where attendees could share their impressions of the projects presented and celebrate an event that symbolises Mojácar's commitment to a more sustainable future and the recognition of those who contribute to the development and prestige of the municipality.
Mojácar celebrates a massive Carnival with a parade of troupes, music and tradition
The Mojácar Carnival was finally celebrated on Sunday, 15th of February, with a grand parade that filled Mojácar Playa with colour, music and fun, on a day marked by mass participation and an unbeatable festive atmosphere.
From early on, many residents and visitors gathered to enjoy the parade, accompanied by fantastic weather that enabled everyone to fully enjoy the troupes’ performances, choreographies, and dances, turning the route into a true open-air party.
After the parade, the celebration continued at the Multi-Uses Centre, where the public enjoyed a lively afternoon of music and performances by the chirigota carnival groups Los Chonis and “Cuéntame Quién Nos Juntó”.
As to the parade and dance competition, the jury awarded the following prizes:
🥉 Third place: Timanfaya
🥈 Second place: La Última Fusión
🥇 First place: Kimera
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, highlighted that “Carnival is one of the best-loved celebrations in our municipality, and this year we were able to celebrate it with many people taking part and an extraordinary atmosphere.” He also expressed his gratitude for “the effort of the carnival groups, the involvement of residents, and the presence of the public, who were key to the success of this year's event.”Where the Burial of the Sardine is concerned, which will take place this Wednesday, 18th of February at the Multi-Uses Centre at 8.30pm, the Mayor noted that “This event brings Carnival to a close and is a deeply rooted tradition in Mojácar that we want to continue preserving and sharing with everyone.” García added that “it will be a day of community spirit, when residents and visitors will be able to bid farewell to Carnival together, also enjoying the traditional burning of the sardine and a popular hot chocolate for everyone who’s there.”
Mojácar Council invites everyone to take part in this final event of Carnival and to continue enjoying festivities that strengthen community spirit and the municipality’s identity.
Mojácar's "Aguinaldo" fills the village streets with music, tradition and christmas spirit
Mojácar Pueblo enjoyed one of its best loved Christmas events yesterday with the celebration of the traditional “Aguinaldo Mojáquero”, (Mojácar Christmas carols), a deeply rooted custom that once again brought together residents and visitors around folk music and singing in the streets and squares of the municipality.
The route, which began at the Mariquita la Posá Cave, took the group around various streets and squares of the old town, with many people joining in. The sound of the municipality’s traditional Christmas carols and the participation of the public turned the night into a collective celebration that once again demonstrated the deep-rooted nature of this tradition in Mojácar.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, underlined the importance of keeping these traditions alive: “The Aguinaldo is part of our identity as a village. Seeing how the streets fill with people, music and excitement every year is proof that our traditions are still very much alive and continue to unite generations.”
The Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, accompanied the group throughout the procession and praised the lively atmosphere: “It was a wonderful evening, with great participation and a fantastic atmosphere in every corner of the village. It’s moving to see how residents and visitors join in, sing, and enjoy together a tradition that we feel is very much our own.”
This year the Aguinaldo also had the collaboration of the Mariquita la Posá Women’s Association, whose involvement was fundamental both in the organisation and in accompanying along the route, helping to keep this custom alive and reinforcing the community spirit of the event.
With initiatives like the Aguinaldo, Mojácar continues backing a Christmas that combines tradition, culture and community spirit.
The municipality will continue celebrating this time of year with an extensive Christmas programme, which includes children's activities, workshops for adults, zambomba flamenco, musical shows and numerous proposals designed for all audiences.
Father Christmas fills Mojácar pueblo with excitement on a magical afternoon for young and old
Mojácar Pueblo experienced an afternoon filled with excitement and Christmas spirit yesterday with the visit by Father Christmas, who went round the streets of the old town after spending the previous night leaving gifts in children’s homes.
Accompanied by his friendly elves and beloved characters like the Grinch, Father Christmas arrived in Mojácar Pueblo, bringing smiles, excitement, and a strong Christmas spirit to residents and visitors. The festive atmosphere was palpable everywhere, with entire families enjoying the encounter, photos, greetings, and unique moments that will remain in the children's memories.
The mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, highlighted the importance of these types of activities as part of the municipality's Christmas programme: “The visit by Father Christmas's is one of those special moments that reinforces the excitement of Christmas and turns Mojácar into an even more welcoming place for families. Seeing the children’s joy on our streets is, undoubtedly, the best gift.
The mayor also emphasized the effort made to offer a varied programme designed for all everyone: “We want Mojácar to truly experience Christmas, for residents and visitors to come out into the streets, enjoy the atmosphere, our traditions, and a full schedule of activities that make this time of year unique.”
Santa's visit is part of the extensive 2025 Mojácar Christmas Lights programme, which continues in the coming days with workshops, shows, a Christmas market, music, and family activities, solidifying Mojácar's position as a benchmark destination for enjoying Christmas in a unique setting.
Mojácar achieves its greatest digital transformation with new system of Intelligent Mobility, Tourist Assistance with AI and interactive features
Mojácar Council has finalised the implementation of two projects which represent the municipality’s greatest technological step forward in terms of mobility, tourism and urban management. This is the Tourism Sustainabililty Project (PSTD 2025) and the Cicerone 2025 programme, which combine analysis sensors, intelligent cameras, digital panels and a tourism assistant based on artificial intelligence.
The new digital ecosytem allows for monitoring flows of visitors, improving safety and offering personalised tourism information, both on the public street and in offices and municipal spaces.
Two parallel projects to transform the municipality
The PSTD 2025 has allowed for setting up a Tourism Intelligence Platform, which centralises data on tourist activity, mobility, hotel occupation, digital performance and visitor behaviour. As well as this system there are 20 WiFi sensors capable of analysing the influx in real time and 28 mobility cameras located at access points, roundabouts and busy areas of the municipality. The equipment is completed by eight parking control cameras and informative panels to learn about the municipal parking space occupation.
In parallel, the Cicerone 2025 project incorporates tourist information interactive totems, both exterior and interior, as well as an LED video wall, touch screen monitors, informative tables and a digital charge point. All these are integrated with Cicerone AI, a tourism assistant based on generative artificial intelligence, which offers personalised recommendations, routes and immediate answers in various languages.
Technology to manage tourism and improve the experience
The new systems allow for learning about the movement trends in the main areas of the municipality, analysing the peak times, the management of parking spaces and the compilation of key indicators for tourism planning.
The interactive panels installed – four 55-inch exterior totems and three interior, as well as a digital lectern – serve as permanent information points. From these, visitors and residents can enquire about routes, the cultural agenda, local businesses, events and services. All the screens are connected to the cloud and function 24 hours a day.
Cicerone AI meanwhile acts as a digital guide, which can offer information adapted to the profile of each visitor, register statistical data and carry out surveys of satisfaction.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, underlined that the digitalisation “represents a profound change in the way of managing the municipality. The new systems allow us to learn how people get around, what visitors demand and the areas in which we must act. This gives us objective criteria to plan better”, he explained.
On the implementation of panels and assistance by artificial intelligence, García Cerdá said: “Tourist information does not now depend on working hours or personnel availability. The visitor can enquire about what they need at any time, from a totem or from digital assistance. It is an important advance for a municipality with as many visitors as ours.”
The councillor affirmed that Mojácar “will continue backing modernisation and the use of data to improve the lives of residents and the competitivity of the destination.”
A more prepared and competitive destination
With the launch of these systems, Mojácar positions itself among the Anducián municipalities with the greatest technological integration for tourism management. The devices and platforms implemented allow for improving mobility, reducing saturation in critical points, reinforcing safety and offering a more complete service to the visitor.
The projects also open the door to future extensions, such as the integration of new devices, the expansion of digital signalling and the incorporation of new functions in the tourist assistant.
Mojácar incorporates Cicerone AI, the new intelligent tourist assistant wich modernises visitor service
Mojácar Council has officially presented Cicerone AI, the new tourist information service based on artificial intelligence which will allow for providing a personalised, instantaneous and multi-lingual service to visitors and residents.
The tool, integrated into digital totems, interactive panels and the municipal tourist website, means one of the biggest advances in tourist digitalisation which Mojácar has carried out in recent years, and makes up part of the Cicerone 2025 technological implementation project.
Cicerone AI uses generative artificial intelligence technology to offer up-to-date information about tourist resources, routes, activities, local businesses and municipal services.
The system can recommend personalised plans, adapted to the type of traveller, their interests and the length of the visit, as well as managing user satisfaction surveys, visitor registers and statistics which will allow for the improvement of the municipality’s tourism public policies.
The Mayor of Mojácar underlined the importance of this new tool in a municipality with a high annual number of visitors: “With Cicerone AI we are taking a noticeable step forward in the way which we inform and accompany the tourist. Mojácar receives thousands of tourists throughout the year, and we needed a system which would allow us to provide an immediate service, not dependant on opening hours and with completely up-to-date information.
García Cerdá added: “This intelligent assistant allows us to know those who visit us better, to understand their interests and to raise the quality of their experience. We are modernising Mojácar with tools of the present and of the future.”
The Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, highlighted the impact which Cicerone AI will have on tourism assistance and on the promotion of the municipality: “Cicerone AI is not only a digital assistant; it is a new way of discovering Mojácar. The visitor will be able to find routes, activities, restaurants of playas suited to their profile in a matter of seconds.”
Alarcón stressed that the tool will improve both the visibility of the destination and the traveller experience: “With this technology we are advancing toward a tourism model which is more professional, more sustainable and more adapted to what today’s tourist needs: immediacy, personalisation and quality.
Cicerone AI has already been integrated into the network of exterior and interior interactive totems, informative tablets, tactile monitors and the municipality’s official tourism portal. The installed devices allow for interacting with the IA through high illumination touch screens, available in streets, squares and municipal spaces, extending the information points beyond the Tourist Office.
The Mayor emphasized that this tool forms part of a wider digitalisation process: “We are combining systems of intelligent mobility, interactive panels and now Cicerone AI to place Mojácar among the best digitally prepared tourist destinations.”
The councillor added: “The aim is clear: whoever wants to visit Mojácar will find useful, personalised information, accessible from any point, and the Local Council has solid data to continue improving.”
From today, Cicerone AI becomes the new window of welcome for those coming to the municipality.
Mojácar welcomes christmas with its Municipal Nativity Scene, hot chocolate, sweet treats, and a magical living nativity scene
Mojácar municipality is preparing for one of the best-loved moments of Christmas: the inauguration and blessing of the Municipal Nativity Scene, which will take place this Sunday 7th of December at 12pm in Plaza Parterre.
The opening ceremony will mark the official start of the Christmas season in the municipality. Those going along will be able to enjoy the traditional municipal nativity scene, a magical living nativity scene, and a tasting of hot chocolate and Christmas sweet treats, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors.
Mojácar Council reminds everyone that access to the village will be fully guaranteed throughout the whole Christmas period, with several amenities to ensure residents and tourists can easily enjoy the programme:
- Free parking available every day of the festivities for those coming by car.
- Functioning lift to easily access the old town, offering a comfortable and accessible route.
- Public transport operating normally throughout the festivities, enabling travel from various points in the municipality.
These measures aim to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for both residents and those who visit Mojácar at this special time of year.
The Local Council invites residents and visitors to join in this traditional event that symbolises the Christmas spirit of Mojácar. The Municipal Nativity Scene is one of the most representative elements of this season, fostering unity and community participation.
The inauguration of the Nativity Scene makes up part of the Mojácar, 2025 Christmas Lights Switch-on programme, which includes a Christmas market, special illuminations, music, children's activities, zambombas, and different cultural initiatives throughout the month.
Mojácar closes its annual theatre season with huge support from the public
Mojácar has concluded its annual theatre season after a month in which every performance managed to fill the Multi-Uses Centre, and showing, once again, the municipality’s enormous passion for culture.
Thanks to the collaboration of the Almería Provincial Council and the Andalucían Theatre Network, this year's programme not only offered variety and artistic quality but also reinforced Mojácar's cultural profile in the province.
The season began on the 24th of October with El Buscón, an opening that gave an indication of what would be an extraordinary month: an enthusiastic, expectant audience ready to enjoy the best theatre. A week later, on the 7th of November, El Eunuco filled the Multi-Uses Centre with laughter, establishing Fridays as an unmissable date for fans of the performing arts.
On the 14th of November, the original Desmetamorfosis offered a fresh and surprising proposal that once again filled the theatre to capacity, while on the 21st of November, the play La Encrucijada continued along the same line of success with an intense and highly applauded production. Finally, the cycle concluded on the 28th of November with Dos Gardenias, a performance filled with emotion that rounded off an edition marked by citizen participation and a vibrant atmosphere at every show.
This programme also included a very special offering: the comedy ¡Que viene mi marido!, presented by the Al Alba Teatro group. Performed on the 15th of November, this play by Carlos Arniches - filled with classic Spanish humour - offered the audience a unique and charitable evening, as all proceeds went to the Mojácar Senior Citizens Association. An initiative that, in addition to its cultural component, reinforced the municipality’s community spirit.
Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, highlighted the importance of this community response: “We have had a fantastic month. Seeing how locals fill the Multi-Uses Centre every week is proof that Mojácar values and protects its culture. This cycle has been an example of unity between institutions, companies, and the public, and we will continue working to ensure that theatre continues to grow in our municipality.”
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, underlined the social and cultural impact of the programme: “We are not only talking about artistic success, we are talking about community. Every performance has brought together families, young people, and senior citizens. This shows that theatre has a fundamental place in the life of Mojácar. We are very proud of the huge participation and we will continue to support initiatives that further enrich our cultural offer.”
With this season concluded, Mojácar Council reaffirms its commitment to the performing arts and is already working on future initiatives to keep this cultural momentum going, which this year has reached extraordinary levels.
Mojácar experiences a historic day: more than 5,000 people for Disney Day and more than 7,000 at the 2025 Christmas Lights Switch-On
Mojácar has once again shown why it is considered a true Ferrero Rocher Village, bringing together in a single day thousands of people, who enjoyed a magical and unforgettable experience.
From early morning, the municipality registered an extraordinary turnout of visitors for Disney Day, with more than 5,000 people turning the streets of the old town into a vast enchanted world full of fantasy, characters, and workshops.
The excitement continued in the afternoon with the acclaimed Disney Concert performed by the Mojácar Municipal Music Band, conducted by Miguel Ángel Miranda, whose performance was applauded by the audience. This was followed by the most eagerly anticipated moment: the Official Switching-On of the Christmas Lights, which attracted more than 7,000 people, once again surpassing all previous attendance figures.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, highlighted the extraordinary public response and the pride of the entire municipality: “We have experienced a truly magical day. In the morning, thousands of families filled our streets to enjoy Disney Day, and in the afternoon, more than 7,000 people gathered here to celebrate the beginning of Christmas. Every year we outdo ourselves, and every year Mojácar shines brighter. We are a Ferrero Rocher Village, and today we have shown that our light and our energy are unique.”
The Mayor also added: “I want to thank all the municipal workers, volunteers, visitors, and residents for making such a special day possible. Mojácar is a Christmas reference point in the province, and we continue working to ensure every activity is unforgettable.”
The switch-on marks the beginning of the 2025 Christmas Programme, full of novelties and traditional activities eagerly anticipated by residents and visitors alike. Among the most notable events are:
- 20th of December – Inauguration of the Christmas Market in Mojácar Pueblo.
- 21st of December – Christmas Flamenco Zambomba, one of the most moving and festive events.
- 27th of December – “Chanqueños pa Belén” Zambomba, a must-see event on the Christmas calendar.
- Days of Disney Character Days going around Mojácar – (specific dates to be confirmed by the organisers).
- 31st of December – Traditional Children's New Year's Eve, now firmly established as one of families' favourite celebrations.
- 5th of January – Three Kings Parade, one of the most special moments for the children.
And many other activities, workshops, concerts, and surprises, which will take place up to the 6th of January.
With this historic event, Mojácar reaffirms its position as one of the Andalucía’s most special Christmas destinations, combining tradition, magic, light and a unique atmosphere.
Mojácar welcomes Christmas with a grand Disney party, special concert, and the traditional Switching On of the christmas lights
Mojácar is getting ready to officially kick off Christmas on the 29th of November with a day full of activities that will combine magic, tradition and music in an atmosphere designed for family enjoyment.
As every year, the Disney Party, the Disney Concert performed by the Mojácar Municipal Band, and the Official Switching on of the Christmas Lights will be the highlights of an afternoon that will launch a Christmas programme highly looked forward to by residents and visitors.
From 12 noon, Mojácar Pueblo will be transformed into a world of fantasy thanks to its themed decorations, Disney characters, photo backdrops, and ambient music. The little ones will be able to enjoy workshops and children’s activities throughout the day in various squares around the village.
Throughout the day, those going along will also be able to enjoy a food trucks zone, set up for the occasion, where families and visitors can savour a wide variety of culinary offerings while going round the village and immersing themselves in the Disney atmosphere.
At 5.30pm the magic will come to life with the Disney Concert performed by the Mojácar Municipal Band, one of the municipality's best loved and emblematic groups, accompanied by several local singers. The band will offer a repertoire specially prepared for the occasion, featuring some of the most iconic melodies from the Disney universe.
After the concert, there will be one of the most eagerly anticipated moments for families: the Christmas Lights Switch-On Gala, in which, as is tradition, the children of Mojácar will have the responsibility of pressing the button that will light up the municipality.
The switching on will mark the start of a Christmas programme packed with activities, among which stand out the traditional Flamenco Zambomba, which will once again fill the streets of Mojácar with flamenco rhythms and carols. This activity, with deep roots in the municipality, and followed by hundreds of residents, will be one of the most special moments of December's cultural agenda.
Workshops, concerts, family activities, nativity scenes, tours, and local offerings will complete a programme designed to revitalise the municipality and offer something for all ages.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, expressed his satisfaction with the eagerly awaited start of Christmas in the municipality: “Disney Day has become a celebration to experience Mojácar from beginning to end. It is a day to enjoy the village, its streets, the music, and above all, the children’s excitement, who will be the ones to light up Christmas as a symbol of what this time of year represents.”
Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, highlighted the impact of this time of year on tourism: “The Christmas programme is now a well-established attraction. Every year, visits increase around this time, and events like the Disney Party, the Zambomba, and the Switching on of the Christmas Lights make Mojácar a family and cultural destination.”
Festivities Councillor, Pascual Artero, underlined the Local Council’s efforts in preparing the programme: “We have worked with great care to offer a complete, participatory Christmas full of special moments. The Municipal Band will play a prominent role in the Disney Concert, which will prepare the way for the Christmas Lights Switch-On.”
The Local Council reminds everyone that, due to the anticipated increase in activity, the public transport service has been reinforced to facilitate movement between Mojácar Playa and Mojácar Pueblo. Residents and visitors are recommended to use public transport to avoid congestion and enjoy the event more comfortably.
The Mojácar La Fuente Art Centre host a new exhibition by the Vera International Photo Club
The Mojácar La Fuente Art Centre is presenting until the 15th of December 2025 a new exhibition by the Vera International Photo Club, bringing together the work of more than 20 international photographers. The exhibition offers a visual journey through diverse styles, sensibilities and perspectives, consolidating Mojácar as a cultural reference point in the region.
At the exhibition's opening, the Mayor of Mojácar underlined the importance of embracing initiatives that strengthen the municipality's artistic identity: “Mojácar continues supporting culture as a fundamental driving force for social life and for the promotion of our village. This exhibition demonstrates the talent and creative richness that we can offer residents and visitors.”
Culture Councillor Noemí Linares highlighted the value of this collaboration with the Vera International Photo Club: “We are very proud to open our doors to such a diverse collective committed to the arts. This exhibition brings contemporary photography to all audiences and is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy new perspectives and emotions.”
The exhibition invites the public to discover images that tell stories, capture unique moments, and showcase each photographer's personal vision, creating an open and enriching visual dialogue.
Mojácar Council encourages both residents and tourists to visit the exhibition during its run.
Mojácar strengthens its international presence at London´s World Travel Market
The municipality of Mojácar has stood out once again at London's World Travel Market (WTM), one of the world's most important tourism fairs, consolidating its position as a leading destination in the international market and seeking new opportunities in the sector.
The Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, and the Trade Councillor, Pascual Artero, headed Mojácar Council's institutional representation, accompanied by a group of local business owners and hoteliers who took part in this international fair for the first time fair thanks to the collaboration between the Almería Chamber of Commerce and Mojácar Council.
This joint participation provided a great opportunity for Mojácar's business owners to showcase their businesses in the international and British markets, which are so important for the municipality, while also holding meetings with tour operators and travel agents interested in the destination.The Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, underlined that “it was essential for Mojácar that our business owners and hoteliers be present at WTM. It is a unique opportunity to showcase our municipality’s charms, create business contacts, and learn from the strategies of other major tourist destinations. Mojácar is committed to continuing to grow in line with the latest trends in international tourism.”
Alarcón also highlighted that “up until September, Mojácar welcomed more than 65,000 British visitors, demonstrating the importance of this market and the loyalty of British tourists to our destination. Hence, continuing to strengthen our presence in London is key to the future of tourism in Mojácar.”Trade Councillor, Pascual Artero, pointed out that “the presence of our business owners and hoteliers at this fair demonstrates the joint commitment of the Local Council and the private sector to boosting the local economy. Mojácar not only promotes its tourism offer, but also the work and quality of its business community, which is the true engine of the municipality's development.”
During the fair, the Mojácar delegation also held institutional meetings with the Regional Tourism Minister, José Ángel Bernal, the Provincial Deputy Ángel Escobar, and the Provincial Deputy María del Mar López, reinforcing collaboration between administrations to further position Mojácar as a strategic destination within the province and the British market.
The participation in WTM London consolidates Mojácar Council’s backing for international promotion, public-private collaboration, and the projection of the municipality as a quality destination, reaffirming its tourism leadership in the Levante region of Almería.
Mojácar promotes a decisive year of transformation, sustainability and tourism development
Mojácar Council is taking stock of a year of intense activity and municipal management marked by investment in infrastructure, coastal regeneration, improvements to public services, and the promotion of strategic projects that position the municipality as a leading tourist and environmental destination in Almería province.
Over the past year, Mojácar has undergone a transformation process that combines modernity, sustainability and well-being for its residents, thanks to its firm backing for balanced development and long-term planning.
Coastal regeneration and climate change adaptation.
One of the most significant milestones has been the start of the coastal regeneration works and the actions for adapting to climate change, with a total investment of more than €1.1 million. This project, already underway, will transform the municipality's seafront, improve coastal resilience, and consolidate Mojácar as a modern and sustainable tourist destination.
These actions are part of the Tourism Sustainability Plan for Destinations, which will allow for strengthening the competitiveness of the municipality and attract tourism that respects the environment.
Investments in infrastructure and improved connectivity.
Almería Provincial Council has allocated €700,000 to road improvements in the municipality as part of the 2025-2026 Highway Plan. This is in addition to the repair of the Las Pilas road, with an investment of €125,000 from the Itínere Rural Plan, which guarantees safe access to farms and residential areas.
In addition, the continuation of the Mojácar bypass project is currently in the planning stages, a key infrastructure project to alleviate traffic and improve mobility between the coast and the interior. The Local Council continues working to unblock and reactivate the project in coordination with the relevant authorities.
Promotion of sustainability and basic services.
On environmental matters, construction has already begun on the new wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Playa Macenas, a project that will guarantee more efficient water treatment and which will allow its reuse for irrigation and sustainable uses.
In addition, the municipality will benefit from the modernisation of the Almanzora water treatment plant, which will increase the availability of water resources for the entire Levante Almeriense region.
High-quality tourism and residential development.
Mojácar is entering a new phase of expansion with top-class tourism and residential projects. Of particular note is the agreement between the Cosentino family and the Hyatt chain to build a five-star hotel in the Macenas Mediterranean Resort complex, which will include a spa, golf course, and residential areas. This is a strategic investment that will generate stable employment and strengthen Mojácar's international image as a sustainable luxury destination.
At the same time, the developer Jaquil has begun the second phase of the Los Altos de Macenas residential complex, featuring 88 contemporary homes, two swimming pools, and landscaped gardens, reinforcing its commitment to a modern, balanced urban development model that respects the natural environment.
Commitment to the future and quality of life.
The Local Council is reaffirming its commitment to residents, striving for a greener, more accessible, and better-connected Mojácar. The priority remains improving its residents’ quality of life, attracting responsible investment and protecting the municipality's valuable natural and cultural heritage.
“Mojácar is experiencing a pivotal moment of growth and transformation. Our commitment is that every project, every construction, and every investment contributes to improving people's lives and guaranteeing a sustainable future for everyone”, the Mayor Mayor stated.
Mojácar consolidates its backing for families with the continuity of the Municipal Play Centre
Mojácar Council continues to strengthen its commitment to balancing personal, family, and working life through the consolidation of its Municipal Play Centre, a space designed to provide families with an educational and recreational support service that fosters child development in a safe and fun environment.
Since its launch, the Municipal Play Centre has become a benchmark for families in the municipality, offering a place where children can learn, play and share experiences under the supervision of specialised staff.
Up to the 30th of September 2025, this service was funded through the Co-Responsible Plan, an initiative promoted by the Ministry for Equality, in collaboration with the Junta de Andalucía’s Regional Ministry for Social Inclusion, Youth, Families and Equality and the Almería Provincial Council’s Equality Department. This programme aims to promote shared responsibility in caregiving and facilitate the balance between family, personal and working life.
From the 1st of October 2025, the Municipal Play Centre will continue its activities thanks to the corresponding grant from the Personal, Family and Working Life Balance programme, awarded by the Junta de Andalucía’s Regional Ministry of Employment, Training, and Self-Employment. This new funding guarantees the continuity of the service and reinforces the municipal commitment to policies supporting childhood, equality and work-life balance.
Education Councillor, Noemí Linares, underlined the importance of maintaining and strengthening this municipal service: “The Mojácar Play Centre has established itself as a very valuable resource for families. Thanks to this support we can continue offering an educational and leisure space where children learn, socialise and enjoy themselves, while their parents can better balance their work and personal lives.”
The Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, highlighted the importance of institutional collaboration in developing these kinds of initiatives: "The continuity of the Play Centre is the result of joint work between administrations and the Local Council's commitment to our families. We will continue to promote policies that promote equal opportunities and which make Mojácar an increasingly family-friendly, inclusive, and educationally committed municipality."
The Council issues a reminder that the Municipal Play Centre remains open to all interested families, with available spaces and activities adapted to different ages.
With this new phase, Mojácar reaffirms its commitment to family well-being and to a municipal model that supports education, equality and work-life balance.
Mojácar hosts Verdiblanca's "Meaning of life" Photographic Exhibition until the 31st
The "La Fuente de Mojácar" Art Centre is hosting the "Sentido a la vida" (Meaning of Life) photography exhibition from the 16th to the 31st of October, an exhibition promoted by the Verdiblanca Association for People with Disabilities which invites people to reflect on functional diversity from a positive, vital and inclusive perspective.
The inauguration was attended by representatives of Verdiblanca, Mojácar residents and local authorities, among them the Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, who highlighted the importance of welcoming projects that promote equality and social awareness through art.
“This exhibition is an example of how culture can be a powerful tool for building a more empathetic, aware and diverse society. Mojácar is proud to join this initiative which highlights people's abilities beyond any barriers,” Linares stressed during the inauguration.
‘Sentido a la vida’ was created as part of the commemorative activities for Verdiblanca's 40th anniversary and has already toured various municipalities in the province, as well as the headquarters of the Andalusian Parliament in Seville. Its creator, photographer Francisco Lagüera, offers a profound and humane vision of people with disabilities through his portraits, far from stereotypes and from a perspective of overcoming, beauty and hope.
“They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but there are times when it's worth millions of words, because it conveys emotions, hopes, struggles, desires, skills and feelings,” explains Verdiblanca President Antonio Sánchez de Amo. The exhibition's spokesperson and coordinator, Pepa Morilla, adds, "this project conveys the hope of finding meaning in life, of enjoying and sharing it through diversity."
The exhibition can be visited Monday to Friday, from 10am to 2pm, at the ‘La Fuente de Mojácar’ Art Centre, offering both the Mojácar locals and visitors to the Levante area of Almería an artistic and emotional experience of great human value.
Mojácar begins the works for the Tourism Sustainability Plan in Destinations projects
The municipality takes a decisive step toward a more sustainable tourism model with the laying of the foundation stone and the signing of the setting-out document for two key initiatives for climate change adaptation and coastal regeneration.
This week Mojácar held the laying of the first stone and the signing of the setting-out document for the two projects included in its Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan (DTS): Climate change adaptation and prevention measures (lot 1) and Regeneration of coastal areas (Lot 2).
The event, presided over by the Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, was attended by municipal representatives and project technicians, and marks the start of works that represent a decisive step in the municipality's strategy toward sustainability, environmental protection, and improving its tourist appeal.
Both initiatives aim to strengthen Mojácar's adaptation to the effects of climate change and improve the quality and use of the coastline, promoting greener, more accessible and responsible urban and tourism development.
The climate change adaptation and prevention measures, with a total investment of €432,026.57, are being implemented in front of the Mojácar Parador. Its main actions include the planting of native trees - such as palm trees, cork oaks, maritime pines, and hackberry trees - to create natural shade and reduce “heat islands”; the installation of natural stone channels and drains to collect and redirect stormwater, preventing damage to the beaches’ sand; and the environmental restoration of the coastline by increasing the number of green areas. In addition, environmental awareness and recycling initiatives will be promoted among residents and visitors.
The regeneration of coastal areas project, with an investment of €726,750, seeks to recover and beautify degraded coastal areas, adapting them for tourism, recreational, and inclusive use. Planned actions include the rehabilitation of a 7,000 to 8,000 square metre esplanade between the Paseo del Mediterráneo (AL-5107) and the beach; the creation of an environmental park with inclusive play areas for all ages; the reorganisation of parking and vehicle traffic control; landscape integration with the new cycle route; and the renaturalisation of the surrounding area with more green and shaded areas.
With these actions, Mojácar seeks to reduce temperatures in urban areas, protect its coastline from erosion and runoff, promote biodiversity, and create accessible and sustainable leisure spaces that enhance the experience of residents and visitors.
During the event, the Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, underlined the importance of this milestone for the municipality: “Today, Mojácar takes a firm step towards a sustainable and responsible development model. With these works, we begin a new era that combines growth, tourism and respect for the natural environment. They are projects that not only embellish, but also protect and prepare our municipality for the challenges of climate change.”
The mayor added: “These projects are a reflection of a collaborative effort between administrations that puts Mojácar at the forefront of sustainable tourism. They are investments in the well-being of our families and in the quality of the destination we offer to the world.”
The Mojácar Sustainable Tourism in Destinations Plan is co-financed by the Government of Spain, the Junta de Andalucía and Mojácar Council, and is part of a comprehensive strategy to promote an innovative, accessible and environmentally responsible tourism model.
With the start of these works, Mojácar reaffirms its commitment to sustainability, protection of the coastline and the improvement of the urban environment, consolidating its position as a benchmark for responsible tourism on the Andalucian coast.
Mojácar welcomes Autumn with a new edition of the "Your Best Moment is to Live it in Autumn" Programme
Mojácar Council has welcomed autumn with the return of the successful outdoor activities programne "Your best moment is to live it in autumn," an initiative that invites residents and visitors to enjoy the privileged climate, the landscapes and the healthy lifestyle that characterise the municipality even outside of the summer season.
This free programme, which will run over the coming months, includes a wide variety of activities such as yoga by the sea, hiking trails, and skating, designed to encourage family sports, physical exercise, and the enjoyment of Mojácar's natural surroundings.
The new edition began with the "Yoga by the Sea" activity at Playa del Descargador, where dozens of participants enjoyed a morning of relaxation, balance and connection with nature facing the Mediterranean.
In addition, this Saturday 18th of October, there will be the first hiking route of the season, covering the Marina de la Torre area. This will allow those taking part to discover Mojácar’s natural and scenic charms in the excellent autumn weather.
Among the new features of this edition are the addition of new hiking routes that will go through different parts of the municipality, offering hiking enthusiasts the opportunity to explore lesser-known corners and enjoy spectacular views of the Mojácar area.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, emphasized the importance of these types of programmes, which consolidate Mojácar as a year-round active destination: "With initiatives like this, we want to show that Mojácar is much more than sun and sand. We have a privileged natural environment that invites you to enjoy sport, nature, and a healthy lifestyle at any time of year. This programme is a way of continuing to encourage citizen participation and show our visitors another side of the municipality, just as attractive."
The "Your best moment is to live it in autumn" programme will continue to run every weekend until spring 2026, with free activities open to the public.
To view the full calendar and take part in the various activities, those interested can follow Mojácar Council’s official social media channels or visit the municipality's Tourist Office for more information.
Mojácar celebrates its magical Night of Candles this Saturday 20th of September
Mojácar will shine once again this Saturday 20th of September with the celebration of the Night of the Candles, an event that has already become one of the most highly anticipated events of the year and which in 2025 comes with more surprises than ever.
From 8pm onwards, the municipality’s historic centre will be transformed into a dreamlike setting illuminated by more than 7,000 candles, creating a magical path through the village's streets and squares. This year, the decorations promise to be the most spectacular to date, with a giant moon in Plaza Nueva taking centre stage.
Music will take over from 9pm, filling Mojácar with live sounds: intimate piano and singing in Plaza Frontón, Nadia’s violin in Plaza Parterre, Aitor Gómez’s guitar in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Juanma Linde’s saxophone in Plaza del Caño, and two batucada performances, at 10pm and 11.30 pm., that will get everyone moving. For those who want to gaze at the sky, telescopes will be set up at the Castle Viewpoint to contemplate the stars and enjoy a complete experience under the sky.
This year the gastronomic offering is also being expanded with food trucks dotted around the village, offering a wide variety of options for outdoor dining while enjoying the music and the unique atmosphere of the night.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, highlighted the importance of this celebration:
“The Night of the Candles is one of our hallmarks. Mojácar becomes a magical place where residents and visitors come together to enjoy a unique setting. This year we have prepared surprises that will make this edition the most special of all.”
Meanwhile, Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, underlined the importance of sustainable mobility:
“We have reinforced the bus service to make access to the event easier and reduce traffic in the old town. We invite everyone to use public transport and enjoy this experience comfortably and safely.”
Mojácar's Night of the Candles promises to be a complete sensory experience: light, music, food, and the incomparable atmosphere of the village under the stars. A night to explore, listen, savour, and, above all, remember.
Mojácar fills up with flavour: Spain's best Burgers arrive on the coast with 'The Burger Cup'
From the 18th to the 20th and from the 24th to the 27th of July, the Mojácar football ground turns into the gourmet epicentre of the Levante region of Almería.
This July Mojácar will host one of the most important summer gastronomic events in Almería province: The Burger Cup, a travelling competition that brings together Spain's best burger restaurants in a format that combines gastronomy, live music, a summer atmosphere and public participation.
The competition will take place at the Mojácar football ground, from 7pm to 1am over two consecutive weekends: 18th-20th of July and 24th-27th of July, with free admission and a programme which goes beyond the culinary: DJs, concerts, cocktails, a pet-friendly space and a privileged location next to the Mediterranean.
The event will have 10 participating establishments from different parts of the country, among them Madrid, Valencia, Murcia, León, Ávila and Andalucía, as well as local representation from Mojácar’s Canalla Tacos y Tragos. Every night, those going along will be able to sample the different offerings and vote for their favourite burger in a competition which will crown the best burger of the event.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, spoke very positively about the celebration of this event in the municipality: “Being the first municipality in the Levante region of Almería to host a gastronomic event of this importance represents a step forward in our backing of tourism diversification and the promotion of Mojácar as a modern and attractive destination. These types of initiatives bring dynamism, attract visitors and directly benefit local trade and the hospitality sector.”
Festivities and Trade Councillor, Pascual Artero, underlined the impact the event will have at local level: “With The Burger Cup our aim is to offer innovative, high-quality options which connect with both our residents and the tourists who visit us in summer. It's an event designed for everyone, free, family-friendly and with a polished image that fits perfectly with what we want to project from Mojácar.”
With this gastronomic and leisure offering, Mojácar strengthens its position as a benchmark tourist destination in the province, getting behind quality events that combine culture, cuisine and entertainment. The Burger Cup not only promises to attract hundreds of visitors but also to establish itself as a must-attend event in the municipality's summer calendar.
Mojácar competes this summer to gain the Ecovidrio Green Flag for Sustainability
6th Edition #GreenFlagMovement: campaign for sustainability in the hospitality Industry
Mojácar Council and more than 87 of the locality’s hospitality industry establishments are this summer taking part in the sixth edition of Ecovidrio's #GreenFlagMovement. With this campaign, the only specialised SCRAP (Extended Producer Responsibility Collective Systems) that manages selective collection on the ground and addresses the sustainability of glass containers from the source, yet another year seeks to recognise the efforts of the local hospitality industry and the activism of coastal municipalities for circularity during the summer, especially regarding the correct management of their waste.
Hence Mojácar is competing with up to 50 municipalities in Andalucía with the aim of achieving or revalidating the Ecovidrio "GreenFlag for Sustainability", which Algeciras and Barbate were awarded in the last edition of this initiative.
As a new feature, in addition to the highly-valued Green Flag, this year the municipalities in each autonomous community that have obtained the highest score will be awarded a cleanup day on one of their beaches, which Ecovidrio will carry out in collaboration with the Paisaje Limpio organisation, an entity specialised in coordinating these types of environmental initiatives.
In addition, this year Ecovidrio will recognise the three most responsible and committed to sustainability hospitality establishments in Andalucía, evaluating their initiatives for improving waste recycling management, their energy and water consumption and their commitment to sustainable purchasing, among other variables.
In the words of Roberto Fuentes, Management Deputy Director for the Ecovidrio Eastern Zone and head of the Green Flags Movement: "Yet another year we are very proud to be able to celebrate a new edition of the Green Flags Movement and to once again count on the support of hospitality business owners and municipalities in responding to the significant increase in waste generation registered in coastal areas with high tourist numbers in summer. I would like to thank all the municipalities and the HORECA sector for their commitment and for throwing themselves into this competition to promote recycling and the sustainable development of our environment."
Third Barometer on hospitality sustainability on our coasts
As part of the sixth edition of the #GreenFlagsMovement, Ecovidrio will launch a new edition of the Barometer on Hospitality Sustainability in coastal areas. This is the third edition of this initiative, which aims to evaluate the implementation of sustainable practices in the HORECA sector, analysing four key areas: efficient waste management, energy efficiency, responsible consumption and sustainable water use.
In the second edition of the barometer, in which more than 12,000 hospitality establishments took part, it was revealed that seven out of 10 establishments located in coastal areas already employ sustainability measures in their business management. Among the regions analysed, Catalonia led the ranking with a score of 8.7 out of 10, followed by the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands, both with 7.6. Andalucía (7.4) and Murcia Region (7.3) completed the list of the highest-rated communities.
A commitment to circularity on our coasts
At national level, this year more than 180 municipalities and more than 15,000 restaurants, bars and beach bars will join the #GreenFlagsMovement. This year, as well as Andalucía, the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, the Valencian Community and Murcia, the campaign will include Cantabria, making it six Spanish coastal regions. The 181 participating municipalities in these regions will compete to win one of the prized 10 Green Flags for Sustainability awarded by Ecovidrio, which will be given out as follows: two in Andalucía, two in the Balearic Islands, two in Catalonia, two in the Valencian Community and one in each of the other participating communities (Cantabria and Murcia).
Through the commitment of the municipalities in the participating regions, Ecovidrio seeks to address the increase in glass container generation in our country’s coastal areas during the summer season. During the summer, a third of the glass containers put into circulation are consumed, and nearly 50% of single-use glass container waste comes from the hospitality sector. Therefore, their participation is essential in moving toward a more circular model with lower carbon emissions.
With the aim of helping participating municipalities and hospitality establishments with the selective separation of glass containers, Ecovidrio will install a total of 300 new skips and provide them with nearly 1,500 free containers for transporting their waste. As in previous editions, it will also provide hospitality business owners with environmental and circular economy training, with 100 environmental educators visiting all participating bars, beach bars and restaurants this summer.
To be in the running as a Green Flag winner, each municipality will have to meet a series of requirements based on criteria such as an increase in the volume of selective collection of glass containers in respect to the previous year; registration of participation in the campaign by at least 50% of local hospitality establishments; and promoting the campaign among the hospitality industry and raising awareness about it among residents and visitors.
Thanks to the commitment of municipalities and hospitality sector owners, more than 62,800 tons of glass containers were collected during the last edition of the Green Flags Movement, 16% more than in the summer of 2023. Recycling these containers achieved:
• Avoiding the emission of more than 36,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, the equivalent of removing more than 17,000 cars from circulation for a year.
• Saving 44,800 MWh of energy, equivalent to saving almost €6 million in financial savings.
• Avoiding the extraction of more than 75,000 tons of raw materials, equivalent to seven times the weight of the Eiffel Tower.
Mojácar, a pioneer in implementing an exclusive assisted bathing service for people with reduced mobility
Mojácar Council, in collaboration with the Almería Provincial Council, has taken a firm and bold step toward full inclusion with the launch of an exclusive assisted bathing service for people with reduced mobility, a pioneering resource in the Levante region of Almería that makes the municipality a benchmark for true accessibility on the coast.
This new service, active every day from 9am to 5pm, is provided by specialised monitors whose role is to accompany and assist people with reduced mobility from their arrival at the beach, during their access to the water, while they are swimming, and until they rest in designated shaded and adapted areas.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, underlined the importance of this initiative as part of the town model the municipality wants to build: “Mojácar is committed to tourism for everyone. This measure goes far beyond physical accessibility: we are talking about offering personalised, humane and professional assistance so that no one is left without enjoying the sea due to a lack of support.”
The Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, highlighted the social focus of this new service and its connection with the municipality's responsible tourism strategy: “This exclusive assisted bathing service makes a difference. We are not only adapting our beaches, but we are also providing monitors to assist those most in need. We are committed to humane, dignified and accessible tourism, and we will continue working in that direction.”
This service was presented at the official FAAM (Almería Federation of Associations for People with Disabilities) start-of-season event, which chose the municipality as an example of good practices in accessible tourism. The collaboration with FAAM has been key for the design of this service, which responds to the real needs of the collective and aligns with universal accessibility guidelines.
The initiative has all the necessary resources:
🔹 Monitors for personal assistance
🔹 Adapted showers and toilets
🔹 Amphibious chairs
🔹 Accessible walkways
🔹 Adapted and safe shaded areas
Hence Mojácar continues to consolidate a tourism model that puts people at the centre and that responds to the values of inclusion, dignity and social responsibility.
Mojácar successfully bring to a close the first edition of the SentArte Artistic Route
Mojácar Council has celebrated the closing act of the first edition of the SentArte project, an innovative artistic initiative that has brought together art, tourism and the local area through the decoration of urban benches located in little-known and especially beautiful spots in the municipality.
During the ceremony, diplomas were presented to the participating artists, recognising their creativity and the value of their contributions. This route has made it possible to look around Mojácar from a new perspective, moving away from the more usual spots to invite the discovery of peaceful and unique landscapes through art.
The locations of the benches and their creators are:
- The aerials - Puerto Marina by Nikki Freespirit Movement and Pamen Merchante
- Piedra Villazar by Ángel Rodríguez Riaño
- Raspejos by Ángeles Gaitán Orden
- Lighthouse by María del Mar Gilar Martínez
- Trancos by Catalina San Román Muñoz
- Observatory by Jorge Fraser, Matt Asaro, and Álvaro Concepción Álvarez
Each of these benches makes up part of an artistic route where art invites you to pause, contemplate and reconnect with the environment.
"SentArte is an invitation to experience Mojácar in a different way. We want residents and visitors to rediscover our landscapes through pause, art and sensitivity. We believe in culture as a tool for social transformation and in creativity as a driver of local development", commented Mojácar Mayor Francisco García.
Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, added: “This project allows us to highlight unique corners of Mojácar that often go unnoticed. We want art to serve as a guide for discovering these small scenic treasures that we have and, at the same time, support and showcase the talent of our local artists.”
The project was promoted by the Culture and Tourism departments as a competition open to artists from different disciplines. Participants had to create benches with original and long-lasting designs, adapted to their surroundings, in this way turning street furniture into artistic and contemplative elements.
With SentArte, Mojácar reaffirms its commitment to a more creative, sensitive, and sustainable form of tourism. And this first edition is just the beginning.
The Local Council is already working on a future call to continue expanding this route that invites you to sit, observe and experience Mojácar through art.
Mojácar strengthens work-life balance with its Summer School and Summer Sports
The Mojácar Summer School has opened its doors this week with a team of 12 instructors, while, at the same time, the Summer Sports programme has begun on Descargador Beach.
Organised by the Mojácar Council Education Department, in collaboration with the Almería Provincial Council Social Services, this dual programme offers families a morning and afternoon service to facilitate the organisation of summer without giving up educational leisure and sport. Its objectives include providing a safe space, encouraging healthy lifestyle habits and promoting intergenerational coexistence.
Twelve instructors, together with swimming and music teachers, guarantee personalised, high-quality attention in each activity, promoting learning and fun for more than 150 Summer School students.
Francisco García, Mayor of Mojácar; Noemí Linares, Education and Equality Councillor; and Jesús Montoya, Sports Councillor, visited the facilities on the first day to seen first-hand how both programmes are being put into practice:
"We know that many families face the challenge of balancing work and family life during the holidays, and that's why we've designed a plan that not only offers fun and educational activities, but also a safe, supervised environment where children can grow and learn every day. The success of this initiative lies in combining the efforts of a team of 12 specialised instructors with the quality of the workshops and sessions we offer," commented Francisco García Cerdá, Mayor of Mojácar.
"The Summer School not only offers fun activities, it's an opportunity for children to develop their creativity, work as a team and learn the values of respect and solidarity," added Noemí Linares, Education Councillor.
“In the afternoons, the Summer Sports turn the Descargador Beach into a meeting point for sports, socialising and enjoyment for everyone taking part at sunset,” the councillor concluded.
With these two offers, Mojácar's mornings and afternoons are filled with life, learning, and sport, reinforcing the essence of the municipality: a destination that looks after its families and celebrates its natural and social resources.
Mojácar wins hearts with the 9th edition of its Night of Romance, with a live marriage proposal
Last night Mojácar once again turned into the epicentre of romanticism with the celebration of the 9th edition of its Night of Romance, an event that brought together nearly 8,000 people on its streets decked out for the occasion. Locals and tourists enjoyed an evening full of music, candles, unique decorations and activities designed to celebrate love in one of the most beautiful villages in Spain.
The most moving moment of the night came when a Mojácar couple, overcome with emotion and surrounded by applause, starred in a marriage proposal, sealing their commitment in front of family, friends and onlookers who joined in the celebration with cheers and congratulations.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, highlighted the excellent reception of the event, affirming "The Night of Romance is now an unmissable event on Mojácar's calendar, not only for locals but also for hundreds of visitors who come to share the magic and charm of our municipality."
The Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, expressed her satisfaction with how the event had turned out, commenting that "Mojácar has managed to turn this event into a first-class tourist attraction, able of protecting our image as a romantic and quality destination."
The evening was rounded off with live concerts, candlelit strolls and large groups of dancing, which contributed to a unique and welcoming atmosphere. The organisers plan to repeat the experience next year with new offerings to continue surprising all those who want to celebrate love in Mojácar.
The Night of Romance comes to Mojácar: the Levante Almeria´s date with love
This Saturday 28th of June, starting at 9.15pm, there will be the 5th edition of the Night of Romance, a now well-established event in the Levante Almeriense which turns Mojácar’s whitewashed streets into a unique setting for love.
With live music in every square, dance performances, mimes and carefully curated decorations, the municipality becomes a true "love village" under the stars.
“The Night of Romance is much more than an event: it is a tangible demonstration of Mojácar's ability to offer first-class tourist experiences. Every detail - from the selection of artists to the decoration of squares and balconies - is conceived with the aim of enhancing our identity as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain. Thanks to the commitment of businesses, artisans and residents, we transform our streets into a showcase of culture, creativity and hospitality that boosts the local economy and reinforces Mojácar's position on the national tourist map,” explains the Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá.
The programme starts at 9.15 pm with different performances throughout Mojácar Pueblo’s old town: in Plaza Nueva with Natalia "Última Fusión" and her choreography, continuing in Plaza del Parterre with Yolanda Parra on piano, returning to swing in Plaza del Arbollón with Double Swing, and culminating at the City Gate with Aitor Gómez and his guitar. Meanwhile, mime artists will roam the streets, and handmade decorations - balloons, garlands and flowers - will adorn balconies and facades. At midnight, a grand collective kiss in Plaza Mayor will conclude the night.
“We have designed this edition of the Night of Romance with visitors and curious travellers in mind. We work closely with hoteliers, restaurateurs and cultural groups to ensure a carefully curated and authentic setting: handcrafted garlands, roving mime artists and a programme of shows that reflect the creative richness of our area. With the Photography Contest we invite everyone to capture and share the beauty of Mojácar under the light of the stars, turning each snapshot into a living testament to our tourism offer,” highlights Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón.
For the greater enjoyment of all those going along, public transport has been reinforced with increased frequencies and special routes going directly to the Old Town.
As a new feature, the “Capture Your Romantic Night” Photography Contest is being held in three categories (fun, artistic, and romantic), with prizes including afternoon snack and cocktails at Yoggy Mojácar; dinner and a toast at Pulcinella; and an overnight stay with breakfast at the Boutique Hotel El Olivar.
To make going and coming back easier, urban bus lines 01 and 02 will extend their services until 3.15am. Mojácar, recognised as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain, is for yet another year preparing to become the perfect setting for love: live music, dance, street art and a big collective kiss under the stars await you this 28th of June. Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this incomparable event in the Levante Almeriense.
Mojácar raises its five Blue Flags and consolidates its leadership as a quality tourist destination
Mojácar Council has officially raised the five Blue Flags that will fly this summer on the beaches of Marina de la Torre, El Cantal, Lance Nuevo, El Descargador and Venta del Bancal-Ventanicas, reaffirming the municipality's commitment to tourism excellence, sustainability and the protection of the coastal environment.
The institutional act was attended by the municipal council, headed by Mayor Francisco García Cerdá, the Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón García, and the Junta de Andalucía’s territorial delegate for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Juan José Alonso.
These recognitions, awarded by the European Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), endorse the quality of the water, safety, services and environmental management of the Mojácar coastline. They are the result of institutional commitment and collective efforts to maintain safe, accessible beaches which respect the natural environment.
"This year we have added one more Blue Flag than in the previous edition, which demonstrates Mojácar's constant progress toward a quality and sustainable tourism model", highlighted Mayor Francisco García Cerdá. "It is an achievement shared by the whole municipality, from technical services to the tourism sector and the residents themselves."
As well as the Blue Flags, Mojácar has also received the Q for Tourism Quality and S for Sustainable Tourism distinctions, awarded by the Spanish Institute for Tourism Quality (ICTE). These certifications reinforce the municipality's excellence in the management of its tourism services and position it as a benchmark in environmental responsibility and continuous improvement.
The municipality also maintains its membership of the SICTED (Comprehensive System for Tourism Quality in Destinations), which promotes public-private coordination and the professionalisation of the sector.
“We don't just have award-winning beaches: we have a destination that offers culture, nature, sports and a quality infrastructure that operates 12 months a year,” emphasized the Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón García. “These certifications encourage us to continue growing in an orderly way, taking care of both the environment and the visitor experience.”
With a 17-kilometre coastline that combines well-equipped urban areas and unspoiled natural spaces, Mojácar heads into summer 2025 with excellent prospects. Forecasts point to high tourist occupancy during July and August, with a strong presence of national and European visitors.
“Mojácar is an example of tourism management and institutional collaboration. These five Blue Flags clearly reflect this”, affirmed Juan José Alonso, the Junta de Andalucía’s territorial delegate for Tourism, Culture and Sport,
The Local Council has strengthened its summer programme with cultural, sports and festive activities that consolidate the municipality as one of the main tourist destinations on the Almería coast.
Mojácar strengthens its position as a Tourist Destination of excellence in 2025
Mojácar, 4th of June 2025
Mojácar continues consolidating its position as one of the most outstanding tourist destinations on the Spanish coast, thanks to a firm commitment to quality, sustainability, and comprehensive care of the visitor experience. In addition to the natural, historical, and cultural attractions this Almería municipality offers, there are also the important recognitions that endorse the joint work of the Local Council, local businesses, and the tourism sector as a whole.
In 2025, Mojácar has renewed and expanded its commitment to tourism excellence, obtaining various national and international quality certifications, among which the following stand out:
- Five Blue Flags on the beaches of El Cantal, El Descargador, Lance Nuevo, Marina de la Torre and Venta del Bancal – Ventanicas, which certify the cleanliness of the water, safety, available services, and environmental management.
- Obtaining the Q for Tourism Quality for beaches and services that comply with rigorous standards.
- The S for Sustainable Tourism, which recognises destinations committed to the protection of the environment and the development of responsible tourism.
- The active and ongoing adherence to the Comprehensive System for Tourism Quality in Destinations (SICTED), promoted by the State Secretariat for Tourism, which promotes constant improvement in management and visitor service.
In the words of the Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón: “These distinctions are not a simple recognition, but rather a reflection of the constant and professional work of the entire Mojácar tourism network. We strive to offer excellent services, friendly and attentive service and the highest quality in all aspects of the tourist experience. Mojácar is synonymous with trust and quality.”
With an offer that balances nature, history, cuisine, culture and hospitality, Mojácar registers high levels of satisfaction and loyalty among its visitors. Tourism here is not perceived as a mass product, but rather as a carefully designed, human and authentic experience.
The Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García, highlights the municipality's unique value compared to other destinations: "Mojácar is not just another destination. Those who visit us know it: here they find an ideal place to unwind, to feel well treated and to experience unforgettable moments. We are a municipality that doesn't sell prices, but rather quality. Those who come looking for the best will find it here."
Mojácar continues to work on a responsible, sustainable and long-term tourism model, with the aim of remaining a benchmark for those seeking more than just a holiday: an experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Mojácar reinforces its commitment to tourism with the creation of the Hotel Association
Mojácar Council supports the creation of the Mojácar Hotel Association, an initiative that reinforces the municipality's commitment to a quality, sustainable tourism model and ready to face future challenges.
Mojácar, 15th of May 2025
Mojácar's hoteliers have taken a decisive step towards the organisation and strengthening of the sector with the constitution of the Mojácar Hotel Association, an entity that was created with the aim of working together for the development of competitive, sustainable and quality tourism. This initiative has the institutional backing of Mojácar Council, which will actively collaborate with the association in achieving its goals.
The creation of this association responds to the need to respond to the challenges posed by the growth of tourism in the municipality. Mojácar is at a key moment, with important public and private investments already underway and planned for the coming years, which will significantly boost the local tourist capacity and offer.
In the words of Francisco García, Mayor of Mojácar: "The creation of this association is great news for Mojácar. Our tourism development model needs unity, strategy and commitment. The Local Council supports this initiative with total conviction, because we believe in the administration and the private sector working together to build a strong, sustainable tourist destination that meets the demands of the 21st century visitor."
The association will be headed by Alberto Simone Chiusano, with Michela Felici as secretary. Its main aims include:
- To promote sustainable and competitive tourism development.
- To strengthen Mojácar's tourist offer at national and international level.
- To promote innovation and modernisation in hotel management.
- To promote the professionalisation of the sector and the adaptation to new technologies and regulations.
Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, underlined the importance of this union: "We are undergoing an important transformation in Mojácar. We are committed to being a quality tourist destination, and that is only possible if all the actors are pulling together. The association has come into being at the best time, when it is most necessary to organise, modernise and adapt our tourism to the new realities. The Tourism Department is going to be closely involved, collaborating and supporting all those actions that favour the intelligent growth of our sector."
The establishment of the Mojácar Hotels Association seeks not only the internal improvement of the hotel sector, but also to be an engine of economic and social development for the entire municipality. With a medium and long-term vision, this organisation will also work on tourism promotion campaigns, participation in fairs, training programmes for professionals and the creation of synergies with other sectors such as trade, restaurants and active tourism.
The business union and the institutional commitment are part of the same strategy: to promote Mojácar as a modern, sustainable and competitive destination that consolidates itself as a benchmark for tourism in Almería province and the Andalucian coast.
Mojácar celebrates San Isidro and encourages Mojácar locals to wear regional costume
On Sunday 18th of May, Mojácar will enjoy one of its most traditional fiestas with the celebration of San Isidro (Saint Isidore), patron saint of farmers. The celebration will take place in the area around The Fountain, an emblematic area of the municipality that every year becomes a gathering point for local residents, visitors and entire families who take part in this event with the agricultural and cultural roots of the locality.
The programme will start at 1pm with the blessing of San Isidro, in a ceremony filled with symbolism and devotion. At 2pm there will be the midday fair, with entertainment by the charanga band Armando Jaelo, and at 6pm the group La Espartera will give a live concert to close with music and a good atmosphere.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Fran García, underlined the importance of keeping local traditions alive: "San Isidro is a festivity that speaks of our roots, of our link to the land and of the importance of sharing and celebrating it in company.... We want Mojácar to continue being a place where tradition and joy go hand in hand.”
Festivities Councillor, Pascual Artero, has invited all members of the public to take part: "It is a day designed to be enjoyed as a family, with music, gastronomy and a very welcoming atmosphere. We especially encourage Mojácar women to wear traditional costume, as they have always done, and everyone to join in the events to continue cherishing our customs".
The Local Council is calling for participation and reminding everyone that this festivity is not only an expression of local identity, but also an opportunity to come together, enjoy the surroundings of The Fountain and pass on these traditions to the new generations.
Music open the way for Moors and Christians festivities with the 3rd "Al Mosaquer" competition in Mojácar
This Saturday 17th of May at 7pm, Mojácar's Multi-Uses Centre will host the final concert of the 3rd National ‘Al-Mosaquer’ Moors and Christian Marches Composition Competition, an event that marks the beginning of the festive atmosphere in the locality with its Moors and Christians festivities; and which reaffirms the municipality's commitment to music, tradition and cultural projection as an engine for tourism.
In this edition, dedicated to the Moors march speciality, the Mojácar Municipal Music Band, conducted by Miguel Ángel Miranda Sevillano, will perform the four finalist works: ‘Amazic’, ‘Arrabal’, “Cimitarra” and “Sabil”. These compositions have been selected by a mixed jury of musicians and local representatives, standing out for their artistic quality and their roots in the festive spirit of the Moorish troops.
The event will conclude with the performance of the winning marches from previous editions, strengthening the continuity and consolidation of this contest as an essential fixture in the municipality’s festive and cultural calendar.
"Mojácar Council is deeply proud to support this competition, which brings together tradition, musical talent and community spirit. Music is an essential part of our festivities and this competition promotes its evolution and creativity, as well as projecting the name of Mojácar beyond our borders", stated the Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá.
Ginés Gallardo, spokesperson for the ‘Al-Mosaquer’ Association, emphasized that, "This concert is the starting gun for our festivities. It is a way of getting warmed up, to begin experiencing the festive atmosphere that defines Mojácar at this time of year."
Preview of the Moors and Christians Festivities 2025 programme
The festivities, which will be held from 5th to 8th of June, are already preparing to welcome thousands of visitors. Some of the highlights include:
- Thursday 5th of June: official opening of “Kábilas” and “Cuarteles”.
- Friday 6th of June: daytime fiesta with festive atmosphere in the village streets.
- Saturday 7th of June: disembarkation on the beach, “trabucada” (blunderbuss firing) and medieval tournament on horseback.
- Sunday 8th of June: Grand gala parade with Moorish and Christian troops through the old town.
For more information, the Official Moors and Christians Mojácar 2025 Magazine is now available.
This type of initiative not only enriches the local cultural agenda, but also reinforces Mojácar as a tourist destination with its own identity, where tradition and music make up part of the soul of the municipality.
Mojácar finalises the restoration of the Pirulico Tower, one of its great historical symbols
The Pirulico Tower, one of the most representative monuments of the Mojácar coastline and of Moorish defensive architecture in the Levante area of Almería, is now open to the public following the completion of the restoration work carried out over the last month.
The project, financed with a total investment of 16,575 euros, has allowed the consolidation of the tower’s upper skylight, improved accessibility with the installation of new handrails, and incorporated efficient solar lighting, all while respecting its status as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) and adapting to the regulations for the protection of the land and the natural surroundings in which it is located.
Francisco García Cerdá, Mayor of Mojácar, gave a very positive evaluation of the completion of the project: “Restoring and preserving the Pirulico Tower is not only an institutional responsibility, but also an act of respect for our history and our identity. With these works, Mojácar takes another step forward in its commitment to a sustainable tourism model, where heritage is the focus. Now, this icon is once again an accessible, safe place, ready to continue exciting those who visit us.”
The installation of efficient solar lighting not only guarantees the energy sustainability of the monument, but also completely transforms its presence in Mojácar's nocturnal landscape. Thanks to this undertaking, the Pirulico Tower becomes a visual landmark visible from much of the coastline, especially from the municipality's most visited beaches. This scenic effect creates an emotional connection between the visitor and the heritage, inviting them to rediscover the local history in a new light, literally. The tower, now also the focus at dusk, adds a new attraction to Mojácar's tourist offer, extending its enjoyment beyond the daytime.
The project also strengthens the municipality’s tourist and cultural offer, integrating this spot into already consolidated interpretative and hiking routes in the area.
In the words of the Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón: “The Pirulico Tower is much more than a historical construction; it is one of the main attractions for those who choose Mojácar in search of authenticity, landscape and history. With this action we guarantee its preservation and improve the experience of those who visit us, reinforcing Mojácar’s image as a destination where the past is experienced with a future.”
The tower, located in the Bordonares area, is part of the inventory of municipal facilities and is situated in an enclave of high environmental value, designated as Non-Developable Land of Special Protection. The works have had the pertinent authorisations, including that of the Regional Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, complying with the regulations for the visual and landscape protection of the surroundings.
With the reopening of the Pirulico Tower, Mojácar consolidates a line of work focused on the enhancement of its historical and natural heritage, integrating it respectfully into the municipality’s tourism and cultural strategy.
Mojácar takes its history to the beach: new QR audioguides to discover its heritage from the sand
Mojácar, one of the most emblematic destinations on the Almeria coast, has unveiled an innovative tourist initiative that reinforces its commitment to a more comprehensive, experiential and cultural tourism model. Starting this Easter, visitors will not only be able to enjoy sun and sea, but also discover the history of the municipality thanks to a system of audio guides accessible directly from the beach itself via QR codes.
This initiative allows users to listen in several languages to the history of the main monuments and corners of the old town: the Santa María Church, the City Gate, the Public Fountain, the Castle Viewpoint, the Plaza Nueva Viewpoint, the Indalo, Mariquita la Posá, the Moors and Christians Festivities and the Mojácar origin of Walt Disney. By simply scanning a QR code from their mobile phone, tourists can take an audio tour while relaxing on the sand, promoting curiosity and the desire to visit the historic centre of the municipality.
The proposal is part of a broader strategy promoted by the municipal Council to diversify the tourist offer and enhance the value of visitors’ stays in Mojácar. In addition to offering a unique sun and beach experience, this action aims to enable visitors to discover the most significant elements of the local identity in a simple and accessible way.
“With this action we want to remind our visitors that Mojácar is much more than sun and beach. Our heritage, our history and our essence also deserve to be discovered, and now we are making it available to everyone from the most visited place: the beach”, affirmed the Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá. “It’s an invitation to, after relaxing in the sun, go up to the old town and fall in love with our past as well.”
The Tourism Department has worked to create attractive, accessible content adapted to the new ways of consuming culture, especially among tourists who are looking for authentic experiences. The inclusion of representative elements such as Mariquita la Posá, the City Gate and the Indalo highlights local traditions and symbols that not only enrich the visit, but also highlight the uniqueness of Mojácar compared to other destinations.
“Today's visitors don't just want to relax, they want to learn, connect with the place they are visiting and take away more than just photos. This audio experience from the beach is a different way of getting to know Mojácar, of planting the seeds of curiosity, of motivating tourists to walk through our streets, to appreciate our history”, stated Tourism Councillor María Gracia Alarcón. “What’s more, by offering it in several languages, we broaden the reach to an international profile that increasingly values cultural tourism.”
This Mojácar project reinforces the municipality’s digital presence, integrating technological tools that enrich the visitor experience without the need for complex apps or additional devices. A simple gesture - scanning a QR code - is all it takes to begin a journey through the history and soul of Mojácar.
Mojácar, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain and one of the happiest to live in, in this way reinforces itself as a destination where sun and beach tourism harmoniously coexists with culture, tradition and innovation.
Mojácar reinforces its position as a destination of excellence this Easter
Mojácar is preparing for one of the busiest Easter Weeks in recent years, with a forecast of a very high hotel occupancy rate and many establishments near to full capacity.
The combination of tradition, culture, privileged climate and a quality tourism offer has once again made Mojácar one of the Mediterranean's favourite destinations.
According to data gathered by the Tourism Department, many hotels will reach 90% and 100% occupancy on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and others will exceed 85% in their average bookings for the whole week.
At the same time, some recently opened accommodation and several tourist apartments are still offering availability, which represents an opportunity for last minute visitors.
In addition to the excellent tourist response, Mojácar presents a full Easter Week programme with religious and cultural events in the heart of the old town. The processions on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will mark the most emotional moments, starting from the Santa María Church and going through the municipality’s most emblematic streets.
The spring-like weather will be another of the main attractions, with temperatures forecast to be between 22 and 25 degrees and no rain, ideal for enjoying both the religious events and the beach and open-air leisure.
The Local Council has activated a special mobility plan, reinforcing public transport between Mojácar Pueblo and Mojácar Playa for the enjoyment of both visitors and residents of the municipality
Francisco García, Mayor of Mojácar, has been very positive about the response from the tourism sector: "Easter Week once again positions Mojácar as one of the leading destinations in the Mediterranean. Our offer combines tradition, culture, beach and fine cuisine, and that translates into an almost full occupancy rate".
Tourism Councillor María Gracia Alarcón highlighted the joint work that has made this success possible: "These figures are the result of coordinated work between Mojácar Council, business owners and tourism promoters. Mojácar offers much more than sun and beach, and increasingly more visitors are discovering it all year round, not just in summer.".
With all these elements, Mojácar approaches an Easter Week marked by the high number of visitors, the quality of its tourism offer and the deeply-rooted nature of its traditions. The municipality thus reaffirms its commitment to a sustainable, welcoming and quality tourism model, consolidating itself as an essential destination not only in summer, but also at key times of year such as this Easter Week.
Mojácar dedicates a square to Antonio Bonet Correo, a great figure in spanish art with a strong link to the municipality
Next Tuesday 15th of April at 5pm, Mojácar Council will pay tribute to the renowned art historian Antonio Bonet Correa, with the unveiling of a bas-relief in his memory and the official designation of the Plaza Antonio Bonet Correa, located in the Calle Salvia, 2 park, a symbolic place next to the sea which from now on will bear his name.
Antonio Bonet Correa (1925-2020) was one of the great restorers of art historiography in Spain. An academic, professor and director of institutions such as the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the Madrid Museum of Contemporary Art, he introduced new ways of interpreting art, connecting it with architecture, sociology and critical thought. His legacy also included the defence of artistic heritage, research into the Andalucian Baroque and the promotion of new aesthetic trends.
His link with Mojácar dates back to 1965, when he arrived in the municipality accompanied by his family. He discovered the village thanks to the geographer Horacio Capel, and from then he maintained a deep connection with its people, its architecture and its surroundings. He was a regular in the municipality for decades, actively participating in its cultural life, chairing the Mojácar Art Courses and promoting the arrival of great artists to the municipality.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, highlighted that: “Antonio Bonet Correa was able to see in Mojácar not only its scenic beauty, but also its value as a meeting point between tradition and modernity. He was an essential pillar in the promotion and dissemination of art in our municipality. With this square, we leave a record of his mark on our history and our way of understanding culture.”
Pedro Bonet, professor of recorder and director of the Baroque Music Group La Folía, and Antonio Bonet Correa’s son, commented: “My father was a restorer of the history of art in Spain, and his dedication was tireless up until his death five years ago. We are very grateful to the Local Council for this gesture that recognises not only his figure, but that of all those pioneers who were committed to the culture and beauty of Almería.”
Mojácar Council invites residents and visitors to take part in this emotionally charged event, marking another step in the locality's commitment to cultural memory, art and the figures who have contributed to its enrichment.
Mojácar dedicates a public square to Antonio Bonet Correa and takes an important step forward in urban planning
At the last ordinary session of the Municipal Plenary, Mojácar Council took a crucial step in the updating and adaptation of the General Urban Development Plan (PGOU), in compliance with Law 7/2021, on urgent measures in matters of urban planning and regional ordinance, approved in December 2021.
Mojácar's PGOU, definitively approved on the 19th of May 2023 and published in the Junta de Andalucía’s Official Gazette (BOJA) on the 27th of July of the same year, had not been adapted to the new determinations of the law to date. With the entry into force of Law 7/2021, the identification of urban land was carried out, as established by the regulations, incorporating land that is urbanistically transformed, occupied by buildings, or that makes up part of the urban network consisting of roads, facilities, plots or settlements.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, wanted to clarify that this identification of urban land does not imply that such land is ready for building or modification, but rather that it is an instrumental procedure that aims to provide legal certainty to owners and ensure the correct application of the law.
“It is important to stress that this adaptation does not mean any risk or modify the status of the land as plots, nor establish an immediate availability for detailed planning. It is simply a recognition of urban land that will serve to apply the corresponding regime to this land from the entry into force of Law 7/2021,” explained the Mayor.
García Cerdá also highlighted that the instruction focuses on the land in front of the coast, from what is known as the Congo to Río Abajo, on the Paseo del Mediterráneo. “This is only the first step. We will continue working to identify other urban areas that are not currently considered as urban land in the PGOU and which, according to the new law, meet the criteria to be classified as such,” he affirmed.
Another of the measures unanimously approved was the naming of a public square in honour of Antonio Bonet Correa, a renowned Spanish art historian and academic, in recognition of his significant contribution to the cultural life of the municipality.
Mayor Francisco García Cerdá underlined the importance of this tribute, noting that
“Antonio Bonet Correa was a fundamental pillar in the promotion and dissemination of art in Mojácar. His dedication and commitment left an indelible mark on our municipality.”
As well as the tribute to Bonet Correa, the Municipal Plenary addressed and approved several key initiatives for the development of Mojácar:
- Local Plan for sports facilities and equipment: unanimously approved, this plan reinforces the municipality's sports infrastructure, promoting physical activity and the well-being of citizens.
- Innovation of the PGOU in the area surrounding the Hotel Moresco: also approved, this measure updates urban planning in a strategic area, promoting ordered and sustainable development.
- Modification of the Levante Almeriense Firefighting and Rescue Consortium statutes: the modification of article 26.2 of the statutes was approved with seven votes in favour and two abstentions, adapting the operational framework of the consortium to current needs.
- Request for collaboration to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge: the need for an urgent restoration plan for the coastline, affected by recent storms which have seriously eroded the municipality’s beaches, was raised. Mojácar, which has 19,000 regulated accommodation places as well as numerous second homes, considers the protection of its beaches as a priority to maintain its tourist appeal and preserve its main natural and economic resource.
Mojácar Council reaffirms its commitment to the balanced development of the municipality, integrating cultural promotion, the improvement of infrastructure and the protection of the natural environment into its political agenda
Mojácar announces the competition "SentArte": The art of enjoying the landscape by decorating benches
Mojácar Council, through its Culture and Tourism Departments, has officially launched the SentArte: the art of enjoying the landscape competition, an artistic initiative aimed at transforming street furniture into authentic works of art that enrich the most beautiful corners of the municipality and, at the same time, serve as an additional tourist attraction to boost the arrival of visitors.
A project to sit, look and feel
The competition aims to select creative and original proposals for the decoration of wood benches, which will be installed in unique locations in Mojácar, forming a route where art and landscape go hand in hand. The intention is that each bench will be an invitation not only to sit down, but also to contemplate and appreciate the surroundings.
“SentArte is an invitation to experience Mojácar in a different way. We want locals and visitors to rediscover our landscapes through pausing, art and sensitivity. We believe in culture as a tool for social transformation and in creativity as an engine for local development,” stated the Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García.
The Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, stressed that “this project allows us to highlight unique corners of Mojácar that often go unnoticed. We want art to serve as a guide for discovering these small landscape treasures that we have and, at the same time, to support and showcase the talent of our local artists.
The competition is open to artists, designers, architects and creators in any discipline. Each participant may submit up to three original sketches. Each proposal must include a title and a brief conceptual explanation (maximum 150 words).
The theme of the designs is free, being a requirement that the materials used must be resistant to inclement weather and continuous use. The works must be adapted to the measurements and characteristics of the model bench selected by the Local Council (“Romantic” model, tropical wood and cast iron legs).
SentArte seeks to turn a stroll through Mojácar into a unique experience, where creativity and natural beauty come together in each decorated bench. An artistic itinerary that invites you to sit down, observe and connect with the surroundings.
The complete rules of the competition, as well as the deadlines and entry requirements, are available on Mojácar Council's official website.
Because in Mojácar, art also sits and contemplates the landscape.
Mojácar gymnasts stand out in the Educational Rythmic Gymnastics Circuit
The Mojácar rhythmic gymnastics team had an outstanding participation in the 2024/2025 Educational Promotion Rhythmic Gymnastics Circuit held on the 8th of March in the locality of Balanegra. The event brought together teams from different municipalities in a competition which challenges the technical and artistic level of the young gymnasts.
The Mojácar athletes achieved podium positions in several categories:
• Prebenjamín Category: Gold medal, demonstrating great coordination and precision in their performance.
• Infant Category: Bronze medal, with an outstanding execution of their routines.
• Carmen Torres (Infant Category, individual): Silver medal, with a brilliant performance that secured her second place.
The event saw a significant turnout of family members and supporters, who travelled to Balanegra to support the Mojácar gymnasts, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm and motivation during each performance. The educational circuit’s main aim is the promotion of rhythmic gymnastics and sporting development in schools, allowing participants to improve their performance and strengthen their technique in a competitive environment.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, gave a positive assessment of the local team's participation in the competition: "These kinds of events are essential for encouraging sports among the youngest. We take pride in seeing our gymnasts stand out on the provincial circuit, continually demonstrating their talent and effort."
The Sports Councillor, Jesús Montoya, underlined the municipality's commitment to grassroots sports development: "The Local Council will continue supporting our athletes, providing them with the necessary resources for their growth and encouraging participation in competitions like this, which are key for their development."
The Mojácar gymnasts will continue their preparation for upcoming competitions, with the aim of continuing to represent the municipality and consolidate their progress in this discipline.
Mojácar 5 Estrellas finalises the musical menu for its spectacular second edition
Pignoise, Paula Matheus, Marlena, Me & The Reptiles and Michael Foster complete the line-up headed by Iván Ferreiro.
Mojácar 5 Estrellas or, in other words, a delicatessen menu for a festival that has already left its mark with just one edition and will do so again in its second edition next October. This is what you can conclude from the new ingredients that are gradually being announced. Following the big surprise of Iván Ferreiro as the headliner, this week the line-up of Pignoise, Paula Matheus, Marlena, Me & The Reptiles and Michael Foster has been announced.
These are the names of the musical side of an event, the gastronomic part of which is still ‘slow-cooking’, and which will be announced shortly and will feature renowned chefs who will create the perfect pairing.
Mojácar 5 Estrellas will continue combining music and cuisine in an exceptional tourist enclave like the Almería locality on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of October. An extension of the dates that means numerous complementary events will be added to the main day (Saturday the 4th) for the preceding and following days.
Mojácar 5 Estrellas is organised by Crash Music and Mojácar Council's Culture Department and is sponsored by Almería Provincial Council, Costa de Almería, Sabores de Almería, the Junta de Andalucía, Macenas, Estrella de Levante, Cupra and Ecoinver.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, maintains that “this festival is a demonstration of Mojácar's commitment to culture, music and gastronomy. We want to consolidate our position as a benchmark for tourism and leisure, and events such as Mojácar 5 Estrellas reinforce our position as a quality destination.”
Mojácar's Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, emphasizes that “Mojácar 5 Stars not only reinforces our image as a destination of excellence, but also boosts our local economy, attracting visitors and promoting our culture and traditions. It is a key event for continuing to position Mojácar on the national and international tourism scene’.
Diego Ferrón from Crash Music points out that “the second edition of Mojácar 5 Estrellas aims to grow both in the number of days and with a first-class line-up for lovers of multi-sensory experiences by bringing together the best music and cuisine in a quality setting’.
The tickets and different promotions and services continue selling at a fast pace through the official website https://mojacar5estrellas.es/.
About the musical line-up
Iván Ferreiro (Nigrán-Galicia) is a composer of indie rock and pop rock music. He was for 13 years of his musical career the leader, singer and main songwriter of the renowned band Los Piratas, with whom they released 12 albums and left a great musical legacy that is still revered today. After separating from Los Piratas at the end of 2003, Iván decided to continue in the world of music, becoming an indisputable benchmark of quality with a creative talent that over the years has yet to reach its peak .
Pignoise is a Spanish pop punk band made up of former Real Madrid footballer Álvaro Benito (singer, guitarist and composer), Pablo Alonso Álvarez (bass and backing vocals) and Héctor Polo (drums). They recently celebrated their 20th anniversary, bringing together artists from different generations and with popular support at concerts. It is clear that Pignoise is a band that transcends generations. You only have to go along to one of their concerts to see it for yourself.
Hailing from Getxo, Paula Mattheus has won over the public with her mix of pop rock and sincere lyrics, full of experiences and emotions that reflect the heart of an authentic and approachable artist. Her music, marked by honesty, has consolidated her as one of the most promising emerging figures of recent years. Her constant exploration of sounds and themes and her connection with the public make her considered one of the artists with the brightest future.
Marlena has become one of the most iconic, brilliant and energetic pop and rock duos on the current scene. Formed by Ana Legazpi and Carolina Moyano, they are already one of the most powerful and promising acts in our country, with the authenticity of songs as successful as ‘Amor de verano’, ‘Último baile’, ‘Red flags’, ‘Me sabe mal’ and ‘Te vas a inventar’
Me & The Reptiles is a project made up of Mamen (Me DJ) and René (Reptile DJ), in which they mix the best national and international indietronica tracks, with occasional electric violin interventions. Their show is pure energy and fun, as they will demonstrate at Mojácar 5 Estrellas.
Mojácar celebrates Andalucía Day with music, tradition and solidarity
On the 28th of February Mojácar prepares to celebrate Andalucía Day with a programme full of music, tradition and a unique atmosphere highlighting Andalucían pride.
The event will begin at 12 noon with the raising of the Andalucían flag, a solemn act accompanied by the Mojácar Municipal Music Band. Following the ceremony, the band will delight the audience with a repertoire of various musical pieces, adding a cultural and festive touch to the celebration.
At 2pm, those going along will be able to enjoy a giant solidarity paella for a symbolic price of €1 per serving. All proceeds will go to Asociación TeAma (Mojácar Autism Association), a local organisation dedicated to supporting people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families, promoting inclusion and wellbeing in the community.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, highlighted the importance of this celebration: “Andalucía Day is an opportunity to assert our identity and our values. In Mojácar, we want this day to be a gathering point to enjoy together and share the pride of being Andalucían.”
The Festivities councillor, Pascual Artero, added: ‘We have prepared a very special programme, designed for all ages. We invite everyone to take part and experience a day full of tradition, good music and, of course, a great atmosphere.”
The event is presented as a unique opportunity to enjoy Andalucían culture in a privileged setting. “The best festivities are those that are shared, so don't hesitate to come along with family and friends. Mojácar awaits you with open arms,” concluded Artero.
Mojácar celebrates Andalucía Day with music, tradition and solidarity
On the 28th of February Mojácar prepares to celebrate Andalucía Day with a programme full of music, tradition and a unique atmosphere highlighting Andalucían pride.
The event will begin at 12 noon with the raising of the Andalucían flag, a solemn act accompanied by the Mojácar Municipal Music Band. Following the ceremony, the band will delight the audience with a repertoire of various musical pieces, adding a cultural and festive touch to the celebration.
At 2pm, those going along will be able to enjoy a giant solidarity paella for a symbolic price of €1 per serving. All proceeds will go to Asociación TeAma (Mojácar Autism Association), a local organisation dedicated to supporting people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families, promoting inclusion and wellbeing in the community.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, highlighted the importance of this celebration: “Andalucía Day is an opportunity to assert our identity and our values. In Mojácar, we want this day to be a gathering point to enjoy together and share the pride of being Andalucían.”
The Festivities councillor, Pascual Artero, added: ‘We have prepared a very special programme, designed for all ages. We invite everyone to take part and experience a day full of tradition, good music and, of course, a great atmosphere.”
The event is presented as a unique opportunity to enjoy Andalucían culture in a privileged setting. “The best festivities are those that are shared, so don't hesitate to come along with family and friends. Mojácar awaits you with open arms,” concluded Artero.
Mojácar hosts the II Outlet Fair with activities, children's workshops and great discounts
Following the resounding success of the first edition, the 2nd Mojácar Outlet Fair will be held from the 28th of February to the 2nd of March, at the Multi- Uses Centre, coinciding with the Andalucía Day long weekend, with a wide range of activities, children's workshops and great discounts in a wide variety of shops.
Fifteen local businesses took part in the first edition of the fair, attracting a large number of local residents and tourists, consolidating itself as an important event in Mojácar's commercial and cultural calendar.
In this second edition, the fair will bring together a wide variety of shops offering exclusive discounts and special offers. In addition, for every purchase over 10 euros in participating establishments, customers will receive a unique ticket that can be exchanged for gift vouchers in participating bars, hence promoting interaction between local businesses and the local hospitality industry.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, emphasized the importance of the fair for the municipality: ‘The II Outlet Fair not only offers local residents and visitors the opportunity to access quality products at great discounts, but also boosts our local trade and enriches the leisure offer for the whole family over the Andalucía Day long weekend. Mojácar has become an ideal destination for enjoying some unique days, combining shopping, cuisine and entertainment for all ages.”
The fair programme is as follows:
• Friday 28th of February: opening of the fair from 5-8pm. The official opening ceremony will take place at 6.30pm.
• Saturday 1st of March: the fair will be open from 10am to 8pm. The children's workshops will be held from 6-8pm.
• Sunday 2nd of March: the children's workshops will continue from 11am to 1pm, and at 1pm there will be the big raffle, in which all those who have made purchases during the fair will participate.
As well as the attractive commercial offers, the fair will feature a programme of children's workshops and fun activities designed for the enjoyment of the little ones, ensuring entertainment for the whole family during the long Andalucía Day weekend.
The 2nd Mojácar Outlet Fair is shaping up as a perfect plan for enjoying this holiday weekend, offering a unique combination of leisure, shopping, and cuisine in an unmatched setting.
Mojácar positions itself as a Pet-Friendly tourist destination with the opening of its first dog beach
Mojácar Council has announced the imminent opening of the municipality's first dog beach on Perulejo Beach, a project that will be completed in 2025 in response to the growing demand for public spaces adapted to pets. This initiative reinforces Mojácar's commitment to family and sustainable tourism, consolidating its position as a pet-friendly destination in Almería province.
Mojácar, with its picturesque old town, its beaches with crystal clear waters and its privileged climate, has become one of the main tourist destinations in the Levante region of Almería. In 2024, the municipality received close to 800,000 visitors, with a notable increase in the arrival of national and international tourists. British tourism in particular has shown a special interest in the locality, representing approximately 20% of the total number of visitors, according to data from the Andalucía Institute of Statistics and Cartography.
The designation of Perulejo Beach as a dog-friendly area makes Mojácar the second municipality in the Levante region of Mojácar to offer a beach specifically for dogs, following the example of Cuevas del Almanzora.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “This dog beach not only responds to a need of our residents, but also broadens our tourist offer, attracting a growing segment of visitors who travel with their pets.”
The opening of the dog beach will not only benefit residents, but is expected to boost the local economy. Mojácar has a wide range of accommodation, from luxury hotels to holiday apartments, many of which are already pet-friendly. The inclusion of a dog beach could increase hotel occupancy in low seasons, attracting tourists looking for pet-friendly destinations.
The Costa de Almeria has stood out in recent years for its versatility and for offering tourist alternatives for all types of people. Mojácar, with its Mediterranean charm and its commitment to quality tourism, continues to add attractions to consolidate itself as a benchmark destination.
Perulejo Beach , with its new configuration, will not only become a gathering point for animal lovers, but also an example of how tourism development can go hand in hand with inclusion and sustainability.
Mojácar gets ready to celebrate Carnival 2025 with a programmme full a music, colour and fun
The countdown has begun for Mojácar Carnival 2025, one of the most eagerly anticipated festivities of the year. From the 21st of February to the 5th of March, the municipality will be filled with parades, costumes and shows, with a programme designed for locals and visitors to enjoy the magic of this celebration.
The kick-off will be on Friday 21st of February with the Children's Carnival, when the very youngest will be able to enjoy bouncy castles, craft workshops, dances and musical games at the Multi-Uses Centre. The day will end with a concert by Los Lagartos and DJ SEE, starting at 10pm, an event that promises to liven up everyone who goes along.
On Saturday 22nd of February, the party will take to the streets with the traditional Parade of Troupes, which will go along Mojácar Playa from Río Abajo to the Commercial Centre from 5pm. In the evening, the Multi-Uses Centre will host the Dance Competition at 8pm, when participants will show off their talent in a competition full of rhythm and creativity.
Later on, the eagerly awaited Grand Carnival Party will get underway, a night of music and fun with live performances by the Orquesta El Norte and DJ Raúl Vazco, who will liven up the night until well into the early hours of the morning.
The festivities will culminate on the 5th of March with the Burial of the Sardine, a symbolic act that will mark the end of this grand celebration. From 7pm, a procession will go around the streets in a farewell full of tradition and good humour.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, has underlined the importance of this festivity for the municipality: “Carnival is one of our most emblematic festivals and every year it improves in terms of participation and creativity. We want Mojácar to shine with its Carnival and for both locals and visitors to enjoy a unique experience, full of joy and togetherness.”
For his part, the Festivities Councillor, Pascual Artero, commented: “We have worked on a programme designed for all ages, with activities for the very youngest, traditional events and a big party that is sure to be unforgettable. We invite everyone to join in and enjoy a Carnival that will be spectacular.”
Mojácar Council encourages all residents and visitors to join in this celebration that every year brings together hundreds of people in a unique and festive atmosphere.
Mojácar football shines in the 12th Covap Cup
C.D. Mojácar's Alevín ‘A’ team has achieved an outstanding runner-up position in the 12th edition of the COVAP Cup, held this February in Huércal de Almería. After an excellent run in the tournament, the Mojácar team reached the grand final, where they fell to Poli Aguadulce in an exciting match.
The tournament, in which 16 teams from all over the region took part, has been a great experience for the young players, who showed talent, commitment and sporting spirit in every match. The Mojácar club congratulated the players for their commitment and great performance in this competition, as well as over the course of the season.
The COVAP Cup is an educational and sporting initiative that goes round the eight Andalucía provinces with the aim of promoting sporting values and healthy lifestyle habits among young athletes. This tournament is not only an opportunity to compete at the highest level, but also to learn about fair play, teambuilding and the importance of physical activity.
C.D. Mojácar reaffirms its commitment to the sporting education of its players and its backing for football based on values and teamwork. This runner-up title is a reflection of the effort and dedication of the club's young talents, who will continue to prepare for future competitions with the same enthusiasm and dedication.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, congratulated the team for their outstanding performance: “It is a source of pride for our locality to see these young athletes representing Mojácar with such effort and commitment. Their performance in the COVAP Cup demonstrates the great work that is being done in our municipality’s grassroots sport. The Local Council will continue supporting the sporting development of our young people, because we believe in sport as a key tool for training in values and healthy living”.
Mojácar reafirms its commitment to culture by renewing its participation in the Andalucian Network of Public Theatres 2025
Mojácar will continue to be part of the Andalucian Network of Public Theatres in 2025, an initiative run by the Andalucian Institute of Performing Arts and Music, managed by the Regional Culture and Sport Ministry’s Andalucian Agency of Cultural Institutions. This renewal reinforces the municipality's commitment to promoting theatre and performing arts, bringing quality shows to residents and visitors.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, accompanied by the Culture Councillor Noemí Linares, attended the distinction presentation ceremony in Almería, where he highlighted the importance of this programme for the municipality: “Forming part of the Andalucian Network of Public Theatres allows us to continue promoting culture in Mojácar, offering a diverse and quality programme that enriches the cultural life of our village. We are committed to theatre and the performing arts as a fundamental pillar for the cultural and tourist development of Mojácar," the mayor affirmed.
Mojácar received an identification plaque that accredits it as a member of the Andalucian Network of Public Theatres in 2025. The Mayor, Francisco García, was assigned with receiving this recognition, which will allow the municipality to access a wide catalogue of top-level performing arts.
The Andalucian Institute of Performing Arts and Music will continue promoting this programme, which is an essential base for access to the performing arts throughout the autonomous community.
The Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, underlined the importance of this network: "This programme allows us to continue bringing quality theatre and performing arts to our residents, something that has already had an excellent reception in past editions."
The full programme and more details will be available on the Mojácar Council official channels.
Mojácar receives the Q for Quality and S for Tourism Sustainability certifications for its beaches.
Mojácar has achieved a historic achievement on receiving, for the first time, the Q for Tourism Quality and S for Tourism Sustainability certifications for its Marina de la Torre Lance Nuevo and Venta del Bancal beaches. These prestigious distinctions were presented at an event held at the emblematic Cibeles Palace in Madrid, within the framework of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR 2025), with the presence of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, who highlighted the commitment of the certified destinations to excellence and sustainability.
The Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, together with the director of the Mojácar Tourist Office, Carmen García Campoy, collected the certificates on behalf of the municipality.
During the ceremony, the councillor highlighted the collective effort behind this achievement: "Receiving these two certifications for the first time, which endorse both the quality and sustainability of our beaches, is a recognition of the tireless work of our tourism team and the dedication of the whole of Mojácar. Thanks to their commitment, we continue to position ourselves as a benchmark tourist destination, which combines excellence and respect for the environment."
Tourist Office director, Carmen García Campoy, also emphasized the importance of the joint effort: "This success is the result of a team which works with passion and dedication to offer the best to our visitors. These certifications not only recognise the quality and sustainability of our beaches, but also Mojácar's commitment to responsible tourism and tourism of excellence."
The Q for Tourism Quality, awarded by the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality (ICTES), guarantees the highest standards in services, cleanliness, accessibility and safety, while the S for Tourism Sustainability certifies the destination's commitment to responsible tourism development, environmental protection and the promotion of sustainable practices.
Obtaining these certifications represents an added value that positions Mojácar as a tourist destination that combines quality, excellence and sustainability. As María Gracia Alarcón emphasized: "These certifications not only attract a more demanding and aware tourism, but also reinforce our commitment to preserving our environment, ensuring that Mojácar continues to be a unique place to enjoy and live."
The Q for Tourism Quality, promoted by ICTES and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, is the highest recognition that guarantees a quality experience in tourist destinations. Meanwhile, the S for Tourism Sustainability evaluates and certifies the environmental responsibility of destinations, promoting sustainability as a key axis for tourism development.
By obtaining both distinctions, Mojácar consolidates its position as a benchmark for quality and sustainable tourism in Andalucía, contributing to the prestige of its beaches and to the improvement of the experience of tourists who choose this destination.
Mojácar 2025: Calendar of events to experience unforgettable times all year-round
Mojácar, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain and an internationally recognised tourist destination, today presented its ambitious promotional campaign for 2025 at FITUR with the slogan ‘Your best time is to experience it’ with its events. At the event, the Tourism Councillor, who represented the municipality in the absence of the Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, highlighted the richness and uniqueness of this destination, which is positioned as a privileged option for both tourism and everyday life.
Mojácar has established itself as a benchmark for family and sustainable tourism, with 17 kilometres of beaches that have been awarded with distinctions such as Blue Flags, SICTED and Q for Quality, as well as an accommodation offer of more than 19,000 places in hotels, holiday homes and the prestigious Parador de Turismo. The locality also has a wide variety of restaurants, bars and shops, which combine tradition with modernity, offering unique experiences.
“The professionalism and effort of the business owners and traders have made Mojácar the destination it is today. But Mojácar is much more than tourism, it is an exceptional place to live, with charm at any time of year”, the Councillor stressed.
During the presentation at FITUR, a moving promotional video was screened which invites families, young people and seniors to put their screens to one side and experience unforgettable times in Mojácar. From exploring its cultural and natural heritage, enjoying the beaches, to sharing culinary and sporting experiences, the message is clear: “Mojácar is for disconnecting and enjoying.”
In 2025 Mojácar will add an extra attraction to its tourism offer with a calendar of unique events that are the perfect excuse for returning to the municipality. Among the highlights are:
- Moors & Christians (since 1988, 37 years of history).
- The Night of the Candles (started in 2013, attracting more than 15,000 people).
- The Disney Festivities, The Romantic Night and and The Most Beautiful Christmas, with Mojácar as Ferrero Rocher Village.
- Festival Mojácar 5 Estrellas, nominated for the Iberian Festival Awards after its successful debut.
Mojácar Council will continue to focus on visibility campaigns on social media, in print and digital media, street-level urban media, and collaborations with influencers, among other actions. Mojácar is also making progress on sustainability and cultural projects, with the backing of the Junta de Andalucía, the Provincial Council and the Sustainability in Destinations Plan.
“Mojácar closed 2024 with historic records in visitors and overnight stays, and in 2025 we will continue working to be a benchmark of quality and excellence in Almería province”, concluded the councillor, underlining the municipality's commitment to sustainable tourism and innovation.
Mojácar 5 Estrellas nominated for the Iberian Festival Awards in five categories
Mojácar 5 Estrellas (5 Stars) has been recognised as one of the most outstanding cultural events on the Iberian scene, obtaining nominations in five categories of the prestigious Iberian Festival Awards 2025. These nominations celebrate the cultural, tourist and creative impact of this emerging festival that has won the hearts of the public and critics alike.
The categories in which Mojácar Estrellas is competing are the following:
• Mejor Festival Pequeño (Best Small Festival)
• Mejor Nuevo Festival (Best New Festival)
• Mejor Programa Cultural (Best Cultural Programme)
• Mejor Promoción Turística (Best Tourist Promotion)
• Mejor Fotografía de Festival (Best Festival Photo) – Recognising the work of the talented photographer Manu González.
These nominations reflect the efforts of the organising team to offer a unique experience combining music, culture and the tourist charm of Mojácar, positioning it as a benchmark destination in the Iberian Peninsula’s festival circuit.
Fran García, Mayor of Mojácar, wanted to highlight the importance of this recognition for the locality: "Mojácar 5 Estrellas is not only a first-class cultural and musical showcase, but also a key driver for the tourist promotion of our municipality. These nominations are the result of the commitment to excellence and quality, and confirm that Mojácar continues to be a benchmark in quality tourism and unique experiences."
The Iberian Festival Awards, known for celebrating excellence in the festival industry in Spain and Portugal, represent a showcase for the most innovative and creative events. The awards ceremony will be held shortly and will award the best in each category, selected by both the public and a specialised jury.
Voting for the Iberian Festival Awards 2025 will be open until tomorrow, the 18th of January, and public support is essential to take Mojácar 5 Estrellas to the top.
Mojácar Tourist Office registers a 15% increase in face-to-face enquiries in 2024
The Mojácar Tourist Office closed 2024 with positive results, consolidating itself as a reference point for visitors to the region. According to the daily survey carried out at its facilities, the total number of face-to-face enquiries registered an increase of 15.02% compared to the previous year, going from 32,295 enquiries in 2023 to 37,148 in 2024, which represents an increase of 4,853 enquiries.
Furthermore, if we add enquiries made through social media, emails, WhatsApp, letters and phone calls, the figure rises to a total of 64,689 enquiries. This figure reflects the growing trend of visitors to use digital channels to request information, an area in which the Mojácar Tourist Office has invested significantly in recent years.
This growth reflects not only the attractiveness of Mojácar as a tourist destination, but also the continuous effort of the Tourist Office to offer a quality service, available in person and through multiple channels throughout the year.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, highlighted the importance of these figures: "These results confirm that Mojácar continues to consolidate itself as a benchmark tourist destination. It is a reflection of the joint work that the Local Council and the Tourist Office carry out to offer an approachable and accessible service to our visitors. This year we have shown that Mojácar not only attracts more tourists, but also knows how to build their loyalty by offering them unique experiences."
For her part, Carmen García Campoy, the Mojácar Tourist Office director, underlined the team's efforts to adapt to visitors’ demands: "We are very pleased with the increase in in-person enquiries, but we also greatly value the continued growth of non-face-to-face enquiries through digital channels such as WhatsApp, social media and our website. Our commitment is to be available to visitors in an efficient way, using both traditional means and new technologies."
Mojácar continues to position itself as one of the preferred tourist destinations, thanks to its cultural and scenic wealth and the quality of the service offered to its visitors. This increase in visits reflects the confidence of tourists in the region's offering and the effectiveness of the tourism promotion strategies implemented.
Mojácar says goodbye to the year with the fifth edition of its children´s New Year´s Eve
This morning, the Plaza del Arbollón was filled with happiness and fun in the fifth edition of the Children's New Year's Eve, now a well-established event in the municipality.
Hundreds of children, both residents and visitors, gathered together with their families to welcome the New Year on a day designed especially for them.
At 12 noon, the little ones enjoyed an emotional moment with the traditional chimes, when, instead of grapes, they ate small sweets to celebrate the early arrival of the New Year.
The morning was full of activities for the whole family. The children took part in children's workshops, painting activities, and enjoyed bouncy castles which delighted the most active. In addition, the celebration extended to the Plaza del Parterre, where a spectacular magic show kept both adults and children captivated.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Fran García, expressed his satisfaction at the success of the event: "It is an immense joy to see so many children and families enjoying this celebration, which has now become a very special tradition for our municipality. These kinds of initiatives demonstrate the commitment of our Local Council to families and to the creation of fun spaces for everyone."
The event, organised by Mojácar Council, reaffirms its commitment to offering inclusive and participatory activities which attract both residents and visitors. Children's New Year's Eve has become an essential event in the local festivities calendar, attracting increasingly more participants from inside and outside the municipality.
With this Children's New Year's Eve, Mojácar bids farewell to the year with a smile, remembering that the magic of this time of year also belongs to the little ones.
Mojácar shines as a model for Christmas Tourism with its Zambomba Flamenca
Mojácar reaffirms its title as the municipality of Christmas par excellence with the successful celebration of its traditional Christmas Zambomba Flamenca, an event that filled the evening with art, emotion and Christmas spirit in the iconic Plaza del Parterre.
The event brought together residents and visitors in an atmosphere filled with warmth and tradition, offering an unforgettable experience that stood out for a line-up of top-level artists. The Zambomba featured the outstanding performance of the renowned dancer Anabel Veloso, who offered a masterful performance accompanied by Mayte Beltrán and her students. With each step, both conveyed the strength and elegance of flamenco, leaving an indelible impression on the audience.
There was an accompaniment of flamenco singing by Alberto Funes and Rocío Zamora, while the guitar playing of David de la Fragua and Gabri Pérez added depthand feeling to the event. Carmen Moreno provided the percussion that marked the vibrant rhythm of the evening.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, highlighted the value of this event as part of the municipality's Christmas celebrations. In his statements he said: "The Zambomba Flamenca is not only a tribute to our traditions, but a way of sharing the magic of Christmas with all those who visit us. Mojácar is not just a place to enjoy, it is a corner
where culture and art become the true driving force of our festivities. This is the essence of Christmas in Mojácar."
The Plaza del Parterre became, once again, the perfect setting for an event that celebrated the best of flamenco culture and the Christmas spirit. The lights, the festive atmosphere and the artistic quality made the Zambomba Flamenca an essential benchmark for Christmas in Mojácar.
With this kind of initiative, the municipality continues to position itself as a unique destination to enjoy authentic festivities, full of tradition and with the unmistakable stamp of flamenco art.
Mojácar becomes a benchmark for families with its first Municipal Play Centre
Mojácar Council is for the first time launching a Municipal Play Centre service, a pioneering initiative that aims to improve the quality of life of the municipality’s families. Located in the CEIP Bartolomé Flores school, the play centre will open its doors from Monday to Friday, from 5-8pm, offering a play-based and educational space for children and an opportunity for the parents to enjoy complementary activities.
“This is a great step forward for our municipality,” said Francisco García, Mayor of Mojácar. “The Municipal Play Centre is a service that we have never offered before and which responds to a growing demand from our families. We are proud to be able to provide this space, which not only looks after our children, but also encourages a work-life balance.”
The Mayor also highlighted the multiple benefits that the play centre will bring to the community: “Our little ones will have the opportunity to take part in educational, creative and entertaining activities designed by professionals. Meanwhile, parents, and especially mothers, will be able to take advantage of this time to dedicate to their wellbeing or to learn new skills. The options range from relaxing yoga classes to a climbing workshop that combines fun and learning between mothers and children.”
This new service has been made possible thanks to the collaboration between Mojácar Council and the Almería Provincial Council, which has partly funded the initiative through the Co-Responsible Plan, a strategy aimed at promoting work-life balance throughout Almería province.
The Municipal Play Centre becomes a pillar for promoting a balance between family responsibilities and personal time, facilitating participation in cultural and sporting activities that enrich community life.
“We are committed to offering innovative services that benefit both children and adults. Mojácar is becoming a benchmark for wellbeing and quality of life, and this project is another example of that,’ added Francisco García.
The Mojácar Christmas market dazzles with its spectacular opening
Christmas has arrived in Mojácar with the highly-anticipated opening of its Christmas Market last Friday, 20th of December, with a mass turnout. The event became the epicentre of the Christmas celebration in the municipality, attracting both residents and visitors with its spectacular staging.
The opening ceremony was led by the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, who, accompanied by his government team, kicked off the Christmas festivities in an event that is already shaping up to be the highlight of this time of year in the locality. In his statements the Mayor commented: "Our Christmas Market is a demonstration of the cultural and festive wealth of Mojácar. It is a space where traditions meet excitement, and where each visitor can take home a little piece of the magic of our land. This year we wanted to go further, with unique activities and shows that consolidate Mojácar as a benchmark Christmas destination."
The Christmas Market offers a wide variety of offers for all kinds of people. Visitors can enjoy:
• Handcrafted products: from handmade Christmas decorations to unique pieces of ceramics, wood and textiles.
• Typical cuisine: traditional sweet treats such as “mantecado” shortbread cookies, turron and “polvoron” cookies, as well as local offers that reflect the flavour of Christmas in Mojácar.
• Unique gifts: original ideas to surprise this festive season, including jewellery, accessories and toys.
The opening day culminated with a dazzling light and sound show, a unique experience in the municipality and presented for the first time in Mojácar. The show combined music, visual effects and artificial snowfall that delighted everyone there, enveloping the event in a magical atmosphere.
"Seeing the excited faces of children and families enjoying this experience is our greatest reward. This show, together with the market's offer, represents Mojácar's commitment to offering its residents and visitors an unforgettable Christmas," added Mayor García Cerdá.
The Christmas Market will remain open until the 5th of January, with activities scheduled every day to continue bringing the magic of Christmas to every corner of the village. Mojácar invites everyone to enjoy this unique experience and discover why it is one of the essential destinations for this festive season.
Mojácar backs children's and safe leisure with the remodelling of three children's playgrounds
Mojácar Council has completed the remodelling works on three of its main children's playgrounds: Frontón, El Pabellón and El Cantal, as part of an ambitious plan to improve public spaces for family leisure.
These makeovers reinforce the municipality's commitment to the well-being of its residents, offering the youngest modern, inclusive and safe play areas.
The Mojácar Mayor, Fran García, highlighted the importance of these works for Mojácar: "The renovation of the Frontón, El Pabellón and El Cantal children’s playgrounds mean a great improvement for the families of Mojácar. We want our children to grow up in environments where they can play, learn and share, always with the best safety and comfort conditions. These spaces are much more than playgrounds; they are places to meet and for getting together that strengthen the social fabric of our municipality."
García also pointed out that these actions make up part of a comprehensive plan to modernise Mojácar's public infrastructure, ensuring that every corner of the municipality offers quality spaces to its citizens. "We will continue working to make Mojácar a place where everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, find suitable spaces for their enjoyment," he concluded.
The three children's playgrounds have been transformed with the addition of new interactive games, inclusive structures and rest areas for the greater comfort of parents and carers. In addition, all the works have been carried out using sustainable materials and following high safety standards, ensuring that these spaces are accessible and respect the environment.
With the arrival of the Christmas season and school holidays, these remodelled children's playgrounds become a perfect place for the little ones to enjoy their free time in the open air, sharing fun moments with friends and family. The Local Council invites residents and visitors to take advantage of this special time of year to rediscover these spaces, which combine modernity, safety and the welcoming spirit of Mojácar.
Mojácar launches its unique and innovative Christmas soundtrack.
This year, Christmas in Mojácar will be more special than ever thanks to an innovative proposal that brings together tradition, technology and creativity. Mojácar Council, in collaboration with Punto Vuela Mojácar and its promoter Miguel García Campoy, has launched a unique project: a repertoire of themed Christmas carols created with artificial intelligence to transform the streets of the municipality into a magical Christmas setting.
The initiative, promoted by the Tourism department and the Punto Vuela New Technologies centre, has resulted in a digital long play with titles that evoke the spirit and beauty of Mojácar: “Cálida Navidad” (Warm Christmas), “La estrella errante” (The wandering star), “Sentimiento de Navidad” (Christmas Sentiment), “El pueblo más bonito” (The prettiest village) and the main single “Mojácar, Luz de la Navidad” (Mojácar, Light of Christmas). These carols will be played throughout the village’s streets and squares, enveloping residents and visitors in a unique experience that combines the warmth of Christmas with the incomparable essence of Mojácar.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, underlines the special nature of this initiative: "In Mojácar we always strive to create experiences that make our village a unique place, especially at such significant times as Christmas. These carols not only celebrate the festive season, but they reflect the beauty and hospitality of Mojácar, inviting everyone to experience the magic of Christmas in a completely new way. We want those who visit us during these festivities to feel part of something special, and what better way to do that than through music."
Miguel García Campoy, Punto Vuela Mojácar motivator, explains how technology has been a key partner in this project: "We have used advanced artificial intelligence tools to compose and bring these Christmas carols to life. Each song has been created thinking about communicating both the Christmas spirit and the essence of Mojácar, integrating our traditions with the possibilities which technology offers us. It is exciting to see how innovation can enrich our culture and make it more accessible to everyone.”
The Council has designed this musical experience as part of a Christmas programme that seeks to highlight Mojácar as a unique destination to experience the festivities. As well as listening to the Christmas carols as they go around the streets of the municipality, visitors will be able to enjoy them from anywhere through the Council’s official social media, sharing the Christmas essence of Mojácar with friends and family.
Christmas in Mojácar will include a wide offer of activities that complement this musical atmosphere: Christmas markets, magical decorations, shows for the whole family and cultural events that will make every corner of the municipality breathe festive spirit
With this initiative, Mojácar is positioned as an essential place for those who want to experience a magical and different Christmas. The lights, the carols, the hospitality of its people and the incomparable beauty of its surroundings make this village a destination where tradition and innovation come together to offer an unforgettable experience.
Mojácar Council gives the green light to the rehabilitation of the Moresco Hotel with the leadership of the current Governing team.
At the last Mojácar municipal plenary session, chaired by the Mayor Francisco García, the urban development agreement was unanimously approved that will allow the long-awaited rehabilitation of the Moresco Hotel, a historic building that has been in an abandoned state for years. This project, led by the current governing team, represents a before and after for the tourist and urban development of the municipality, consolidating its commitment to the recovery of emblematic spaces.
Francisco García highlighted the importance of this agreement, stating: "The Hotel Moresco has, for too long, been a symbol of decay and abandonment at the entrance to our village. With this agreement, not only are we recovering a historic space, but we are also sending a clear message that Mojácar is moving towards the future with firm steps. This rehabilitation is key to revitalising our tourist economy, improving our image as a destination and returning to the village a space that deserves to be on a par with its beauty and prestige."
The agreement establishes that the use of the property will be strictly as a hotel, allowing compatible activities such as restaurants, cafes or spaces for events. In addition, the transfer of 49 public parking spaces is guaranteed, integrated into the 2,000 square metres intended for parking. Among the commitments acquired by the owners is included carrying out a mandatory landscape study to ensure the visual integration of the building with the environment, and the commitment to provide all the necessary documentation to complete the process of modifying the General Urban Development Plan (PGOU).
The Mayor of Mojácar stressed that the agreement also protects the municipality’s interest as the council will be able to terminate it if the commitments are not fulfilled or if causes of public interest arise. “We are ensuring that Mojácar always has the last word. This agreement puts the village first and guarantees that this rehabilitation is carried out under our conditions and with maximum responsibility”, Fran García added.
The approval of the agreement was received unanimously by the political groups, who agreed on the importance of this project for Mojácar. During the debate, emphasis was placed on the need to maintain the hotel use of the building, preventing it from being converted into tourist apartments, and on the urgency of solving the historical problem of the deterioration of the building.
The Hotel Moresco, located in a strategic location at the entrance to the municipality, has for decades been a symbol of the tourist splendour of Mojácar and, more recently, of abandonment. Its rehabilitation represents not only the recovery of an iconic building, but also an opportunity to boost the local economy and strengthen the municipality’s tourist offer.
This project is added to other initiatives promoted by the local government, such as the Local Plan for Sports Facilities, also approved at the plenary session, which seeks to modernise Mojácar's sports infrastructure and promote a healthy lifestyle.
With the leadership of Mayor Francisco García and his team, Mojácar is taking a firm step towards modernisation and development, consolidating itself as a leading tourist destination and a municipality that cares for its heritage and its people.
Mojácar shines with the New 2024 Christmas Campaign
"Mojácar, Light of Christmas" marks the beginning of a holiday season full of magic and activities for all audiences.
The mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, and the Councillor for Tourism, María Gracia Alarcón, have presented the new Christmas campaign, which will officially begin on November 30 with the traditional lighting ceremony at 7:00 PM, preceded by a light and music show at 6:30 PM—an event that has become one of the most anticipated moments of Christmas in the province.
During the presentation, the mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, stated: "This year, we wanted to highlight what makes us unique: the special light that fills our streets and hearts every Christmas. Since we earned the title of Ferrero Rocher Village in 2022, we continue to shine with the same excitement. We want everyone to experience Christmas in a unique way here in Mojácar."
The first event of the program will be the eagerly awaited lighting of the Christmas lights, which will take place on November 30 at 7:00 PM in Plaza Nueva. The afternoon will begin with a spectacular show by Cía Pablo Méndez, 'ONIRIA,' a visual performance full of magic that will delight all attendees. At 7:00, the village will be illuminated with the Christmas lights, followed by a concert by 'Chanqueños Pa Belén,' which will bring the sounds and typical songs of the Christmas zambomba, kicking off the festive season with joy.
Since Mojácar was named a Ferrero Rocher Village in 2022, the town has established itself as one of the most prominent Christmas destinations in southeastern Spain. Last Christmas season, more than 20,000 visitors enjoyed the activities and the unique atmosphere in Mojácar. This year, with the new slogan “Mojácar, Light of Christmas,” they expect to exceed that number, offering a program that combines the best of tradition with new surprises for all.
Mojácar's Christmas campaign offers activities for all ages and tastes, including:
- The traditional Christmas Market in Plaza del Frontón, where visitors can find handcrafted products, unique gifts, and the best typical Christmas sweets.
- Children's activities with games, creative workshops, and entertainment for the little ones, making Mojácar an ideal destination for families.
- The classic Zambombada, which will take traditional Christmas music through the streets of the village, creating a festive and communal atmosphere.
- A varied program of concerts and performances at different spots throughout the village, ensuring entertainment for all tastes.
The mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, invited everyone to join the campaign: "We want Mojácar to be the light that guides everyone's Christmas. Every corner of the village will be filled with life, joy, and magic. We are sure it will be an unforgettable Christmas for all."
Mojácar continues to shine and grow as a Christmas destination, preserving its charm and tradition, and strengthening its image as a magical place to experience the holidays in a unique way.
Mojácar increases tourist numbers in 2024 and prepares its offer for winter
Mojácar continues consolidating itself as a leading tourist destination, with a positive balance in the third quarter of the year and preparing to maintain its offer during the low season. The third quarter of 2024 closed with 460,238 overnight stays, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (NIS), which demonstrates the strength of the hotel sector in the municipality
From January to September 2024, Mojácar registered a total of 726,219 overnight stays, exceeding by 32,993 the figures for the same period in 2023. These figures, provided by official NIS surveys, are based on an average of 30 hotel establishments that offer around 8,800 places monthly. It is important to note that these figures do not include the offer in rural accommodation, houses or properties for tourism use or campsites, which means that the locality’s tourist capacity is even greater.
The number of travellers who chose Mojácar as a tourist destination in 2024 has also been higher than in the previous year. Up to September, 197,125 travellers stayed in hotels in the municipality, which represents an increase of 11,853 with respect to 2023. In the summer months the figures were especially noteworthy, with 43,036 travellers in August, the month with the year’s highest numbers.
Despite the end of the high season, Mojácar maintains a wide range of available hotels during the autumn and winter months. Between October 2024 and Easter 2025, 29 establishments will continue operating, including hotels, hostels, guest houses, tourist apartments and rural houses. In total, 2,755 places will be offered for visitors who choose to enjoy the climate and charm of Mojácar during the low season.
Some of the notable establishments that will remain open throughout this period are:
- Parador de Turismo (4 stars) with 98 rooms and 198 places available.
- Hotel Marina Playa (4 stars) with 334 rooms and 665 places.
- Hotel El Puntazo (4 stars), another of the high-class establishments that will not close its doors.
In the 3 and 2-star categories: Hotel Continental, Punta del Cantal, Mamabels. El Olivar, Playa, Sal Marina.
- Also, smaller hotels and hostels, such as Hostal Arena, Arco Plaza, Rincón de Diego and Pensión Casa Flor, which will continue offering comfortable and accessible accommodation options.
The municipality’s rural houses and three campsites will remain open.
Tourist interest in Mojácar has not only been reflected in the figures for overnight stays, but also in the enquiries at the Municipal Tourist Office. In the third quarter of the year, 15,649 people were attended to, bringing the total number of people assisted at the office from January to September 2024 to 33,317. This figure represents an increase of 6,160 people with respect to the previous year.
The municipality has a total of 18,879 registered official places, spread between hotels, tourist apartments, campsites, rural houses and properties for tourist use. Of these, 5,900 places belong to 40 hotels and 3,723 places to 14 tourist apartments. In addition, there are 583 places in campsites, rural houses and accommodation, and 8,673 places in properties for tourism use.
With this varied offer and a good part of the establishments open during the months of lower numbers, Mojácar is positioned as a tourist destination capable of attracting visitors throughout the year, offering not only sun and beach, but also a complete experience that encompasses its culture, cuisine and landscapes.
For more information about the hotel offer and the activities available in Mojácar during the low season, those interested can contact the Tourist Office or visit the municipality’s official website.
Disney Magic takes over Mojácar: Successful third edition of the family event
Yesterday Mojácar was transformed into a true world of fantasy with the celebration of the third edition of Disney Day, an event that exceeded all expectations and attracted thousands of people. Entire families, many of them dressed up as their favourite characters, went up to the village to experience a day of magic, games and fun for all ages.
The Mojácar Mayor, Fran García, highlighted the success and the importance of the event for the municipality: "We are very happy to have celebrated this third edition of Disney Day with such a spectacular turnout. It is a source of pride to see how Mojácar turns into a gathering point for families who come to enjoy a magical day in our village. I would like to thank everyone who has collaborated on the organisation and the residents for their unconditional support, without which this event would not be possible."
This year's edition not only maintained the magical spirit that characterises Disney Day in Mojácar, but raised it to a new level. From first thing in the morning, the streets were filled with colour and joy, marking the start of a day full of surprises. The high turnout of the public far exceeded that of previous years, consolidating this celebration as one of the most eagerly anticipated in the local calendar.
The village was divided into different themed areas, each one designed to offer visitors a unique experience.
• Plaza Nueva was the perfect setting for fans of Peter Pan and Neverland with its impressive ship. In addition, there were characters from The Lion King awaiting the little ones at its viewing point. An extensive gastronomic offer at the “food trucks” was enjoyed in the square.
• Superheroes were the stars in Plaza El Frontón, where Spiderman and Captain America, among others, delighted the children who were the biggest fans of the Marvel world.
• Without a doubt, the impressive Disney Castle located in Plaza Arbollón was one of the big attractions of the day. Children found an unforgettable surprise inside the castle: the presence of Mickey and Minnie.
• The Plaza Parterre was dedicated to fairytales. Beauty and the Beast welcomed visitors with their elegant style, while the world of Aladdin transported those who went along to a faraway land of magic carpets and unforgettable adventures.
• Visitors were able to immerse themselves in the culinary world of Ratatouille in the Town Hall Square, where the theme of the famous mouse chef Remy decorated the plaza.
One of the most eagerly anticipated moments of the day was the spectacular parade of the Star Wars 501st Legion, which went around the village’s main streets, attracting the attention of fans of all ages. Shortly afterwards, at 1.30pm, the public was able to enjoy an impressive family magic show with Alex Herrán, which filled the village's Plaza Nueva with laughter.
The face painting workshops were also a great success, allowing the little ones to turn themselves into their favourite characters while they went around the different themed areas in their disguises.
Since the first edition, the event has shown a notable growth in attendance and quality, bringing together families, visitors and locals in a festivity that combines fun, nostalgia and entertainment for all ages. The variety of activities, the painstaking staging and the presence of iconic characters were the perfect ingredients for achieving this year's success.
The event also has a special meaning for the Mojácar’s inhabitants as it connects with a local legend: the possibility that Walt Disney himself was born in this Almería village. This legend adds an extra touch of excitement to the celebration of Disney Day, making it a festivity that not only looks to the present, but also to the history and cultural roots of the village.
Theatre in Mojácar continues to triumph this November
The theatre programme in Mojácar continues to reap success at the Multi-Uses Centre, with a reception exceeding all expectations. Every Friday, since the theatre cycle began, the response from the public has been overwhelming. The hall is filled week after week with spectators, not only from Mojácar but also from nearby municipalities, attracted by the quality of the works and the welcoming atmosphere offered by this cultural space.
The Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, has been particularly pleased with the development of the cycle. In her words, “The response from the public has been incredible. We knew that Mojácar had a loyal theatre audience, but the support we are receiving this November is exceptional. Seeing how the hall is filled every Friday is a clear sign that culture is still alive in Mojácar, and it is something that fills us with pride.”
The Mojácar theatre cycle began with great success with the first performance on the 8th of November with the play "Juana", a fascinating story that made an impression on the audience and set the tone for the rest of the programme.
The following event on the 15th of November was the comedy "La familia del anticuario" (The antique dealer’s family), a comedy full of family entanglements that managed to get the audience laughing out loud. The play, in addition to being entertaining, managed to connect with the audience, thanks to the improvisation of the actors. "We are seeing entire families going to the theatre together, which shows that we are offering content that appeals to all ages. It is a real pleasure to see how theatre brings together different generations in the same space," commented Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá.
This cycle still has a lot to offer. Next Friday, the 22nd of November, comedy returns with a vengeance with "Antes muerta que convicta" (Dead before convicted), a work that promises to be one of the most hilarious moments of the month with the renowned actress Beatriz Rico in the leading role. The cycle will conclude on the 29th of November with the performance of "Ay, Carmela!", one of the most highly-anticipated works.
The November theatre programme in Mojácar is part of a clear commitment by the Local Council to promote local culture and bring theatre to all audiences.
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The Disney Festivity will fill the streets of Mojácar with magic and fun
This Sunday 17th of November, Mojácar municipality will be transformed into a world of magic and fantasy with the celebration of the third edition of the Disney Festivity.
From 11am the village’s streets will be filled with music, colour and activities for the whole family. With an atmosphere inspired by the classic Disney characters and films, this event has become one of the most highly-anticipated of the year in the municipality.
The main events of the day will begin at 12pm with the parade of the Star Wars 501st Legion, a unique show that will go around the streets with the saga’s iconic characters. In addition, at 1.30pm the magician Álex Herrán will present a magic show for the enjoyment of old and young. Meanwhile, from 11.30am the little ones will be able to enjoy different crafts and dance workshops and a face painting space.
The themed areas will be spread out throughout the village, offering different Disney experiences:
- In Plaza Nueva, visitors will be able to enjoy the presence of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, explore Captain Hook's ship and delight in the best food trucks and a magic show.
- In Plaza del Frontón, the best-known superheroes, like Spiderman, Captain America and the Scarlet Witch, will welcome fans for an adventure full of excitement.
- Plaza Arbolollón will host the Disney Castle, where children will be able to meet the Disney princesses, while in Plaza Parterre visitors will immerse themselves in the magic of Beauty and the Beast.
According to the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá: "This event is an example of the joint effort between the Local Council and the citizens of Mojácar. In this third edition we expect to exceed the expectations of previous years and welcome hundreds of visitors, further consolidating Mojácar as a unique tourist destination, full of magic and tradition."
This event is not only a celebration of the magic of Disney, but also has a special link with Mojácar’s history, as the village is known for the legend that Walt Disney could have been born there.
The festivity is designed for the whole family, with activities for all ages, from the very youngest to the adults. Those coming along are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite characters to enjoy the day even more.
Mojácar hosts the annual exhibition of the Vera International Photo Club at the Fuente Art Center
The Vera International Photo Club (VIPC) opens its eagerly awaited annual photography exhibition this November, showcasing the work of 22 of its members at the "Fuente de Mojácar Art Center".
Supported by Mojácar’s Department of Culture, this event will be open to the public from November 2 to November 30.
The opening, held on November 2, attracted a large audience, who had the opportunity to engage with the photographers and share their impressions of the artworks, creating an atmosphere of dialogue and artistic appreciation.
The exhibition features around 100 high-quality photographs that cover a wide variety of themes: landscapes, portraits, abstract photography, wildlife, nature, and scenes of Spanish life. Each image reflects the dedication and talent of its creators, making this show a must-visit for lovers of visual art.
Additionally, the exhibition includes a projection of over 700 photographs that club members have submitted as part of their monthly challenges throughout the year, showcasing a diverse range of themes and styles.
The Vera International Photo Club is a community of more than 80 photography enthusiasts, including professionals, amateurs, and beginners of various nationalities, such as Spaniards, Swedes, Norwegians, Belgians, Dutch, and a large representation from the British community. All of them, whether residents or visitors to the Levante region and northern Almería, find in the club a space for exchange and learning.
The Department of Culture actively supports all cultural events that enrich the community’s life and promote Mojácar as a renowned cultural and artistic destination.
Mojácar presents "Your best moment is to live it in winter", an outdoor activities program
Following last year’s successful participation, Mojácar Council has launched a new free outdoor activity programme, which will be held every weekend until May 2025, under the slogan “Your best time is to experience it in winter”.
This initiative invites locals and tourists to make the most of the mild winter climate in Mojácar, with options for all ages with different activities.
The programme includes hiking routes, which will take place every weekend and require registration, yoga sessions next to the sea, open to the public without the need to book, and spaces for fun on skates aimed mainly at children.
Every weekend, participants will be able to explore Mojácar’s impressive landscapes through guided hiking routes. Those interested can register by calling 950 615 025 before 11am every Friday. These walks are designed for enjoying the natural environment, with guides who provide information about the flora, fauna and local history.
For those looking for a relaxing experience, yoga sessions will be held on the beach without the need to reserve. This space offers a unique connection with the natural environment, allowing you to enjoy the tranquillity and well-being provided by the sound of the sea.
Children will also have their space with skating sessions in areas set up for enjoying a fun and active activity, ideal for families looking to spend time outdoors in a fun way.
Tourism Councillor María Gracia Alarcón emphasized: “We want everyone to discover Mojácar in winter. It is a perfect time to enjoy nature, sport and relaxation.”
Mayor Francisco García commented: “With this free offer we want to promote active tourism, while contributing to the well-being of our residents, providing them with opportunities to enjoy our unique environment throughout the year.”
Con este programa de actividades, Mojácar refuerza su posición como un destino atractivo más allá de los meses de verano, ya que en la anterior edición tantos vecinos como visitantes aprovecharon para venir a pasar el día a nuestro municipio. Gracias a su clima templado y su espectacular entorno natural, Mojácar se convierte en un lugar ideal para disfrutar de un invierno activo y relajante, en familia o de forma individual.
With this programme of activities, Mojácar reinforces its position as an attractive destination beyond the summer months, since in the previous edition both residents and visitors made the most of the opportunity to come and spend the day in our municipality. Thanks to its mild climate and spectacular natural surroundings, Mojácar becomes an ideal place to enjoy an active and relaxing winter, with family or individually.
Carmen Mola present their latest work, 'El Clan' in Mojácar
Mojácar begins a new edition of ‘Mojácar Espacio Literario’ with the presentation of the latest novel by the multi-award-winning trio of writers who write under the pseudonym Carmen Mola, titled “El Clan”, in an event that brought together a large audience in the locality’s emblematic Multi-Uses Centre.
This literary event is part of the cultural programme promoted by Mojácar Council to promote culture and art in the municipality. The presence of Carmen Mola, winners of the prestigious Planeta Prize, who return to the municipality with a new book, ‘El Clan, that has already captivated thousands of readers, is the beginning of a series of new literary gatherings in the municipality.
Taking part in the event were the three authors who hide behind the pseudonym: Jorge Díaz, Antonio Mercero and Agustín Martínez. During the presentation, they shared anecdotes about their creative process, the dynamics of working as a team and the details behind the creation of "El Clan", their most recent work. Those attending also enjoyed a question and answer session with the writers.
The Mojácar Mayor, Fran García, highlighted the relevance of this type of initiative for the promotion of local culture, commenting: "It is a source of pride for us that authors of the stature of Carmen Mola choose Mojácar to present their work. Our locality is not only a place of natural beauty, but also a meeting place for culture. Events like this reinforce our commitment to continue bringing quality activities for our residents and visitors, contributing to Mojácar becoming increasingly known as a cultural reference in the province and throughout Andalucia."
Following the presentation of "El Clan", the authors announced that after this literary tour they will take a short break to concentrate on their respective solo projects. As an interesting fact, the writer Jorge Díaz revealed that his next solo novel will be set in Mojácar, a village he has often visited in search of inspiration due to its natural beauty and cultural wealth. This announcement generated great excitement among the audience, reaffirming the close link between the creators and the locality.
With initiatives like these, Mojácar continues to consolidate itself as a cultural reference in Almería province, attracting high-level events that enrich the leisure and entertainment offer for our residents and visitors.
Music and live cooking come together in a multi-sensory pairing at the fabulous launch of ‘Mojácar 5 Estrellas’
Mojácar Council, the Provincial Council and Crash Music successfully staged an event that brought together more than 1,500 spectators to enjoy the experience.
If Mojácar already had more than proven merits in being a quality tourist destination, now it is even more so in the autumn season thanks to the launch of ‘Mojácar 5 Estrellas’. A multidisciplinary event that combines a varied and top-level musical selection with live cooking by some of the best chefs in all Spain.
With preliminary activities on Friday and with most of the programme taking place on Saturday evening at Macenas Mediterranean Resort, ‘Mojácar 5 Estrellas’ was launched in style thanks to this initiative led by Mojácar Council together with the Provincial Council and the Almeria-based production company Crash Music, with the sponsorship of Estrella de Levante, Restaurante Arcilla/Grupo Kontiki and Playa Macenas Resort and the collaboration of Luxeapers and Stellantis and You.
The combination of the best chefs’ cuisine with a carefully chosen musical proposal to enhance the multi-sensory experience of both disciplines is the secret of the recipe for this event that was created with the aim of becoming a cultural and gastronomic benchmark for autumn and which attracted more than 1,500 people for its first edition.
On Saturday, on the gastronomic side, there was Javier Torres, from Cocina Hermanos Torres, an establishment distinguished with three Michelin Stars, Damián González from Restaurante Arcilla, Kontiki group and Euro-Toques España, Dani Muñoz from Restaurante Travieso in Almería, holder of a Michelin Star mention and Taberna Volapié, with Dani García and all his Andalucian gastronomy of dishes with flavour, tradition and feeling.
Javier Torres and his team delighted those who went along with four proposals: Grandma Catalina Canelloni; Chicken and aromatic herbs ssam; Tuna croquette; and Bao with honeyed veal and “pico de gallo” sauce. In the case of Damián González, the dishes were: Friesian cow meatballs stewed in “pepitoria” ragout; Nem of mussels with pickled young cockerel and herbs from our kitchen garden; Bikini of Galician cow pastrami, Comté cheese and sweet bite pepper from Almería roasted over a wood fire; and, finally, crispy country squid with Buddha's hand citrus cream and kaffir lime.
In the case of Dani Muñoz from Travieso, you could try: Brioche bite of toasted pork jowl with pickled cucumber and lime emulsion; Sea urchin salad with miso mayonnaise foam; Tomato tartar with smoked pancetta, coconut white gazpacho and Almería shrimp; and Cockerel tempura with vegetable mint and black olive tabbouleh.
Finally, Volapié offered a fine selection of cheeses, ham, oxtail burger with payoyo cheese and, for dessert, cheesecake and chocolate explosion with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup.
Music in a state of grace
On the musical side, Vinila Von Bismark DJ's set started at five in the afternoon. Vinila is a multifaceted artist, known for her work as a singer, actress, DJ and burlesque performer. She stands out for her unique style, which fuses influences from cabaret, rock, roots music and the vintage aesthetic. Her elegant style and musical selection at events as diverse as international fashion catwalks, music festivals or clubs throughout Spain were enjoyed in the first hours of the event.
The singer and composer María Yfeu took up the baton with her broad style, covering references ranging from pop to jazz, passing through Brazilian music and her own song. Showing off an eclecticism without constraints or restrictions, María did not miss out her well-known “Grudges”, nor any of her singles released throughout this year such as “Nunca Pierdas Nada”, “Dhetln” or “C/Viejos” or the intense “Me Vio Llorar” and “Nada Es Para Siempre”. Her influences and recognised references such as Billie Holiday and Amy Winehouse were in the air, as well as, on the more intimate side, Aute or Caetano Veloso, closing with “Suerte” and “Dime Que No”.
In a progressive ascent through distortion and intensity of sound, Funambulista demonstrated why he is one of the most prestigious and sought-after national pop songwriters. His songs, brilliant and overflowing with emotions, have the small things as the main themes, which now, in these times, are once again the focus. With that modest attitude that suits his songs so well, Funambulista won over the audience with his smile and the strength of songs like “Bienvenido”, “Viento a Favor” and “Bendita Mi Suerte”, which opened a performance that included “La Vida De Antes”, “Hasta Que Amaneciera” and “Superpoderes”, leaving “Me Gusta La Vida” or “Quiero Que Vuelvas” for the end of the party. A dynamic and energising concert.
With a nearly two-decade-long career, Sidecars are one of the best champions of accessible rock in Spanish. Their trajectory is marked by talent, effort and sweat in equal parts, having gone from playing in small clubs to filling large halls, dominating theatres and being seen at packed festivals. All this based on a rock and roll which easily brings to mind Los Ronaldos and Los Rodríguez or Tom Petty or the inevitable Rolling Stones, whom they pay respect to in that “Caballos Salvajes”, paraphrasing the “Wild Horses”.
Sidecars presented some of those most recent songs from their latest LP (“Trece”), such as “El Pasaje Del Terror” and “180 Grados”, which now beat normally, on the same level, with the hymns that have forged an indisputable charisma that attracts increasingly more followers, which are the ones which had the evening’s lead role. Among them, the always early “La Tormenta”, with which they opened together with “De Película”, “Tu Mejor Pesadilla” and “Los Amantes”, or the last “Contra Las Cuerdas”, “Fan De Ti”, “Mundo Imperfecto” and “Amasijo De Huesos”, which left the joy in full swing for a close which lived up to expectations.
It should be remembered that both Mojácar Council and the organisation activated an extension of Mojácar urban bus lines 1 and 3 that was operational until the end of the festival for the comfort of those going along and to reduce the impact of the use of private cars.
Mojácar receives recognition as a Family-Friendly Town from the European Network of Family-Friendly Cities
Mojácar has recently been recognised as an official member of the prestigious European Network of Family-Friendly Cities (ELFAC), highlighting its commitment to family well-being, policies of conciliation and actions that promote an environment suitable for families of diverse configurations. This recognition places Mojácar as a benchmark in the promotion of policies that favour family growth and the balance between personal and professional life in Europe.
The inclusion of Mojácar in the ELFAC Network reinforces its reputation as an outstanding tourist destination, not only due to its offer of sun and beach, but also for its inclusive policies and programmes aimed at the well-being of families. This title reinforces the importance that the municipality places on creating an environment that facilitates the conciliation and integral development of people, with suitable infrastructure and family-centred policies.
This recent recognition for Mojácar reinforces its solid trajectory in family tourism, marked by obtaining the Family Tourism Stamp in 2017, being the first municipality in Andalucia to achieve it and which was renewed in 2021 and 2024. This stamp highlights the destinations that best adapt to the needs of families, and Mojácar is distinguished by its safe beaches, its pedestrian old town and a varied offer of events and routes for all kinds of people, together with a tourist infrastructure designed for families.
One of the main foundations that has allowed Mojácar to obtain this recognition is its infrastructure oriented to the needs of families. The municipality has developed a network of public services that include childcare centres, schools and sports areas, which makes residents’ daily lives easier and allows for the comprehensive development of children.
Mojácar council has made a notable effort to promote accessible and safe spaces. Children's play areas have been updated to ensure the safety of little ones, and pedestrian routes have been created that connect the main residential areas with educational and health services. In addition, public transport has improved in recent years, with routes that allow greater connection between rural areas and the urban centre.
The inclusion of Mojácar in the European Network of Family-Friendly Cities is a milestone that reflects the municipality's effort to promote family well-being and quality of life. With a quality public services infrastructure, a privileged natural environment and a diverse cultural offer, Mojácar is established as an ideal destination for families from all over Europe.
‘Mojácar 5 Estrellas’ premieres this Saturday with a truly luxurious gastronomic and musical menu
Mojácar Council, the Provincial Council and Crash Music are joining forces for this delicatessen event for which a few tickets remain and which was created with the aim of becoming an autumn cultural and gastronomic benchmark
Mojácar is now ready to this weekend receive the first edition of the ‘Mojácar 5 Estrellas’ event. An event that is not just a festival, but a celebration of everything that makes the locality unique as a quality tourist destination, bringing together internationally renowned chefs and top-level musical artists at the same event. An initiative led by Mojácar Council together with the Provincial Council and the Almería-based production company Crash Music, sponsored by Estrella de Levante, Restaurante Arcilla/Grupo Kontiki and Playa Macenas Resort, which will premiere at Macenas Mediterranean Resort in Mojácar on the 19th of October, with free-entry activities on the afternoon of Friday the 18th.
The combination of the best chefs’ cuisine with a carefully chosen musical offering to enhance the multi-sensory experience of both disciplines is the secret of this event created with the aim of becoming an autumn cultural and gastronomic benchmark.
The musical menu will be made up of names with a proven track record such as the pop-rockers Sidecars, the signature pop of Funambulista, the melodic indie pop of María Yfeu and a DJ session by Vinila Von Bismark. The stage changes will be spiced up by Sedo DJ.
On the gastronomic side, there will be names of exceptional chefs such as Javier Torres from Cocina Hermanos Torres, an establishment distinguished with three Michelin Stars, Damián González from Restaurante Arcilla, Kontiki group and Euro-Toques España, Dani Muñoz from Almería’s Restaurante Travieso, holder of a Michelin Star mention and Taberna Volapié, with Dani García and all his Andalusian cuisine of dishes with flavour, tradition and feeling.
“The concept aims to offer a complete experience that encompasses music and gastronomy,” say the organisers. That is, the chefs will be cooking their signature dishes while the performances take place. The kitchen will be active from 7pm to midnight and there will be a menu of approximately 15 types of tapas, which will be paid for, independent of the entrance to the concerts.
Tickets will be for the entire experience and can be purchased on the official event website: mojacar5estrellas.es
Opening times for Friday and Saturday
The ‘Mojácar 5 Estrellas’ activities will begin on Friday on Mojácar’s seafront promenade opposite Pueblo Indalo, with a cooking show by Javier Torres starting at 7pm and with Vinila Von Bismark’s DJ Set from 8pm. From 9.30 p.m. there will be a cocktail workshop and show with free tasting by Miguel López, this time at Arcilla Restaurant at Macenas Resort. Entry to the Friday activities is free.
On Saturday the activity will be at the Macenas Resort in Mojácar with doors opening at 4.30pm. At 5pm Vinila Von Bismark’s set will get underway, María Yfeu’s performance will begin at 7pm, at 8.40pm it will be the turn of Funambulista, ending with Sidecars from 10.30pm. The opening of the kitchens is programmed for 7pm.
Mojácar Council and the organisation have activated an extension of the Mojácar urban bus lines 1 and 3, which will be operational until 00.30am for the convenience of those attending and to reduce the impact of the use of private cars.
Mojácar celebrates its patron saint day with a tribute to its security forces
On the occasion of the day of the patron saint of Mojácar and of its Local Police, Our Lady of the Rosary, this week the municipality celebrated an emotional tribute to the security forces which look after the well-being of the municipality. This day has acquired a special significance following the recent approval in the municipal plenary session of the 26th of September, which designated Our Lady of the Rosary as the official Patron Saint of the Mojácar Local Police.
The event, which took place in the Multi-Uses Centre, was attended by the Mojácar Local Police, the Levante Almeriense Fire Fighters and the Civil Guard, in recognition of their unwavering work in the safety of the municipality.
Among the highlights of the event was the presence of José Antonio García Alcaina, Almería Provincial Council Vice-President, who joined the local authorities to honour the service and sacrifice of the security forces. During the ceremony, the Mojácar Mayor, Fran García, highlighted the joint work of the security forces to guarantee the protection and peace of mind of residents and tourists. “The dedication of our Local Police, made up of 23 active officers, together with the efforts of the firefighters and the Civil Guard, is essential to keep Mojácar a safe and prosperous place. Today is a day to recognise their tireless work and honour their commitment to the community," the Mayor stated.
Our Lady of the Rosary has been officially named Patron Saint of the Mojácar Local Police, a fact that was approved by a majority in the last municipal plenary session. The aim is to give a day of celebration to the officers, highlighting their work in the safety of the municipality and recognising their effort and dedication.
The celebrations in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary will continue this weekend with several notable activities. On Saturday 12th of October there will be the traditional lunch for senior citizens, which will be attended by more than 160 people. This event will include games, dances and entertainment specially organised for the municipality’s elderly.
On Sunday 13th of October, at 9.30am, there will be the XXXIX Mojácar Popular Race, a sporting event that will bring together runners of all ages. In the evening, at 6pm, the traditional ribbon race for married women will take place at the Fountain, one of the municipality’s most emblematic places to hold events in honour of the patron saint of Mojácar.
Oktoberfest is back in Mojácar!
The highly-anticipated return of Oktoberfest Mojácar is now a reality. From this Friday the 11th to the 13th of October, Mojácar will be filled with tradition, music, and the unmistakable taste of the best craft beers in the second edition of this great celebration, which promises to become a key gathering point for residents and visitors.
With more than 26 craft beer taps and the prominent participation of five local breweries – Insana, El Cantero, El Cabo, Althaia and De Tap Room Mojácar – people going along will be able to enjoy a wide variety of flavours, textures and styles of beer. Each of these breweries has been selected for its quality and commitment to craft brewing, guaranteeing a unique experience for beer lovers.
The official opening was carried out by the Festivities Councillor, Pascual Artero, who got things u with the traditional first draft of beer, highlighting that: “Oktoberfest Mojácar has become another celebration and gathering point in our municipality. This event is a unique opportunity to get together and strengthen the ties between our locality’s different cultures while enjoying the best craft beers and a varied programme of activities,” affirmed Artero.
The event will feature live music throughout the weekend, creating a festive and family atmosphere. Local and regional bands will liven up every day with a varied musical repertoire ranging from traditional music to the most current sounds, offering entertainment for all tastes.
Mojácar prepares its special transport service fot The Night of Candles
Next Saturday 21st of September, one of the most anticipated events of the year will return to Mojácar: the Night of the Candles.
Mojácar village will turn off the lights and be illuminated by thousands of candles, which will form routes through its streets. The beauty of one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain will be enhanced on this magical night, where live piano, violin and guitar music will surprise visitors in various locations in the village.
Given the high hotel occupancy and the popularity of the event, Mojácar Council has organized a special transport service to facilitate transfers between the village and the beach. This service, which will begin operating at 7pm and will run until 3.15am (last return bus), will have 20 buses spread over several lines. The buses will be designed to offer fast and comfortable transfers, ensuring that all those attending can enjoy the event without complications.
Special round-trip tickets for urban transport during the Night of the Candles will be available for advance purchase at the Mojácar Tourist Office and at the CEPSA petrol station. In addition, on the day of the event, four ticket booths will be set up at the main stops: Avenida París in the village, Montemar Commercial Centre (Post Office), Playa del Lance Nuevo beach (in front of Pueblo Indalo) and Playa Marina de la Torre beach. These booths will allow visitors to purchase their round-trip tickets a few hours before and during the evening of the event.
The price of the round-trip ticket will be €3 and it will be valid for the transfer to the village from any stop on the beach and for the return using any of the fast lines set up for the occasion. In addition, the different stops on Avenida de Encamp will be signposted to allow for the choice of the most convenient transport line, ensuring a quick and comfortable transfer.
As usual, the taxi service will also be reinforced for the Night of the Candles. Visitors can request a taxi by calling the LEVANTE TAXI CENTRE on 950 888 111.
Mojácar Council strongly recommends that visitors leave their private vehicles in the coastal area to avoid parking problems and to enjoy the event more comfortably. With the reinforcement of public transport and the taxi service, those attending will be able to move easily between the village and the beach without concerns.
The Night of the Candles in Mojácar promises to be an unforgettable experience, full of magic, culture and entertainment. We invite everyone to join this unique celebration and experience a magical night in one of the most charming destinations in Spain.
Mojácar prepares for a magical night with the celebration of The Night of Candles
This Saturday 21st of September, Mojácar will experience one of its most magical nights with the much-anticipated celebration of the Night of the Candles. From 8pm the municipality’s old town will be transformed into an impressive spectacle, lit up by more than 7,000 candles that will create a dreamlike and romantic atmosphere.
The musical offering will be one of the great attractions of the night. Various groups and artists will fill the air with live melodies ranging from jazz to traditional Andalucian music. The performances will be spread around different parts of the village in the open air, allowing visitors to move from one place to another and discover new sounds as they explore the illuminated streets of Mojácar.
The energy of the batucada will also be a prominent part of the Night of the Candles, adding rhythm and fire spectacle to the evening. Percussion groups will parade through the streets, inviting everyone there to dance and enjoy their music. This performance promises to be a highlight of the evening, adding a dose of joy to the event.
For lovers of the night sky and astronomy, Mojácar will also offer an exceptional astronomical tourism experience. Astronomy experts will be at the Castle Viewpoint, to guide visitors in stargazing.
The gastronomic offer of the Night of the Candles will be another of the night’s great attractions. A selection of food trucks will be available to offer a variety of culinary options, from international food to international dishes.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Fran García, points out: "The Night of the Candles is one of our most treasured festivities and has been consolidated in recent years as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain. It is a night to show the beauty of our municipality with unique illumination. This year, we have incorporated new experiences so that both our residents and visitors can enjoy an even more magical and surprising celebration."
The Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, highlighted that: "The Night of the Candles is another example of the residents of Mojácar demonstrating the beauty of their municipality to all visitors. They have been working for days to prepare every last detail and surprise all visitors. I invite everyone to join us and enjoy an unforgettable experience."
Given the special nature of the event and the expected increase in the number of visitors, the use of urban transport is recommended to access the municipality. To facilitate mobility, the urban bus service has been reinforced for this occasion and will be operational from 6pm. The last bus back from the village will leave at 2.45am. Return tickets are already available for advance purchase at various points in the municipality, which will allow those attending to plan their visit in advance and enjoy the event without concerns.
Mojácar celebrates the 10th anniversary of its QR Audio Guides with more than 5000 visits in 2024
Mojácar Council is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the implementation of its QR audio guides, an innovative initiative that has transformed the way visitors discover the rich history and cultural heritage of the municipality.
Since its launch in March 2014, this tool has proven to be a resounding success, reaching more than 5,200 visits in 2024 so far this year, with a notable increase from May to July.
Among the most popular audio guides, the one on the Mojácar origin of Walt Disney stands out, its QR code having been scanned more than 1,222 times, making it the most requested content by tourists. In total, this resource has generated 3,773 events between views, audio and photo downloads, reflecting the widespread interest in this curious local legend.
Other points of interest, such as the old City Gate and the Santa María Church, have received 990 visits, closely followed by the legend of “Mariquita la Posá”, with around 900 views. The Public Fountain, Plaza Nueva Viewpoint and the Castle Viewpoint audio guides are also among the most explored places by tourists.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Fran García, underlines the importance of this project for the tourist promotion of the municipality: “Ten years ago we backed new technologies as a way of enhancing the value of our heritage, and the results have exceeded our expectations. The audio guides have not only allowed visitors to learn about our history in a more accessible and attractive way, but they have also provided us with valuable data to continue improving the tourist experience of Mojácar.”
The QR audio guide system, available in four languages, allows visitors to easily access detailed information about the main monuments and local legends while going around the old town. In addition, the Mojácar Council Tourism Department has a platform that provides real-time data on the use of these audio guides, including statistics on visits, events and downloads.
Mojácar Council has also taken a further step towards tourism digitalisation, by incorporating augmented reality technologies and 360-degree images in 2022, offering an even more immersive experience. This progress has been possible thanks to the support of the Junta de Andalucía Regional Tourism Ministry as part of the plan to implement new technologies in tourist resources.
With this 10th anniversary, Mojácar reaffirms its position as a pioneer destination in tourism digitalisation, offering its visitors a unique informative and technological experience.
The Mojácar Woman sculpture turns 35 coinciding with the Saint Augustine Festivities
Mojácar has a double celebration this week, commemorating both the traditional Saint Augustine festivities and the 35th anniversary of the “Mojaquera” sculpture, one of Mojácar’s most loved and representative works.
Made from white Macael marble by the internationally renowned sculptor María Ángeles Lázaro Guil, the work has become an identity symbol for the municipality since its inauguration in 1989.
María Ángeles Lázaro Guil won the competition of ideas to create this work in Mojácar municipality thanks to the sketch she presented, which stood out for its respect for and homage to local roots and traditions. The marble block chosen by the artist defined the direction of the sculpture, following the direction of the grain to achieve both the curvature of the pitcher on the head and the position of the skirt's flow, elements that capture the essence of the Mojácar women’s traditional dress. This sculpture, strategically located in the Church Plaza, represents a Mojácar woman with the region’s typical costume, highlighting her long skirt, apron, shawl, and the traditional pitcher on her head.
The work not only celebrates the Mojácar traditional dress, but also pays tribute to the work and fundamental role of women in the local history and culture. "The Mojaquera sculpture is more than a monument; it is a reflection of our history and our traditions. That this anniversary coincides with the Saint Augustine festivities makes the celebration doubly significant, uniting our cultural heritage with our patron saint”, the Mojácar Mayor said.
On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the sculpture, a poem written 35 years ago by a resident of Mojácar, Genoveva Bouloumié, provided by the sculptor herself, has also been recovered and published in the patron saint's festivities book.
This commemoration is part of the festivities in honour of Saint Augustine, the patron saint of the municipality with a great programme. The day will begin with a mass at 12 noon followed by a procession with the image of the saint through the village streets at 1pm, and will come to a close with the traditional children's ribbon run at 6pm.
Mojácar reinforces its Pest Control Plan for a safe summer
Mojácar Council reaffirms its commitment to public health and the quality of life of its residents through the implementation of an advanced mosquito and cockroach control treatment plan.
This plan, designed to protect both the municipality’s residents and the natural environment, is based on an approach that prioritises prevention and respect for the environment.
The Municipal Council has adopted the integrated control system as a central strategy, aimed at early detection and preventive intervention. This approach not only seeks to reduce the proliferation of pests, but also emphasizes the use of alternative techniques and environmentally friendly biocides, hence demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.
The Councillor Delegate for Health and Senior Citizens, Ana María García, has highlighted the importance of this programme: “Our priority is to guarantee a healthy environment for our residents and visitors. With this plan, we are not only acting reactively, but we are putting in place preventative measures that make a significant difference to the quality of life in Mojácar.”
The Mojácar Mayor, Fran García, has underlined the importance of these treatments, especially during the summer months: “We know that the presence of mosquitoes increases at this time, and that is why we have reinforced our control plan to ensure that both our residents and tourists enjoy a summer free of annoyances. These measures are essential to maintain Mojácar as a safe and pleasant destination.”
With these actions, Mojácar Council demonstrates its constant commitment to public health and the well-being of all its residents and visitors. The implementation of these measures, especially in the summer season, reinforces the municipality's dedication to maintaining a clean, safe and pest-free environment.
Mojácar gets ready to start its Saint Agustine Patron Saint Festivities this weekend
Mojácar municipality is getting ready to celebrate its Patron Saint Festivities in honour of Saint Augustine, which will take place from the 24th to the 28th of August 2024.
These festivities, which are a reflection of the tradition and culture of the municipality, promise to be one of the most outstanding events of the summer in Almería province. Over these four days, both residents and visitors to Mojácar will be able to enjoy a wide variety of activities designed for all ages.
The festivities will begin on Saturday 24th of August with the traditional midday fair that will open the festive day in the municipality and will be livened up by the Juaraguinos band, followed by the much-anticipated opening address of the festivities at 11pm by Francisco Baraza. This will be followed by the coronation of the 2024 queen and ladies, an event that marks the official start of the festivities. The night will continue with the concert by "Astola y Ratón" and music by DJ Joky until the early hours.
Sunday 25th of August will be a day full of traditional activities, starting with the midday fair and continuing in the afternoon, when the traditional ribbon race on horseback will be held at The Fountain. The night will feature performances by Grupo Generación Beta and a concert by Henry Méndez, followed by DJ SEE.
On Monday 26th of August the Mojácar Indoor Football Tournament will be held, as well as a domino tournament, and the day will end with a public open-air dance livened up by the Orquesta El Norte and Raúl Vazco.
On Tuesday 27th of August the youngest ones will be able to enjoy a Video Game and Virtual Reality Fair. In the afternoon, the traditional taking up of the water and floral offering to the patron saint, Saint Augustine, will take place, with a procession going from the Fountain to the municipality’s Parish Church.
On Wednesday, 28th of August, the patron saint's day, a mass will be held in honour of Saint Augustine, followed by the procession through the village streets. The Midday Fair will be livened up by the "Los Chorreones" band, and the afternoon will end with the traditional children's ribbon race.
Francisco García, Mayor of Mojácar, invites all residents and visitors to take part in these festivities, highlighting that "the Saint Agustine Patron Saint Festivities are a unique occasion to enjoy our traditions, share with our friends and show the best of Mojácar to those who visit us."
For his part, Festivities Councillor Pascual Artero, has guaranteed that "this year we have prepared a diverse and complete programme, thinking about all ages and tastes, so that no one is left without enjoying these very special festivities.”
With such a complete and varied programme, the 2024 Saint Augustine Patron Saint Festivities promise to be a great success, offering all those coming along the opportunity to experience unforgettable moments in Mojácar.
Mojácar “Cinco Estrellas”: A new benchmark in quality tourism
Mojácar Council, in collaboration with the Almería Provincial Council and the Crash Music production company, presented “Mojácar 5 Estrellas” (Mojácar 5 Stars), a unique event which promises to become a cultural and gastronomic benchmark for autumn. This event, which will take place on the 19th of October, seeks to unite two of the most appreciated pleasures: music and gastronomy, in a privileged environment such as Mojácar.
Mojácar: A Setting for Tourist and Cultural Excellence
Mojácar, known for its rich history, its fantastic beaches and its vibrant culture, is preparing to host an unprecedented event. ‘Mojácar 5 Estrellas’ is not just a festival, but a celebration of everything that makes this locality unique. With the participation of internationally renowned chefs and top-level musical artists, the event promises a multi-sensory experience that will further enhance Mojácar's prestige as a quality tourist destination.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, highlighted the relevance of this event for the development and positioning of the locality at a national and international level. "With the inauguration of 'Mojácar 5 Estrellas' we take a firm step towards consolidating our locality as a benchmark in quality tourism. This event not only reflects the essence and charm of Mojácar, but also puts us on the map as a destination that combines tradition and modernity. We are committed to offering unique experiences which attract visitors from all over the world, and I am sure that this event will be a fundamental pillar in our growth and international projection," the Mayor affirmed.
During the official presentation of the poster, which took place at the exclusive Macenas Mediterranean Resort in Mojácar, the mayor was accompanied by the municipal corporation, who expressed their unanimous support for this initiative that promises to put Mojácar at the forefront of the region's cultural and gastronomic offer.
An Experience for all the Senses
On the gastronomic side, the event will feature the participation of Javier Torres from Cocina Hermanos Torres (three Michelin Stars), Dani Muñoz from Restaurante Travieso in Almería, representatives of Euro-Toques España, and local chef Damián González from Restaurante Arcilla, part of the Macenas Mediterranean Resort. Live cooking will take place in parallel with the musical performances, creating a perfect pairing for those attending.
The musical menu will include Sidecars, a reference in Spanish pop-rock; Funambulista, with their characteristic signature pop; María Yfeu, who fuses pop, jazz and Brazilian music; and a DJ session by Ángel Carmona, a well-known music journalist from Televisión Española and Radio 3.
Institutional Support and Cultural Commitment
The provincial deputy María Luisa Cruz highlighted the importance of events of this scale to consolidate Almería as a land of culture: “This festival is not only a celebration of music and culture, but also an opportunity to highlight the importance of Mojácar on the cultural and tourist map. Events like this have a significant impact on our land, boosting the economies of the municipality and the region and attracting visitors from all over with the great incentive of breaking seasonality.”
Tickets and Further Information
Tickets for ‘Mojácar 5 Estrellas’ will include access to the entire experience and will be available from Thursday 8th of August, at 9pm, on the official event website: mojacar5estrellas.es.
The 2024 Sopalmo Festivities promise an unforgettable weekend
The picturesque locality of Sopalmo, a district of Mojácar, is preparing to celebrate its traditional festivities in honour of Christ the King from the 9th to the 11th of August 2024. With a programme packed with activities, music and events for all ages, these festivities promise to be a gathering point and celebration for residents and visitors from neighbouring towns.
The festivities will begin on Friday 9th of August with the exciting ribbon race for married men, followed by a night of dancing livened up by the talented ‘Rafael and his accordion’. This event marks the beginning of a vibrant weekend, full of tradition and joy.
Saturday 1st of August will be a day full of outstanding events, including the much-anticipated opening address by Alberto Cena Lázaro, a renowned professional closely linked to Sopalmo. His connection to the hamlet and his outstanding professional career add a special touch to the opening ceremony of the festivities. To continue, the night will be filled with music by the "La Rueda" quintet, and there will be the crowning of the festivities’ Queen and Ladies of Honor dressed in the typical costume of Mojácar.
The festivities will conclude on Sunday 11th of August with the youth ribbon race, an event that celebrates youth and local tradition, providing a perfect ending to a weekend full of fun and community.
These festivities not only represent an opportunity to enjoy diverse activities but also to strengthen community ties and celebrate Sopalmo’s rich cultural heritage, which brings together both Mojácar locals and residents of nearby towns.
Festivals and Celebrations Councillor Pascual Artero stated: "We are very excited about this year's Sopalmo Festivities. We have worked hard to offer a varied programme which includes activities for all ages. These festivities are an opportunity for all the residents of the hamlet, Mojácar and nearby towns to get together, celebrate our traditions and enjoy music and entertainment. We hope to see everyone enjoying these very special days.”
Mojácar consolidates itself as a Smart Destination and ends the first half of the year with more than half a million visitors
Mojácar has taken a significant step towards modernisation and sustainable tourism management with the implementation of its Smart City platform. This advance has been possible thanks to the agreement between the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain Association and Telefónica Tech, and has allowed Mojácar to register a notable increase in the number of visitors, reaching a total of 556,428 people in the first half of 2024.
Mojácar's smart platform is based on the collection of anonymous data through visitors' mobile phones, providing a key tool for the transformation of the destination towards a more efficient and sustainable management model. This system allows for obtaining detailed information on the behaviour and characteristics of tourists, facilitating strategic decision-making in areas such as sustainability, accessibility and innovation.
In the first six months of 2024, Mojácar received 556,428 visitors over the age of 18. This figure includes both tourists who stayed overnight in the municipality and tourists who did day trips. In June, the figure of more than 116,000 visitors to the municipality was recorded, putting Mojácar among the top five national destinations preferred by tourists for going on holiday.
The number of national resident tourists exceeded international tourists with a total of 218,774 people against the 185,641 arriving from other countries. The analysis of the origin data reveals that Mojácar attracts a diverse public from very diverse markets, with countries such as the UK, Germany and France standing out in international markets. Visitors of national origin are also from very varied markets, with those from Madrid, Murcia, Andalucía, Castilla la Mancha and Valencia standing out in number.
The implementation of the smart platform in Mojácar has not only allowed for better monitoring and analysis of tourism in the municipality, but has also reinforced its commitment to innovation and sustainability. This advance positions Mojácar as a benchmark in the digital transformation of tourist destinations, offering its visitors a high-quality experience and contributing to more responsible and efficient tourism development.
Mojácar celebrates the excellent tourism results obtained in the first half of 2024 thanks to the joint effort of business owners, sector professionals and the Local Council through its Tourism Department and Government team. This success is the fruit of meticulous work that has paid attention to each of the sensitive sectors of the complex and competitive world of tourism.
United by football: Mojácar celebrates the Euro Cup between the Spanish and English with fervour
Last night was unforgettable in Mojácar, where more than 500 people came together to watch the exciting Euro Cup final between Spain and England. Mojácar Council organised this special event, setting up a giant screen on the seafront promenade allowing those who turned out to enjoy the match in a welcoming and festive atmosphere.
According to the Festivities councillor, Pascual Artero, “The evening exceeded all our expectations. It was a sight to see how the Spanish and English communities came together with such enthusiasm and respect. Mojácar once again demonstrated its ability to promote integration and fun among all our residents and visitors."
The night began with growing anticipation, as fans, both Spanish and English, occupied the seats on the esplanade with their refreshments to enjoy a historic match. The English community in Mojácar also took an active part in the night and added a special touch to the event, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and intercultural celebration.
To complement the experience, the Council also set up a stand where attendees could buy drinks and refresh themselves during the match. The initiative went down really well, allowing everyone to enjoy the event in greater comfort and further livening up the atmosphere.
The match itself was a spectacle full of excitement and tension, with both teams demonstrating a high level of play. As the minutes ticked by, the supporters’ chants and cheers created a symphony of enthusiasm that resonated along the beach. The local community and tourists shared moments of joy and nerves, joining their voices in support of their teams.
At the end of the match, regardless of the result, the spirit of brotherhood and respect prevailed. Those who turned out, both the winners and the losers, celebrated the Spanish football team’s victory throughout the municipality.
Mojácar promotes Glass recycling with the Ecovidrio Green Flags Campaign
Mojácar has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and recycling by joining the Ecovidrio Green Flags Campaign.
This campaign, promoted by Ecovidrio, aims to encourage glass recycling among bars and restaurants, as well as the residents of the country's coastal areas. The purpose is to protect the environment and improve the tourism quality of the participating destinations.
As part of this initiative, new glass recycling containers have been installed throughout the municipality to make it easier for residents and tourists to dispose of this waste correctly. These containers are strategically located to make recycling easier and more efficient.
María Gracia Alarcón, Mojácar Tourism Councillor, has shown she is enthusiastic about this initiative and personally committed to the campaign. "We are very involved in this action and we want to encourage all Mojácar residents and visitors to actively take part. Glass recycling not only protects our natural environment but also makes Mojácar a more sustainable and attractive tourist destination," affirms Alarcón.
The Green Flag Campaign not only promotes glass recycling, but also recognises those municipalities that demonstrate greater commitment and results in this sphere. Mojácar has set out to significantly increase its glass recycling rates during the campaign, with the hope of obtaining one of the prestigious Green Flags that recognise efforts in sustainable waste management.
The collaboration of local businesses is crucial to the success of this campaign. Mojácar Council invites all bars and restaurants to join this initiative and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future for everyone.
Succesful end to 2024 Cuartillas festivities with large turnout of residents
The Cuartillas festivities drew to a close with massive participation and a festive atmosphere that left everyone who turned out happy. Celebrated in honour of Saint Anthony, these festivities once again proved to be a gathering point and happy occasion for the residents of this district of Mojácar.
Last weekend, attendees were able to enjoy a wide variety of activities and entertainment. The fair featured numerous stalls offering a wide range of products and games, as well as the ever-popular bouncy castles for the little ones.
The 2024 Cuartillas Festivities were not only a success in terms of turnout but also in the organisation and offer of activities for all ages. The festive atmosphere, the music and the food were enjoyed by the residents of Mojácar and nearby localities.
Pascual Artero from the Festivities Department was very pleased with how the celebrations went and highlighted the high number of people turning out and good behaviour of all those attending: “These festivities have been an example of what we can achieve when we work together. I thank everyone who took part and contributed to the success of this celebration. We are already looking forward to the 2025 Cuartillas Festivities.”
The Cuartillas residents revive their Patron Saint Festivities traditions
This Friday 5th of July, the fair of Las Cuartillas, a district of Mojácar, begins, celebrating its ninth edition in 2024 after the revival of this tradition, lost for 70 years, thanks to the residents’ efforts.
The festivities in honour of its patron saint, Saint Anthony, will begin at night with the Conchi López Academy’s dance performance, with all those going along able to enjoy a show full of art. At 11pm the Grupo Sureste orchestra will liven up the dance until late.
On Saturday 6th of July at 1pm, the Midday Fair will begin, where you will be able to try the area’s typical dishes and a wide variety of tapas. At 2pm the traditional giant popular paella will be served, which will give the attendees energy for the “tardeo”, an activity that is becoming more popular every year at all festivities. To end the afternoon, you will be able to enjoy ice creams, cakes and churros typical of this popular open-air festival.
The little ones will also enjoy this festival with their families thanks to the children's attractions at the venue. At 6pm Holy Mass will be celebrated in honour of Saint Anthony, in the small chapel built by the residents to house the image of their Patron Saint.
Festivities Councillor, Pascual Artero, encourages everyone to take part: "It is a pleasure to invite all the residents of Mojácar and the nearby municipalities to join the 2024 Cuartillas Festivities. This celebration not only represents a revived tradition, but is also an opportunity for us all to share moments of joy and community. Every year, the Cuartillas fiestas are strengthened thanks to the effort and dedication of its residents, who have worked tirelessly to make this celebration a memorable event. Don't miss it, we await you with open arms!"
The 2024 Mojácar Patron Saint Festivities Poster Competition opens
The Mojácar Council Festivities Department has announced the competition to select the poster for the Saint Augustine Patron Saint Festivities, which will be held between the 24th and 28th of August. The deadline for taking part will be the 15th of July.
This new festivities poster competition invites all those interested to take part, with a maximum of three unpublished originals per participant. The theme of the poster must be based on any of the various representative aspects of the Mojácar Saint Augustine Patron Saint Festivities.
The organisation adds as a requirement that the works must be presented unsigned and sent in one go by email to the email address of the councillorship organising the competition.
The jury will be made up of members of the Mojácar Council Festivities Department, who will choose three finalist posters from among all the works submitted. The winner will then be decided by the votes received on Facebook, on the Mojácar Informa profile, and on Instagram, Mojacar Informando. The poster receiving the most votes will be the winner of the 2024 Saint Augustine Patron Saint Festivities poster competition.
The prize for the most voted-for poster will consist of a diploma and a dinner for two in a local restaurant. The conditions will be handed over along with the prize.
Mojácar improves access to beaches and clears natural paths for a safe summer
Mojácar Council reaffirms its commitment to the municipality’s residents and tourists, making a continuous effort to improve their quality of life.
Over the last few weeks, a series of important improvements have been carried out in Mojácar. These actions have the main aim of guaranteeing safe access to the beaches and keeping the environmental paths clean and accessible.
With the arrival of summer, maintenance and cleaning work has been intensified on the accesses to Mojácar’s beaches. These improvements ensure that everyone can enjoy the coast in the best possible conditions. At the same time, clearing work has been carried out on the municipality’s natural paths, including the Adelfa - La Olla path, the Macenas – Torre Pirulico – Sobrerico – Granatillas path, the Estrecho – El Jalí path, the Barranqueras path, the Aljuézar – Las Barranqueras path and the Picacho path.
These actions are crucial for fire prevention and to facilitate the passage of emergency vehicles in the event of incidents. The municipal corporation makes sure that keeping these paths in optimal conditions is a priority to guarantee the safety of all those who enjoy the natural routes and green spaces.
The Works Councillor, Jesús Montoya, personally supervised the improvement works and expressed his satisfaction with the work carried out. "I have been able to confirm first-hand the excellent work of the workers. These improvements not only beautify our environment, but are also essential to prevent possible fires during the summer season," affirmed Montoya.
Mojácar continues working to be a cleaner, safer and more accessible place, hence ensuring a sustainable and welcoming environment for everyone.
Mojácar Council presents innovations for more accesible and safer beaches
Mojácar, one of the most emblematic tourist destinations on the Almería coast, has kicked off its sun and beach high season. The municipality has already welcomed the first visitors with new materials on its beaches, aimed at improving the comfort and enjoyment of all bathers.
Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García, attended the launch of all these new service facilities together with the Festivities Councillor, Pascual Artero. The Mayor emphasised that: 'These improvements are a testament to our commitment to offering inclusive, safe and comfortable beaches for all our visitors. The investment in new service vehicles and beach infrastructure not only improves bathers’ experience, but also reinforces everyone’s safety and well-being.'
For this season a series of new facilities have been added that will significantly improve the Mojácar’s beaches experience. Among the new features, the addition of amphibious chairs and accessible pergolas, shade canvases and new walkways stand out, as well as bin islands to promote cleanliness and recycling. The improvements will continue throughout the bathing season when new lifeguard modules and toilets will be installed and informative panels with embossed QR codes added.
Mojácar’s beaches are open to walking on, sitting on and bathing throughout the year. However, lifeguard and rescue services are only operational from the 15th of June, coinciding with the start of the official bathing season.
The 2024 beach season promises to be one of the best to date, with improved facilities and a renewed focus on accessibility and sustainability.
2024 Night os San Juan in Mojácar a resounding success
The Night of San Juan in Mojácar has already become an established celebration in the municipality, last weekend bringing together hundreds of people on the Playa del Descargador beach from the afternoon onwards.
The activities started early with a series of entertainment for the youngest, including face painting, a water park, balloon modelling and a children's bonfire, which captured the attention and smiles of the children. The beach was filled with families enjoying the festive and safe atmosphere thanks to all the members of Civil Protection and Local Police who ensured a night without incidents.
The Juaraginos charanga band was responsible for livening up the night with their cheerful music, creating a vibrant and fun atmosphere. In addition, the Tuareg “kábila” ran a bar where those who had come along could get refreshments while enjoying live music from the group 'Por un Puñado de Tercios'. As is part of the tradition, Mojácar Council offered a free sardine feast for everyone there, a much-appreciated gesture that added flavour to the celebration.
One of the most eagerly awaited moments came with the lighting of the municipal San Juan bonfire under a sky lit up by a spectacular fireworks display. And to end the night, the attendees enjoyed a session by DJ SEE, who provided the grand finale with his music, keeping the energy and fun going until the early hours of the morning.
Mojácar takes part another year in the Green Flags Movement to promote glass recycling
Mojácar Town Hall has this week presented its candidacy for yet another year for the sustainability Green Flags movement, promoted by the non-profit company Ecovidrio.
The Mojácar mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, accompanied by the Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, announced at a press conference that the municipality has joined the new campaign for this summer with the aim of encouraging and promoting glass recycling among the municipality’s residents, tourists and locals.
In this 5th call for proposals, the involvement of more than 153 Valencian Community, Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Andalucía municipalities is expected; also, the participation of 18,000 hospitality establishments. This initiative aims to reward the efforts and activism of coastal municipalities for sustainability during the summer, especially with regard to the proper management of their waste.
During the press conference, Francisco García Cerdá stressed the crucial need to respect our ecosystem and reaffirmed his commitment to the protection of the environment. He emphasized the support of the local council for initiatives that promote the circular economy, the reduction of pollution, the reduction of waste and the sustainable use of natural resources. "We invite all our residents, tourists and locals to join this campaign. Their participation is key to achieving the much-desired green flag, thus showing that Mojácar is an example of sustainability and environmental commitment for all," he stated.
To obtain a green flag, municipalities must meet a series of requirements, which include increasing the volume of glass container recycling compared to the previous year, the active collaboration of the hospitality sector and the commitment of the local council to promoting and publicising the campaign.
When summer ends, nine new green flags will be awarded across the country, two of which will be for Andalucía. Mojácar has already been awarded, in 2021, achieving first place in Almería province and fifth place in Andalucía.
Mojácar Council, together with the local tourism sector, especially the hospitality industry, is actively participating in this campaign as part of the numerous actions carried out throughout the year to promote sustainable and high-quality tourism.
The magic returns to Mojácar on the night of San Juan
After enjoying the Moors and Christians festivities last week, Mojácar municipality is again filled with magic and charm this week to celebrate the night of San Juan.
This Sunday 23rd of June, the Playa del Descargador will become the setting for one of the most magical nights of the year with the celebration of San Juan. A day that will begin in the evening full of activities for the whole family that promise fun, tradition and one-of-a-kind moments.
The littlest ones will from 6pm be able to enjoy various children's activities, such as a water park, balloon modelling and a pirate gymkhana. The Charanga Juaraguinos will liven up the night from 8pm to continue with the municipal children's bonfire.
To recharge your batteries the traditional free sardine feast will be served by Mojácar Council from 10.15pm, a perfect opportunity to enjoy the local cuisine and continue enjoying the shortest night of the year.
The highlight will come at midnight with an impressive municipal bonfire accompanied by fireworks and a performance by the group ‘Por un puñado de Tercios’, ensuring an evening full of music and fun.
Following the tradition rooted in the Mediterranean coast, Mojácar Council invites everyone to join in this magical festivity, open to both the locality’s residents and visitors.
Mojacar celebrates its Moors and Christians Festival and announces the IV International Photography Contest
This weekend the municipality of Mojácar is preparing to experience a show full of colour, tradition and emotion with the celebration of its iconic Moors and Christians Festival.
Amidst the general enthusiasm in the municipality, the Moors and Christians Association Al-Mosaquer has taken the opportunity to officially launch the fourth edition of the International Photography Competition 2024, with the aim of giving exposure to photographic talents and promoting the culture and traditions of this festivity.
The festivities, which attract thousands of visitors each year, will run from 14th to 16th June, offering a vibrant show of parades, music and historical re-enactments celebrating Mojácar's rich cultural heritage. This event is a unique opportunity for photographers from all over the world to capture the essence of this celebration and participate in the photographic competition.
The 4th Moors and Christians Mojácar 2024 International Photography Competition is open to participants of all ages and nationalities. Entries and photo submissions will take place from 17 June to 13 September 2024. Images must focus on this year's festivities and meet high standards of quality and originality.
Participants can choose to enter their photographs from the six categories that are open to them:
• Moors: Focusing on the Moors
• Christians: Focusing on the Christians
• Youth: For photographers aged 14 to 18.
• Black and White: Black and white photographs.
• Open Theme: Any aspect of the festivities.
• Processions / Troops: Moorish or Christian groups in the parade. Awards and the announcement of winners.
The best photographs will be exhibited both in printed format in various cultural centres, and in virtual format on the digital platforms of the Association of Moors and Christians Al-Mosaquer. In addition, participants will be able to consult the complete rules of the competition through these platforms.
The Interactive Linguistic Atlas of Andalusia includes the accent of Mojácar
The University of Granada, under the direction of Professor Alfredo Herrero de Haro, is developing an innovative project: the Interactive Linguistic Atlas of Andalusian Accents.
This ambitious project aims to document and analyse the diversity of accents in the autonomous community of Andalusia, despite the increasing linguistic homogenization.
The project includes the accent of Mojácar, which will be studied through samples from four participants who met the requirement of never having resided outside the municipality. This initiative has the support of Mojácar Town Council which, through its Department of Culture, helped in the finding of the candidates.
This week, the Councillor for Culture, Noemí Linares welcomed Alfredo Herrero de Haro, the director of the project, to the municipality, who stressed the importance of this work, not only to preserve Andalusian accents, but also to plan their impact on the future of the Spanish language.
The Interactive Linguistic Atlas of Andalusia, funded by the department of University, Research and Innovation of the Andalusian Regional Government is proposed to be completed by December 2026.
The project involves the collection of voice recordings of speakers from 500 Andalusian localities, the analysis of which will be presented through 292 interactive maps. These maps will not only show the variation of accents but will also include audio recordings for a more intuitive understanding, facilitating their understanding by both experts and the general public.
The second sport and health event held in Mojácar brings together senior citizens from the Levante region of Almería and Los Vélez
On 28 May, the Mojácar Municipal Sports Pavilion was the setting for the second Sport and Health Meeting, an initiative organised by the Almería Provincial Council and Mojácar Town Council. This event, aimed at promoting physical activity and healthy habits among the elderly, brought together participants from various municipalities of the Levante region of Almería and Los Vélez.
Those attending, from towns such as Vélez Blanco, Topares, María, Chirivel, Bédar, Taberno, Partaloa, Lubrín and Mojácar, enjoyed a day packed with activities. From early in the morning, participants got involved in sessions of therapeutic exercise, stretching and relaxation techniques, with the stellar activity of strength work called ‘Phenomenon Fit’ (‘Fenómeno Fit’), specially brought in for the occasion.
The day began with a healthy breakfast offered by Mojácar Town Council, allowing participants to start the day with energy. After a morning of physical activities and conviviality, the meeting culminated with a closing performance of choreography, followed by a convivial meal, which strengthened the camaraderie among the attendees.
The Mojácar Department of Sports has highlighted the importance of this type of event to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle among the elderly, underlining the success of this second Sport and Health event.
Mojácar promotes wellbeing with a therapeutic exercise workshop for the elderly
Mojácar Town Council has joined the XV Healthy Habits Week promoted by the Ministry of Health of the Andalusian Regional Government, through a therapeutic exercise workshop for the elderly of the community.
The event, which took place last Friday, was part of a healthy week in the province and was very well received by the residents of the municipality. The activities included therapeutic exercise, stretching and relaxation, and was attended by around twenty students, ranging in age from 60 to 70 years old.
Before the activity began, the Sports Department of Mojácar Town Council offered breakfast to "charge the batteries" ready for the activity, reiterating its commitment to the wellbeing and promotion of a healthy lifestyle for local residents.
The physiotherapists, Silvia Ferrer and Paloma Collado, were in charge of leading the workshop, highlighting the importance of participants seeing the benefits of therapeutic exercise. José Luis Ordóñez, who also collaborated in the event, stressed the importance of taking care of the body and staying active.
The positive response to the workshop has generated considerable interest among the participants, who expressed their wish to participate in future similar events.
Divna Nikolic presents a large exhibition of her works at the Art Centre ´La Fuente´ in Mojácar
This past Monday 2nd of June, the inauguration of the exhibition Nikodim by Serbian artist Divna Nikolic took place at Mojácar's Municipal Art Centre ‘La Fuente’ in the presence of the Councillor for Culture, Noemí Linares.
For this exhibition in Mojácar, the artist has selected a total of 83 works made with different techniques, including engravings, oil paintings and mosaics on natural stones. The exhibition is well worth a visit to appreciate the exquisiteness, diversity and creativity of the artist.
Serbian-born Divna Nikolic is a visual artist, mosaicist, art teacher and writer who has been living in Spain for more than 20 years, where she runs several art workshops. She learned the technique of mosaic while she was studying and continues to work on it, cutting each of the stones that make up her works one by one.
Divna's mastery in the use of mosaic components allows her to develop works that possess a richness and depth comparable to that of the most sophisticated paintings, demonstrating how this ancient art can be reinvented and continue to amaze in the contemporary era.
This new exhibition will not leave visitors indifferent, and you can admire the works of the Serbian artist until 29 June. In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artist herself every Saturday at the Cultural Centre ‘La Fuente’ as she shares her experience with those attending.
High attendance for closure of the Mojácar municipal schools
The closing ceremony of the municipal sports schools was held last Thursday at the ‘Ciudad de Mojácar’ Football Ground, with a gathering of all their athletes, students’ parents, friends and Mojácar Council representatives.
More than 300 students came together to celebrate and bring to a close the 2023-2024 school year for the different disciplines with a presentation of medals to all the athletes for their effort and participation.
The Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García, was accompanied by his government team to give out the medals and to thank all those attending for their participation and promotion of sport in the municipality.
The event began with numerous displays, from some fun dances by the very youngest, the staging of the Municipal School of Rhythmic Gymnastics, with the interprovincial champions in their category, and a dance by the gerontogymnastics students, who all demonstrated the skills acquired during the course.
After the displays, the students paraded organised by disciplines and categories to receive their medals and to begin an afternoon of socialising. The youngest children were also able to enjoy a foam party and different bouncy castles set up on the football pitch, adding an extra touch of fun to the day.
Mojácar Red Cross organises a charity concert of Moors and Christian marches
A charity concert of Moors and Christian marches was held at the Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre last week, organised by the municipality’s local Red Cross Association municipality and with the collaboration of Mojácar Council.
The event was attended by the Mayor Francisco García, together with the Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, the Social Affairs Councillor, Rosa María Cano, and the Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, who together with all those who went along were able to enjoy the concert by the Municipal Music Band.
Mojácar residents participated by attending, hence collaborating with the initiative and helping to raise money for the Red Cross which serves to finance its activities and the assistance it offers to the community.
A charity event that stirred the interest of those who went along in the upcoming celebration of the Moors and Christians festivities in the municipality on the 14th, 15th and 16th of June, when they can once again enjoy this music and all the celebrations.
‘Yoga by the Sea’ classes end with success for participation
This weekend the last ‘Yoga by the Sea’ class was held, a Mojácar Council initiative to promote sport for all the municipality’s residents, locals and tourists.
For 17 weekends, since the end of January, every Sunday it has been possible to enjoy a free yoga class on Lance Nuevo beach taught by yoga teacher Simona Quatela.
The classes were adapted for all levels and according to the comments received Simona confirms that: “we have had a great response in terms of participation, very good, between 20 and 30 depending on the weekend”.
The yoga sessions were for all ages and, in addition there were activities for those who attended with their children, who could enjoy games on the beach at the same time.
Simona explains: ‘Most of those taking part have been women aged 25 and over, however, we have also had very interested male members of the public who regularly attended the classes.’
In regard to the origin of those taking part, it has been an activity with participants of various nationalities, from Spanish, Swedish, English and German, but also due to the municipality’s tourism, tourists interested in the initiative have turned up.
Levante Cup 2024 returns to Almería with record participation and Mojácar as host
The Levante Cup competition returns to Almería province for another year, with Mojácar as one of the tournament venues. The competition which began this May with the women will continue throughout June.
In this new edition, there will be more participation than ever with 150 teams and more than 3,000 footballers from the six categories: pre-youngest, youngest, novice, youth, women's, and women’s youth/ cadet with the 'Ciudad de Mojácar’ pitch the venue for play.
Also noteworthy is the participation of La Liga clubs’ affiliates and the best national football academies, attracting an audience of approximately 20,000 people for all the matches.
It has been 10 years since the first edition, when the knowledge and experience of Patxi Montiel and Javi Méndez came together to create this competition, which has become one of the benchmark trophies in this country and raises great expectations as demonstrated by the more than 250,000 views its matches have registered on its YouTube channel.
Last week, the Peña Madridista 'Ciudad del Sol' from Lorca managed to lift the XI Levante Cup 2024 Grassroots Football Trophy as winner in the women’s youth-cadet category. While the tournament continues with the rest of the categories until the weekend of the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of June with the arrival of the teams’ coaching staff and the players’ family members, turning this event into an economic agent for Mojácar due to its large hotel capacity.
Mojácar is the most in-demand tourist destination for the summer at national level
According to the specialised travel portal, Destinia, as of today the number of reservations for the summer months has already increased by 54% compared to the previous period.
One of the reasons for this increase is the spending forecast during the holiday period, in this way seeking the most economical price.
Beatriz Officialdegui, Destina Marketing Director, confirms with this data that: “We Spanish are getting a long way ahead of ourselves compared to other years. We increasingly see that the expense for holidays is higher and what we do is get ahead of ourselves to reduce this.”
Among the destinations most in demand by Spaniards nationwide, Almería is moving up positions; last year it was in fifth place and this year it is the main place chosen by many. Specifically, Mojácar municipality, followed by Tarragona, Gran Canaria, Málaga, Cádiz and Alicante.
National tourism is what is growing the most by far, 77%, but foreign visitor bookings are also experiencing an increase, expected to grow by 23%. This good outlook for international visitors suggests a summer with the possibility of beating the figures recorded in previous years of more than 85 million tourists.
Mojácar renews its Sicted Quality certifications for its beaches
The Almería Levante Community of Municipalities, manager of the SICTED destination (Comprehensive System of Spanish Tourism Quality in Destinations), celebrated last Thursday, at the El Puntazo Hotel in Mojácar, the presentation of the distinctions to 43 Almeria Levante region tourist services.
Attending the event were the President of the supra-municipal entity, Domingo Fernández, and the Almería Provincial Council Deputy Vice-President, Fernando Giménez, who together with the Mojácar Council Tourism Councillor, Maria Gracia Alarcón, presented the quality certifications to the different tourist services.
The Almería Provincial Council Vice-President explained the importance of the Provincial Council's work on tourism issues: “We want to promote each of our municipalities on Destination Costa de Almería, because we want the tourism sector and the services sector of Almería province to go well, so we have to be an instrument in the hands of each and every business owner.”
Mojácar is one of the region’s municipal institutions which has for another edition revalidated its quality certificates for its El Cantal, Lance Nuevo, Marina de la Torre, Venta del Bancal and Ventanicas beaches. The person entrusted with receiving these quality certificates for Mojácar’s beaches was the councillor Ana María García.
These emblems are the support for the recognition of the “Tourism Quality Commitment” that accredits and recognises the effort made by tourism services to reinforce their quality. The emblem is valid for two years, although it is conditional on an annual follow-up evaluation by its inspectors.
Mojácar has got behind turning itself into a major sustainable and modern tourist area and will dedicate to this mission the 4.5 million subsidy that the European Union, through the “Next Generation” funds, within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan in Spain, has decided to grant it to strengthen the tourist offer and the breaking of the seasonal nature of the destination, and on being a benchmark in the integration of tourism, with the new objectives of Green, Intelligent and Inclusive Destination.
Almerian triumph in the I Andalacian Base Handball Cup held in Mojácar
Mojácar was the setting this weekend of the I Andalucian Base Handball Cup, which brought together more than 2,000 people in the municipality who could see the best teams from the eight Andalucian provinces.
The competition, organised by the Andalucian Federation, involved 850 players from Cuevas de Almanzora, Vera, Mojácar, Garrucha, Huércal-Overa and Los Gallardos municipalities.
The six teams that lifted the acclaimed Andalucian Cup trophy were:
- In the male “alevin (novice) category, CD Europa was proclaimed champion. And in the female category, the youngsters from Fundación Unicaja Málaga Costa “A” achieved victory.
- In the male “infantíl” (youth) category, Cajamar Urci Almería “A” took the cup in the final. And in the female team, Puertosol gained victory.
- Finally, in male “cadets” (juniors), Zenagro BM Roquetas became tournament champion. And in the female category, BM Maravillas Benalmádena celebrated its victory in the final.
The Mojácar sports centre hosted three finals, male and female juniors and female novice; and the presentation of prizes to the top four qualifiers in the three categories of novice, youth, and juniors, male and female.
The winning teams advanced to the semi-finals on Saturday, competing for the places through to the finals on Sunday in Vera and Mojácar, the latter municipality being where the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García, the deputy for European Initiatives and Entrepreneurship, Esther Mercedes Álvarez, the head of the Andalucian Handball Federation, Sebastián Fernández Molina, and representatives of the neighbouring towns taking part in the cup, presented the prizes.
In addition, the champions of each category have obtained a place for the new Super Cup, which will be held in the 2024-2025 pre-season and which will pit the champions of the Andalucian Cup against their counterparts from the Andalucian Championship (CADEBA).
The competition was a success that consolidated the I Copa de Andalucía Base as a prominent event in the Andalucian sports calendar and fulfilling one of its objectives for the Mojácar municipality, the breaking of the seasonal nature of tourism.
CD Mojácar Football cadet team winners of the Andalucian League Championship, achieving category promotion for the Second Consecutive year
The Mojácar Council Municipal Sports School achieves another success with the promotion of the CD Mojácar cadet football team winning the Andalucían league championship, Andalucìan 4th, and gaining promotion for the second consecutive year.
This year's victory puts the Mojácar team in the 3rd category, a promotion they have achieved after playing all their matches without losing any at home and with excellent play in all their matches.
The Sports Councillor, Jesús Montoya, is very proud of the team’s work, especially considering “they come from the school base.” A team that began its desire to play good football as children, when these young footballers were already demonstrating their courage and their eagerness, moving up each year in the children's category.
A satisfaction also expressed by their coach, Jesús Manzanares, given that his team has achieved promotion for two consecutive years and without losing a single point, highlighting their example of “constancy, humility, teamwork and good work.”
Jesús Manzanares also wanted to thank all those who have supported this team, firstly the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García and the Sports Councillor, Jesús Montoya, who have been attentive to their needs, backing them as well as all the teams in the different categories making up the Municipal Sports School’s CD Mojácar football club.
In Mojácar this discipline has more than 200 players divided among 10 teams, six of which are federated, as well as the indoor football team which, despite its recent creation, is also gaining important achievements. Achievements that are also being gained by others of the school’s disciplines.
On this point, and despite the great effort made in this last year in promoting and expanding the Municipal Sports School’s sphere of action, the Sports Councillor, repeated the importance and determination of the Local Authority in continuing to work in the sports schools since, as he commented, they play a crucial role in promoting sports and physical activity at the local level. Benefits, in short, that have an impact on the community.
He considers that it has an important role in creating equal access to sport, encouraging participation as it offers a variety of disciplines and training adapted to different ages and skill levels, encouraging greater participation of everyone but especially of the municipality’s children and young people “as a tool for their development, promoting physical, emotional, social and cognitive health.”
The Mojácar Municipal Sports School will close its doors at the end of the month, ending the 2023-24 academic year. Following a well-deserved summer break, it will reopen its facilities next autumn coinciding with the 2024-25 school year.
Before that, the Mojácar municipal football ground will be the setting, as is now tradition, of a demonstration of what has been learned throughout the school year by each and every one of the disciplines that make it up. An event that brings together all the students, parents and families and at which the Local Council awards all the municipality's athletes a well-deserved medal for their efforts.
Teambuilding day in Mojácar with the Cuevas del Almanzora and local paddel tennis school
The Mojácar paddle tennis school, part of the locality’s Municipal Sports School, has held a teambuilding day on the municipal La Mata courts with the Cuevas del Almanzora municipal paddle tennis school.
The teambuilding day was organised by Mojácar Council through the Sports Department with the aim of bringing together paddle tennis enthusiasts and players from both municipalities
In this first meeting and practice of paddle tennis, 60 students from both schools gathered in the novice, infant and cadet categories aged between nine and 16 years.
With a sporting atmosphere and with the end of the school year approaching, and demonstrating what they have learned throughout the year, the youngsters competed in pairs for the best positions in the day's classification.
Despite the youth of the athletes, the level was high and once all the matches were over, the players received a medal as a memento and as a reward for their good work.
For its part, Mojácar Council presented a plaque to the Cuevas del Almanzora Municipal School in memory of the day.
The Mojácar Council Sports Councillor, Jesús Montoya, was present at the teambuilding day, who, along with the Mojácar athletes’ coaches, Maria Luisa Martínez Ruiz and Ivan Segura, highlighted the importance of these gatherings which connect with some benefits of the practice of this sport such as socialising and the promotion of team spirit, fun and entertainment.
The staging of teambuilding days also promotes other benefits such as integration into the community, the promotion of sports and the development of skills and the promotion of physical activity in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
The Mojácar paddle tennis school is one of the pioneers of the many sports disciplines which have joined the locality's Municipal Sports School.
It has 130 students of all ages; from the youngest who are seven years old when they start the sport to retirees who want to stay in good physical shape. Classes are taught every week by age groups.
Also on the occasion of the end of the school year on the 30th of May, the Municipal Paddle Tennis School of Paddle held a teambuilding day with the groups of students from the centre with high participation and already waiting for the start of the new 2024-25 school year.
The Mojácar Catering School will begin next School Year with dual training
An open day has been held at the Mojácar Rey Alabez secondary school to present the new developments involved in the implementation of the new Vocational Training study plan for the 2024/25 academic year, which will be of a dual nature.
In the case of Mojácar, this deals exclusively with the training cycles of cooking and gastronomy and restaurant services.
Attending this meeting between teachers and sector professionals were members of the Almería Territorial Delegation of Education and Vocational Training, the mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, of Turre, Arturo Grima, and of Los Gallardos, Francisco Miguel Reyes, and councillors from the area’s different local councils, as well as representatives of the Levante hospitality sector’s most important businesses, making it an excellent opportunity for the centre to address the educational future and employability capacity in the region.
One of the most significant changes for the next school year lies in the dual nature programmed for the two-year duration of these intermediate-level studies, which involves a joint training process for students between the educational centre and businesses in the hospitality, catering and tourism sector through collaboration agreements.
With the previous study plan, after passing the subjects that made up each cycle students moved on to what was called “training modules in workplaces”, where they practiced what they had learned at the institute.
For the next school year, students will not go to do “work experience” in hospitality businesses once they finish their studies; they will go from the beginning of the term to complement and continue their training, where a person designated by the company will tutor and work with the student in collaboration with the teaching staff to complete their theoretical-practical knowledge, taking part in the educational development and in their assessment.
Among the main aims of this dual training are analysing and identifying the needs of the area to orientate students regarding the needs of the area, ensuring ideal training offers for this reality, ensuring employment and putting down roots in the locality; accrediting the professional skills acquired throughout the training and work experience, as well as providing businesses and the sector professionals with the professional profiles they need at each productive time.
The area’s main economic activity is hospitality and tourism. The important economic effort of this sector must be supported with qualified professionals who offer a proper and quality service in each of the facets making it up.
Hence the great importance of the Mojácar Hospitality School and the support of the administrations and social framework for the correct training of its students and achieving a distinguishing level of excellence in the world of tourism.
Following this explanatory day, the Hospitality School students offered a cocktail to the open-day guests, made by them in the centre’s kitchens.
"Mojácar has it, buy it here"
Mojácar Council has started an action plan aimed at promoting trade in the locality in collaboration with the Regional Ministry of Employment, Business and Self-Employment.
With the slogan: “Mojácar has it, buy it”, the campaign is being developed with a graphic line adapted to all the necessary formats for digital media.
The purpose of this scheme is to inform Mojácar residents, as well as potential customers from neighbouring towns and the capital, of the locality’s shopping potential, although the scope will be much greater, as the extensive reach of the Local Council's social media alone guarantees maximum visibility given that this campaign has also been programmed and is being implemented in an organic way.
In addition to the design of the general image poster of the campaign, short micro-videos have been created for which more than 80 shops in Mojácar and their products have been visited for their promotion through social media.
Products of all kinds, ranging from accessories, jewellery, food, pets, home, computing and anything you may need or want, and that can be found correctly classified and identified, have been themed into seven segments for greater accessibility and localisation by the consumer.
The launch of a municipality-owned digital portal provides local and regional residents with an opportunity for convenient access to purchasing, to which must be added the option of potential customers contacting businesses or buying in Mojácar from their towns, cities or countries of origin without the need to be in the locality in person.
This portal will be continuously renewed and updated, which makes it efficient and a business model more connected to the buyer.
Complementing the digital line, Mojácar Council has installed two large street signs: one in front of the Parque Comercial and another in the area of the old town lift, which show the location of the municipality’s shopping areas and a QR that directs to the trade portal that will be constantly updated and renewed so that both Mojácar residents and visitors can consult the municipality's trade offering, find out about its variety and diversity and choose their purchases in advance.
Commerce is another facet of Mojácar's attractiveness that is not yet sufficiently known, representing a complementary option by therefore expanding the eating out and accommodation offer in the locality.
The campaign will continue throughout the year with the aim of highlighting the importance of Mojácar's trade, and undoubtedly represents a very important step for its strengthening and competitiveness.
This action plan is being carried out through a subsidy being developed through two lines of assistance: promoting investment in the improvement and modernisation of infrastructure and the digital transformation of local trade and craftwork in the municipality, and, additionally, promoting strategic planning, dynamisation and its promotion.
Mojácar Council is carrying out numerous initiatives to support and promote the business community, mainly in the adoption and use of digital technologies. Its use allows traders greater reach, reaching a wider public, improving the customer experience by being more efficient and optimising business management.
The Local Council government team is committed to the digitalisation of commerce, which provides new opportunities and challenges. Adapting to this change and taking advantage of the opportunities offered by digital technology is a necessity in the current trading environment and makes Mojácar a leading municipality in this sector as well.
Mojácar Council continues the improvement works in the municipality's playgrounds
Mojácar Council has put out to tender the supply and installation of sails for the creation of shaded areas in the Cuerva del Lobo, Marina de la Torre and El Palmeral children's playgrounds.
The total investment will be a maximum of 134,555.63 euros, VAT included, and will complement the three playgrounds that last year the Government Team completely remodelled, expanding and improving these children's facilities, leaving them like new and now definitively completed with the shading.
In the playground located in Cueva del Lobo the investment amounts to the maximum amount of 24,502 euros, in Marina de la Torre it will be 51,954 and in the El Palmeral one, 34.7447 euros. VAT has to be added to these amounts.
The projected contract is framed in compliance with the responsibilities that Mojácar Council must provide in accordance with the provisions of article 26 of the Regulatory Law on the bases of local regime, which includes, among others, public parks.
The need to cover children’s playgrounds with shading structures represents a priority for Ana García, councillor for Playgrounds, as well as for Mojácar Council.
Investing in childhood, comments Ana García, is investing in the future, guaranteeing that children can interact with greater freedom and autonomy, enjoying games with each other in a suitable environment.
Playgrounds are important spaces for children's development and recreation. These places not only provide fun and entertainment, they also promote physical activity, outdoor play and social interaction among young people.
Mojácar’s excellent climate makes it possible for the very youngest to enjoy these spaces all year round, however, in the summer, the heat and high temperatures make it difficult and reduce the hours of their use.
Keeping playgrounds in good condition and safe is essential to ensure that they are welcoming and attractive spaces for families and children who use these facilities in Mojácar.
The conditions for companies interested in bidding for these works can be looked up on the public sector contracting platform, carried out through a simplified procedure.
Mojácar joins the "Andalucia Live" Tourist Portal of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain
Mojácar Council has joined the “Andalucía Live” project with the installation of two tourist web cameras through which users who so wish will be able to see live images of the municipality.
The cameras are located on the seafront promenade and in Plaza Nueva, and the images can be accessed through the tourism portal, in the Town Hall and on the website of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain, which is part of this project.
It should be emphasized that these web cameras are of a tourist nature, hence they emit images without identifying people. They promote the destination 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in open spaces which guarantee the privacy of people and homes, complying with the requirements of the Spanish Data Protection Agency.
Andalucía Live is part of a project in which the digital aspect stands out. This experience began in 2021 to serve as a showcase for the tourism and gastronomic promotion of the eight Andalucían provinces.
Among other projects, they are also the exclusive official partner in Andalucía of Skylinewrbcams, the largest webcam portal in the world, with one billion page views in 2023 alone.
In just the tourist portals in operation in different parts of Andalucía there are already close to three million page views per year. To this it has to be added that the “Andalucía Live” webcams are integrated into the aforementioned global live camera portal Skylinewebcams, which has views, through the cameras, of 4,313 cities, spread across 159 countries, including from now on Mojácar.
This tourist portal which Mojácar joins is supported by social media with nearly 100,000 followers on Facebook and it has three YouTube channels, on which it regularly posts videos it produces and edits. They are also present on Twitter and Instagram, without forgetting the media and paper format.
For Mojácar Council, the Tourism Department and its head, María Gracia Alarcón, it represents an important step in the differentiation, innovation and exclusivity of Mojácar, both at provincial and national levels.
At a digital level, it has been shown that the users of these websites build loyalty among potential visitors. According to the organisation, hundreds usually enter daily and many more do so several times a month, either to see the state of the sea or of the beach.
With websites as reference communication channels, it is possible to increase interest in the locality, which is complemented by information and tourism promotion content.
The project is supported by the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain Association and is open to all the municipalities that form part of it, including Mojácar, which is a guarantee of quality and effectiveness.
This initiative is also developed with the backing of all its members’ platforms and media and through advertising agreements, which makes it a unique showcase for the promotion and dissemination of all the tourist content offered by the localities signed up to it.
Mojácar receives a visit from members of the elite unit of the National Police
Mojácar was the meeting point for a group of retired members of the elite unit of the Spanish National Police, more popularly known as GEOS.
Members of the first promotions of the unit, from all parts of the country, specialised in high-risk operations, spent a few days in Mojácar to relax and get to know the locality.
It also served for two special meetings: to meet again with members of the Mojácar Local Police, with whom they worked and established a friendship through their collaboration with the Almería narcotics group, and to once again greet a very special Mojácar resident who they had cause to rescue in the famous robbery of the Central Bank of Barcelona in 1981 when he was one of the hostages that the robbers held kidnapped during the attempted robbery.
More than 20 GEOS and their families were received in the Town Hall meeting room by the Mayor and commanders of the Mojácar Local Police.
In an official act, but one full of emotional and friendly gestures, the mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, welcomed them to the municipality, wishing them an enjoyable stay in Mojácar and recognising the important work they did throughout their years of service.
The spokesperson for the GEOS group, on behalf of his colleagues, presented the mayor with a plaque commemorating their visit as a memento of their time in Mojácar.
He also thanked Pedro Montoya, Chief of the Local Police, and his officers for their collaboration during their joint work in the Almería drug group. Thanks to this joint work, they achieved “important achievements,” as he stated, also presenting a plaque as a memento of this meeting, after 40 years, that Montoya received on behalf of the Local Police.
Finally, and undoubtedly the most emotional speech of the event, was given by the Mojácar resident, Ángel Valero, who was kidnapped in the Central Bank of Barcelona robbery and whose rescuers were in the room.
Very emotional, he recounted his experience in those difficult moments: “I lost six kilos,” highlighting the magnificent actions of this elite unit and that “thanks to them, everything turned out well and they saved our lives.”
Between the exchange of the many anecdotes of that day, the GEOS spokesperson presented Valero with an album with the press clippings that were published about the robbery and that kept the entire country in suspense, filling the front pages of all the media.
Following the event held in the Town Hall meeting room the visitors could take a guided tour of the village’s old town accompanied by an expert from the Tourist Office, who took them around the most emblematic corners and explained the history of the municipality.
Mojácar base for the swearing in of the 22 firefighters joining the Levante Almeriense Consortium
The Levante Almeriense Firefighters Consortium has seen its workforce reinforced with 22 new members. The municipality of Mojácar hosted the swearing in of the firefighters who join the provision of this service in the Levante Almeriense, Almanzora, Los Vélez and the largest municipality in the province: Níjar.
Taking part in the event were the president of the Provincial Council, Javier A. García, as well as the host mayor, Francisco García; the Consortium president, Rosa María Cano, and the head of the Fire Station, Francisco Flores. In addition, the new members’ relatives, their Consortium colleagues, mayors and councillors of the region, as well as the provincial deputies Antonio J. Rodríguez and Ana Lourdes Ramírez attended this emotional event, as did the Health delegate, Juan de la Cruz Belmonte.
The Provincial Council president showed he was moved to be taking part in the swearing in: “This act fills me with pride because I am touched by seeing 22 fighters fulfill their dreams and to be able to share this here today with your families…. But today is above all an important day for the province and the Levante, Almanzora and Los Vélez regions where you will carry out your work because they are going to see reinforced a service that is as basic as it is important for the safety and well-being of the people of Almeria."
Furthermore, Javier A. García recalled that “The three regions in which you are going to work have gone from having a team of 17 firefighters in 2017 to having 68 professionals who, from today, will ensure the safety of our residents. I am sure that you the 68 firefighters of the Levante Consortium will work together as a family and will continue to make this consortium a benchmark for Almería province. For the Provincial Council, our involvement with the Fire Fighting Service in the 103 municipalities is a priority.”
He also guaranteed that "you are going to begin a new stage with a great project ahead, the opening of a station in Níjar with which the Provincial Council will bring this service even closer to the largest municipality in the province." Moreover, he concluded by guaranteeing that "the Almería Provincial Council is the only one in the whole of Andalucía that does not charge local authorities with less than 20,000 inhabitants for providing this service and that, in addition, guarantees the provision of this service in the 103 municipalities of Almeria province.
The Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, expressed his pride in Mojácar for being the host municipality of such an important event for the province and welcomed authorities, firefighters and family members.
After swearing in the 22 members to their new posts, the Consortium president highlighted the great work they do in responding to 180,000 inhabitants and in the summer more than 350,000. Rosa María Cano addressed these new members of the great family of the Levante Firefighters: “The effort has been worth it. After three months you have acquired the experience and knowledge to face difficult situations. I have to ask you not to be good firefighters, but the best. For this, it is essential that you train yourself continuously throughout your new career.”
Likewise, the Station Head, Francisco Flores, highlighted the importance of the work carried out every day by a Consortium that with this incorporation now has 68 members. “Over the past three months, these new firefighters have completed rigorous on-the-job training. They have shown dedication, bravery and commitment to their duty. Today, finally, the day has come for which they have been waiting for so long: the day on which they officially take on their responsibilities as part of our family. I want to highlight the financial effort that our Consortium has made to provide them with this training. Not only have we invested in their training, but we have also backed their continued success.”
Furthermore, he guaranteed that “being a firefighter is not just a job, it is carrying out selfless social work, full of the greatest drive, with the best that a human being has to do things and besides with professionalism. I repeat, a firefighter is not a job, it is a vocation. You cannot do work like ours if you do not have the courage and conviction to always try to guarantee the collective well-being of our citizens, although many times we have to risk our lives to do so."
Mojácar included in a Special Edition of the Michelin and the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain Guide
Michelin Editions, a leading company in the French cartographic market and one of the main companies in the world cartographic market, and the “The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain” Association have released a special edition of the road map of Spain dedicated exclusively to the villages which make up this select national tourism product association.
The map has the usual updated cartographic information, although this time it includes the Association's pictogram that accompanies the name of the 116 villages of which it is currently made up, as well as having an alphabetical index to make the search easier.
Michelin has put on sale the Michelin map that can be bought online or a pack that includes a map and the official 2024 guide to the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain that can orientate and guide travellers along the routes that mark their destination to any of these Spanish villages of guaranteed beauty and quality.
Likewise, Michelin, in its French version, the new “Roadtrips en Espagne” map, dedicated to the Iberian Peninsula, includes and highlights the Association villages with its pictogram.
The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain Association is a Spanish association created in 2011, the date since when Mojácar has belonged as it is one of the founding villages. Its aim is based on the promotion of preferably rural areas, places of great beauty full of history, culture and tradition.
To achieve this, it seeks the involvement not only of the administrations to look after the heritage, but also finds ways of promotion through the media in any of its facets and the different industries related to tourism.
For its part, the French publisher Michelin Éditions du Voyage and its subsidiaries in more than a dozen countries, is one of the market’s oldest and most prestigious European hotel and restaurant guides.
Since its creation in 1900 and its market launch in 1920, it has grown in content and renown until it arrived at awarding its well-known “Michelin Stars” that today are a benchmark in the world of gastronomy, accrediting them as the best in the world.
"Mojácar Cristiana" y "Capitán Garcilaso", winners of the Mojácar´s II national Moorish March Competition
The final of the “Al-Mosaquer” II National Moors and Christians Marches Composition Concert was held in Mojácar, organised by the Mojácar Association of Moors and Christians and Mojácar Council which, in this edition, was dedicated to the Christian march form.
The locality's Municipal Music Band, directed by Miguel Ángel Miranda, performed the four finalist marches: “Bellum Chistianum”, “Daga”, “Deus Vult” and “Tierra del Indalo”.
The jury, present at the concert and following a long deliberation, proclaimed the work titled “Daga” as the winner of this II Composition Concert, awarded 1,000 euros, given by the Al-Mosaquer Association, and composed by Eugenio Llopis. This work will be integrated into the music repertoire at the Moors and Christians festivities under the name “Mojácar Cristiana”.
Second place and awarded 500 euros, given by Mojácar Council, went to “Deus Vult”, composed by Marcos Sánchez Mateos and which will also be incorporated into the festival repertoire under the name “Capitán Garcilaso”.
The names of the winning marches were announced by the jury to the audience following the performance of all the finalists, valuing the originality and quality of the composition within the accessibility of its performance, which will generally be performed in motion, accompanying the parade.
The members of the jury were made up of the “Al-Mosaquer” General Association of Moors and Christians president, Emilio Egea Gea; Mojácar Council Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares; the competition director and Garrucha’s “Ex Mari Orta” Municipal School of Music teacher, Ginés Gallardo Jerez; director of the Mojácar Music Band and teacher at the Mojácar Municipal Music School, Miguel Ángel Miranda; and Andrés Galera Cano, director of the “El Castillo de Serón” Music Band, teacher at the Purchena and Tíjola music schools and member of the Andalusian Federation of Bands (FEDERBAND), Almería Delegation.
With the compositions awarded in this II Composition Competition, the musical repertoire of the Mojácar Moors and Christians Festivities, one of the most important festivals celebrated in the locality, is increasing.
The first edition, in 2022, was dedicated to the Moorish marches, incorporating the composition of its winner, Ángel López Montesinos, under the name “Mora March”.
It is expected that both the Al-Mosaquer Association and Mojácar Council will continue to organise more competitions, enriching the cultural and tourist character, as well as the value, of these festivities, for which the declaration of Tourist Interest of Andalucia is now underway.
It is worth noting that the Mojácar Moors and Christians festivities were celebrated in the 17th century, as a commemoration of the incorporation of the locality into the kingdom of the Catholic Monarchs. Following its loss over time, it was in 1988, on the occasion of the commemoration of the V Centenary of the Capitulations and the Meeting of Two Cultures, when Mojácar recovered its Moors and Christians festivities.
Since then, the event has become an unavoidable event in which an entire town takes part, becoming one of the most important and popular in the whole province.
Mojácar base for the "Classic Motorbikes of the 80s" Association´s "Classics on the Road" Meeting
Mojacar was the meeting point for the group of “Classics On Road” motorbike enthusiasts who chose the locality for the IV Edition of a concentration of lovers of classic motorbikes from the 70s to the end of the 90s.
Over the weekend they went around the locality on their vintage motorbikes to share good times, experience, passion and their love of motorbiking in Mojácar.
They were received in Plaza Nueva by the Sports Councillor, Jesús Montoya, and the Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, to welcome them to the municipality
The more than 40 motorbikes making up the group gathered there, creating a beautiful and incredible image of a Plaza Nueva full of historic motorbikes, all looked after and maintained in a very special way.
Mojácar Council offered them a guided tour of the old town on which they could find out first-hand about the locality’s history and most emblematic points.
In Mojácar they were also able to enjoy a small concert and get to know the surroundings and landscapes that characterise the area. Travelling along roads conducive to the enjoyment of motorbike riding and getting to know a little more about an area that everyone liked.
Classics On Road is defined as a community that connects all those who have in common their passion, memories, dedication, in some cases collecting and always the pleasure of looking at motorbikes, many of them now unique models, from three fantastic decades for motorcycling: 70s, 80s and 90s, all of them fully operational and suitable for use.
“Classics on Road” is the name of the “classic 80s motorcycles” association created to relive and enjoy the years of adventure of the time and bring together people who feel this way, creating a community of classic motorbike enthusiasts and staging meetings in different parts of Spain. With this, not only do people with this common denominator come into contact and enjoy the passion of travelling on secondary roads full of charm, it also promotes culture through getting to know new places.
This IV meeting turned out to be a complete success. There remains on the table the offer to return and learn more about a locality that they described as “full of charm.”
The Mojácar Costa Rítmica Team achieves nine medals in the Final of the Costa de Almeria Cup and is preparing for the Final of the Provincial Circuit
The Mojácar Costarítmica team from the Municipal Sports School continues its meteoric rise to being among the best gymnasts in the province, once again winning numerous medals, this time in the last competition held in Níjar.
In this competed for final, six of the Mojácar Costarítmica teams managed to be medallists. Three more podium places were also achieved by the four participating gymnasts in the individual category
A total of nine more medals are added to the already sizeable record of Costarítmica Mojacar: four gold medals in the “pre-benjamín” (under-8), “benjamín” (under-10), infant and cadet categories; two silver medals, one in the benjamín individual category and the other, also individual, in the infant category, and to complete the podium, two bronze medals: one in the “alevin” (under-12) category and the other in infant 1.
The CUP Costa de Almería circuit season comes to an end with this competition and the result could not be more satisfactory since they are among the best classified in the province
Medals for which they have fought from start to finish, which gives them even more value and gives the scale of the Mojácar rhythmic gymnastics teams’ technical and sporting standing, despite the young age of the gymnasts.
It has to be taken into account that in the practice of this sport, coordination, flexibility and grace are valued, as well as a great deal of discipline, perseverance and teamwork being essential.
For their coach, María del Mar Montoya, the most important thing is that the girls have a happy learning experience and their well-deserved reward after having spent so many months working.
Although the end of the classes at the Mojácar Municipal Sports School is now drawing near, they still have one last effort left. The cadet and infant teams have classified for the regional championship after having won a gold medal in the provincial championship and with it their automatic pass to the regional championship.
The athletes are feeling good and their spirits are high. Let's hope that the result in this Andalucían meeting is equally as good. In any case, it can be said that the 2024 academic year will close with an optimal result, being able to surpass last year's with a total of 24 medals.
Excellent numbers for a team that is showing promise and that will undoubtedly create new fans and encourage the practice of rhythmic gymnastics in Mojácar.
Yet another Year Blue Flags will fly on the Beaches of Mojácar
Mojácar renews the four Blue Flags obtained last year, succeeding in being one of the 10 Almería municipalities that have achieved this distinction.
The Mojácar beaches of El Cantal, El Descargador, Lance Nuevo, Marina de la Torre, Venta del Bancal and Ventanicas have been awarded the Blue Flags awarded annually by the European Foundation for Environmental Education to the beaches and ports which meet the strictest criteria in regard to water quality, environmental management, safety and services, as well as environmental information and education.
Also taken into consideration by the conferring organisation are accessibility for people with reduced mobility, the existence of health care, lifesaving and maritime surveillance.
As has been happening every year, there are actually five beaches in Mojácar awarded the Blue Flag as Venta del Bancal and Ventanicas are two different beaches. The foundation only considers four, as the Venta del Bancal and Ventanicas beaches share the same water sampling point on being named the same bathing area in health terms, although they are really two.
Likewise, these beaches awarded with the Blue Flag also have the “Tourist Quality Commitment” SICTED quality label, which accredits and recognizes compliance with the quality requirements established by the Secretary of State for Tourism with the support of the Spanish Federation. of Municipalities and Provinces, recognising the effort and commitment to the quality and continuous improvement of tourist destinations.
The SICTED Quality Seal is valid for two years, although this is conditional on an annual follow-up evaluation in which the application of the standards established on its platform is guaranteed.
Other recognitions of its quality come from organisations such as The Most Beautiful Towns in Spain, of which Mojácar has been a member since its foundation, and from the Spanish Federation of Family Tourism, the locality being one of the first municipalities in Almería to be recognised by this social entity.
It is important to highlight the work of all the council departments involved in maintaining and improving the beaches' optimal level of use and presenting the high level of quality of all Mojácar’s beaches, which leads to the renewal of all the recognitions they boast, as well as the effort also made by the business tourism sector with which the local authority works together all year round in an essential collaboration to maintain the high level acquired.
Mojácar has 17km of coastline, of which more than eight kilometres correspond to an urban beach area, and of these, more than five kilometres correspond to Blue Flag beaches.
As well as urban beaches, with all the services, Mojácar also has the so-called natural beaches, on which none is use prohibited, where bathers can enjoy bathing in the middle of nature and the magnificent landscapes of the locality.
Among all the services offered by Mojácar’s beaches in this 2024 season, it is worth highlighting the increase in the rescue and lifeguard service that the Beaches Department is expanding each season, making them even safer. Their facilities are also improved to make them more comfortable to use and more accessible to people with reduced mobility.
The German Company ATC Bike promotion brings Motorcyclists from all over the World to Mojácar
The Motor AT Center Andalucía company, with headquarters in Germany, dedicated to sports tourism and the promotion of the motorbike industry, has been in Mojácar promoting its tourist activity from October last year to early May 2024.
The Motor AT Center Andalucía company, with headquarters in Germany, dedicated to sports tourism and the promotion of the motorbike industry, has been in Mojácar promoting its tourist activity from October last year to early May 2024. For seven months, the entire winter season, they have been renewing their clients in Mojácar.
Hence through the Motor AT Center alone, more than 1,500 people have visited the locality and have been able to enjoy the superior qualities of the municipality, the area and the 108 motorbikes, the latest models, from the brands: BMW, Aprilia, Yamaha and TVS, which they have brought to Mojácar for their clients’ use.
Over these months they have used the facilities of the Hotel Marina Playa, part of the Servigroup chain, both for the motorcyclists’ accommodation and for the superb technical facilities the hotel has for the safekeeping of the motorbikes, a repair and charging workshop, in the case of the electric bikes, and being the base of the company’s Delegation in Spain.
It is worth highlighting that among this significant number of visitors coming to Mojácar, there are tourists of 45 different nationalities. The largest group is German travellers, followed by Spaniards, Scandinavians and Europeans in general, although they have also come from the US, Asia, Australia and Africa, which means the locality has become a showcase as a tourist destination for people from all over the world.
The profile of the clients coming to Mojácar corresponds to motorcycling enthusiasts, with an average age of just over 40 and a high purchasing power.
The Motor AT Center company is one of the most important in the sector, having branches on all continents. That its Andalusian headquarters is located in Mojácar is good news and ensures a large-scale winter tourist flow.
Visitors come to the locality and have the opportunity to try the latest motorbikes on the market, from the most prestigious brands, that they find ready in Mojácar so they can try them out.
Once in Mojácar the Motor ATC company clients have several options: to choose which motorbike to use from among the main leading brands as well as their accessories, where they can also select helmets with the latest innovations and suitable clothing with the latest advances in safety; race on the Tabernas circuit, testing the characteristics of the engine of any of the motorbikes put at their disposal or take some tourist routes getting to know the incomparable corners of the area and its cuisine, driving along roads of great beauty and really ideal for enjoying on a motorbike.
All the ATC offers can be taken up, always accompanied by a monitor on any of the activities and who, both on the circuit and on the routes, set out the necessary instructions for the safety of the group and for maximum engine performance.
Consolidating and building loyalty for winter tourism and thereby breaking with seasonality is one of the Local Council's priorities. Work that is being carried out on different fronts and that is already bearing fruit, mainly in the promotion of sports tourism, where the good weather is made the most of and combined with the ideal facilities for the practice of many sports disciplines which the municipality has and Mojácar’s great offer in relation to hospitality, cuisine, free time and leisure.
The collaboration of Mojácar Council, through the Sports Department and its head, Jesús Montoya, already has several of these initiatives, which represents an important pillar in the promotion of Mojácar as an ideal destination at any time of year, and its management model is laying the foundations for breaking with seasonality and turning Mojácar into an unbeatable location to experience 365 days of the year.
Painter and photographer Frank Notteboom exhibits in Mojácar until 26th of may
The “La Fuente” Municipal Art Gallery has opened its doors to the exhibition by the artist Frank Notteboom where, until the 26th of May you can admire this painter’s works created from 2020 to 2023.
Under the slogan “Coast is Clear” or “There are no Moors on the Coast”, Frank Notteboom presents 27 canvases, all done in oil. A window to an imaginary world, in part realistic, in part abstract, in part fantastical, according to the artist, which allows us to check reality against our imagination.
Frank Notteboom was born in the historic city of Ghent, Belgium, although he has lived in Albox since 2019. During his training he worked as an architect, although he never abandoned his activity as an artist. He currently dedicates himself to art alone, mainly to the world of painting and photography.
For Notteboom, the world and art are in constant evolution. For him, the choice to paint is a choice of intimacy, linked to a part of modesty since painting invites the viewer to an honest conversation, a unique personal relationship.
When faced with a blank canvas, the artist confronts a freedom where the laws of reality are subordinated to his existence. He says he chooses themes that he personally and intuitively wants to highlight his emotionality.
In short, an exhibition of great quality that won’t leave visitors indifferent, who, free of charge, will be able to admire the works by the artist Notteboom until the 26th of May.
The “La Fuente” Municipal Art Gallery will be open to the public Monday to Sunday from 10am to 2pm. The artist will be present at the exhibition Saturdays and Sundays at the same time.
Mojácar Council will invest nearly one million euros in infraestructure improvements in the municipality
Mojácar Council plans to undertake works to improve the municipality’s infrastructure and replace road surfaces, as well as on the existing sanitation and supply networks in different streets of the locality.
These works are contemplated in the general budgets for 2024, approved at a plenary session and for an amount of 930,000 euros. The Local Council will carry out these improvement works throughout this year.
The improvements that will be carried out regarding the water supply in Mojácar are essential to guarantee the supply of drinking water, which will significantly contribute to its proper functioning and the sustainable development of the municipality.
On this point, it is important to highlight the importance of correctly checking the drinking water network and repairing damaged pipes if necessary to avoid possible unnecessary losses.
Mojácar Council is very aware of what it means to create efficient management of an increasingly scarce resource such as water.
This guarantees the conservation of the natural environment, addressing climate change through the implementation of adapted and sustainable infrastructure, as well as maintaining the quality of life now enjoyed in Mojácar.
The road surfacing is a fundamental part of the improvement works in the municipality's infrastructure, mainly in urban areas, depending on the specific needs of each street.
The quality of its streets’ surfaces not only affects the mobility and accessibility of residents and visitors, but also road safety and the aesthetics of the surroundings.
As well as improving the road surfacing, improving or incorporating elements for water management and preserving its quality will be studied.
Without doubt, the purpose of these works planned by Mojácar Council is not only to improve the services offered to citizens, but also to contribute to the tourist development of the locality, offering visitors a sustainable and quality environment.
The Mojácar indoor football team will represent Almería in the Andalucía indoor football youth cup
The “Mojácar Indoor Football” team will in its first year represent Almería in the Andalucía Cup in the indoor football youth category.
Despite competing for a short time, the Mojácar indoor football team is achieving the best rankings, both in the Andalucía Championship and the Almería Cup and is among the top places in the youth category.
In their debut as a team, they are already included in the Andalucía Championship that will be held on the 10th, 11th and 12th of May in La Carlota, Córdoba, representing Almería.
This classification came thanks to two well-deserved victories and their good work in winning the league playoffs, eliminating Alhama de Almería with a score of 4-3 in the first leg and 1-3 in the second leg of the double-match semi-finals. The Mojácar team only lost one match and by a narrow victory of one goal, but it gave them a place in the championship on obtaining the best result of all the Almería teams aiming to compete in the Andalucía Cup.
At the same time, they are playing in the Almería Cup, with an undisputed first place in the league table and six points to their credit in just the two fixtures played so far.
They are on a winning streak of eight matches and only one defeat with a tight score of 3-4. A record that gives an idea of the high level of the Mojácar players and their unstoppable trajectory despite their short experience in competition.
Their coaches couldn't be more pleased with the trajectory of their young team. Just one year and they are already achieving great success.
For their coach, Appel Laiche, “things are going very well” and he wants to thank for their support Mojácar Council; the Sports Councillor, Jesús Montoya; the manager and the monitors.
The team is part of the Municipal Sports School, a new discipline, created with a lot of effort, with the backing of the sports department for a category that had never been officially practiced in Mojácar and which therefore has started from scratch.
One fact demonstrates its meteoric move forward: initially Mojácar Indoor Football started with only seven players and today the team has increased to 16.
Their objective is focused on finishing first in the Almería Cup and winning the Andalucía Championship, bringing both trophies to Mojácar.
Both their coaches and the players feel very ready to achieve this. They’re not lacking in enthusiasm and good play.
Mojácar Council and the Sports Department are to be congratulated on the results obtained in their sports management, as their Municipal Sports School is proving to be the talent pool for teams which, in different disciplines, are putting the locality’s sports among the top in the province.
Mojácar Council presents its new tourist campaign and award the 2024 Gold Indalo at a well-attended event at the Cosentino City Madrid facilities
Mojácar Council has presented its 2024 tourism promotion campaign and the award of the City's Gold Indalo at Cosentino City Madrid.
Joining the Mojácar Mayor Francisco García and his government team, were the provincial deputy, Juan Martinez, and the Tourism Delegate, Juan José Alonso, who had responsibility for presenting the Gold Indalo and the three special mentions, as well as deputies, senators and prominent national and provincial politicians.
There was also no shortage of journalists, many well-known faces from TV and the audiovisual world, and from the arts and literature among the large audience which more than filled the extraordinary Cosentino City Madrid facilities that provided the perfect setting for such a special afternoon for Mojácar.
The event was opened on behalf of the Cosentino group by Álvaro de la Haza, executive vice president, who welcomed the attendees in the name of his company and highlighted the rise of Mojácar in recent times.
For his part, Mojácar Mayor Francisco García highlighted that both the Gold Indalo and the three special mentions awarded on the night correspond to the commitment, dedication, affection and promotion of our land, highlighting the excellence of the destination Mojacar.
The Mayor gave a brief summary of the trajectory of Mojácar since its beginning as a tourist municipality, of its vocation from the beginning to progressing without losing its essence and uniqueness, preserving its environment, its architecture, its history and its traditions until it became the municipality of recognised international prestige that it is today.
Its cosmopolitan character comes from the hundreds of artists and important figures who have chosen Mojácar as a gathering point for modernity and the intellectuality of the moment, Francisco García stressed.
Currently, the Mayor stated, Mojácar supports the three fundamental pillars of sustainability: social, environmental and economic, for which they have wanted to promote a participatory and collaborative process in which not only business people but also provincial and regional administrations will be involved.
The new campaign that Mojácar will represent throughout this year bases its strategy on the slogan “Your Best Moment is Living It”, which calls attention to society's newly acquired habit of paying more attention to the camera, the mobile, of travelling across the target and of using your time releasing a shutter.
This campaign invites us to look up and enjoy everything that Mojácar offers us to experience, enjoy and to be present with all our senses.
An attempt has been made to reach all sectors and profiles who can find what they are looking for in Mojácar: from young people, families, older people with less of a relationship with technology, or those looking for active tourism and sports. For this, marketing material has been created that includes different formats that make up the campaign: photographic format, audiovisual production and cinematographic quality ads that will be distributed between headers for websites, social media, outdoor advertising, online pages, press, etc.
A campaign that has also been created in English for the international market.
It has already been launched in the national markets, including trams, local and regional TV, screens in cities, press, Mupis, social media, among many others.
After watching the video that sums up the spirit of what will be the promotion of Mojácar in 2024.
At this same event and after a short pause, the 2024 “City of Mojácar” Gold Indalo was presented to the Almería journalist Isabel Jiménez, which was given to her by the Mayor, Francisco García, as well as special “City of Mojácar” mentions to the singer and composer Vanesa Martin in the Art and Culture category, who received the distinction from Provincial Deputy José Juan Martínez, to the University of Granada Memolab UGR biocultural archaeology laboratory in the History and Heritage category, given by the Junta de Andalucía Tourism Delegate Juan José Alonso Bonillo, and finally to the El Puntazo tourist complex in the Local Business and Tradition category, presented by the Tourism Councillor María Gracia Alarcón.
After the awards had been given out a cocktail was offered to all those invited to the presentation, which took place with lively chat and contact with professionals from the sector, concluding the programme planned by Mojácar Council for such an important day for the municipality.
Mojácar celebrates World Book Day with different activities throughout the week
Mojácar Council, through the Culture Department, has celebrated World Book Day with different activities that began with a meeting at the Mojácar Public Library on the 23rd, as well as other activities organised for the 27th of April on the seafront with a reading marathon, at which extracts of “Don Quixote” will be read by all those who want to join in with this initiative, as well as lettering workshops given by María Ángeles Fernández, an illustration workshop run by the Daniel Zapata Academy, “Dojo Almería”, and a cap design and painting workshop headed by “El Mundo del Bicho Verde”.
All these proposals will be on the 27th of April from 11am to 1pm on the Mojácar beachfront promenade and anyone interested in taking part in any of these activities must register through the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScz7rQNKgec_G-hHzxvqSuCqJrT5sPHarMCXpzZuHZhekmtpw/viewform?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1VCLKYlhZ2P7TeuIby5uROHwOQLW1_92efc3IO0SXjBwwolqLFZtvIIEk_aem_AWI4B75-LMc48dhIyOoM8g4pFAIBMn-g81s_BrYDoPxNNPM1KQubKBL-PUDuook1Sx47gpNgF0Rhmluw8IYsJA6r
The first of the activities created by the Culture Department began last February with the proposal “The Lost Book.”
Under this slogan and in preparation for World Book Day, seven copies of “Stories to Think About” by author Jaime Bucay were distributed around different parts of the municipality.
Interested residents had to find the copies, read them and go along to a subsequent meeting at the Municipal Library, coinciding with World Book Day and discuss their reading, comment on their feelings or whatever they thought pertinent within the world of literature.
Culture Councillor Noemí Linares was at this event at the Municipal Library, acting as moderator and raising some current issues in relation to reading and its author.
For this first “Lost Book”, the Local Council proposed the reading of “Stories to Think About”, a compilation of 26 stories that make us reflect on some of our actions that many times we do without thinking about their consequences and aim to make us become aware of how we behave with our fellow human beings.
Jorge Bucay is a very well-known Argentinean writer and therapist, recognised for his self-help and self-improvement books, which have made him one of the best-selling authors in Spain and Argentina in his genre.
A very satisfactory gathering, with the readers who found the copy of “Stories to Think” attending. A great initiative that not only encourages reading, debate and reflections on what the authors say, but also offers the opportunity to meet and make contact with other reading enthusiasts who may not have had the opportunity to meet each other.
For Culture Councillor Noemí Linares this first experience and this meeting with the municipality's readers was very satisfactory, reaffirming municipal support for all activities related to books, reading and readers.
Hence, along this line of support for culture in any of its forms, Mojácar Council has created other initiatives such as the “Literary Space”, that is bringing to the locality the most important authors of Spanish literature, as is the case so far, with Carmen Mola, Julia Navarro and Lorenzo Silva, without forgetting the gatherings with filmmakers, painting exhibitions and the creation of a future museum that will bring together numerous works created in the locality.
The 2024 III Mojácar Short Film Competition closes with the presence of the actor Jaime Riba
The III Short Film Competition in Mojácar, bringing together Almería filmmakers in a conference, which for this edition was held in the locality between the 12th and 20th of April at the Multi-Uses Centre, has come to a close.
Around 700 people were able to enjoy the interesting offer that the competition offered, whether viewing the short films or taking part in the master classes held during the gathering.
One of the many novelties of this year’s Mojácar Short Film competition was the extension of the screenings of the short films: at 9pm and 11pm, to be able to be viewed by those spectators who for reasons of work could not attend. The step was very well received and the Multi-Uses Centre was filled to capacity at both sessions.
Attending the closing was the Junta de Andalucía’s Tourism, Culture and Sports delegate in Almería, Juan José Alonso, the Mojácar mayor, Francisco García, accompanied by members of his government team, as well as the competition director, Antonio Casado, directors, actors, members of the short film production teams and a large audience.
Francisco García pointed out the creation, innovation and passion the professionals achieve through short “but impactful” stories. He also wanted to make special mention of the pupils of the Mojácar schools, Bartolomé Flores Public School and Rey Alabez Institute, for their excellent work in the short films made, “demonstrating the talent of the young people of Mojácar.”
In reference to the celebration of the Mojácar short film competition, the mayor described it as “an excellent showcase of the world of cinema, also a platform to publicise the diversity of voices and perspectives of our cinematographic panorama.”
The mayor wanted to highlight and pay tribute to all the people involved in the world of cinema who, with their work, give us “works of art” that represent a “window to new opportunities to connect on a deeper level.”
On this last day there was the presence of the guest of honour, Jaime Riba, who addressed the audience, recalling his beginnings in theatre and in Vera's musicals.
Today Jaime Riba is a renowned actor who has been in highly successful series such as “Centro Médico”, “Caronte” and “La que se avecina”. Throughout this weekend, he had the opportunity to again go around the streets of Mojàcar which he knows well from his childhood and was received at the Town Hall by the Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, and to sign the Town Hall's Book of Honour. At the closing gala, he was presented by the mayor with a marble Indalo handcrafted for the occasion.
In addition, a diploma was awarded to the 15 directors of the short films which took part in this competition.
Satisfaction was in the air due to the success of this third edition, now thinking about 2025 and a more than promising future for this initiative that gets better every year and takes a well-deserved position in the cinematographic panorama of the province.
The procedure begins to declare the Mojácar Moors and Christians Festivity of Andalucía tourist interest
Mojácar Council and the Al-Mosaquer General Association of Moors and Christians have initiated the necessary procedures with the Junta de Andalucía to make the locality’s Moors and Christians festivity of Andalucian tourist interest.
To this end, the Mojácar mayor, Francisco García, the Festivities councillor, Jesús Montoya and the Al-Mosaquer General Association president, Emilio Gea, together with the presidents and representatives of all the Mojácar associations, met in the Town Hall meeting room to sign their support for the request.
A support they have not only through the 10 associations in Mojácar, but also from an entire village that gets involved in this festivity, one of the most important celebrated in the municipality throughout the year.
Once the conditions requested by the Junta de Andalucía have been more for it to be of tourist interest, the Local Council opens the file that will be sent to the Andalucían Government, to the Regional Tourism Ministry, once approved in a plenary session.
The formal signing ceremony by the associations was opened by the Al-Mosaquer general association president, who thanked those present for their support and gave a brief summary of what the festivity has been like over these 36 years in which it has been improving and consolidating, not only among local residents. Today it is a benchmark in the province and attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world who do not want to miss the three days of celebration, becoming an unmissable date on the festive calendar.
For his part, the mayor, Francisco García, thanked the entire village for its collaboration in this important act to achieve the nomination of Festival of Regional Tourist Interest and expressed his conviction that with this support and the real consolidation of these festivities, it will be possible to achieve and that it is the first step in a further move forward that will be of great importance for the municipality.
The declaration of Tourist Interest of Andalucía constitutes a recognition awarded by the Junta de Andalucía, through the Tourism Regional Ministry, to highlight the richness, variety and uniqueness of the Andalucían heritage, highlighting those tourist resources that have a tourism significance in terms of demand and that stand out for their contribution to the development that makes up the tourist image of Andalucía.
There is no doubt that the Mojácar Moors and Christians Festivity, in its long journey of celebrations and in its undeniable improvements year after year and increase in participation, as well as the involvement of an entire village that works an entire year on its organisation, will become part of the list of the Andalucía Festivals of Tourist Interest on its own merits.
Mojácar Council will officially present its tourist campaign and present the gold Indalo 2024
Mojácar Council will officially present its Tourism 2024 promotion campaign on the 25th of April 25 at the Cosentino City Madrid facilities, which will be attended by national and international tourism companies, the media, public administrations and various public figures.
At the same event and following a short break, the 2024 “City of Mojácar” Gold Indalo will be awarded to the Almería journalist Isabel Jiménez, as well as “City of Mojácar” special mentions to the singer and composer Vanesa Martin in the Art and Culture category; to the University of Granada Memolab UGR biocultural archaeology laboratory in the History and Heritage category and finally, to the El Puntazo tourist complex in the Local Business and Tradition category.
The new Mojácar tourism campaign, which will be released for the first time on the 25th, will be responsible for promoting the locality in the next tourism campaign.
Under the slogan: “Your Best Moment is to Live It”, Mojácar wants to give a nod to the increasingly widespread trend of capturing images and moments for social media instead of living and enjoying all the excellence that, in this case Mojácar offers to the visitor. A call to enjoy the landscapes, experiences, to fully enjoy free time, the cuisine, its beaches, its walks, its history and leisure.
The Mojácar 2024 slogan, “Your Best Moment is to Live It”, has already been presented at the last International Tourism Fair, achieving great acceptance for its originality despite only offering a small sample of what the full campaign will be: a video which shows, among other surprises, impressive views, corners and enclaves of Mojácar. It will also have posters and extensive promotional material that will not leave anyone indifferent.
The presentation event, which will take place in the incomparable setting of Cosentino City Madrid, especially decorated for such an important occasion, will consist of three parts.
It will start with the welcome by the locality’s mayor, Francisco García, to all attendees and the presentation of the campaign with the viewing of the promotional video. Following the presentation of the campaign, the “City of Mojácar” special mentions and the Gold Indalo 2024 will be awarded.
Finally, it is planned to offer a cocktail when it will be possible to make contact with professionals and exchange opinions about the campaign. Networking with companies and guests that will complete the programme organised for the presentation.
A day that Mojácar Council is organising meticulously and with many surprises in store.
The Mojácar Rhythmic Gymnastics Team continues winning medals
The Mojácar Municipal Rhythmic Gymnastics Team has taken part in the final of the Almería Provincial Council Rhythmic Gymnastics Promotion Circuit held in Balanegra, Berja, with excellent scores, as we have now got used to.
The Mojácar team have ended up champions of Almería and with a gold medal in the Cadet and Infant 2 categories: Nina Hernández, silver medallist and Almería 2024 runner-up in the ball category; Sara Pérez, gold medallist, champion of Almería in the youngest category, hands-free, and Pilar Flores, bronze medallist, third in Almería, youngest category hands-free.
Both their coaches and the team are happy with the results and the journey so far. A path that, according to their coach, is important “for learning and continually improving.” A start to the season full of successes in which they are reaping the rewards of the effort made by everyone and which put the Mojácar Rhythmic Gymnastics team in a commendable position and paving their way in the recognition of being among Almería’s best rhythmic gymnastics teams.
The two winning teams, Cadet and Infant 2, have qualified for the regional final that will take place on the 18th of May. If they make it onto the podium again, these teams will go up to the promising category and will be federated to be able to take part next year in the Andalucian competitions.
For María del Mar Montoya, their coach, and for the team, there is not much time for celebrations. On the 27th of April 27, in Vícar, the Costarítmica Almería league begins, where last year they also won numerous medals in all the categories.
Their coach wants to highlight everyone's work and stress the collaboration of the parents, who are "the ones who bring the girls to train every day and the ones who make an effort to accompany and encourage their daughters every competition weekend." She also wants to thank Mojàcar Council for its support of this sports project that, within the Municipal Sports School, offers the opportunity to the municipality’s children and young people to practice sports and train within the values that their practice offers.
Moving exhibition at the Mojácar " La Fuente " Municipal Art Centre
The Municipal “La Fuente” Art Centre is currently hosting perhaps one of the most special exhibitions held so far.
It features the wrought iron works by one of the most beloved characters in the municipality: Cristóbal, “the smith of Mojácar” who shares the hall with painter Anika “La Francesa”, and the floral art of Inmaculada.
Three artistic manifestations created with completely different materials, that range from the most solid such as iron, through to the adaptability of oil and acrylic and to the most subtle and delicate, as are flowers. They are united by beauty, their craftsmanship and the care that is expressed in their works and that, regardless of any consideration, it can be said that it is possible to dream of just expressing your feelings through any material.
Cristóbal “The Smith”, at his great age, 84, continues working the forge in a traditional way. It would not be wrong to say that there is no house in Mojácar that does not have some element that came from his forge: indalos, iron bars, anything that is made of iron is very likely to have passed through his hands.
The trade comes from the family, from those times when the smith was indispensable in the countryside, in shoeing horses, household tools and in many other things of daily life.
Today Cristóbal no longer works due to his age but he keeps the fire in his forge burning, creating works that he transforms into sculptures with objects from the mythical 1960s Mojácar and that take on new life, at the same time as taking you back to that time. Although he knows how to transform into art, with great precision and originality, everything that comes into his hands.
Annick Lagarrigue, Milacku, as an artistic name, and Anika “the Frenchwoman”, as it states on the exhibition poster and as known in Mojácar, lived in the Canary Islands for 37 years. She has lived in Mojácar for a year and a half and with her paintings, mostly acrylics, masterfully using the palette knife, she wanted to join in with this small tribute to Cristóbal.
The paintings she presents in this exhibition have been created inspired by the work of the Mojácar smith, Cristóbal, as the artist explains: “from his sculptures made with objects that are more than 50 years old, an exclusive and inspiring work that has marked my palette knife for this show.”
The counterpoint is provided by the beauty of floral art, the essence of nature gathered in her work as a designer, where flowers are her main subject. Natural flowers or masterfully included in her compositions.
She has been living in the area for a short while, surrounded by nature, from where she gets much of the inspiration for her compositions that encompass a great number of possibilities. From the decoration of an event, a wedding to the decoration of a home, clothing, fashion accessories or whatever the client proposes.
Her work, as well as being admired in this exhibition at the Mojácar Municipal Art Centre, can also be admired on Facebook, on her page “Esencia de Imna”, where you can also get in contact with her.
Visits to this moving exhibition is free and it can be visited from Monday to Sunday, from 10am to 2pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays also from 5-8 pm.
III Mojácar Short Film Conference 2024
From the 12th to the 20th of April, the III Mojácar Short Film Conference 2024 will be held in Mojácar, an annual gathering dedicated to all Almeria film professionals who will return to the locality for this edition.
The III Mojácar Short Film Conference is organised by JaG Dreams and AKasado Producciones, in collaboration with Mojácar Council, the Almería Provincial Council and the Junta de Andalucía, as well as numerous sponsoring and collaborating companies.
Throughout the week Mojácar will become a film set and the meeting point for filmmakers and professionals from the world of cinema with all the enthusiasts of the world of the Seventh Art.
Over these days, the screening of the 15 short films made in Almería and that have been selected from among the numerous short films presented in the contest is scheduled, screenings which will be held at the Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre, where all the activities planned for this conference will take place.
There will also be the opportunity to attend a Master Class on Sound in Cinema, given by the experienced sound engineer, Carlos Fernández Tablada, senior sound technician and graduate in Audiovisual Communication at the University of San Pablo, CEU, studying for two years for a PhD in Film Analysis, Theory and Documentation at the Complutense University. He has made numerous short films, feature films and documentaries over his professional career, heading both direct sound and production.
You can also enjoy another OST Master Class given by composer David Miralles, teacher and composer of music for film, theatre, educational projects and recordings. He is the group “Juego Prohibido” singer, guitarist and composer. His Master Class will be related to film soundtracks.
There will be no lack of interesting debate, open to the public, with different film technicians and artists about current cinematography in Almería province, as well as an exhibition of their own experiences.
This third edition of Mojácar short films is much more comprehensive than in previous years. This time you can see the work done by the pupils of the Bartolomé Flores Mojácar Public School and this same locality’s IES Rey Alavez Institute.
You will also be able to see the screening of the short film from the 2024 guest institute, the IES Campos de Níjar; there will be an exhibition of film posters made by the Bartolomé Flores centre pupils; the creation of a film set in Plaza Nueva; the presentation of this year's guest artist, Jaime Riva, and other cinema surprises that the organisation does not yet want to reveal.
The guest artist, Jaime Riva, began his artistic career very young in theatre and musicals at the Vera Art Festivals, where he was already standing out regarding his future profession.
He graduated in acting from the Madrid Higher School of Dramatic Art of Madrid, RESAD, where he combined work and studies, starting to appear in small audiovisual works.
After graduating, he began his professional career working on top musicals such as “Una Corona para Claudia” and “Los Futbolismos”, premiered at the legendary Latina theatre in Madrid, among many other relevant works.
In the world of television, he has appeared in series such as “Centro Médico”, “Caronte” and the most recent and best-known, “La que se avecina”, in which he has remained for three seasons.
The Mojácar Theatre Group "Aquelarre" receives an award at the II edition of the Manuel Galiana Theatre awards
The Aquelarre theatre group from Mojácar has been awarded the “Manuel Galiana” Almería theatre award in its second edition in the category of Best Set Design, created by Montese Soler and Joaquín Sáez.
“Aquelarre” was taking part in this festival for the first time, as its incorporation into the Almería Amateur Theatre Federation (FEALTA) was very recent, obtaining its prize from among the different groups from other municipalities in the province that were also competing for this distinction.
FEALTA's objectives are to promote performances, create circuits and training activities, as well as promotional activities, and help amateur theatre productions in Almería province.
The II Manuel Galiana Almería Theatre Awards Gala was held at the Cervantes Theatre in Almería, with the aim also of celebrating International Theatre Day. They enjoy a well-deserved prestige within the world of theatre, and the awards ceremony is always well received, representing a recognition of the dedication, good work and collaborative spirit of the province’s theatre community.
. The Aquelarre theatre group started 10 years ago, the first play they performed being El Indalo Mensajero” (The Indalo Messenger), involving actors, dancers, a band and technicians - nearly 100 people.
It is currently made up of 18 actors, the youngest 15 years old and the oldest 84, with two plays on the bill. Just a few weeks ago they premiered one of them in Mojácar, “Milagro en el Convento de Santa María Juana” (Miracle in the Santa María Juana Convent) which as ever was a great success for attendance and greatly applauded by the public.
Among their future projects is the staging of “La Pasión de Cristo” (The Passion of Christ), which they want to premiere for Easter Week in 2025, an original version with live songs.
Rehearsals will also shortly begin for another work, “La Dama del Río Aguas” (The Lady of the River Aguas”, based on a legend about the river with the same name and which goes through Mojácar and Piedra Villazar.
Two Mojácar Locals, Abellán and Hussing, proclaimed Champions of the Maroc Challenge 2024
Two Mojácar locals, Miguel Abellán and Lucas Hussing, have gained victory in the 21st edition of the Maroc Challenge, in the Adventure TT3 category, held between the 22nd and 30th of March in Morocco.
The Abellán-Hussing team, “Mojácar Raid”, was proclaimed undisputed champion on reaching Lake Yasmina, arrival of Spring 2024, together with the charismatic Erg Chebbi and having carried out all the tests flawlessly and without accumulating any penalty.
One hundred and seventy teams took part in an edition characterised by the novelty of the fact that some of the routes had never been used for this race. According to the organisation, the designed itinerary was very demanding and technical, going through some completely new areas.
The toughness increased even more with adverse weather that complicated the route for the drivers due to the lack of visibility, sand and wind, seriously making driving difficult for the drivers and even the navigation systems.
For Mojácar Raid it was the first official race they have taken part in, although their passion has for some time led Abellán and Hussing to practice and develop their expertise. They also needed to find the right competition “with a little more challenge” and “more racing” for their baptism as rally drivers, according to Miguel Abellán.
Very commendable work, even more so taking into account that it was carried out with only the basic equipment required by international regulations on this type of sporting event, with their vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser 100, although with great enthusiasm and much eagerness.
The Maroc Challenge is a Dakar-style trial, in fact it is usually planned following many of its routes and is organised as it was in the early days of this famous rally, only with an affordable budget for drivers and teams that do not have the fantastic infrastructure and hype of the Dakar, even though it remains a relevant event within the world of the raids.
For Miguel Abellán it was a really good experience. Although he confesses that he was “psyched to win,” it is still the first time that he has competed and that he has achieved a victory that “took a while to absorb.” It was only on the way back, with the congratulations of professional rally drivers, as well as of “people with a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge of this world”, that they started to be conscious of their great work.
Work of endurance, six days through the desert, accomplishing everything that was demanded of them, including “not racing anymore, which was sometimes difficult” and being rigorous with schedules and protocols.
The next event could be in this same Maroc Challenge race, in its winter edition, which they could attend as the winners. There are also other new aims such as the “1000 Dunes” raid; this time it would be on a motorbike, which is without doubt a great sporting challenge that is also held in Morocco, between the 19th and 26th of October and that also takes place throughout this country’s desert. Likewise, the “Real Way To Dakar” could be another objective that is done on motorbikes and in cars.
For the moment, the name of Mojácar, along with those of Abellán and Hussing, have been engraved, in gold letters, at the top of this competition. It remains to wait for new opportunities, some sponsors, always necessary and to those who would be open, as well as wishing them a lot of luck for their next rally.
The Mojácar Municipal Rhythmic Gymnastics Team qualifies for the final of the Provincial Circuit
The Mojácar Rhythmic Gymnastics team continues to achieve success in every competition in which its students take part.
On this occasion the event was in Garrucha, in the locality’s Vista Alegre pavilion, and the objective the first contest of the Almería Provincial Council’s Rhythmic Gymnastics Promotion Circuit.
Our gymnasts’ classification was excellent. Of the nine teams presented, eight have gone on to the final and of the four individuals who went to Garrucha, three have qualified.
As well as the classification for the final by most of the teams and the gymnasts of the Mojácar team, they brought home seven medals: silver for the “alevin” (under-12) team and for Pilar Aguado in the “benjamin” (under-10) individual category; three gold for the benjamin and cadet teams and for Nina Hernández as an individual, as well as two bronze, which were obtained in mini-baby and in individual benjamin for Sara Fresno.
A competition that, in the words of their coach, María del Mar Montoya, was very tough as on the circuit organised by the Provincial Council they come up against the best teams from Almería in all the categories and in which they competed, in each one, against 25 teams from different parts of the province.
Very well-deserved medals that are the result of the effort they make year-round with the help of their coach: “We are very happy and proud of the work of the entire team, both the coaches and the girls.”
With almost no time to savour success, the final will be on the 14th of April in Balanegra, in Berja, where our girls will, for sure, also gain excellent results.
Nevertheless, there remain important aims on the Mojácar municipal rhythmic gymnastics team’s calendar. 2024 will be the year in which they will try to be at the Andalucian Championship next year and take part again in the Costa de Almería Cup organised by the EDM Costarítmica.
The students of the Mojácar rhythmic gymnastics team, part of the Municipal Sports School, have successfully started the 2024 competition season.
The Mojácar team has seen a great evolution since its creation three years ago. From the 20 girls with whom María del Mar Montoya started working, it has reached more than 70 students on this course, with ages ranging from three years old for the youngest to 15 for the oldest, which has made it necessary to take on another coach to work with Marimar, as she is affectionately known by her pupils.
These young athletes began preparing for the season in October last year, following two open days on which many of those interested went along to the sports hall to find out about the activities, days and routines the gymnasts will keep throughout the course.
The team ended the previous season with a staggering winning record. A total of 24 medals for a team that is beginning to have deserved consideration in the world of rhythmic gymnastics and in which the ceiling for successes and medals is yet to be defined, but which will, without a doubt, be very high.
“The last one to turn off the light" will be performed in Mojácar by Emma Ozores
Mojácar Council’s Culture Department has organised a complete offer of activities that begins in April and which will continue until the end of August and on which virtually every day there are different proposals for experiencing and enjoying Mojácar year-round.
This extensive programme of activities begins with theatre as the focus. Next Friday 5th of April 5 at 8.30pm, and at the Multi-Uses Centre, the curtain opens on one of the most important works of comedy to have been staged in recent years in Spain.
“El último que apague la luz” (The last one to turn off the light), an original work by Antonio Ozores and starring Emma Ozores and Rubén Torres, will be in Mojácar after having achieved great success in the Spanish capitals’ most important theatres.
A comedy for all audiences, where the spectator will feel reflected in different situations, and at times, will be part of the work. It addresses timeless themes: the different ways of attracting the opposite sex according to each one's personality: a shy person, an intellectual…. It also raises the theme of jealousy in a couple, infidelity and divorce and many more aspects in which as the work progresses the spectator's imagination participates and is integrated through humour.
The well-known actress Emma Ozores, daughter of the also well-known Antonio Ozores, has taken part in nearly all the successful television series, such as “Farmacia de Guardia”, “La Casa de los Líos” and “Aquí no hay quien viva”, as well as in the legendary television contest “Un, Dos, Tres”. She has done than 160 films and 200 theatre plays. She has gained many awards and recognitions throughout her long professional career, including the Ojo Crítico Award for best actress for her performance in this play, “El último que apague la luz”, and the 2010 National Award for best comedy.
Rubén Torres is known for his work as an actor, screenwriter and professional stand-up. He has also taken part in well-known TV series such as “Aguila Roja”, “Yo soy Bea” or “Cuéntame como paso”, among others.
Theatre always finds a preferential space in Mojácar. The Culture Department, in addition to the theatre cycle that always takes place in November, opens space all year round for this performing art that is always very well received by residents and visitors.
It’s no wonder that Mojácar was the first municipality in Almería province with its own theatre. The Teatro Aquelarre, founded by Ginés Carrillo, was the stage for an entire village that took part, in one way or another, in every performance. Today it has a theatre group with the same name “Aquelarre”, and which brings together the following generations that were already performing at the beginning of the 20th century and the performances of which are always well received both in Mojácar and in the province.
The Mojácar Al -Mosaquer Moors and Christians Association announces the VI Poster Contest for the 2024 festivities
The Mojácar Al-Mosaquer Moors and Christians Association has made public the rules for the VI Moors and Christians Poster Contest for the 2024 edition.
Anyone who wishes to take part can do so with a maximum of three originals that must be unpublished. The poster's theme must be fundamentally based on any of the various representative aspects of the Mojácar Moors and Christians Festivities.
The works can be created in any technique the artist considers, according to their form of artistic expression, but in such a way that they can be reproduced, without any difficulty, in four-color printing and taking into account that the dimensions of the posters will be 50 x 70 cm, without a margin and vertical. The obligatory text, that can be freely set out on the poster, will be: “Moros Y Cristianos 2024”.
The submitted works must not be signed and must be sent to the email almosaquer@gmail.com or via WeTransfer to the same email, indicating in an attached text file personal details such as name, nationality, date of birth, DNI or NIE, passport, mobile phone and email address.
As is obligatory, the board is committed to the responsible and legal use of all data provided and its destruction, if applicable, always respecting current legislation.
Receipt of the works is established in principle at until the 8th of April 8 at 00:00. A single prize of 300 euros has been set and the jury will be made up of professionals and amateurs, selected by the Al-Mosaquer Association, who on the 9th of April will choose the three finalist posters from among all the works presented.
The competition winner will be chosen from among the three finalist posters by popular vote via social media, through which everyone can choose their favourite. The voting period is established at between the 9th and 22nd of April. The winner will be officially announced on the 23rd.
The originals of the winning work and those selected by the jury will make up part of an exhibition that the Association will stage in Mojácar municipality.
In the last edition, the Al-Mosaquer Association’s call to take part was a great success with 25 works presented.
The poster for the 2023 Moors and Christians Festival was created by Tara Lassey, an artist of British origin who, with 59.26% of the votes cast through social media, gained her work being the image of that year.
Tara Lassey, born in West Yorkshire, has lived with her family in Mojácar for many years.
The "La Borriquilla" procession begins Mojácar´s Easter Week religious acts
Mojácar will begin its Easter Week religious acts with the Procession of the Borriquilla (young donkeys) and the Blessing of the Palms, which will take place at 11am in the Plaza del Caño, at the City Gate, an emblematic point of the old town and the original entrance to the municipality through there was entry to Mojácar, crossing the wall that centuries ago protected it.
The Santa María Church Parish Priest, together with the children who will take their first communion this year and all those who wish to do so, will move to the City Gate, where he will proceed to bless the palms and olive branches that numerous residents and visitors will carry in commemoration of the entry of Jesus into Nazareth.
The traditional donkey procession will also take place, which always raises great interest as it is a live representation of this historical event.
On Holy Monday, 25th of March, at 10am, Holy Mass will be celebrated in the Santa María Parish Church.
On Tuesday 26th of March the departure of the Stations of the Cross will take place at 9.30pm from the Santa María Parish Church, going around the different streets of the village, carried by “costaleras” (bearers), and accompanied by the prayers of residents and visitors who will escort it the whole way.
On Holy Thursday, at 6.30pm., the “in Coena Domini” Holy Mass will begin, following the papal bull proclaimed by Pope Urban V to, at 10.30pm, begin the procession of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Nazarene, and the Virgin of Sorrows, which will also go around the streets of the old town traditionally accompanied by the local mayor, Francisco García, his government team and local authorities as well as numerous residents and visitors.
On Good Friday 29th of March at 12 midday The Encounter Procession begins, one of the most beautiful that takes place in Mojácar, enjoying great popularity since it was recovered from tradition and in this faith and meditation have their greatest exponent.
For the Procession of the Encounter, the Virgin, with a black cloak, and her son, The Nazarene, leave the Santa María Parish Church and direct their steps along different routes throughout the old town, wrapped in a sepulchral silence, both accompanied by the candlelight of the faithful who accompany them.
The Plaza del Caño is the meeting point where the Virgin awaits him and the bearers of the Nazarene, before his mother, make the “three falls” while everyone sings the Salve Mojaquera with great devotion and meditation.
Following the Holy Offices of the Passion, Death of the Lord and the Adoration of the Cross are held in the Santa María Parish at 6.30pm, at 10.30pm the procession of the Holy Entombment will begin, which will go around, also in absolute silence, the streets of the village.
During these days, the streets of Mojácar are the scene of processions with “tronos” (highly ornate floats), made especially to be appropriate to the streets of Mojácar: narrow, winding and especially beautiful, which are filled throughout Easter Week with the aroma of incense, candles and flowers. Nor could be missing the faithful, Nazarenes and “Manolas” (the women who mourn death and celebrate the resurrection of Christ during Spain’s Holy Week processions), in rigorous mourning, who walk in procession accompanied by the notes of the Municipal Music Band.
There are two Brotherhoods in Mojácar: that of the Nazarene and that of the Virgin of Sorrows, made up of residents who take responsibility for maintaining the images, clothing and “tronos” all year round. They are also responsible for adapting them and carrying them in procession.
This locality has always had a great tradition during Easter Week. In the past, the Parish Church had a spectacular wooden altarpiece, a choir and images of great artistic quality from the Salcillo workshop, the population gathering around for the most significant acts in which the whole village took part. A fire destroyed this important legacy, as well as civil and religious documents.
The image of the Virgin of Sorrows that today is carried in procession through Mojácar was acquired in the 1940s. A carving from the Venetian school in the style and taste of those times. The costumes that the current Virgin of Sorrows wears during Holy Week were preserved from this time of splendour, inherited from the Virgin of Salcillo.
The Nazarene also arrived, who travelled from his place of origin, by train, to Zurgena where he was received and travelled to Mojácar. Of great beauty, it is a painstaking carving that draws everyone's admiration for its beauty and realism.
The Mayor of Mojácar visits the Health Centre works on the home straight of the construction
The Mojácar Mayor Francisco García has visited the works of the locality's future health centre to find out about the progress on the building works, which are now close to completion.
He was joined by José Maldonado, the Grupo Copsa construction company architect, and the councillors, Noemí Linares and María Gracia Alarcón, members of his government team.
The new health centre is 2,398sqm of construction on a 9,196sqm plot donated by the Local Council. It is located in the Rambla de Campos area, next to the road that connects the village and the beach. It will have an emergency area with a special entrance for ambulances and a separate entrance. This area will be made up of two doctors’ consulting rooms, two nursing consulting rooms and a critical care consulting room, a consulting room with two chair stations for respiratory treatment, a consulting room with a bed and chair for observation, six bedrooms for professionals on duty, a waiting room and an area that could be isolated in the event of patients who need this due to their particular illness.
The consultation area is made up of three family medicine consulting rooms and three for nursing, each of the doctors’ consulting rooms attached and communicated with the nursing consulting rooms; a paediatrics consulting room in a large children's area, also equipped with a nursing consulting room; an odontology consulting room; a consulting room for the veterinarian who carries out public health work; a multipurpose consulting room for cytology, ultrasound and minor surgery as well as physiotherapy facilities with two places.
The new facilities will also have a radiology area, with the provision of an X-ray machine to carry out radiological tests. In addition to the communal areas for the professionals, also planned are waiting rooms for each consulting room and a large reception and user service area, with three sufficiently separated service stations, as well as a space for parking the ambulance, with electrical connections and close to the emergency door.
It is located on Avenida de Andalucía, a strategic location between the beach area and the old town, and with the best communication conditions, both for access and for evacuations in the event of emergencies. Worth highlighting is the fact that it is a sustainable building, for achieving a rational use of the necessary energy, renewable and environmentally friendly.
Francisco García expressed his satisfaction with the health centre, which will be one of the best in Spain and very necessary in the area. It extends the health services to those that Mojácar currently does not have and that require patients to travel to other locations. He highlighted the unbeatable location, between the beach area and the village, the easy communication in the case of emergencies, both for access to it and for the quick transfer of the most seriously ill.
For the Mojácar Mayor, as well as being a demand that the people of Mojácar and the Local Council have been demanding for a long time, the creation of this centre is also an important step in being able to offer permanent and quality services, also aimed at breaking seasonality and increasing the number of permanent residents in the municipality.
The play "Miracle in the Santa María Juana Convent" premieres in Mojácar
As a prelude to the Easter Week holidays in Mojácar, this Saturday 22nd of March, and as part of the traditional programming for this time of year, Mojácar Council, through its Culture Department, has scheduled the premiere of a play by the local theatre group.
Titled, “Milagro en el Convento de Santa María Juana”, (Miracle in the Santa María Juana Convent), the Mojácar Aquelarre group will perform this comedy, performed in two acts, about the difficulties of a convent in the red. A little nun arrives at this such difficult time and turns everything upside down to reverse this situation through an elixir. A crazy comedy with historical figures that will entertain the audience with its fabulous wisecracks and great humour.
The play will be performed this Saturday at the Multi-Uses Centre, starting at 9pm.
The Mojácar Theatre Group has 20 actors, who currently have two plays on the bill. For the premiere of “Milagro en el Convento de Santa María Juana” they will work under the direction of Joaquín Sáez and with Antonio Casado as assistant director. María José Osorio will be the prompter and José Guijarro will be in charge of the sound and special effects.
This theatre group has already performed with great success other works such as “Indalo, Mensajero de los Dioses”, (Indalo, Messenger of the Gods), “Laura” and “Un Cadáver a los Postres” (A Corpse at Desserts), with which they have toured almost the entire province.
They also regularly collaborate with the Red Cross, either by organising and directing a group of senior citizens from Mojácar for the creation of what has been called the Mojácar Seniors Theatre or by donating everything raised to this charitable association.
Among their short-term future projects is the performance of the Passion of Christ in Easter Week 2025. An original version with live songs.
They will also soon start rehearsals for “Las Criadas” (The Maids), as well as the play “La Dama del Río Aguas” (The Lady of the River Aguas), a tale about the Mojácar Aguas River.
The group started out in 2012 and the first play they performed was “Indalo, Messenger of the Gods”, loosely based on the legend of the Indalo. Nearly 100 people took part in its premiere, including actors, the Municipal Music Band and technicians.
Following their success, they continued their performances with “Laura” and then with “Un Cadáver a los Postres”, which has taken them to the theatres of Almería’s main towns.
The Municipal Music School offers a piano concert as the start to the Easter week activities
Students from the Mojácar Municipal Music School offered an open-air concert last Sunday in which they performed works by composers such as Tchaikovsky and Brahms, among others.
The Plaza del Frontón in Mojácar was the place from where the notes of the great composers of all time filled the village with music and harmony under the baton of the Mojácar Municipal Music School piano teacher, Yolanda Parra Niederhauser.
The concert began with student Elisa Dochia, who also did the programme drawing, performing Swan Lake, one of the best-known works by Russian romantic composer Piort Llich Tchaikovsky, ending her performance with the anonymous score Greensleeves.
Alex Ignat performed the Hungarian Dance by Johannes Brahms and a minuet by J.S. Bach. Roberto Sola Parra delighted with the Nuvole Bianche by Ludovico Einaudi and Sofya Kofanova with the well-known “Sugar Star Planetarium” by Pedro Silva and “Alla Turca” by Mozart.
The students Enya Martínez KESEC and Antonio Lucas Montoya continued, with “Remember Me” from the soundtrack of Coco and “Schindler’s List” from the soundtrack of the well-known film of the same name and “Papillón” and “Endless Love”, respectively.
Yolanda Parra has for almost 20 years been in charge of training the very youngest, between three and seven years old, in the musical initiation classroom. She is also the piano teacher at the Municipal Music School, which has more than 30 students divided into different learning levels.
The Municipal Music School, with about 120 students, offers possibilities for learning nearly all instruments: wind, woodwind and brass; percussion; guitar and string instruments in general and piano, being the source of most of the Municipal Music Band members. It also has a singing classroom. The registration period for the next course will open in May.
The music classes and for learning to play the piano, as well as any instrument for which the Mojácar Municipal Music School has teachers, officially begin with the school year, although anyone who’s interested can join at any time. No matter the age or level, it is never too late to start and, in any case, music improves intellectual capacity and memory, both in children and adults.
Al-Mosaquer and Mojácar Council present the prizes to the winners of the III Moors and Christians Competition
The Al-Mosaquer Mojácar General Association of Moors and Christians has presented the photography competition prizes to the winners of the III Photography Contest selected from the 275 photographs presented in this edition.
The prize presentation was held in the Mojácar Council meeting room with the presence of the highest authority of the Al-Mosaquer General Association, Emilio Egea, representatives of different “kábilas” and encampments that make up the association, dressed in gala clothes for the occasion, and Mojácar Council councillor, Rosa María Cano.
Emilio Egea thanked everyone present for attending and congratulated the winners, highlighting the high quality of all the works presented and the jury’s difficulty in choosing the best.
The General Association President also wanted to highlight the Association's interest in promoting the beauty of these very important festivities, within an Andalucian framework, both among its participants and among the people who feel attracted to this festival and want to come to know them. And what better, “than a good photo.”
Six prizes were presented corresponding to the six categories proposed by Al-Mosaquer. In the Moorish photography category, Christopher Hart was the winner; the award for Christian photography went to Carmelo Fragua Benavente; Mayte Scheyvaerts won the prize in the young category.
In the black and white category, revalidating the prize he obtained in the same category in 2023, Austricliniano Arribas González, and the free photography went to Jesús Cañadas.
The prize for the best photo of the competition went to Christopher Hart's photograph, which obtained a double award for having also been awarded in the Moorish photography category. The prize was presented by Mojácar Council Councillor, Rosa María Cano.
On behalf of the Local Council, Rosa María Cano congratulated all the winners and also congratulated the Al-Mosaquer General Association of Moors and Christians for the excellent work they do on the celebration of the Moors and Christians Festivities: “not only in their preparation of everything that goes with this celebration, from the poster, the photographs, the music and many other things, also for managing to improve each year in all the activities they carry out and that have made this festival one of the most important in the province.”
The winners got a cash prize, photographic material and their works will be able to be admired in a collective exhibition that every year shows not only each edition’s winning photographs, but also shows those taken over the years, giving an idea of the evolution of this festival and how it has achieved the integration of an entire village, people taking part, whether as Moors or Christians, in one of the most highly-anticipated days and for which they work throughout the year.
The association is now working on another project. The rules of the poster competition have already been published and they are looking forward to receiving the works, preparing the official poster for this edition and beginning the Moors and Christians 2024 festivities, which will take place on the 14th, 15th and 16th of June.
More than 200 people take part in the Mojácar Solidarity Race
With great success in participation and organisation, the “Junt@s somos más fuertes” (Together we are stronger) solidarity race was held in Mojácar, promoted by the Local Council in collaboration with the Red Cross and the “Los Bandidos” group of Mojácar athletes.
Although the start for the runners was scheduled for 12-noon, a festive day like last Saturday had already got going at 10.30am with different activities beforehand such as a bio-dance workshop that, among others, served to warm up some or to stretch for many participants in preparation for the solidarity race.
For their part, Red Cross volunteers created a space for the little ones with board games, a gymkhana park, children's bingo and Twister.
The route was set with the start from the Red Cross facilities, going as far as the Hotel Indalo and returning. A total of five kilometres, in which the pace, slower or faster, could be chosen by the participants, among whom were adults, teenagers and the occasional pet.
More than 200 people took part in this sporting event with a 5-kilometre route along the seafront promenade, without slopes and with views of the sea.
All the proceeds have benefitted the Red Cross. A solidarity race that to top it all off had a giant paella for all the participants and their families, with the aim of spending a day together, when even the weather accompanying them was brilliant sunshine and a very nice temperature.
The Mojácar Council Sports Councillor, Jesús Montoya Gredilla, watching at all times during the race, expressed his satisfaction with the high number of people who registered: “It has been a very powerful call,” he commented, “on the one hand, it highlights the important role of women in all areas of society, especially in sport, where they are rising to the positions they deserve, and on the other, they try to help an institution like the Red Cross, which is an essential pillar in assistance to the most needy.”
The Local Council government team did not miss the event either, with some of the members even taking part in the race itself with good results.
The prizes for the best classified were presented by Mojácar Council councillors and the President of the Mojácar Red Cross, Concepción Rivero Puche.
To highlight that the winner in the men's category achieved a time of 20 minutes and five seconds and the best women's time recorded was 20 minutes and 25 seconds.
This charity race has been organised in Mojácar for several years and has always been very popular. It is not only a sports day, it is also the recognition of the residents of Mojácar and nearby towns of the work of an association like the Red Cross.
Mojácar celebrates International Women's Day wuth a trip and talks
To mark International Women’s Day Mojácar Council organised a trip for local women which this year took them to Valencia.
As is customary, Mojácar women make the most of International Women's Day for a getaway that is always eagerly anticipated and welcomed as a reason for coming together and disconnecting from the daily routine.
Mojácar Council Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, and Health Councillor, Ana García, accompanied the 48 women who joined this municipal initiative on their visit to the city of the Turia.
They left Mojácar on Friday 8th of March, arriving at their destination in the late afternoon, allowing for a first excursion and contact with the city.
On the Saturday they were able to go to the musical “El Tiempo entre Costuras”, an exciting staging in which the sewing workshops, the glamour of the large hotels, political conspiracies and the secret services make up an entertaining story written by María Dueñas which is currently being performed at the Olympia Theatre.
Sunday morning was also used for a guided tour to see the most emblematic places, such as the Cathedral, the Silk Exchange and the Central Market.
It is now traditional that every year Mojácar Council calls on its female residents to go on a getaway to different parts of Spain. A getaway that is always accompanied, in addition to the de rigueur cultural visit, by attending a show of the moment, whether theatre or musical.
For its part, the “Mariquita la Posá” Women's Association, in collaboration with Mojácar Council, also on the occasion of the celebration of International Women's Day, held a meeting at the Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre to which other women's associations in the region were invited.
Turre, Los Gallardos and Mojácar Women's Associations had the opportunity to chat about female empowerment and its dynamics, women’s problems in today's society in general and its transformation. The talk was given by Emy Pardo, Emotional Coach, with 20 years of work, expert in mental reprogramming and the creator of the P.E.A method to help become a confident person and achieve goals.
The talk was a success, getting all the participants to interact, and ending with a social afternoon snack.
Mojácar closes the training days for State Security Forces with a terrorist attack simulation
As the close to the Training and Awareness days for the State Security Forces held in Mojácar last week, a large-scale simulation of a terrorist attack was staged in the locality in which more than 200 people took part.
This simulation sought to evaluate and improve coordination and effectiveness in the response to an emergency with multiple victims, following a multidisciplinary approach between the different security, health and Civil Protection bodies and all those who could be necessary or intervene in large-scale emergency cases, including evacuation and establishment of a civilian tactical survival chain.
The Servigroup Hotel Marina Mar in Mojácar was the setting for this seminar named Victoria Consensus, the main aim of which was the adaptation of military assistance models to pre-meditated incidents with multiple victims in civilian environments.
In the presence of numerous civil authorities, among whom were the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá and the Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, as well as military authorities from all the State Security Forces: Army, Civil Guard, National Police and Local Police.
The practices began with the entry into the hotel surroundings of a terrorist group pursued by police officers, exchanging gunfire. The alleged terrorists manage to enter the hotel facilities, injuring civilians and taking hostages. After overpowering the terrorists, the security forces have to evacuate and attend to the injured without knowing if there remain more unidentified threats such as other terrorists or even a bomb.
The simulation was carried out following the Victoria Consensus guidelines, evaluating the speed and effectiveness of care for victims, security of the area and coordination between the different bodies
The initial response to the direct threat was effective, demonstrating the major preparation of our troops and in the phase of taking care of the injured, also demonstrating the effectiveness of the collaboration between the security forces and the medical professionals.
Actors took part in this simulation, playing the role of injured people and serving the purpose of allowing police, doctors, nurses, psychologists, ambulances and members of Civil Protection to carry out their exercises. Tents were also set up where it was possible to see the care provided to the injured, as well as all the material, whether police or health, who take part in these cases and many of whom are new in the sector.
The Victoria Consensus simulation, according to those in charge of the days, are exercises of great importance for improving their preparation for these situations, highlighting the rapid response capacity and interdepartmental collaboration, as well as in important areas such as communication during the critical phases of the incident.
Practices that should be carried out more often given that the Victoria Consensus is a protocol that is constantly updated and that increases new tactics and materials as progress is made in the investigation and fight against terrorism or in all those cases that put citizen security at risk.
This is the second year that Mojácar has hosted these training and awareness sessions for the State Security forces.
It is organised by the Escuela de las Tres Armas, a national training company, leader in Spain, and the CIS Professorship, in collaboration with Mojácar Council and the Local Police, host of these sessions.
Mojácar venue for the training and awareness days for the state security bodies
A multidisciplinary police course for the State security forces has begun in Mojácar in which over four days more than 200 participants will be trained in different aspects of the police, health and security field.
This is the second year that Mojácar is hosting these training and awareness days for the State security forces: Local Police, National Police, Civil Guard and Army.
It is organised by the Escuela de las Tres Armas, a national training company, leading in Spain, and the CIS Professorship, in collaboration with Mojácar Council and the Local Police.
The purpose of these conferences is the dissemination of activities for security and defence. It consists of three lines of action: the basic in which verbal defence, the use of elementary means of defence and life support practices are worked on, a second line in which police shooting and haemorrhage control are practiced, and a third line in which entry into buildings and checking vehicles is practiced.
The Marina Mar hotel, located in Marina de la Torre and currently closed, has been chosen as the venue for this meeting, being the perfect setting to simulate events that could occur in real life.
Following the awareness sessions, the plan is to stage a simulation of an emergency situation with multiple injuries, such as a terrorist attack.
For this meeting, the scale of what is called the final simulation has been increased, which will take place next Sunday, putting into practice the Victoria Consensus created by the military corps to respond to attacks with multiple victims and with which they will work over these days.
Businesses that are going to provide innovative materials will collaborate; teachers, both in defence and health matters: nurses and doctors specialising in emergencies to be able to put them into practice. In short, everything that the members of State Security have worked on over these days, also including civilians: doctors, Civil Protection, etc.
More than 200 people will take part in this final simulation to be able to participate in the entire assistance chain, from the moment the injuries occur, whether due to firearms, bladed weapons, etc., until they are evacuated to a reference hospital.
These days were created three years ago by the Tres Armas School with the aim of carrying out research, awareness and training activities through different lines of action in which efforts were combined, whether professionals, associations and administration.
In the field of defence, The Tres Armas School is taking part in areas of research with businesses, both in health matters for police and military and in activities related to the use of force, thereby developing specialised protocols and procedures.
This is the case of the Victoria Consensus, which seeks to standardise models such as the American one, already in operation, adapting them to Spanish emergencies.
It is about implementing a protocol in the event an attack occurs in Spain and the State Security Forces and Bodies, health sector workers, security guards or any group in the field of security, know how to tackle and help in an event of these characteristics.
The Collective Exhibition of the artists Bagué and Roge opens in Mojácar
The La Fuente Municipal Art Centre has opened its doors to the collective exhibition of the painter Bagé and the ceramic sculptor Roge, whose works will be on display at this gallery until the end of March.
Brigitte Blansaer, “Bagé”, was born in the Belgian city of Ghent. She studied at the academy of art of Hasseltr and Tongeren.
This is not the first time that she has exhibited at “La Fuente” in Mojácar; she exhibited her work in the locality in April last year and gained notable success among the many visitors who attended this event.
The artist herself says her work is enveloped in the feminine world: its special spirituality and the power that emanates, all brought to life with form and colour, combining her inspiration with entry into the different eras of the universe and the zodiac.
Bagé comments that she wants that with her painting and in her exhibitions, it is her spirituality and her soul that manifest and guide her hand. When she works, she expresses her sentiment: “beauty is born from chaos. Everything and everyone are connected. Everything is energy and vibration”, words that she recalls when she works and all those who come to see her work.
Gené Robert Roge, also born in Belgium, in the locality of Charleroi, has been passionate about ceramics for a long time. She first became interested in art and ancient civilization, learning turning and working with different traditional manufacturing techniques in various workshops in Brussels.
She has taken part in different courses on ceramic decoration and firing methods. She likes to experiment with different techniques and currently, as she comments, she is interested in new nuances in enamel, on which she is focused in her latest works.
Nature and Andalusian culture are some of her most important sources of inspiration and in her surrounding research, always her passion for the world of ceramics.
The Mojácar Council Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, attended the opening and was able to visit the exhibition accompanied by the two artists and comment on the characteristics of many of the works exhibited at La Fuente as well as the evolution of the work over this last year, mainly of the painter Bagé who is now a Mojácar veteran.
The La Fuente Municipal Art Centre will be open, free of charge, from Monday to Sunday with the opening hours 10am to 2pm.
The “La Mojaquera” sculptor, Mariángeles Guil, visits her work
Thirty-five years after the most famous, best-known and photographed sculpture of the “Mojaquera” was officially inaugurated in the Plaza de la Iglesia, its creator, the sculptor Mariángeles Guil, has visited her work and recalled the time when the adventure began of a work of art that is the emblem of an entire village.
Mariángeles Guil, born in Almería and living in Granada at that time, responded to the call, the second, made by Mojácar Council, to create a sculpture that would symbolise the women of Mojácar, their contribution and dedication to the tough life of those years and their efforts to maintain family life, including carrying heavy pitchers of water from the fountain to their homes.
At only 29 years old, the young sculptor won the competition with a beautiful proposal, through a drawing of what she thought would be a good representation of the Mojaquera.
For nearly a year she worked in Macael, as she was clear that it had to be made of white marble, giving shape and life to her sculpture: one metre seventy and 1,000 kilos that emerged from the magic of her hands after eagerly searching for the suitable marble block and with her expert eyes examining every vein and every peculiarity of the stone. The marble belonged to the Cuellar marble quarry.
She didn’t know the marble region nor had she previously worked with this material and it was with the Mojaquera that she discovered it. From her time in Macael while creating the Mojaquera, she has the lovely anecdote of ending up as a technical drawing teacher at the institute for a few months, being able to come into contact with the marble workers in the area which opened many doors and many new experiences.
It was a solemn inauguration that took place on the occasion of the Mojácar patron saint festivities in 1989. As is the custom, with the attendance of the entire corporation and the president of the Provincial Council at that time, as well as many of the locality’s residents.
Rocío mass, poetry readings and more than 3,000 people, according to reports, who went to Plaza Nueva for a concert by the well-known singer Amaya from the group Mocedades who, from what was said, spent many summers in her youth in Mojácar and was persuaded to sing by a friend in the area.
At the same time as the inauguration of the Mojaquera, the sculptor also held an exhibition in the Castle which, according to Mariángeles Guil, was very successful and she sold many sculptures.
It appears that not everyone agreed with the location, but according to the competition rules the location was the current one and the Mojaquera was installed in the Plaza de la Iglesia and remains there.
The artist says that for her, the standout feature of the sculpture is the position of the pitcher and its orientation, with the veining that enhances its volume and the delicacy of the hand that holds it.
The sculpture of the Mojaquera has over time become loved by all residents and today it is much more than a work that represents the woman of Mojácar.
Mariángeles Guil also remembers those times and Mojácar with great affection. Coming from Mexico, despite her youth, she already had great training and experience. Her works are all over the world and she has rubbed shoulders with the great artists of the time.
She is now permanently settled in Guadix, where she had already done important works such as the sculptures on the façade of Guadix Cathedral and she met Visconti.
Almerían by birth, she began as a model for Francisco López Burgos, National Sculpture Prize winner, and then managed to find a place for herself in this workshop. At the age of 12 she entered the Granada School of Art and later studied Fine Arts in Seville. She completed a master's degree in monumental and urban sculpture in 1984 at the Autonomous University of Mexico where she worked with Mathías Goeritz. Her works and her work have taken her halfway around the world: France, Italy, Israel, Mexico.
Guil is highly valued as an Andalucian avant-garde artist of the 20th century, author of important works of public art of her generation.
Mojácar has a new work of urban art
Mojácar has another work of urban art, located at the entrance to Mojácar on the wall where the new bus station stands.
More than 400 square metres that depict the most emblematic images of the municipality and invite the visitor to prepare to discover the most important corners of the locality.
A general image of Mojácar, Mojácar women carrying their pitchers and covering part of their face with the traditional scarf, the city arch, the fountain and its beach as the most representative elements of the municipality's culture.
The work has been created by Nicolás Rodriguez, “Niko” who already knows Mojácar as the creator, together with his wife “Maki”, a professional photographer, of the spectacular paintings that decorate the lifesaving modules on Mojácar beach. Makí was the author of the photographs on which this new huge mural is based. This time he has also had the collaboration of another artist, Nesui, internationally recognised for his style based on realistic portraiture and for his large murals.
It has taken a year, countless sketches, a lot of study of the mural and a great amount of work to create this very difficult work due to its extensive size and strategic location.
When the bus interchange was built, the elevation of the land on which it stands partially covered in some sections the view of the village when going up to the village centre from the beach.
Mojácar Council thought of “reconverting” the retaining wall into a “window” where the silhouette of the village could be seen in its entirety. The effect is spectacular and gives a fantastic first impression, showing that art is part of Mojácar's DNA. To its credit, this locality already has, both on the beach and in the village, other murals that undoubtedly embellish its architecture.
Urban art has a more than deserved place within the artistic world. It was in Paris, in the 1960s, that it began to be seen and valued, although it was not until the 1990s and thanks to great artists such as Sheparad Fairey and the well-known Banksy, among others, when they succeeded in their works being among the most sought-after in the art world.
Nicolás Rodriguez already has extensive experience in the world of painting. Graffiti artist and visual artist, he has a degree in Fine Arts. He started with some friends in the world of urban art and today is one of Andalucía’s most recognised artists.
For more than 10 years he has been working with María Ángeles “Maki” Fernández, forming the group Makinico, a name that encapsulates their joint work and with which they sign a multitude of works.
A luxury which Mojácar joins and follows in the world of art in all its manifestations. In the portfolio, other artistic representations that can shape the locality as a large open museum where the street and its passers-by are the protagonists.
“Day of the Old Woman”, traditional festivity in Mojácar
Today 7th of March Mojácar celebrates the traditional ·Day of the Old Woman.” A unique festival that has no reference points anywhere except in this area.
It is customary that once Carnival or Shrovetide is over, which are the three days that precede Ash Wednesday, and coinciding with the first Thursday of Lent, the ancient rite of “Old Idle Day” is celebrated.
This “Old Idle” would correspond to the allegorical recreation of the confrontation between Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma; festivity and fun versus retreat and sobriety.
Hence Day of the Old Woman is celebrated on the Thursday closest to the middle of Lent, from which the expression "departing from the old Lent" comes and consists of a day of food in the countryside on which friends and family gather to bid farewell to winter and to welcome spring. In these municipalities, the afternoon of “Old Woman's Day” is considered a holiday and many businesses remain closed that afternoon.
With this festive mood, the residents of Mojácar meet up in the different and multiple green areas of the municipality, mainly in the settings of “los Gurullos” and “las Alparatas”, to share a good paella and taste the sweet treats that their “old women” hide, keeping up the ancient rite.
Prior to this, each old woman is stuck in the ground and the little ones are in charge of breaking it, like a “piñata” (a decorated figure containing sweets), to eat the sweets it contains, continuing with the ceremony that the children impatiently await: the moment of breaking “the old woman” and discovering the sweets and gifts hidden inside.
It is at this point where children take centre stage. Each family or group of friends gather around their “old woman,” which is a doll that looks like an old woman, made on a wooden cross with a cloth head and filled with sweets. It was customary for the “old women” to be made at home, each family doing their own. Today, working life complicates things a little more and many of them are bought to order but, in any case, they continue to be made by hand.
Also typical of the day is tasting the “hornazo”, an elongated sweet bread with a braid that encloses a hard-boiled egg, although the day is generally characterised by an abundance of food of all kinds.
The Day of the Old Woman is the only festivity in Andalucía not represented by any dedication to a saint’s day, but by a pagan figure: the Old Woman, although it has religious echoes.
Whatever its origin, what’s certain is that it has been celebrated “since forever” and no Mojácar local misses their annual event in one of the first opportunities of the year to enjoy the outdoors.
The Mayor of Mojácar opens the Mojácar Outlet Fair
The first edition of the Mojácar Outlet Fair opened its doors on Friday with great success for participation and the turnout of many residents and visitors who did not want to miss out on the attractive offers from the traders at the Outlet set up in the locality’s Multi-Uses Centre.
The Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, had the job of inaugurating the Outlet and he officially cut the ribbon that declared the fair open.
Joined by his government team, Francisco García greeted all the traders taking part in this first edition and gathered their feedback.
The afternoon was bustling with members of the public and the group Los Kaliqueños provided music and joy to an evening that was undoubtedly entertaining and full of opportunities to purchase good items at an unbeatable price.
Visitors were able to choose from among the offers presented by the 15 stalls that took part in the Mojácar Outlet Fair. Among them were many of the locality’s best shops, presenting their products in clothing for men, women and children, toys, beauty products, and many more offers, including art and natural essences.
For the little ones, a space has been set up to draw and enjoy fun games while their parents can visit the stalls with the calm required to choose an item from the wide range on offer.
Entry is free and the fair remains open all day on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm, when it will come to a close.
Purchasers also receive gift vouchers which they can exchange at nearby bars participating in the Outlet Fair. El Habanero, the Senior Citizens Bar, the Duende de la Tapa and the Bar los Cuatro add to this experience by offering a break and a recharging of batteries, which is always welcome.
Mojácar Council, through the Trade Department, is the organiser of this event, which has been well-received by traders and customers.
With this initiative, the Local Authority aims to create an initiative where local businesses can display their products with interesting discounts to encourage purchases and attract local tourism, boosting economic and social activity.
Excellent debut for the Mojácar Rhythmic Gymnastics team with two gold medals and one silver.
The students of the Mojácar rhythmic gymnastics team, belonging to the Municipal Sports School, have now started the competition season, taking part in the first phase of the Rhythmic Gymnastics Promotion Circuit organised by the Almería Provincial Council and held in the Huércal de Almería Paco Navarro pavilion.
Although for the Mojácar team this meeting was not qualifying because it did not correspond to their area, the teacher, María del Mar Montoya, considered the presence of the teams to be opportune so that they could gain experience in the case of the new incorporations and, in general, as making contact with and entering into the competitive dynamics of all its components.
Eight teams travelled to Huércal de Almería, although nine teams were scheduled to participate. A last-minute injury to one of the gymnasts made it not possible on this occasion.
This first competition couldn't have gone better. As well as all the participants receiving a diploma, the mini-babies team, aged four and five, won a silver medal and two gold medals went to the team of cadets and infant 2.
The Mojácar rhythmic gymnastics team has grown a lot since its creation three years ago. From the 20 girls with whom María del Mar Montoya started out working, it has got to more than 70 students in this school year, with ages from three years old for the youngest to 15 for the oldest.
The next meeting will be in Garrucha on the 23rd of March, now battling for the points on the Almería Provincial Council circuit. Also this year, as last year, they plan to take part in the Costa de Almería Cup, a tournament of great relevance within this sporting field that in its 2023 edition alone had close to 700 participants.
The 2024 plans also include preparing to be at the Andalucian Championship next year, where, without a doubt, they will be able to make a great impression.
Mojácar celebrates Andalucía Day with the Municipal Music Band and a giant Paella
Mojácar celebrated Andalucía Day 2024 with the raising of the Andalucian flag in the Town Hall Square in the presence of all the Local Authority councillors and many members of the public, residents and visitors, who wanted to join in this moving moment.
Mojácar Mayor Francisco García Cerdá had the responsibility of the official flag raising while the locality's Municipal Music Band performed the Andalucian anthem.
Once the Andalucian flag was flying in the Town Hall square along with the national and European Union flags, the Municipal Music Band offered a concert to the attendees with a selection of pasodobles and traditional music that they could enjoy and which was highly applauded.
Mojácar Council had also planned, as usual, to celebrate such a special day with a giant paella, which they shared free of charge with all those who wanted to come to the celebration of this festivity.
To top it all off, the staging of a performance of “Sangre Flamenca” could not be missed, which brought to a close a 28th of February that in Mojácar, as in all parts of Andalucía, was experienced with great joy.
For their part, the schoolchildren of the Mojácar Public School had already celebrated their special Andalucía Day last Tuesday with a special breakfast: an “Andalucian breakfast” that they were able to enjoy at breaktime.
All the pupils, more than 350, attended class dressed in the typical costume or with significant details: flowers, scarves, hats and caps that gave a note of colour to the school playground.
Mojácar Council and the Centre provided the breakfast, consisting of bread with natural tomato and virgin olive oil.
A good way to celebrate Andalucía Day, promoting and encouraging young people to keep up popular traditions, full of good sense, which include, as a very important part, cuisine and the use of local products.
Andalucían cuisine, the Mediterranean diet in general, is not only healthy food, it is another facet of the culture of Andalucía that is becoming more valued every day among young people and that cannot be forgotten.
Mojácar Council gets excellent results at the Danish Golf Show
Mojácar has been at the Danish Golf Show Fair held in Denmark between the 23rd and 25th of February as part of the Ferie For Alle 2024, one of the most important Nordic and European countries’ tourism fairs in general and for golf in particular.
Tourism Councillor María Gracia Alarcón and Sports Councillor Jesús Montoya Gredilla travelled to the Danish town of Herning, where Mojácar Council was present at the RSB Golf stand, a Danish company with more than 10 years’ experience in the organisation of golf trips, together with members of Marina de la Torre Golf, being able to assist and promote the destination of Mojácar at this significant international tourist event.
An excellent location next to the Turespaña stand, with whom they also held meetings and set dates for future meetings and collaboration with this important entity with the aim of attracting sports tourism to the municipality, mainly outside the traditional tourist season.
During their stay at the Danish Golf Show, both councillors held intense meetings with the most prominent and leading operators in the world of golf, as a result of which agreements and contracts have already been established that are going to make possible the arrival of the first tourists in Mojácar throughout the autumn of this year and the spring of 2025.
An important agreement that María Gracia Alarcón and Jesús Montoya have obtained at this Danish fair given that golf tourism is long-stay, with a minimum stay and accommodation of one week and an average of between two weeks and a month, with the distinctive feature that they usually visit restaurants and shops regularly during their stay, participating and taking an interest in the destinations they go to.
The presence of Mojácar at the Danish Golf Show is worth highlighting for being the only stand and the first in its history that, as well as promoting its golf courses exhibited the distinctive features of the municipality, making the whole of Mojácar known: its tourism, cultural, historical and environmental offer. This circumstance has aroused great interest in the sector and has allowed for contacts with professionals interested in the destination, making it possible to create a list of contacts, in addition to the companies with which contracts and agreements have already been closed.
Both the Tourism councillor and the Sports councillor have come back very pleased with Mojácar's participation in this fair. They believe that it has been a great opportunity for Mojácar and for the Local Council in their work to break the seasonal nature of tourism and attract long-stay tourism in the locality, undoubtedly of great importance, not only for hotel companies and tourist apartments, but also for shops and businesses, restaurants and the economic structure of the municipality in general.
It was also a great opportunity to contact new and important tour operators and, as they have stated, learn first-hand about the market and the needs they may have when it comes to bringing this tourism sector closer to the locality.
More than 40,000 people attended the For Alle 2024 Fair, with the presence of the major Danish and Scandinavian golf agencies, and where the participation of Mojácar did not go unnoticed: it got a good reception and, without doubt, has obtained excellent results from its first attendance.
The Mójacar Outlet Fair opens its door next friday
The Mojácar Outlet Fair will open its doors for the first time next Friday 1st of March and will stay open until Sunday 3rd of March.
The Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre will be the location for this Local Council initiative, organised through the Local Authority’s Trade Department. The opening is scheduled for 5pm and the official inauguration at 7pm, followed by enjoying a free concert by the group “Los Kaliqueños” in which they will cover the main bands on the national scene of yesterday and today: Fito & Fitipaldis, Celtas Cortos, Rosario Flores, among others, hence cover versions of up to more than 40 artists, delighting the public.
On Saturday 2nd of March, the doors of the Mojácar Outlet fair will be open from 10 in the morning until eight in the evening, with children's workshops from 5pm run by the “Ciencia Divertida” (Fun Science) group, who incorporate topics related to science and its curiosities in their clever suggestions and games.
On Sunday the 3rd of March the fair will be open from 10am until 2pm, when it will come to an end, although from 11.30am. to 1pm the very youngest and children can continue having fun with workshops and children's games.
Purchasers at the fair will be given gift vouchers that can be exchanged at participating bars like Habanero, the Senior Citizens' bar, Duende de la Tapa and Los Cuatro bar.
You’ll be able to find different kinds of products at the fair, whether clothes, crafts, animals, traditional products, beauty or any activity for possible sale. Outlet fairs are shopping events already established in the main cities and are very popular.
The main aim of this initiative is so that local businesses can display their products with interesting discounts to encourage purchases, making it easy for the buyer to acquire products of interest, and to attract local tourism as an opportunity to give life to the municipality and trade in low season. At the same time, it represents an opportunity for local businesses to offer their products at interesting prices so that they can be purchased at a good price, as well as to spend a pleasant day shopping with friends or family. Participation is free, as is entry.
Intergenerational workshop in Mojácar
Mojácar Council has organised an Intergenerational Workshop in which the experiences of three generations of women will be shared: grandmothers, mothers and daughters and how they have lived their most important life experiences, their relationship with society and the fashions and customs of each.
These workshops are included in the programme of the Spanish Government’s State Pacts and the Almería company ARIARA.
Three Mojácar women, representatives of each generation, will engage in a dialogue about how the lives of each were organised during their time in the village.
Their history is that of the municipality. How they have broken moulds, barriers and what difficulties they have encountered due to being a woman.
Each generation has had to deal with love, their profession, household chores and the administration of the family finances, among many other issues simply because they were born in different times. A contrast in the lives of each of them that, although close in time, we forget or are unaware of.
A generational contrast of how feminism and its role in society are dealt with. A space for learning where you can exchange experiences and mutual enrichment.
The format will be enjoyable and entertaining, TV-style, with moderators and presenters who will introduce the topics to be discussed and who will keep the conversation going smoothly.
The Intergenerational Workshop is scheduled for the 17th of February at 12.30pm at the locality's Multi-Uses Centre.
It is not aimed only at women, even if they are the focus. It is open to everyone and men are also expected to attend, who will be very welcome as it is, in short, the life story of several generations in which each has played a role.
After the event, at 2pm, Mojácar Council will offer a paella for all attendees.
Mojácar ends its carnival with a great many participants and members of the public
The 2024 Mojácar carnival was a great success for participation, widely doubling the number of troupes and people who enjoyed the events programmed by the Local Council.
In the parade alone, and despite the wind, 16 troupes and more than 400 people in fancy dress made up the cheerful stream of colour, music and dance that made its way from Río Abajo to the Parque Comercial along the Paseo Marítimo to a carnival rhythm.
The little ones led the procession, who had a great time with their troupe and showed that Mojácar's talent for these festivities is more than established.
The tradition and affection of the people of Mojácar for their carnival was evident with the presence of eight troupes from Mojácar alone, the rest being made up of other troupes from Murcia, Garrucha and nearby towns.
It was at the Multi-Uses Centre that the highly anticipated choreography contest was held, with prizes for the best three, donated by Mojácar Council Festivities Department.
It was no easy task for the jury to choose from among the seven contestants who exuded ingenuity and good work in their performances.
In the end, and after much deliberation, the “Vina Dance de Garrucha” troupe was the winner, followed by Alejandro Iniesta Dance and the Timanfaya Comparsa, in second and third place respectively and both from Murcia.
For the Mojácar Council Festivities Councillor, Jesús Montoya Gredilla, this was one of the best Carnivals of recent years.
Jesús Montoya highlights the increase in the number of participants, both Mójácar residents and those from nearby municipalities, as well as the high quality of the costumes and choreographies.
Mojácar has now ended the 2024 carnival with the burial of the sardine, which brought together a grieving public, but which was as ever enjoyed with the now traditional “Litanies” and the unique direction of the officiating priest.
Chocolate and churros, the final point of these celebrations, were of great help in facing the inevitable arrival of Lent.
The Mojácar Council Festivities Councillor expressed his satisfaction with how the 2024 Carnival went, and already has in the pipeline improvements and surprises for the next one and support for the Mojácar troupes, which are also now beginning to prepare for the next event next year.
Mojácar in search of the lost book
To celebrate World Book Day on the 23rd of April, Mojácar Council Culture Department has organised an original proposal for the locality’s residents.
Under the slogan of “The Lost Book”, copies of the book “Cuentos para pensar” (Stories to think about), by author Jorge Bucay have been distributed throughout the municipality.
Whoever finds it and wants to take part in the Culture Department’s proposal, has to pick it up and after reading it and writing down their name in an attachment that they will find on the back cover, must leave it at another point in the municipality so that a new reader can use it and so on.
All those who have had access to the book will have a meeting, on the 23rd of April, at the Municipal Library at 7pm to be able to comment on their reading, their feelings or whatever they consider appropriate within the world of literature. The Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, will also be there and will act as moderator and raise some current issues about reading and the author.
For this first “Lost Book”, the Local Council has suggested reading “Stories to think about”, a collection of 26 stories that make us reflect on some of our actions that we do many times without thinking about their consequences and which can make us aware about how we behave towards our fellow human beings. From there, perhaps, to try to correct what we consider appropriate, helping us to become better people and to feel better.
Jorge Bucay is an Argentine writer and therapist, well known and recognised for his self-help and self-improvement books, which have led him to become one of the best-selling authors in Spain and Argentina in his genre.
“Stories to think about” came, according to its author, from the notes he made in his notebook “with squared pages”, in which he took notes between 1978 and 1989.
It was these notes that, once organised, “typed and bound,” went from a “home-made book” in the hands of his friends and patients to jumping into bookshops with this name.
The Lost Book is the first action that the Local Council has organised for the celebration of World Book Day, which since 1988, promoted by UNESCO, has aimed to promote reading, the publishing industry and protect intellectual property.
Mojácar buries its Sardine and brings the 2024 Carnival to an end
Today, Wednesday the 14th of February, Mojácar is preparing to bring the 2024 Carnival to an end with its traditional burial of the sardine and officially start Lent.
The funeral procession will leave the Multi-Uses Centre at 8pm to accompany the deceased sardine to Plaza Nueva, the endpoint of the route.
This year, the sardine will make its last outing on a caravel, emulating those with which Columbus conquered America, but in this case, our herring wants to "conquer the love" of a beautiful mermaid who accompanies him on the boat until his final journey.
Legend has it that the burial of the sardine has its curious origins in the 18th century, due to a batch of these fish that Charles III ordered in 1768 thinking about Lent and the prohibition on eating meat. As at that time the means of transportation were not very fast and the king lived in the capital, the poor sardines did not arrive in a very good state.
The joy and jokes, which have never been lacking in any part of our geography, made the residents of the locality organise a funeral which the “Alegre Cofradía del Entierro de la Sardina” (the Burial of the Sardine Happy Brotherhood), created for the occasion, was in charge of, and which still maintains the tradition that has spread to all towns, captured by Goya himself in his well-known work “The Burial of the Sardine.”
In Mojácar, and as is now usual, the funeral procession will be made up of a large number of wailers and mourners who, in rigorous mourning, with their corresponding candles and publicly expressing their pain, will accompany the deceased.
Presiding over the procession, together with the Mayor and his Government Team, will be a peculiar “priest” officiating at the funeral and reciting the “litanies” that do not fail to contain his pertinent criticism, in a humorous way, of all Mojácar’s well-known figures. To each Saint, the corresponding request, to which the entire procession fervently responds.
Given the solemnity of the moment, the Municipal Music Band will accompany all those who want to join this expression of pain along the route.
When the funeral is over, with duty now fulfilled, the Local Council will offer a good hot chocolate and churros to recover from so much pain and to say farewell to “Don Carnal” (Carnival) and to face the arrival of “Doña Cuaresma” (Lent).
Canana Museum in Mojácar. A trip to the past for the weekend.
Among Mojácar Council Tourism Department’s proposals to “live Mojácar” at the weekends, and among the activities suggested for travellers, the local authority suggests a visit to the “La Canana” house museum.
To this end, the Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, went to the museum to meet with its director, Yulia Damye, and make a donation of different books about Mojácar, its history and its legends, as well as the latest official publication of The Most Beautiful Towns in Spain, of which Mojácar has been part for more than 10 years.
The “La Canana” House Museum is a restored house, recreated exactly as Mojácar’s houses were at the beginning of the 20th century. It gets its name, or rather, nickname, from its former owner, “La Canana”, who sold tobacco and groceries, as well as it being her habitual residence. In the 1950s, a local teacher, Doña Dolores, taught girls in this same house in the warmth from the fireplace.
The restoration was carried out with maximum respect for the materials and structure of the house, leaving it as it was at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, a reflection of the homes in the area at that time.
Yulia Damye and her husband bought the house in 2016. At that time it had been abandoned for more than 25 years. It took a year and a half of rigorous work until they could open the doors.
Care has been taken with even the smallest detail in this museum. All its elements are original and the electrical appliances all work perfectly: the radios, fans, switches and electric light cables are original, as well as the furniture, kitchen utensils, curtains, blankets, without forgetting photographs, paintings and books of the time.
In the basement you find the animal quarters: a stable, with a donkey included, which although not real, is saddled and children can climb onto it; goats and chickens, with its small patio to store farm tools.
The La Canana House Museum is a journey back in time. When you go in it doesn’t feel like being in a museum. It is so well set out that it seems to be in a lived-in house where, at any moment, its inhabitants could appear.
Children really enjoy visiting, says Yulia. They come across objects that they have never seen in their lives and that they don't even know how to use. The old telephones with a handset and a dial to dial numbers are a mystery to them, as well as some kitchen utensils or lamp radios.
The elderly meanwhile remember with nostalgia many objects from their childhood, already forgotten and that were in their homes or in those of their grandparents.
Mojácar offers interesting getaways to enjoy as a family, in groups or as a couple.
As well as being able to visit the Casa de la Canana, every Saturday Mojácar Council suggests a guided hiking route, completely free, through different parts of the locality and with a level of difficulty accessible to everyone. These routes offer the opportunity to learn first-hand about its history or the natural environment.
On Sundays there is also the opportunity to take part in a yoga class on Lance Nuevo beach. From 11am to 12.30pm with a medium-low difficulty, you can enjoy a space to take a break from the stress of everyday life.
Final of the Mojácar “Al-Mosaquer” Composition of Moors and Christian Marches II National Competition
The “Al-Mosaquer” General Association of Moors and Christians, in collaboration with Mojácar Council, has announced the 2024 “Al-Mosaquer” II National Competition for the Composition of Moorish and Christian Marches.
In October last year, the association and the local authority published the rules for the second Moorish and Christian marches competition for all those composers who wanted to compete for this award.
The rules stated that the works must be original, unpublished and not have been performed previously.
On the 1st of February, the jury, meeting at the Municipal Music School, after studying and analysing the compositions received and following the criteria established by the rules, selected four as finalists.
The works are: “Bellum Christianum”, “Daga”, “Deus Vult” and “Tierra del Indalo”, by authors still unknown until the final vote takes place.
The jury is made up of the “Al-Mosaquer” General Association of Moors and Christians president, Emilio Egea Gea; Mojácar Council Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares; the competition director and Garrucha Ex Mari Orta Municipal Music School teacher, Ginés Gallardo Jerez; the director of the Mojácar Music Band and teacher at the Mojácar Municipal Music School, Miguel Ángel Miranda; and Andrés Galera Cano, director of the “El Castillo de Serón” Music Band and teacher at the Purchena and Tíjola music schools, as well as a member of the board of directors of the Andalucian Federation of Bands (FEDERBAND), Almería Delegation.
To select the winner, a concert will be offered on Saturday the 11th of May, at which the Mojácar Municipal Music Band will perform the finalists’ works.
When the concert ends the jury's report will be read out, which will announce the winning compositions that have achieved first and second place, with prizes of 1,000 and 500 euros respectively
First prize will be offered by the “Al-Mosaquer” General Association of Moors and Christians and the second prize awarded by the Mojácar Council.
The winning marches will be given the title chosen by the association and the works will be recorded as: “Mojácar Al-Mosaquer II National Competition for the Composition of Moorish and Christian Marches Prize”.
Both the contest organisation and the jury want to thank all the participants for their effort and interest and congratulate the finalists. They also want to highlight not only the increase in the number of works presented, but also the quality of the works and their professionalism.
Mojácar celebrates its 2024 Carnival
Mojácar will celebrate its 2024 carnival this weekend with the start this Friday of the Children's Carnival which, as usual, opens the programme of activities organised by the Local Council.
A children's parade is planned for 10am that will be led by the Bartolomé Flores school pupils.
The procession’s starting point is the school and it will go through the streets of the old town to the Plaza del Frontón. There, a party, music and fun await the young carnival-goers, the talent pool for a tradition of great significance in the municipality.
In the afternoon, at the Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre there will be a children's party for all those who want to take part. There will be no shortage of workshops, fun inflatable games, treats and many activities to spend an unforgettable carnival afternoon.
On Saturday 10th of February, the traditional Grand Carnival Parade will start out from the Río Aguas roundabout at 5pm, going along the Paseo del Mediterráneo to the Parque Comercial.
A parade that will be especially spectacular this year as the number of troupes making it up has doubled. Up to 14 troupes take part in the Grand Parade, some of them coming from Murcia as well as Garrucha, Vera and other municipalities, that will join the Mojácar troupes to fill the coastal road with music, colour and lots of fun. Floats and all those residents and visitors who want to dress up and have an afternoon full of surprises.
It is worth highlighting the participation of the Third Age troupe, which thanks to the Red Cross and on a float, represents our senior citizens, in this way joining in with one of the most special festivities of the year. Nor should we forget the troupe formed by the “Mariquita la Posá” Association, representing Mojácar women, nor, of course, the children's troupe, the future and talent pool of the love for and traditions of carnival, among others,
After the parade, the participants will move to the Multi-Uses Centre, for which the Local Council has provided a shuttle bus that will take them to these municipal facilities.
At the Multi-Uses Centre the grand “Mojácar Carnival 2024” party will be from 8pm onwards, and is where the much-anticipated troupe competition will be held.
Mojácar Council has arranged prizes for the three best. To qualify, the entire troupes will be evaluated: originality, ingenuity and costume, among many other things that, without doubt, will not make the jury's task easy.
Following the presentation of the awards, the party will begin, entertained by the El Norte orchestra and DJ Raúl Vazco. Both will take turns offering the music and dancing that will last as long as there is energy to carry on having fun.
Although so that no one passes out and to regain energy if necessary, Mojácar Council has planned chocolate and churros that will be offered to the participants.
There will also be a bar where you will be able to find good tapas and the usual refreshments.
Admission to all the events organised by the Local Council will be free.
Mojácar setting for "Lagoons in the Time" Shoot
Mojácar is once again the setting for the shooting of a film titled “Lagunas en el tiempo” (Lagoons in time).
Macenas Castle, its beaches and different enclaves of Marina de la Torre have until now been the locations chosen by its director, Fernando Díaz, who throughout this winter has been filming different sequences of the film in Mojácar.
Filming has not yet finished and they will return to the locality at the end of February to finish their work.
Fernando Díaz, born in Motril, was the author of the film Playa Roja, his first feature film starring Nuria Fergó, Cristina Castaño and Concha Goyanes.
For Nuria Fergó it was her first experience on the big screen and for Concha Goyanes it marked her return to celluloid after 10 years away from the world of cinema.
Fernando Díaz had already been the author of several short films and today has several more feature films on his CV, all of them of great artistic quality and always characterised by the use of many exteriors, which greatly complicate the production but which Diaz handles with great mastery.
“Lagunas en el Tiempo”, his latest work, also has locations in Portugal, Granada, Motril, Cuevas del Almanzora and Vera. The cast includes actors such as Demetrio Escribano, winner of the Imas TV award and very well known for his part in series such as “Amar es para siempre” (Love is for ever), or “Mis adorables vecinos” (My adorable neighbours); Pedro Mistral, Javier Páez, Mar Galera, Joaquim Sáez, Antonio Casado, Trini Cruz, Isabel Soldado.
Mojácar has been the setting for multiple films, among the first and most well-known, in 1964 “A Fistful of Dollars”, “Treasure Island”, among many others, as well as well-known TV series, which over time and no less blockbuster, have continued to choose this locality as the central setting for their stories or as part of their exterior shoots.
The “Lagunas en el tiempo” team will return to Mojácar at the end of February to finish some scenes, as the end of filming is scheduled for April, remaining in post-production until September and with its premiere in November.
The “Lagunas en el tiempo” team plans to screen it at various film festivals and for it subsequently to be able to be watched on a streaming platform.
“Lagunas del tiempo” is produced by the La Cabina 3.0 National Association for the Promotion of the Arts and tells the story of Germán, a man who decides to flee as a result of a series of problems that he finds it impossible to face. His father Antonio, with the beginnings of dementia, goes after him on a journey, following his son’s footsteps in the hope of finding him before his illness prevents him from recognising him.
The Mojácar tourism councillor takes part in a meeting with the Granada tourism sector
Tourism Councillor María Gracia Alarcón attended a meeting in Granada with businesspeople from the province’s tourism sector to promote the municipality and to tell them about Mojácar’s tourism campaign, offers and activities for 2024.
Along with Mojacar, municipal representatives from the most important localities in Almería province also took part, such as the Almería provincial capital, Roquetas de Mar, Níjar and Vera.
María Gracia Alarcón presented to the Granada tourism sector not only the line of work that Mojácar will carry out throughout the year, in which she highlighted the actions on seasonality and the progress made so far and from which benefits are already being gained, registering great progress, as reflected in the data provided by the hotel and hospitality sector.
She also reported on the boost that the Sustainability Plan represents for the municipality, endowed with 4.5 million euros, which represents, according to the councillor: “a great help for the fight against seasonality, an increase in the quality of the tourism experience and an improvement in the use of our multiple resources.”
However, her department, and the entire local authority Government Team being involved, are working on many fronts, especially getting behind sports tourism.
Mojácar’s climate, which allows for the enjoyment of an excellent temperature year-round, makes it the ideal destination, not only for sports enthusiasts and amateur and professional athletes, but also for family weekend getaways and mainly for the big professional teams, which have already chosen Mojácar as the place for winter or preparatory training for national and international competitions, as well as for staging their most important competitions.
In this regard, cycling is a sector that has already found in Mojácar the ideal location to take into account when it comes to planning their training or sports trips.
Other sectors such as golf, hiking or those related to nautical, among many others, are also beginning to position themselves in the municipality.
As María Gracia Alarcón informed the businesspeople who attended the meeting, the offer of family tourism of which Mojácar is a pioneer and being a member of the Spanish Federation of Families, is one of the locality’s facets that is also arousing interest and represents a different and quality free time and leisure offer.
The culture, its festivals, with national recognition, and its cuisine, with restaurants awarded with international prizes, complement the offer of sun and beach as well as the fact of being part of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain Association and a Ferrero Rocher Village.
María Gracia Alarcón described the meeting as very positive as it has allowed her to come into direct contact with the tourism business fabric of a very nearby province, and from which more and more visitors are registered.
As the councillor was able to personally confirm, for Granada Mojácar is a nearby destination, easy to get to and that offers many alternatives that can complement the province’s offer, according to what the Granada businesspeople themselves told her.
Mojácar, International Sports Press information focus
Mojácar was the epicentre of European cycling sport as the finishing line of the III Women Cycling Pro Costa de Almería, one of the most important events on the European women's calendar.
Throughout the weekend, the international press’s focus was on Mojácar and it was also undoubtedly the best showcase to show it to spectators of half the world and sports lovers as a competitive and unbeatable destination for the practice of any discipline, whether at amateur or professional level, as well as able to host any top-class sporting event.
Mojácar Mayor Francisco García Cerdá declared to the numerous media outlets accredited for the event the municipality's commitment to the promotion of sports tourism as a support to the tourism sector in its task of deseasonalizing: “Mojácar offers and has everything necessary to be a sports destination year-round.”
A success in organisation and promotion for the municipality that is beginning to reap the benefits of the intense work being carried out by the government team in the local authority, supporting offering a differentiated and quality offer, sustainable and respectful of the environment.
For this edition, the III Women Cycling Pro had the highest number of cyclists taking part so far, with teams from France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Norway, the UK, the US, Canada and Spain.
This event is one of the first of the year and the first with UCI 1.1 category, (continental circuits that take place in a single day), in the Almería province. It was organised by Total Sport Mediterranean, Club Deportivo a Todo Marcha and Community Sport, together with the Junta de Andalucía, Almería Provincial Council, the Association of Levante Almeriense Municipalities and Mojácar, Garrucha and Níjar local councils.
Following an exciting race and an arrival at the finishing line that is popular with fans, the Movistar team, led by its runner Olivia Baril, won a well-deserved victory after the more than three and a half hours it took the runner to go the 121 kilometres from the start line in Campohermoso.
Mojácar Council resumes free guided tours around the municipality
Free guided walking tours and cultural and nature interpretive routes running through different areas of the municipality resume in Mojácar, organised by Mojácar Council through the Tourism Department.
Under the motto “Discover Mojácar in autumn and winter”, the Tourism Department wants to publicise the history, the environment and the resources that have marked the evolution of the municipality and its people.
The first of these routes has already begun, starting last Saturday 27th of January from the district of Sopalmo, going through Bordenares and La Granatilla.
These routes will run every weekend until March. There are 20 planned in total and each of them will go through emblematic areas of the municipality.
The Sopalmo route is eight kilometres and medium difficulty. This route begins with the history of the point from which the itinerary starts: Sopalmo as a population centre that was created from the mining exploitation and local mule drivers in the area on their way to Carboneras in the 19th century.
A mining exploitation that had two copper mines and an iron mine and that had an important role in the life and economy of the area’s residents.
Going down the Granatilla dry watercourse, you cross an area of great geological interest, included in the Andalucian inventory of geo-resources, full of volcanic rocks that cooled on contact with the sea. What stands out most is its stratified colouring that corresponds to the folds of the terrain that can be appreciated with the naked eye. Each stratum presents a tone according to its mineral composition, which goes from grey to brown through various purple tones.
The entire route runs along the subbetic fault so the hiker can appreciate the volcanic rocks and the land movements distributed along the whole route, which makes it of great geological interest.
Flora and fauna also have their place on this visit. Mastic trees and their use by the Arabs, fan palms, kidney vetch and a wide and endemic list of plant resources that, together with bird watching, make for an unforgettable experience.
Following this dry watercourse, you reach the sea where a small beach of volcanic sand offers a viewpoint of the Mediterranean where it is possible to spot whales on their way to the Atlantic Ocean.
Next Saturday 4th of February the route will be around Mojácar village and the paths used by the ancient inhabitants on their commercial movements.
The last edition of these routes registered a high number of participants, with an average of more than 20 hikers on each one. Its easy route, which makes it suitable for everyone, the understanding of the places visited through a guide and the interest of the areas visited is an ideal weekend getaway.
Mojácar base for Levante Cup 2024
Mojácar will be the base for the “Levante Cup 2024” football tournament, an important and established youth football tournament in which the best Spanish youth football academies take part.
The Levante Cup has six categories: “pre-benjamín” (5-7 years old), “benjamín” (under-10), “alevín” (under-12), youth (under-14), girls and youth/junior girls, with the playing base in Mojácar.
For this Levante Cup 2024 edition, there is more participation than ever, among which the league clubs’ feeder teams and the best national football academies stand out, although it also has 150 teams and more than 3,000 footballers, as well as more than 100 volunteers for the organisation and an estimated more than 20,000 family members and fans attending throughout all the matches.
With 10 years since its first edition, now with the name of Levante Cup, the development of the competition for these young promises and its results, raises great expectations as demonstrated by the 250,000 views of matches recorded on their YouTube channels and the more than 50,000 followers on social media. They are also followed live on Canal Deporte, with 330,000 viewers, registering two million views on this same channel.
In the pre-Benjamín category, 20 teams will compete, among which four league club feeder teams and the best national soccer academies will play, divided up into the four groups into which the competition of this category will be divided, so that there will always be one of the feeder teams in each group of participants.
The benjamin group has 32 teams and eight of the league club feeder teams. As in the previous category, they will be divided into groups, eight in this case, guaranteeing that there is a feeder team in each group. It is the same with the alevins and children F11. The F11-F8 girls have 16 teams that will be divided into four groups.
The competition will begin from the 24th to 26th of May with the girls and will go on throughout the month and in June, with the final matches being held from the 21st to the 23rd of June. Mojácar is taking part in this Levante Cup 2024 with a team for each boy’s category.
The importance of these football matches lies not only in the promotion of sport and providing the training of young teams with another incentive when they have to compete against more established teams. It also represents an opportunity for players to have a platform where their game and skills can be seen by professional “scouts” who attend the matches.
Up to now, 13 football players from the area have been recruited by the league’s big teams and in each edition they travel to the football grounds and carefully observe how the matches go.
The Levante Cup is an arduous adventure that Patxi Montiel and Javier Méndez began 10 years ago. With a great deal of work, effort, and above all a lot of enthusiasm and a love for football, they have managed to create a benchmark football platform in this country. The recognition for this work is evident in the numerous awards and mentions for sporting merit that are always deserved at all the sports galas.
Mojácar present at the Fitur 2024 International Tourism Fair.
Mojácar will be at the FITUR International Tourism Fair, which will be held in Madrid between the 24th and 28th of January.
The Mojácar Delegation will be headed by the Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, accompanied by the Tourism Councillor María Gracia Alarcón and experts from the Municipal Tourism Office.
Professionals and visitors to FITUR will be able to find Mojácar at The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain stand and that of Almería province, on the Costa de Almería, where Mojácar will have its physical space to hold the numerous, already arranged meetings with the most important tour operators, as well as with representatives of the tourism and professional sports sector, areas to which it is wanted to give special relevance to promote winter tourism.
It will be at FITUR, at the Costa de Almería stand, where a preview of Mojácar's tourism campaign for 2024 will be presented. A video explaining and showing the image of the locality and the multiple options it offers to travellers and tourism, whether family, youth, sports, adventure or relaxation, without forgetting the offer of sun and beach complemented by culture and history. All these offers will be some of the facets that this unique tourist destination can offer to those who visit.
As usual, it will also be possible to find promotional and advertising material for Mojácar, aimed not only at professionals but also at private visitors who, in large numbers and at all FITUR events, approach the Mojácar area requesting information.
Both the Mojácar Mayor Francisco García Cerdá and the Tourism Councillor María Gracia Alarcón plan to attend the Exceltur Forum, a non-profit association made up of 32 of the most relevant companies from the entire tourism value chain and take part in this important event that promotes the highest levels of competitiveness to consolidate the leadership and profitable and sustainable growth of tourism activity in Spain.
Regarding the new Mojácar 2024 tourism campaign, the promotion of sports tourism as a line of work in the fight against seasonality stands out. Its backing for sports tourism, which combines the practice of a physical activity in an environment that one intends to visit and discover, is currently on the rise within the tourism and leisure time sector.
Berlin artist Rolf-Gerhard Lange exhibits at The "La Fuente" Municipal Art Center in Mojácar
A painting exhibition has opened in Mojácar at the “La Fuente” Municipal Art Centre, showing until the 31st of January works by the artist Rolf-Gerhard Langue.
Born in the German city of Berlin, he has lived in Mojácar since May 2022, creating all his work in the town since then.
He studied architecture and urban planning, among other humanistic disciplines, at his hometown’s UT.
Drawing has been his main hobby since he was a child, and his first childhood memories are always of painting.
His talent also leads him to design, creating furniture and various objects, including occasional inventions.
The exhibition is an indication of his development and evolution as an artist and shows the different stages of the painter over the years.
It starts with a watercolour painted in 1954 and ends with his latest works in acrylic. Going around, the viewer can find studies and practices in all the pictorial techniques employed by the author, but which are also a reflection of the evolution of art, of the artistic styles of painting, and in short of society itself over the last 50 years.
Culture Councillor Noemí Linares attended the opening, as well as many members of the public who did not want to miss this interesting exhibition where the life's work of the artist Rolf-Gerharad Langue is on display.
Noemí Linares expressed her satisfaction at the success of the inauguration and for the “La Fuente” Municipal Art Centre’s good track record. This exhibition space brings together the works of local painters or painters living in the area, now having a long list of requests for its use. At the same time, the level of the works on display is increasingly greater, which also confirms Mojácar's history as a favourite location for them to live and as a source of inspiration.
For the exhibition opening, Iris Langue, the artist’s daughter, wanted to pay a small tribute to her father with a flamenco dance performance that complemented the inauguration and the traditional glass of Spanish wine usually offered on these occasions.
Iris Langue has for many years been the director of a well-known flamenco school in Hamburg. She has with her flamenco group done numerous tours on stages throughout Europe.
The “La Fuente” Municipal Art Centre will be open, free of charge, from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 2.m.
Success of teacher Jesús González Clares's Artistic Ceramics Workshop in Mojácar
Among the multiple activities organised by the Local Council for Christmas and winter in Mojácar municipality, the Artistic Ceramics Workshop stands out, which has been one of the most popular and successful for participation of those held so far.
The Artistic Ceramics Workshop has been run by the prestigious teacher Jesús González Clares, who has a degree in Fine Arts and is currently dedicated to the preservation and restoration of cultural assets such as the heritage of the Alhambra and the Generalife and the San Miguel Church, all in Granada. He is currently restoring the façade of Úbeda Town Hall in Jaén.
More than 20 students of all ages took part in this workshop held in Mojácar and organised by Mojácar Council and the Almería Provincial Council, totally covering the planned capacity.
It consisted of two parts: one of pottery and another of 3D modelling. In the pottery section, each student was able to make a free piece, limited only by their imagination and the characteristics of the wheel, which allows nothing more than cylindrical figures. In 3D modelling you work with the casting technique, an elementary and basic method for making sculptures in any subsequent material desired. Hence through casting it is also possible to afterwards make many other artistic applications.
The result of this first experience of the ceramics workshop has been thoroughly satisfactory, both for the teacher and for Mojácar Council and mainly for the students, who have expressed their interest in it carrying on, and if this is possible, the possibility of including many interested people who could not attend this first practice with clay as there was such a large demand that it far exceeded the capacity and who have expressed their interest in it continuing.
Mojácar launches new bus shelters that complement the remodeling of the paseo marítimo pavement
Among the improvements that Mojácar Council is carrying out on the Paseo Marítimo coastal road, the remodelling and creation of five bus stops is one of the Council’s latest actions.
Four of them, two located at the Parque Comercial and the other two at the fountain, have been financed by the Junta de Andalucía and are completely new. The fifth, located in Río Abajo, also newly created, is co-financed by the Almería Provincial Council and the Local Council. The latter has been created taking advantage of the replacement of the pavement along the coast road in the whole El Palmeral area.
Although accessibility for users in general has been improved at all of them, it is important to highlight that in the areas adjacent to the bus stops special paving stones have been installed for blind people. Warning signs through a surface of buttons or domes and the surface of lines or curved moulding that, undoubtedly, improve their accessibility and their orientation. Podotactile paving, the purpose of which is to signal and warn about a change in height and to guide along the correct way to the stop. The button paving to warn you are approaching the stop and the curved moulding paving to guide you there along the correct path.
In this remodelling and creation of the bus shelters, both on the Mojácar Paseo Marítimo and at the fountain, larger structures have been installed, where users find a greater protected space and where future passengers can wait more comfortably for the buses, with more shaded area and protection from the elements.
It has to be taken into account that these shelters serve as a stop and waiting area for users for both the urban bus service and the metropolitan, public transport lines that go to different points outside the municipality.
The Three Kings visit Mojácar
Their Majesties the Three Wise Men of the East, Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar, did not miss their appointment with the children of Mojácar.
After being officially received at the municipal offices located in the Plaza del Arbollón by the local mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, and his government team, Their Majesties, accompanied by their pages and the Corporation, went to the Santa María Church to make their offering of gold, incense and myrrh to the newborn baby Jesus.
There they were received by the Parish Priest, Mr Víctor Manuel Fernández, who welcomed them, accompanying them to the altar where there was a representation of the Holy Family.
A parade had been planned following the religious ceremony that would take Their Majesties to the Multi-Uses Centre, where the local children were waiting for them to receive the first of the many gifts they had planned for the little ones on this magical night.
The bad weather made it necessary to suspend the parade, but Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar did not let that stop them from greeting the families who were waiting for them and they did the route on foot, handing out sweets and candies to everyone.
As they went around Mojácar old town they were also accompanied by Disney characters: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Pluto, among others, who accompanied the pages and Three Wise Men throughout.
Once at the Multi-Uses Centre, Their Majesties gave out a small present to all the children born between 2012 and 2024 and who live in the locality.
From Their Majesties’ list on which there were the names of all the youngsters, a royal assistant called them, one by one, to collect their gift from Melchior, Caspar or Balthasar, taking advantage of the occasion to greet them personally, have their photo taken with such illustrious characters and also, of course, the opportunity for those most behind to ask them for that last-minute gift that they had forgotten to ask for in their royal letters.
Nearly 500 presents ended up in the hands of the locality's little ones, who were excited about this magical afternoon, enjoying the presence of some of the most eagerly-anticipated characters by children at Christmas.
Mojácar is the province´s first Municipality to welcome 2024 with a children´s New Year´s Eve celebration
Mojácar is the first municipality in Almería that will see in the New Year and celebrate the arrival of 2024 12 hours before the rest of the localities.
Mojácar Council, will, as usual, celebrate the arrival of 2024 with children and their families, at 12-noon in the Plaza del Arbollón.
To the rhythm of the chimes of the Santa María Parish Church, the youngsters will be able to ring in the New Year with a bang with jellybeans and toast, as is customary, with a juice that Mojácar Council is offering free to all those who join this first welcome of 2024.
The steps to follow are exactly the same as New Year's Eve for the grown-ups: lucky chimes, toasts, congratulations, fireworks, music, games and children's activities accompanied by Disney characters, who will also join the party to wish everyone a happy New Year full of the best wishes for prosperity
For several years now, the locality’s Local Council has been the first municipality to celebrate the arrival of the New Year with children who, in most cases, are not still awake at midnight and cannot celebrate it with their families
Children's New Year's Eve is a very popular family celebration in the municipality and many families, children and young people come along who do not want to miss this opportunity and who spend a fun morning with children's attractions, games, music and dancing, accompanied by their favourite characters from the Disney factory.
Last year, the Local Council distributed more than 300 bags of jellybeans with their corresponding juices. For this year, the predictions are higher as parents also join in on these sweet lucky chimes and the forecasts point to more members of the public coming along.
At night, and this time for the grown-ups, at midnight, the Local Council also plans its traditional New Year's Eve celebration.
In the Plaza del Arbollón, Mojácar will welcome 2024 with grapes and Cava, offered by Mojácar Council.
It is traditional in the municipality that residents and many visitors, together with the Local Council Government team, gather to have the lucky grapes.
It is worth highlighting the joining in of many of the foreign residents in this custom which is so much ours, especially British, although all nationalities join in.
Celebrations of all the cultures in harmony and in line with the good harmony of coexistence that is demonstrated in the incorporation of each other’s customs into daily life,
There will also be no shortage of fireworks, that will fill the Mojácar sky with light and colour during a Christmas that is more sparkling and more magical than ever.
And to celebrate all the good things that will come without doubt with the New Year, music and dance that will put the finishing touch to this year that is ending.
This Saturday Mojácar council propose an interpretative visit to the locality's old town , encounters with Disney characters and a fun parade
This Saturday 30th of December the last of the 2023 interpretive visits will take place in Mojácar, and will be very special as it will be dedicated to families and will be in the village’s old town
This visit, the only one dedicated to Mojácar for families, closes this year's hiking programme and will only be repeated next Christmas, although the hiking programme, organised by Mojácar Council, will continue in 2024 until March.
The interpretive visit to Mojácar village especially for families, also organised by the Local Council, will start at 11am on Saturday the 30th, beginning from the Plaza Nueva viewpoint.
It lasts approximately two hours and has a planned route of about three kilometres, going around the most emblematic points of the village’s old town. It is classified as low difficulty. The visit is free and has a professional guide, Javier Rodríguez Arias.
Given this special time of year and the fact that it is aimed at children and their parents, the tour will have magical characteristics. The most emblematic corners of Mojácar and the explanation of their history will be by fantastical characters who will be the common thread of the story that explains the evolution of Mojácar and the peaceful coexistence of three cultures: Christian, Arab and Jewish, leaving their mark throughout the old town.
The explanation to the children about the legend of the possible birth of Walt Disney in Mojácar, the house where he could have been born and the story that took him and his mother to the US is not to be missed.
There is no doubt that Disney's imagination, when it comes to looking for his characters and their beautiful stories, could have been inspired by Mojácar, and it is not unusual to see Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Aladdin this Christmas, many of them walking through its streets and squares, greeting residents and visitors and even having their photos taken with them.
Following the visit, a nice surprise awaits the children, the culmination and finishing touch to a visit that Mojácar Council hopes will be unforgettable for the families who come along.
Also on Saturday the 30th, as part of the programme of activities scheduled by the Local Council for this Christmas 2023-2024, the Disney characters will visit Mojácar village again from 7-9pm to meet their friends the children, coinciding with a fun parade that will begin at 7.30pm.
Mojácar council organises a flamenco zambombada for this thursday and invites everyone to the recovery of this Christmas tradition and a glass of anise and chesnuts .
Tomorrow, Thursday, 28th of December, and as part of the extensive programme of Christmas activities and proposals for Mojácar put on by the Local Council, there will be the traditional flamenco zambombada, starting at 7.30pm in Plaza del Parterre in Mojácar’s old town
With the municipal nativity scene as a backdrop, Alberto Fines and Rocío Zamora singing, along with Verónica Reverte and Tania Sanguino dancing, accompanied by David de la Fragua on guitar, invite all residents and visitors to an afternoon full of singing, with Christmas carols and popular songs, anise and chestnuts, but above all it is an invitation to an afternoon on which joy and tradition mark a much-loved activity, where the grown-ups can recall their childhood and youth and in turn create unforgettable memories for the little ones.
An ideal afternoon to spend as a family, with children, as a couple or with friends, in short, a typical Christmas afternoon in the incomparable setting of Mojácar.
The Caja Rural - Seguros RGA cycling team starts its training in Mojácar
Mojácar once again has the presence of the Caja Rural- Seguros RGA cycling team, which for 12 days has been in the locality for its first winter training meeting ahead of the next competition season.
For the second time, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA chose the locality of Mojácar as the start to the preseason, a gathering of great importance according to its sports coach as with this meeting and with these training sessions, the foundations are laid for its team strategy that will set the pattern for 2024.
The squad of 22 professional riders and 25 from the affiliate team met in Mojácar, taking advantage of this opportunity to share the trial run together on Mojácar’s roads, which, according to their coaches are ideal for this due to the good condition of the road surfaces, as well as the low levels of traffic and the respect of drivers when they come across the squad. It is also important to highlight the good weather that there always is.
This important team’s squad has stayed at the Servigroup Marina Playa hotel in Mojácar, which enjoys an unbeatable location on the beachfront, and where they find the best facilities, not only in accommodation; it has four swimming pools, three of them saltwater and one heated, a Wellness centre and four tennis courts, having everything necessary to look after and serve the athletes after the effort of the training. They also have everything necessary for looking after and checking the bikes.
When they leave Mojácar, the cyclists will go home to continue training. The first race is scheduled for the end of January; before that there will be the official presentation of the team to the media.
The prospects for the 2024 season are looking good, according to its sports director; the last one was very good and this year they hope to repeat or improve results.
They have undoubtedly chosen the meeting well, which according to experts, is very important for the proper development of the season.
The team and the coaches were greeted by the Sports Councillor Jesús Montoya Gredilla at Mojácar Town Hall, who, accompanied by Ricardo Escudero, Area Director of Servigroup Mojácar Hotels, wanted to wish them luck and much success for the next season, taking an equal interest in their stay in Mojácar and their impressions on the training routes.
Following the break due to the pandemic, it is gratifying to see the cycling teams on the local roads again.
At the beginning of next year, in January, the Belgian cycling team is expected, which will also restart the routine of previous years and will have its winter training headquarters in Mojácar.
The visits of sports teams from Europe to Mojácar restarts, which is excellent news for the locality and for the tourism sector in its fight against seasonality.
José Noriega exhibits in Mojácar until the 11TH of January 2024
An excellent exhibition of painting and sculpture by the artist José Noriega has opened in Mojácar at the “La Fuente” municipal art hall, and will remain open to the public until the 11th of January, 2024.
This exhibition brings together Noriega's work from the last four years and includes a collection of paintings, collages on paper of different textures and sculptures in wood and marble.
José Noriega was an architect and professor of projects at the Madrid Higher Technical School of Architecture until 2004. He also worked as a professor of free drawing at the Toledo School of Architecture, UCLM, until 2018.
From Madrid, he moved to Garrucha, where he established his usual place of residence, and from where he creates his works, figurative, and with colour dominating all his work.
He has taken centre stage at exhibitions, group and individual, in a large number of prestigious galleries in different parts of Spain, especially in Madrid.
The inauguration was attended by the Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, who was chatting with the artist and commenting on the details of the works on display.
Noemí Linares expressed her satisfaction with the artistic level that this municipal hall has been acquiring, which gets better with each invitation and mainly for its collaboration with artists, both local and those who decide to settle in the area, who are showing the talent and good work of those who decide to settle in a locality, a host of art in all its manifestations.
The exhibition can be visited, free of charge, every day from 10am to 2pm. As a novelty, José Noriega has proposed, in accordance with this special time of year, what has come to be known as “Vermouth Thursday”, whereby every Thursday, a glass, either of this drink or a Spanish wine, will be offered to all those who would like one and who can visit the exhibition from 12 midday.
The Mojácar Municipal Music Band offers its traditional Christmas Concert full of surprises
The next Friday, the 22nd, the Mojácar Municipal Music Band will offer a special Christmas gala at which it will present surprises and good music at 8.30pm in the Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre.
The scheduled day and time for raising the curtain on the “Mojácar Municipal Music Band 2023 Christmas Concert”, which this year has the special collaboration of the “Salpiñoni” clowns.
As part of this time of year’s magical atmosphere, in addition to Christmassy and fun music, the Mojácar Municipal Music Band, under the baton of its director, Miguel Ángel Miranda, proposes a fun evening where it is anticipated that the audience will also be able to interact with the musicians in a light and family atmosphere thanks to the collaboration of the “Salpiñoni” clowns.
The “Salpiñoni” group came into being more than a quarter of a century ago in the town of Úbeda. In all these years, Luichi, Totó, Papo and Memé have performed and delighted audiences throughout Spain.
Their work is based on the traditional style of the genre, but they masterfully add an important lively component, playing with the music and dance.
For its part, the Mojácar Municipal Music Band, created in 2000, has been evolving and progressing to become one of the most appreciated in Almería province.
With the unconditional support of Mojácar Council since its foundation, this young Municipal Music Band, as well as collaborating in all local events, also visits different Spanish cities, taking part in concerts, competitions and musical gatherings, always obtaining a high degree of recognition, both from the public and from the juries and members of other Municipal Bands.
Their performances are always followed with interest by local residents and visitors, always registering a large audience.
This concert is included in Mojácar Council's proposal for the municipality’s most magical Christmas.
Mojácar's 2023-2024 Christmas activities programme includes not only music, but also theatre, a Christmas market, Disney characters, children's activities, workshops, parades, batucadas, among many other surprises and all of this within the framework of fantastic Christmas illuminations thanks to this locality being a Ferrero Rocher village and the efforts of the Council that has doubled the lighting so that Mojácar shines even more brightly this Christmas.
Mojácar receives the recognition of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain at its 11TH General Assembly
The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain Association held its 11th General Assembly this weekend, which this year took place in the Cádiz town of Grazalema.
Among the 80 delegations from the member villages that attended this meeting, Mojácar was represented by the Mojácar Council Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, who took part in all the events and meetings scheduled for the occasion and who also had the responsibility of receiving the recognition for Mojácar for being part of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain since its foundation 10 years ago.
This recognition was presented to the Mojácar Tourism Councillor by the president of the Association, Francisco Mestre.
María Gracia Alarcón expressed gratitude for the distinction on behalf of the municipality and repeated Mojácar's commitment to the founding aim of The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain, which includes the preservation and promotion of its history, tradition and culture as well as the work carried out, always based on sustainability and respect for the environment.
Mojácar's membership of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain Association has for the locality meant important support for tourism promotion and support for its dissemination in this important sector, both inside and outside our country.
This Association is a role model for backing the recovery of small localities and their artistic heritage and a strategic factor in local and regional development. A quality seal and guarantee as demonstrated by its collaboration with the Secretary of State for Tourism and its membership of the Federation of the Most Beautiful Villages in the World.
It also helps in the fight against a depopulated Spain, demonstrating the wealth and possibilities of small municipalities for entrepreneurs and encouraging those people and families who are looking for an alternative way of living an option that also contributes to the growth of the villages together with tourism.
Joint celebration of the Anglican and Catholic Churches in Mojácar around the Festival of Nine Lessons
As has been taking place during the Christmas celebrations for many years in Mojácar, the municipality’s two most significant religious communities, Catholic and Anglican, gather at the Santa María Parish Church on the occasion of the Festival of Nine Lessons, which means a meeting between the faithful of both denominations gathered around the reading of Genesis in both languages.
The celebration was officiated by the Parish Priest at the Santa María Catholic Church in Mojácar, Víctor Manuel Fernández, and the Costa de Almería Anglican Minister, Alwyn Carter.
The celebration of Nine Lessons held in the Mojácar Santa María Parish Church was attended by Spanish and British faithful, Catholics and Anglicans, who jointly and movingly celebrated this time of Advent, a prelude to the most important days of the year for the faithful of both communities.
The readings by the faithful begin, following the tradition, with the Old Testament. Through the prophet Isaiah the birth of Jesus is announced and through the apostles Luke, Matthew and John, recounting the impact of his birth on the world. The lessons, in Spanish and English, are interspersed with typical Christmas carols.
The Anglican Church, despite being a reformed church, maintains similarities with the Catholics. They accept the apostolic tradition and venerate the Virgin Mary as Mother of God. The Catholic and Anglican Churches celebrate masses throughout the world for the birth of Jesus.
The tradition of performing the festival of Nine Lessons during the Advent season is of Anglican origin and dates back to 1880 when the Archbishop of Canterbury designed the service for use on Christmas Eve in Cornwall, Great Britain. It is a service that consists of nine short readings from the Bible in which the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus is usually outlined.
The good neighbourly relationship between the numerous residents, mainly British and Spanish, led to an agreement to together celebrate the arrival of the baby Jesus and also the beginning of Christmas in Mojácar. An example of coexistence and respect between both communities that has given rise to some of the most moving Christmas events of this time of year.
Christmas lights inaugurated Mojácar shines more than ever this Christmas
Mojácar now shines more magically and brighter than ever. After the official switch-on, thousands of lightbulbs invite you to enjoy these festivities and their charm that does not go unnoticed or leave anyone indifferent
Since the 8th, at 7 in the evening, when the Mojácar Christmas lights Inauguration Gala took place with even more lighting, more spectacle and above all, more excitement than ever, this locality has become the Christmas benchmark in the province.
At the Opening Gala, Carmen García Campoy, director of the Mojácar Tourism Department, was the master of ceremonies, masterfully managing all the planned events.
When choosing who would have the job of the official switch-on, the Mojácar Council Government Team decided that the most appropriate for that moment should be the true protagonists of Christmas: the children.
Previously and through a draw among the young volunteers for the switch-on, four of them were chosen for the magical moment.
Accompanied by the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, and in front of a large crowd of local residents and visitors, the innocent and excited hands of the little ones pressed the magic button that led to the lighting of thousands of lightbulbs distributed throughout Plaza Nueva and the streets of the locality’s old town.
Along with the switch-on, amid a shower of applause, the Mojácar sky was also filled with light with fireworks, confetti and light cannons that illuminated the square and many hearts.
Alongside the mayor and the protagonists of the switch-on, the Mojácar Council government team shared the excitement of the moment and the culmination of months of work.
The gala’s finale was provided by the Raya Real group who offered those who’d turned out a concert of Christmas carols and their best hits.
That same Friday morning, the Christmas market was also inaugurated, which for the first time, opens its doors to the Mojácar Christmas. Wooden huts with the most typical Christmas inspiration from northern Europe, transport you to the places where these festivities are experienced most intensely and offer hand-made and typical Christmas products. This market opens daily from 11am.
With the lighting flooding the entire old town, the events programmed by Mojácar Council will take place every day and is where you will be able to find unforgettable experiences.
Under Mojácar’s spell, the visitor will be able to find: batucadas, through the main streets of the town, Disney characters greeting and welcoming children and carol concerts, street artists, workshops and children's activities, among many other planned activities. There are events for all tastes and ages that will fascinate and will disappoint no one.
Christmas in Almería now has a place and name: Mojácar.
Mojácar shines more than ever. Not to be missed.
The artefacto collective and the painter Angela Ortiz exhibit in Mojácar
The Artefacto collective has once again put its works on show in Mojácar, at the La Fuente Municipal Art Centre, open to the public until the 17th of December.
Sculpture, photography, crafts and painting come together in this group exhibition featuring: Aitor Pablo Gorrán, Szkamdera, Ángel Rodríguez, Anika Lagarrigue, Elizabeth Attewell, Heidi Gaber, María José Kaury, Nikki Freespirit, Pamen Merchante and Ricardo Rejón, all of them members of Artefacto and sharing the exhibition hall, the painter Ángela Ortiz.
The inauguration took place on the 1st of December with the presence of the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, accompanied by the Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares.
Francisco García and Noemí Linares spent time perusing the exhibition accompanied by the authors of the works on display and had the opportunity to share with them the peculiarities of many of the works presented.
The inauguration was a complete success, as usually happens when the collective exhibits in Mojácar, including with numerous sales that same afternoon.
The Artefacto collective brings together many of the best artists in the area represented in different artistic disciplines. It currently has 25 members, although their number is almost continuously growing.
Artefacto was created two years ago, born as a project aimed at promoting art at the same time as putting forward proposals associated with collaboration with charitable and social institutions in the region.
Their work since then has earned them recognition for their initiative, being awarded at the 14th edition of the Levante Awards in the cultural category organised by the Voice of Almería. This award values the effort and achievements made linked to the Levante Almeriense region.
There are new projects in the pipeline, such as holding workshops and creating a craft and antique market that could be located at the Mojácar Fountain to reactivate it as a meeting point for local residents, and in which artisans from all over the province could join, or collaborating with the Mojácar Red Cross in various actions, among other initiatives.
Artefacto will also be represented at the Christmas market that the Local Council has set up in the most emblematic squares of the old town to celebrate this important time of year.
Anyone interested in seeing this exhibition can visit the La Fuente Municipal Art Centre, which will have its doors open, free of charge, from Monday to Sunday, with morning opening hours from 10am to 2pm and afternoons from 5-8pm.
Mojácar, base for the final of the Almería Educational Sports Duathlon Cross Games Circuit
The second and final trial of the Duathlon Cross Educational Promotion Circuit was held in Mojácar, organised as part of the Almería Provincial Council’s school sports Promotion Department’s Provincial Sports Games project, and in this case also with the collaboration of Mojácar Council.
The categories contested in Mojácar were those corresponding to the Benjamín (under-10), Alevín (under-12) and Children (under-14), both male and female.
In total 44 participants corresponding to the CD Vas and CD Galosport clubs, from Roquetas de Mar; CD Triathlon from El Ejido; CD Triatlon from Tíjola and CD Entrena Trijuansa.
Marina de la Torre in Mojácar was the setting for the race that took place from 10am to 1pm, the time scheduled for the presentation of the trophies by the locality’s sports councillor, Jesús Montoya Gradilla, who was also there for the whole race, closely following the development of the race, which was held without incident.
In the triathlon promotion circuit, in its 2023/2024 edition, the trial staged in Mojácar, as with the previous one held in Fines, allows the participation of federated and non-federated athletes, in the categories Benjamín (born between 2014 -2015), Alevín (2012-2013), and Children (2010-2011), covering the distance of 250m, 500m and 1,000m in the first race on foot. In the second trial, cycling, the distance was 1,000m, 2000m and 4,000m, followed by another race on foot of 125m, 250m and 500m, according to the Benjamin, Alevín or Children’s category respectively.
Mojácar Council’s Sports Department, through its head, Jesús Montoya Gredilla, actively participates with the Almería Provincial Council and the Provincial Delegations of the corresponding Andalucian Federations, taking on the commitment to promote different sports competitions at school age, of an unofficial nature, for those athletes who, motivated by obtaining sporting results, have not yet acquired the level required for the official federated competitions, in this way dealing with the work of promoting grassroots sport through the “Basis Sports Performance Promotion Circuits”, aimed at the development of sports activities.
Mojácar inaugurates its Nativity Scene and begins Christmas with a grand show
Mojácar now has its municipal nativity scene installed and open to the public, officially inaugurated with the blessing of the Santa María Church Parish Priest, Mr Victor Manuel Fernández and in the presence of the local Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, and his government team and a large public who, as has become habitual, come along to this religious event that marks the beginning of Christmas.
The nativity scene has been set in the Mojácar landscape, as it has been represented in recent years, with its most emblematic buildings integrated into the representation of the birth of Jesus. Country houses in the style of the locality, Mojácar castle, the mosque and also recreating details of the traditionally made goods and fabrics.
Within the landscape that surrounds the nativity scene, the plants are natural and native, hence giving it a typically local atmosphere.
It has 35 figures that represent the most representative characters of the most traditional nativity scenes, and this year more figures have been added that have been donated by a private individual to Mojácar municipality. They are very realistic, acquired by the Local Council more than 50 years ago from a well-known workshop in Murcia, with Neapolitan tradition and typical inspiration of the Murcian nativity scene masters in their work.
Following the blessing, those who went along could enjoy sweets that, accompanied by a good cup of hot chocolate, extended the celebration with a now marked Christmas atmosphere and the excitement, in both children and adults, due to the proximity of these festivities that begin with this inauguration.
Among the activities planned for Christmas in Mojácar, which include performances and concerts, today Saturday, the Christmas Flamenco Gala stands out with the presence of José Serrano, “Pepín”, first dancer of the Sara Baras Company and the National Ballet of Spain, accompanied by his flamenco “cuadro” (dance and music group).
José Serrano, born in Córdoba, has had a long and successful professional life, being one of the most prestigious flamenco dancers. Among his extensive CV is, in 2004, working on the choreography of Asturias alongside Sara Baras in Carlos Saura's film Iberia, which premiered in 2005. He also participates as the company’s guest artist, likewise for Sara Baras for the revival of the show "Sueños” and for the new production of “Sabores”, which premiered in Paris in December 2005.
A great performance, that will be at 8.30pm in the Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre.
The Raya Real group will offer a carol concert at the official inauguration fo the Mojácar Christmas lights swith-on
Christmas has now arrived in Mojácar and the activities planned by the Local Council are beginning so that Mojácar looks more magical than ever at this time of year.
The calendar for the month of December starts with the inauguration, next Saturday the 2nd, of the municipal nativity scene, which will take place in the Plaza del Parterre at 11.30am. All those coming along are invited to a hot chocolate in the same plaza.
A Christmas craft market, spread around the squares of the old town and different food trucks will allow you to purchase the most original decorations and recharge your batteries. They will begin their activity on Wednesday, 6th of December, and will open every day from 11am.
But the most eagerly anticipated moment of Christmas will be on Friday the 8th, with the Mojácar Christmas Lights Inauguration Gala. At 7pm in Plaza Nueva, the most magical and anticipated moment will take place, when the old town will again shine under the Ferrero Rocher lighting, which for this year has been increased and improved to “shine even brighter.”
Following the switch-on, the Raya Real group will offer a Christmas carol concert which will set the festive tone. Raya Real is one of the best-known and highly regarded musical groups, having had great hits that have been heard halfway around the world.
Starting on Saturday, batucadas will go around the streets of Mojácar from 7pm and the Disney characters return to the municipality to share many photos and lots of excitement with the little ones on these magical days.
In the Plaza del Parterre, at 8pm, street artists will bring colour and fun for all the visitors to the village.
Mojácar Playa, at the Parque Comercial, will also have its special celebration with a Christmas Carol concert on Saturday the 16th at 11am and children's activities will be set up with workshops and entertainment, as well as a special pottery workshop.
Every day, music, parades, concerts and activities of all kinds will take place in Mojácar. Anyone who is interested will be able to consult the Christmas programme found on municipal social media to be able to choose any of the Local Council’s many proposals.
As is now traditional, children's New Year's Eve will be celebrated on the 31st of December 31 in the Plaza del Arbollón. At 12 noon, following the chimes of the Santa María Parish Church, the little ones will be able to say goodbye to the year and enjoy the surprises, games and proposals that await them.
The grown-ups will be able to keep with the tradition at 12 midnight when the Local Council will offer the lucky grapes, a glass of cava, music and dancing
The magic of Disney fills Mojácar with members of the public and its most popular characters
The second edition of “The Magic of Disney in Mojácar”, held last Sunday, filled the locality’s old town with many of the well-known leading characters from the most important factory in the world of animation.
The call to come along exceeded all expectations and the whole of Mojácar old town of Mojácar was filled with children and families eagerly awaiting their favourite characters. Many of them also dressed up and hugged their cuddly toy versions.
Nearly 3,000 people did not want to miss Mojácar's tribute to the legendary Walt Disney and take a photo or greet many of their favourite characters who were parading through the streets of the municipality.
From Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, dancers performing choreography from The Lion King, with Simba and Nala included, to Micky and Minnie, the most photographed, and to Snow White and other princesses, the witch with her apple, Alice and so on to a long list of characters with which all the leads of the Disney filmography were remembered.
“The Magic of Disney in Mojácar”, organised by the Local Council and the Walt Was Here Association, which investigates the possible birth of Disney in Mojácar, is a celebration that is now part of the municipality's calendar and that every year will improve and expand in its organisation.
“A dream come true,” according to the president of the Association who, together with the Local Council, has the decision to keep the magic of Disney in Mojácar more present and more alive every day.
Two large murals now decorate the streets: one at the entrance to Mojácar, where Micky welcomes visitors, and another next to the municipal public school, where the story of Walt Disney and his possible Mojácar origins greets children every morning before going into the school.
This Christmas, and as part of the programming put together by the Local Council for December, starting on the 8th, the day of the official Mojácar Christmas lights switch-on gala, it is planned that the Disney characters will return to the locality and all the children who so wish will be able to see them and get photos of themselves with them in the squares and main streets of the old town from 7pm to 9pm.
The magic of Disney fills the streets of Mojácar this Sunday 26th November
Tomorrow, Sunday the 26th of November, Mojácar gets back the magic of Disney and organises the most emblematic and most fun celebration, where all the characters from the international animation factory will be in the municipality.
Starting at 11.30am in the old town, all the Disney characters are called to come together for the most cinematic procession known in the province.
All the residents, friends, tourists and visitors who wish to do so and dressed as their favourite character, will parade through the centre of Mojácar. There will also be a parade, face painting, a song contest, with prizes for those who guess the tunes of the best-known films, games, children's activities, dances and many surprises.Starting at 2pm, a giant paella will be given out, free of charge, to all those taking part so they can recharge their batteries to carry on with the festivities.
The magic of Disney in Mojácar is organised by Mojácar Council and the Walt Was Here Association, which investigates Walt Disney’s possible Mojácar origins.
At the same time as this interesting activity, Walt Was Here does the work of keeping the legend alive to make the children and young people of the locality aware, at the same time as highlighting the value of his work and the importance of his legacy in the world of dreams and the magic that has been very present in several generations, always from the perspective of his birth in Mojácar.In the first edition of the “Magic of Disney in Mojácar” last year, more than 1,000 people gathered, all dressed up, either alone or in a group, doing dance routines and giving performances of the best-known Disney factory films, turning Mojácar into a splendid setting for fantasy and dreams.
Based on the success of the last gathering, this year many more members of the public are expected. The Walt Was Here Association and the Local Council have expanded the range of activities and surprises, so fun is guaranteedWhat’s more, “The Magic of Disney at Christmas” will serve as a preamble to the 2023-2024 Christmas festivities, which are very near, which in Mojácar will be experienced in a very special way and for which Mojácar Council has prepared an intense calendar of activities designed for children and adults.
A Christmas in Mojácar that, since becoming winner in the “Together we shine more” contest, represents one of the most fascinating attractions at this time of year, recovering the Christmas spirit and the excitement that now have a place and date in the municipality.
Mojácar Council publishes the rules to authorize artistic performances in the public domain over Christmas 2023-2024
Mojácar has planned an extensive programme of activities for these Christmas holidays with the aim of maintaining the locality as a Christmas reference point for the province and of filling this Christmas with even more light and magic.
Among all these planned activities, Mojácar, a traditional destination for artists and a cultural reference, cannot forget the promotion of artistic expression that is part of Mojácar society. For this reason, the locality’s council wants public roads to also be a space for artistic expression, contributing to its revitalization and organizing it for its orderly expression, so that everyone can enjoy it and it is in an environment of coming together and coexistence.
For this purpose, Mojácar Council has published the rules to regulate the presence of different artistic expressions in the streets of the old town over Christmas 2023-2024, so that they can be combined with other uses of the municipal public space during the Christmas festivities.
For the purposes of applying the rules published by the local authority, Mojácar Council specifies that street art will be understood as artistic expressions such as music, theatre, dance, mime, juggling, puppets, drawing or painting, etc., non-profit, and other similar activities that have the municipal public domain as their performance space, both individually and in groups, that require municipal authorisation and that have the streets of Mojácar municipality’s old town as their venue.
Those who are interested will have to submit their application at the Mojácar Council entrance register, from Monday to Friday and from 9am to 2pm, or via its online office. The applications will, along with the duly completed application form, be accompanied by the applicant's ID and a detailed description of the activity to be carried out. If the application does not meet the indicated requirements, it is incomplete, or if it is not accompanied by the documentation described, the interested party will be required to online, within a maximum period of 10 business days from the day following notification of the requirement, to correct what is lacking or attach the required documents, with the indication that, if this is not done, the request will be considered dropped.
Mojácar Council will establish an evaluation commission made up of the councillors from the tourism, culture and festivities departments, assessing the variety of the show, innovative or exceptional proposals, its quality or the public to which it is directed.
Likewise, the evaluation commission will record in the authorisation the allocated space, the authorised elements, the permitted operating hours and the day or days on which it will be possible, taking into account that both the rules and the authorisations are limited to Christmas 2023-2024.
Mojácar continues to shine at Christmas
Christmas continues to shine in Mojácar and this year even more so. The Local Council has scheduled a Christmas calendar full of activities to share with the whole family and friends.
If last Christmas Mojácar was lit up in a very special way thanks to being the winner of the “Together we shine brighter” contest, Christmas 2023 will be more magical and brighter than ever.
Mojácar Council has programmed a Christmas Calendar full of attractive proposals that will turn the locality into an ideal destination in which to enjoy these well-loved holidays, turning them into unforgettable and magical days for children and adults.
The Mojácar Christmas Calendar starts on the first day of December and runs until the 6th of January.
Throughout each and every one of these days, whoever visits Mojácar will be able to find workshops, musical performances, street artists, circus, magic shows, parades and Disney characters welcoming and sharing music, dance and activities with all the children, among many other surprises.
The Disney characters plan to spend Christmas in Mojácar and will organise dances, parades and games that will be held throughout all the municipality’s squares and streets.
The Christmas market could not be missing. It will open its doors from Wednesday 6th of December, and is where we can find those details that we look for to decorate our homes in a more special way.
Nor could be missing the nativity scene, located in the Plaza del Parterre, the inauguration of which will take place on Saturday the 2nd, with hot chocolate included.
To the thousands of light bulbs last year obtained thanks to the Ferrero Rocher competition, you have to add those that Mojácar Council is going to install to complete the decoration of the old town, increasing the magic and turning Mojácar into the most illuminated and most sparkling locality of the whole province.
The official turning on of the lights will be on Friday 8th of December, with a special inaugural gala, Ferrero Rocher gala and flamenco carol concert with the Raya Real group.
It is impossible not to visit Mojácar and experience during these days the true magic of Christmas.
Mojácar supports Iznájar's candidacy in the Ferrero Rocher "Toghether we shine brighter 2023" Christmas competition
The Iznájar Mayor, Lope Ruiz López, visited Mojácar accompanied by a delegation from the locality made up of Antonio García, first Deputy Mayor and Tourism Councillor; Loles Campillos, Citizen Participation Councillor; Paqui Marín, Equality Councillor; and Rubén Lope, Social Welfare Councillor.
The Iznájar Mayor, Lope Ruiz López, visited Mojácar accompanied by a delegation from the locality made up of Antonio García, first Deputy Mayor and Tourism Councillor; Loles Campillos, Citizen Participation Councillor; Paqui Marín, Equality Councillor; and Rubén Lope, Social Welfare Councillor.
The Cordaban locality of Iznájar has been selected as a Pueblo Ferrero Rocher candidate for this Christmas 2023, and for this reason, a delegation from this municipality, with its mayor at the head, travelled to Mojácar to learn first-hand about their experience and the work carried out until becoming winners of the 2022 edition.
They were received at the Town Hall by the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá; the Tourism Councillor, María Gracia, and Carmen García Campoy, director of the Mojácar Council Tourism Department.
Francisco García Cerdá expressed his support for Iznájar's candidacy, as well as providing them with all assistance with whatever they may need.
Iznájar is the only town representing Andalucia in the “Together We Shine More” Ferrero Rocher campaign and that features the values and traditions of the Andalucian Community.
In the meeting between the two mayors, Francisco García Cerdá highlighted the unprecedented relevance and impact of Mojácar's participation in the Ferrero Rocher contest. As a result of this award, all forecasts for the increase in visits to the locality multiplied exponentially and the boost to breaking the seasonal nature of the tourist season was more than significant.
In Mojácar there has been a before and after in its Christmas celebrations. In fact, the lights remained on until well into February on registering a large number of visitors who wanted to admire the impressive illumination and that did not end, even when the festivities were over.
The whole of Iznájar is now working on its candidacy and on its strategies to pass the first phase that would keep it in the competition. The Iznájar delegation was able to share with Mojácar the ideas and plans that they are now carrying out for this purpose and they exchanged ideas and experiences about the contest.
Mayor Lope Ruiz thanked Francisco García Cerdá and Mojácar for their help, as well as Almería province, which, without doubt, will also support its candidacy with the votes, not only of all the Mojácar locals, but also of all Almeríans.
The Junta inaugurates the Mojácar bus station and transfers its management to the Local Council
.The Regional Development Minister, Rocío Díaz, visits facilities that have been built with an investment of more than 600,000 euros
The Regional Minister of Development, Territory Planning and Housing, Rocío Díaz, and the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García, have inaugurated the municipality’s new bus station, which has been received by the Local Council, which from now on will be in charge of its management and maintenance.
The Junta de Andalucia has invested 653,421 euros in the construction of a transport interchange that “will bring together all the interurban transport offer in Mojácar, whether in summer or winter”, the regional minister stated, who gave a reminder of the tourism pulling-power of a municipality which sees its population multiply during the summer period.
Rocío Díaz expressed her satisfaction at “paying off a historical debt of the Junta with this municipality” and with this resolve “the existing deficiencies in public transportation with a functional building.” Likewise, she showed her appreciation for the close collaboration at all times between the Junta and the Local Council that has made these facilities possible.
every moment between the Board and the City Council that has made this equipment possible. The regional minister indicated that these facilities seek “the inter-modality that we are always looking for to promote public transportation”, since it has a taxi rank, four bays for metropolitan buses and a fifth bay for the urban bus service. “All with the idea of looking for more sustainable mobility,” the regional minister stated.
For his part, the Mojácar Mayor expressed satisfaction with the construction of an interchange that “will cover the demand of our residents and visitors.” “Until today we have not had a central point to deal with all arrivals and departures from Mojácar,” the mayor said, who thanked the Andalucian Government for its commitment, not only to the bus station, but to the development of other infrastructure, such as the health centre and the bypass.
Mojácar, with nearly 7,000 inhabitants, increases its population to 40,000 inhabitants in summer. More than 40 bus trips usually stop in the Almeria municipality, a number that has increased on some routes in the summer period
summer, given its tourist character. Despite the large volume of travellers, it did not until now have a specific facility to serve the public transport offer. The
intercity buses stop at various points distributed throughout the municipality. The main one is called La Fuente and is located on Avenida de Andalucia, near the junction with Camino Huertas de las Parras.
Following an agreement between the Local Council and the Junta de Andalucía, the bus interchange is located on a municipally owned plot of 5,607sqm on the
Avenida de Andalucía (AL-6111), which is the road that connects the historic centre of the municipality with its coastal development. In addition, it has a good connection with the Mojácar bypass and offers a direct exit to the Mediterranean Dual Carriageway (A-7).
The station, which has had co-financing from the European FEDER funds, has a large esplanade for four 15-metre-long bus bays, as well as an operations building where the offices, lockers and toilets are located. Said building is single-storey, rectangular in shape, 5 x 10 metres, and has services for
providing a comfortable wait for the user. The bus bays’ waiting esplanade, as well as having street furniture, has been equipped with a metal open canopy that creates a shaded area on the whole esplanade.
Due to the unevenness of the plot, it has been necessary to build several retaining walls of reinforced concrete on its limit with the AL-6111 road, the
height of which varies throughout the entire layout, depending on the difference in the level between the interchange esplanade and the road. Likewise, on the opposite side of the esplanade, where it borders the Campos watercourse, a gabion wall has been built to retain the esplanade along its entire perimeter with the Campos watercourse.
Rocío Díaz recalled that the station itself had been built months before by the company Construcciones Nila, but that before handing it over a series of authorisations for energy and water supply had to be resolved. After resolving these issues, the regional minister and the mayor have also signed the transfer of the facilities to the local authority so that it contracts the necessary services for its maintenance and management. In the meantime, the Local Council will progressively put the facilities into service.
The regional minister and the mayor attended the inauguration of the new facilities accompanied by the Junta de Andalucía’s Government Delegate in Almería, Aranzazu Martín; the general director of Transport Infrastructure, Eduardo Gutierrez; the general director of Road Infrastructure, Alfonso Lujano, and the Territorial Development, Territory Planning and Housing delegate in Almería, Dolores Martínez Utrera.
Lorenzo Silva will present his latest work "Púa" in Mojácar
The Spanish writer Lorenzo Silva will be in Mojácar next Wednesday 15th of November to present his latest book, “Púa”.
At 7.30pm in the Multi-uses Centre, Lorenzo Silva will present his new work and will be able to chat with those attending and sign copies of his works. Entrance is free.
His visit is part of the “Mojácar, Literary Space” cycle with which the Local Council, through the Culture Department, is bringing the best Spanish-speaking writers to the locality.
Lorenzo Silva has been awarded numerous literary prizes, among which could be highlighted the Nadal Prize, obtained on two occasions, the Planeta Award and the Grand Cross of the Order of the Second of May, among other distinctions.
Although he has been the author of many stories, articles and essays, he is best known for his novels, mainly those in which appear what are perhaps his most famous characters: the Civil Guard couple formed by Sergeant Bevilacqua and Agent Chamorro and which have earned him the designation of Honorary Civil Guard.
Another of his works, “La flaqueza del Bolshevik” (The weakness of the Bolshevik), with which he was also a Nadal finalist, has been adapted to the big screen by director Manuel Martín Cuenca.
So far, the “Mojácar Literary Space” cycle has received visits from important personalities such as Carmen Mola, the pseudonym with which the writers Jorge Díaz, Agustín Martinez and Antonio Mercero won the Planeta Prize in 2021, as well as the well-known writer Julia Navarro, one of the writers with the most bestsellers, published in more than 30 countries and with more than one million copies sold.
The interest in and love for reading, both in the municipality and in the region, is evident in the great success and large attendance by the public that both presentations registered for the visits to Mojácar by these writers.
With this cycle Mojácar Council aims to bring literature, books and their authors to the Levante Almería region, offering the possibility of meeting in person the most relevant authors of current literature in Spain.
There remain important signings in the pipeline with which Local Council is finalising dates for future presentations in the locality of the most relevant works coming onto the market.
Mojácar, with a great tradition in the world of culture in all areas, has become the meeting point of Spanish literature in the region
Mojácar at the World Travel Market.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, accompanied by the Tourism Councillor, María Gracía Alarcón, attended the World Travel Market international tourism fair staged in London from the 6th to the 8th of November.
Mojácar Council was at this important tourism event as part of the promotion of the Costa de Almería destination on the Andalucian Tourism stand installed at the World Travel Market where, at this edition, there were more than 3,000 exhibitors from more than 1,000 countries around the world.
During their stay at WTM, the Mojácar Mayor and the Tourism Councillor kept up an intense agenda of meetings with professionals in the sector: agencies, tour operators, business people and hoteliers, among others, with the aim of consolidating and expanding the British market, of great importance for the municipality.
Among the agreements now finalised with different companies in the sector, the obtaining of another flight from the UK to Almería stands out.
There are currently seven weekly flights with passengers with Mojácar as their destination. From 2024 there will be eight. From May to November, every Sunday, this supplementary flight will bring British visitors from Bristol to Mojácar municipality.
With this, not only will the number of weekly flights to Almería and the number of visitors to Mojácar increase. Most noteworthy will be the extension of the tourist season until almost the end of the year, which represents an important advance with regard to breaking the seasonal nature of tourism that the local authority is working on on several fronts.
Additionally, agreements have also been finalised for increasing family tourism; forecasts indicate around 60% more in relation to the figures obtained this season.
Both Francisco García Cerdá and María Gracia Alarcón have brought from London, in addition to important agreements and many others pending to be closed in the near future, very good impressions and interesting contacts within the tourism sector.
The Mojácar delegation was very well received, attracting great interest within the tourism world, being invited for the first time to The Honorable Society of Lincon's Inn’s gala dinner, which traditionally serves to pay tribute to the tourism sector during the World Travel Market and which only 150 people have the honour of attending, among whom were also the most prominent personalities of Almería province.
The Vera International Photo Club Collective exhibits in Mojácar until the end of November
The “La Fuente de Mojácar” Municipal Art Centre has opened its doors to a new exhibition by the Vera International Photo Club collective, which this November is holding its annual photography exhibition .
Vera International Photo Club is well-known in the area for the quality of their work. It brings together photographers of all levels and different nationalities, meeting regularly, both online and in person, to share, develop and appreciate their diverse work and to stimulate creativity in all photographic genres.
Until the 29th of November, from Monday to Friday, from 10am to 2pm, or Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm, you can enjoy, free of charge, this fantastic exhibition that shows the excellent work produced by its members, with high-quality images on topics ranging from landscapes, portraits, abstracts, wildlife, Spanish life, etc., always interesting and in which the visitor will be able to enjoy and admire the quality of all the works presented.
You can also enjoy in the exhibition the projection of more than 700 photographs that the members have been presenting in their monthly challenges throughout the year on different themes, both in black and white and in colour, and discover not only the artists’ technical progress but also how the focus of their gaze changes according to how they interpret the reality that surrounds them, always with high artistic quality. It also offers the opportunity to purchase some of the exhibited works.
Mojácar Council has, as in previous years, made available to this collective its Art Centre, located near the Fountain, turning its exhibition into an annual event that is always highly anticipated, not only by residents of the locality, as it is usual at its exhibitions to find residents of the region who are interested in their works.
Vera International Photo Club is the most prominent photography collective in the province, and many of its members are considered inspirations in this genre.
It was founded some years ago by the well-known Roberts Stan together with Rod Westwood, one of the most important photographers in the world of fashion and today president of this Club that has numerous members, very active, passionate about the world of photography.
Mojácar Town Council proposes special weekends in the Town during the Autumn and Winter Season.
Visitors can discover the natural environment of Mojácar, its trails and interpretive and cultural routes which are full of beautiful corners. A professional guide will accompany hikers offering information about the routes. The hikes will take place every Saturday morning throughout the autumn and winter season.
In collaboration with the hotel sector, it is also intended to promote weekends in the town, taking full advantage of the excellent weather enjoyed by Mojácar; weather that allows for outdoor activities year-round.
Complementing these special weekends, the Town Hall has organised a series of theatrical productions with the performance of a different play each Friday evening, completing an attractive programme and just one more reason to visit Mojácar on weekends.
Mojácar Town Council proposes 7 different routes of varying difficulty, low and medium, but all of them suitable for families and tourists even if they have no experience of the activity.
The routes range between 7 and 10 kilometers. Some routes will be circular and others linear. Relevant information will be provided for each route regarding the degree of difficulty, duration and recommendations regarding clothing plus any other information that may be useful during the walk. The average length of the walk will be around two hours.
The free guided tours will begin on the 4th of November with the Sopalmo – Bordenares - Granatilla route. On the 11th the route scheduled is Mojácar village - La Paratá - Mojácar village.
Also during November, on the 18th, the route will be Las Menas Mojácar - The observatories. The following weekend, the 25th, the route will be the one that runs from Mojácar village – Alcantarilla - el Jalí - Mojácar village.
December 9th will see us following the route from Macenas Castle (cuerda de la chacona/rope of the Chacona) – Playa Sombrerico (Treasure Island) – Macenas Castle.
The interpretative route of the Huertas de Mojácar will take place on December 16th and on December 30th there will be a special visit for families - children with their parents will be able to visit the old town of Mojácar and take a two-hour tour in which the guide will show them all the magical and historical corners of the town.
Those interested can register for free at the Mojácar Tourist Office, at the hotels where they are staying, or by calling 950 61 50 25 and making any queries on the website www.mojacar.es.
Mojácar Town Council will continue with this campaign of free guided tours and routes until spring.
Mojácar celebrates Halloween this weekend
This Friday, 27th October, Mojácar will hold its Halloween party, one of the most looked forward to celebrations for all children and young people in the municipality and neighbouring towns.
"Jaliween Mojácar" is organized by the AMPA, "El Jali", of Bartolomé Flores School, in collaboration with the Mojácar Town Council.
Mojácar was one of the pioneering towns in celebrating this festival, and this year celebrates its 25th anniversary which coincides with the founding of AMPA, "El Jali", by Mrs. Reding. She created this association in Bartolomé Flores School, which, at that time, already had many students from other countries, especially from the United Kingdom.
Every year, Mojácar's Multipurpose Centre becomes a terrifying stage where children, young people, parents and entire families gather in costume to enjoy a very special evening.
Here you will find the Tunnel of Terror and the Panic Room, both of which cause quite a sensation amongst the visitors and are the most requested games; but there will be many more games too, games that vary from year to year. There will also be tables with sweets, refreshments and drinks for parents to regain strength between frights!
Without doubt the event most looked forward to is the costume contest, which is divided into three categories: individual, groups and families.
The contestants will parade around the stage which will be decorated for the occasion with tombs, mummies, giant spiders and their many webs plus mysterious presences. They will show their costume to a judging panel which this year will be made up by the Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, a representative of the parents of the school and another from AMPA.
From 6:00 p.m., on the 27th October, at Mojácar´s Multipurpose Centre, all those who come from the other world have an appointment to spend a terrifying evening full of fun.
The proceeds from "Jaliween" will be donated by AMPA for improvements in the school such as sports equipment, mirrors in the toilets, etc.
The Parents Association of Bartolomé Flores School also participates in many of the activities that take place in Mojácar throughout the year.
The next events planned are for Christmas, the Disney party, carnivals, with masks and costumes workshops and Andalucia Day.
The new board of AMPA already has in it´s agenda to start a campaign and appeal to the parents of Bartolomé Flores School to become members and to actively collaborate throughout the year.
Mojácar home candidate for the European Union contemporary architecture prize
A home in Mojácar has been selected as a candidate for the European Union Contemporary Architecture Award, EUmies Awards 2024, from among the 362 most outstanding works from 38 different European countries.
Of these 362 stand-out works, 29 are located all around Spain and one is in Mojácar.
This home has already obtained in May 2023 the ARCO award given by the Almería Official College of Architects.
The house was designed by the architect Alberto Campo Baeza in collaboration with Modesto Sánchez Morales, an Almería company of architects. It is located in Mojácar village, with an east-west orientation, complies with all existing regulations, is double storey and has spectacular views of the sea, taking advantage of the locality's terraced terrain. The light inside it stands out, gathered in a very special way, highlighting the brightness that characterises Mojácar and that spreads throughout all the rooms.
Four years of intense work, which is most deservedly bearing fruit, and which attempts to recognise the spirit that the architect Roberto Puig exercised there in his day: white volumes facing the sea.
Alberto Campos has been a professor of projects for more than 30 years at the Madrid School of Architecture, ETSAM. He has given lectures all over the world and has received numerous awards and distinctions such as Doctor Honoris Causa from the San Pablo CEU University, Doctor Honoris Causa from the Lusíada University in Lisbon and from the National University of Rosario in Argentina, among many other universities throughout the world.
He was elected full academic member of the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts Architecture Section and in 2022 he received the Madrid College of Architects Gold Insignia.
The 2024 EUmies Awards, awarded by the European Union and the Mies Van der Rohe Foundation, recognise the best works constructed in Europe completed between April 2021 and May 2023. These biennial awards aim to highlight the excellence in architectural works built in Europe, in which the usefulness of the property and its integration into territorial environments are also valued.
The main aims revolve around a transformation of the already constructed environment in Europe. To this end, the European Union awards value excellence and innovation in the field of architecture, always working for a more sustainable environment, the search for environmental, social and economic awareness through architecture, including landscaping, urban planning and design, always in collaboration with other cultural and social fields.
The 2024 edition will deal with the current challenges that citizens, architects, developers, and all the professionals involved in general will face in the context of the European Green Deal.
The Moors and Christians Associations sets new date for the 2024 festivities
The Almosaquer Moors and Christians Association has set the official dates for the celebration of the 2004 Moors and Christians Festival for the 14th, 15th and 16th of June.
The Association's board met to confirm the change of date due to the European Parliament elections being held on the 9th of June 9, 2024.
This overlap on the calendar with the traditional days on which Mojácar organises the Moors and Christians festivities would complicate the normal staging of the activities that the Association programmes for each edition of these festivities that are so passionately enjoyed in Mojácar.
In 2024 the Mojácar Moors and Christians festival is 36 years old, as it was first organised in 1988. Since then, it has not stopped growing or having an increasingly greater presence in the municipality.
Mojácar currently has four Moorish “kábilas” and three Christian camps, in which the entire town gathers, making up part of some of them. It is not unusual to find three generations of the same family parading and participating in the numerous events scheduled throughout the three days of celebration.
The work of the Almosaquer Association goes on throughout the year. Every two weeks, the presidents of each kábila and barracks meet to outline new features or improvements for the following season.
They are currently preparing and choosing content for the next edition of the Moors and Christians magazine, which comes out every year in April and which includes a complete summary of the previous edition and a preview of what the following will be.
Also in the pipeline is the contest for Moorish and Christian bands, which aims to provide the festivities with a specific musical programme and has a prize for the top two of 1,000 euros and 500 euros donated by the Association and Mojacar Council.
The permanent exhibition “Encounters” located in the Mojácar castle Arab water storage facilities, brings together the history of this adventure from its beginnings. Clothes, posters and mainly photos, show how the celebration and many of its characters have grown.
Mojácar´s schoolchildren celebrate the anniversary of the Disney Factory and Mickey Mouse´s birthday
Infants and first-cycle pupils from the Mojácar Bartolomé Flores Public School have celebrated the birthday of one of the best-known animation characters, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and the Disney Factory, with the reading of children's stories, spiced up by a special representative of the popular couple.
In the Plaza del Parterre, divided into two groups, 400 children enjoyed a fun morning in the company of “Paula Mandarín”, who told them many stories and tales regarding the most famous characters to come out of the Disney animation company. Tales and stories in which they could also take part.
Some of the little ones were delighted to find out that, very probably, the famous Walt Disney, father of their favourite cartoons, was, “like them,” from Mojácar, they happily commented.
This initiative came from the Department of Children, Education and Culture and its head, Noemí Linares, who in this way has joined in with the events that are being held in the municipality for this centenary and for the possible connection of Disney with Mojácar.
There is currently a large mural with the story of his birth and his departure with his mother to the United States on one of the walls of the Bartolomé Flores public school. Another large mural has for a few days now been standing out at the entrance to the municipality on the façade of the public library, with a giant Mickey Mouse giving a welcome to the village. They are some of the first actions that Mojácar Council has planned to pay tribute to him.
The 16th of October is the official date on which the 100 years of the founding of the Disney company and its most popular character are celebrated. Although officially Mickey's birthday would be the 18th of November, the date of his film debut, the company heads have decided to combine both celebrations as this world-famous mouse was Walt Disney's first creation.
The legend about the possible birth of Walt Disney in Mojácar comes to life more than ever and the Walt Was Here Association continues working to highlight the importance of this theory and gather all the necessary documentation to confirm it.
Mojácar celebrates its 38th popular race on an excellent day of sport
The 38th Mojácar Popular Race was held this weekend, with a large number of participants and a great sporting atmosphere that filled the Plaza Nueva with the activity and colour of runners, family members and spectators, who did not want to miss this traditional race.
The event was organised by Mojácar Council, through the Sports Department and its head, Jesús Montoya Gredilla; the institutional collaboration of the Almería Provincial Council of Almería, as well as the Community Sport company, specialising in sporting events, mainly athletics and cycling.
With categories for all audiences and ages, women and men, the main event had a route of 9,100 metres, a total ascent of 204 meters. The starting line was in Plaza Nueva, in the heart of the locality's old town, descending, in a circular circuit, to the beach to go up again to Plaza Nueva where the finish line was also located.
In the men's general classification, within the men's veteran category and with an excellent time of 33.22 minutes, Juan Manuel Tejada, from the Sur Este Athletics Club, was the winner. Second place was obtained by Antonio Jesús Hernández, with a time of 34.26 minutes and the third position corresponded to Alberto Fernández, who completed the route in 35.43 minutes.
In the Women's General, victory was obtained by Gail Corville, with the Female Veteran B category and a time of 41.26 minutes. Second place went to Remedios Martines and third place to Isabel Guevara, with times of 50.18 and 51.54 minutes respectively.
In senior women, victory was obtained by Alejandra Bohorquez and in senior men, Jesús Hernández. The female veteran A category went to Remedios Martínez and male veteran, Juan Manuel Tejada.
The winners in category B veterans were Shirrlem Bahl and Pedro Jesús Valdivia.
The trophies, donated by the Mojácaar City Council, were presented at the end of the race by the sports councillor, Jesús Montoya Gredila, who was very pleased with the participation and high level of the runners.
The race passed off without incident, controlled at all times by the organisers and the Local Police. An excellent organisation that meant many of the runners were already asking about the 39th edition.
All the youngest athletes obtained a medal for their participation and sporting spirit. The little ones, from the age of seven, completed the planned route, according to their age and with the concentration the race demanded. An excellent pool of young athletes who will undoubtedly continue running the streets of Mojácar in future events.
Mojácar convenes the II National Moors & Christians marches composition competition
The “Al-Mosaquer” Moors & Christians General Association, organiser, together with Mojácar Council of the Moors & Christians festivities, convenes the II National Composition of Moors & Christians Marches Competition, with the commitment to create and publicise festive music, from originality and exclusivity, and with the aim of contributing new Moors & Christians marches to the musical repertoire of these festivities.
The type of festive music sought in this second edition of the competition will be the Christian March, dedicated to the “Al-Mosaquer” Moors & Christians Association and its Moors & Christians festivities, which are celebrated in June every year.
Any person, adult, resident or not in Spain, can take part in this competition.
The established prizes are 1,000 euros for the first-placed march prize, awarded by the “Al-Mosaquer” Moors & Christians General Association. The second prize is 500 euros, and is awarded by Mojácar Council.
Participants can submit as many works as they wish, as long as they are original, unpublished compositions, not previously released and appropriate to the competition requirements.
The jury will especially rate originality, attainable performance for an amateur-level music band with a minimum of instruments, as usually take part in the festivities processions.
The recommended duration of the march will be from 4-6 minutes, with the formal, compositional aspect, instrumentation and orchestration of a march of these characteristics.
The works will be presented in an envelope containing five paper copies of the general part and one paper copy of the parts. It must also be accompanied by a digital file on a CD or USB memory stick, with the work in PDF format and a MIDI audio file or similar.
The deadline for the admission of compositions will be the 23rd of January 2024 and the works must be sent to the Moors & Christians General Association.
El plazo de admisión de composiciones finalizará el 23 de Enero de 2024 y las obras se deben enviar a la Asociación General de Moros y Cristianos.
Graciana Peralta and the friends of painting group exhibit in Mojácar until the end of October
The La Fuente Municipal Art Gallery has, until the end of the month, an exhibition by the Friends of Painting Association thanks to its director, Graciana Peralta..
The La Fuente Municipal Art Gallery has, until the end of the month, an exhibition by the Friends of Painting Association thanks to its director, Graciana Peralta.
On the 11th, Mojácar Council, through its Culture Department, Graciana Peralta and the workshop students who are exhibiting in the municipal hall offered a glass of wine to visitors to the gallery and a day on which the artists were there to be able to chat in person about their work.
Noemi Linares, Mojácar Council Culture Councillor, attended this event with the local public and the artists. She was also able to see the show first-hand and hear the artists’ explanations about a top-class and colourful exhibition, highlighting the high quality of the works on display.
Graciana Peralta, an Argentinian architect and artist, arrived in Spain in 2001. From this moment she decided to dedicate all her activity to painting. Her first steps in the world of art were much earlier, through artistic drawing and in painting techniques, always self-taught, taking part in Pablo Bobbio’s painting workshop in Buenos Aires, where she finished perfecting the different styles and trends which have been shaping her unmistakeable artistic personality.
In 2009 Graciana Peralta created the Friends of Painting Group. This association is made up of her students, and was born with the intention of showing all the work done by them to the public.
There are students from seven years to “many more”, she says, but all with the same enthusiasm and talent, who express their art according to the different sensitivities and visions of artistic creation.
There have been many exhibitions since then, held throughout the whole of Almería, all with excellent reviews and great success.
This is not the first time the Friends of Painting Association has visited Mojácar, always surprising visitors and being highly visited.
The exhibition will remain open to the public, free of charge, until the 30th of October, from Wednesday to Friday from 9am to 1pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.
Mojácar celebrates its 38th Popular Race this Sunday
Next Sunday 15th October the 38th Mojácar Popular Race will be held in Mojácar, organised by the Local Council, and bringing together runners of all ages in one of the locality’s most traditional sporting activities. .
The planned starting line is Plaza Nueva next to the Mojácar Scenic Viewpoint. At 10 in the morning for the full senior category: junior, seniors and veterans. At 10.10am for girls “pre-benjamín” (under-8), at 10.15am for boys “pre-benjamin” (under-8), 10.30am girls “Benjamin” (under-10), 10.35am boys “benjamín” (under-10), 10.40am girls “alevin” (under-12), and 10.45am boys “alevin” (under-12).
In the full senior category the race route will be 9,100 metros. The youth category, “cadete” (under-16), and “juvenil” (under-19), has a distance of 1,000 metres. The “alevines” (under-12s), have to run 700 metres, the “benjamín” (under-10s), 400, and the “pre-benjamín” (under-8s), 100 metres in total.
Anyone who wants to will be able to take part in this race. To participate in the race it is necessary to register, which can be done through the platforms set up by the local authority, or before the race from 8.30am to 9.30am.
The full senior category will compete over a route of approximately 9.1 kilometres. The start and finish will be in the Plaza Nueva next to the Mojácar viewing point. The maximum full senior race time is set at 1.15 hours. On Sunday 15th October the bib numbers and the commemorative bag can be collected from 8.30am in the start/finish area in Plaza Nueva next to the Mojácar viewing point.
Trophies are established for the first three masculine and feminine of each category, both in the younger and full senior races, as well as for the first three masculine and feminine overall and the first three masculine and feminine local athletes overall in the full senior race. All participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt, commemorative bag and other gifts. In the younger categories, all those who finish the race will also receive a medal. The trophy presentation will take place at 12.15pm.
Mojácar cultural programme autumn 2023
Mojácar Council has organised a full programme of cultural and sports events that will take place in the municipality throughout October and November.
From the 1st to the of 30th of October in the La Fuente Municipal Art Centre, the Friends of Painting Group, thanks to Gracia Peralta and her pupils, present a painting exhibition. On the 11th the artists will be in the gallery to discuss their works with exhibition visitors and will offer a welcome cocktail. Entry is free.
On the weekend of the 7th and 8th of October, the Lady of our Rosary festivities can be enjoyed in the old town, and on the beach the first edition of the Oktoberfest festival, with which the people of Mojácar want to celebrate the arrival of autumn.
For dance lovers, the “Burbujas de Papel” (Paper Bubbles), show will take place on the 12th at 7pm in the Multi-Uses Centre.
“Burbujas de Papel”, from the Múcab Dans company, tells the story of a trumpet player who loves bubbles and round houses. Driven by his passion, he arrives at Bombalia, where he will live and meet many characters.
On the 27th of October, organised by the el Jalí AMPA parents’ association, in collaboration with Mojácar Council, pupils from the Bartolomé Flores Public School will celebrate their terrifying “Halloween Fiesta”.
From 6-9pm, the Multi-Uses Centre will bring together the scariest beings from beyond, sharing games, sweets and excitement.
Two important sports events mark the month of October. On the 15th of October the 38th Mojácar Popular Race will take place. At 10 in the morning, the complete category will start from Plaza Nueva and at 10.30am the children’s category.
La “Macenas MTB 2023” MTB cycle race will be held on the 29th of October. With the starting point from the Macenas Mediterranean Resort complex, the short route covers 21kms, with 531m elevation, and the long route, 42.4kms and 1,443 elevation.
November will arrive full of theatre performances. A month in Mojácar traditionally dedicated to the performing arts, every Friday in the Multi-Uses Centre different companies will stage stories for all audiences.
It is worth highlighting the 25th of November when the very youngest will have a special family party. The magic of Disney from 11.30am in Mojácar Pueblo will fill the streets and squares when the old town receives all the characters from the famous animation factory. The magical procession will be complemented by parades, games, children’s workshops, fancy dress, and a song contest, and to recharge batteries, a free paella for all those coming along, among many more surprises.
Festivities in honour of our Lady of the Rosary in Mojácar
This weekend Mojacar celebrates the festivities in honour of its patron saint, Our Lady of the ´Rosary, which will be held on the 7th and 8th of October.
However, on Friday the 6th, as a prelude to the festivities, Mojácar Council has organised a contemporary circus spectacular thanks to DaniDanielo, with his show “Arena Roja”, where magic and imagination merge, in a special way, with traditional circus. A story that puts us in 2044, when, following numerous catastrophes, the characters find themselves in situations in which only their union can give hope to the world occupied by the Red Sand.
Also on this same day, the first edition of the Mojácar Oktoberfest gets underway and continues throughout the weekend on the Mojácar beachfront promenade in front of El Lance beach. Tastings of craft beers, good food, music and fun games will give content to this offer put together by the area’s traders and hospitality sector, with the collaboration of the local authority.
As usual, on Saturday, the day of the patron saint, the official programme of festivities begins with a Holy Mass in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary. It will be in the Santa María Parish Church at 12 noon. At the end there will be a solemn procession with the image of Our Lady of the Rosary through the streets of Mojácar old town, accompanied by authorities, residents who join the procession and the Municipal Music Band.
At 2pm the traditional Senior Citizens Festivity is planned, a tribute from the municipality to its elderly, highly anticipated by everyone. The Puntazo restaurant, located on the beach road, will be the setting, where a convivial meal for all the elderly of the municipality will be offered, without forgetting a raffle with surprise gifts, live music and dancing.
On Sunday the ribbon race will mark the last day of the celebration of the patron saint festivities with the concentration of the ribbon race participants, dressed in traditional Mojácar costume, at 5pm at the Mojácar Fountain.
At 5.30pm, the young men of the municipality, now ready on their mounts to, in an exciting horseback competition, see who can get the most ribbons and their consequent reward in the form of a kiss from the young owner.
Mojácar celebrates its particular Oktoberfest
The Tap Room brewery and Mojácar Playa traders, together with the Local Council, has organised for the 6th, 7th and 8th of October, and for the first time in the municipality, a very particular Oktoberfest with which to welcome the autumn and a long list of activities planned to also continue enjoying Mojácar all year.
The festivity will take place on the Playa de Lance Nuevo beach and in the Plaza de la Mojaquera located on the Paseo Marítimo beach road. It will open its doors from 11 in the morning, remaining fully up and running until 11pm, and with free entrance.
Together with local artisan breweries and six others from the Costa del Levante, they will set up beer taps, all artisanal, of 25 different types, 90% of which will be Spanish.
With beer taking centre stage, especially Spanish beer, it can be accompanied with good food in the three restaurants in the plaza, where the Mojacar Oktoberfest will be set up, and which will dedicate these three days to this festival’s typical and traditional food: sausages or hamburgers, without lacking the traditional pretzel, and to combine, why not, with Spanish food.
As it is about celebrating and having fun, music, from five in the evening, will liven up the dancing and the games: competitions and gymkhanas, that the local traders have organised, with prizes included.
It has the German community, which has already expressed its intention of taking part, as well as the British, Scandinavian and a good number of residents from the Nordic countries, who, together with the Spanish, do not want to miss this very special celebration, suitable for families and for all those who want to enjoy a fun day and a different weekend.
A space will have been set up for a market with local artisanal products, and a whole festive atmosphere that the Mojácar traders are preparing, and into which they are putting a lot of effort.
Mickey Mouse provides the welcome to Mojácar on his centenary
On the occasion of the centenary of the birth of Mickey Mouse, Mojácar joins the Disney factory celebrations, and from today, a large mural of his figure provides the welcome to this Almería locality.
On the 16th of October, one of the best-known characters from the genius of animation in the whole world, Walt Disney, will celebrate a century since he appeared for the first time on cinema screens.
The work of graffiti artist Nauní, the creator of the other mural on the Mojácar school, Mickey is on the façade of the municipal library and with his characteristic gesture of an international star, he welcomes all the visitors going up to Mojácar old town.
The Mojácar Walt Was Here Association, created to highlight the importance of the legend about the birth of Disney in Mojácar, together with Mojácar Council, has made it possible, and it is among the actions that both the association and the local authority plan to carry out this year
Among the Council’s next actions are naming a square “Walt Disney Plaza”, which would be complemented with decoration and significant elements related to the legend, as well as a series of streets that will make up an official route, with surprises and allegorical motifs on which residents will be able to collaborate. An attraction for families and a complement to the much-in-demand traditional historical routes through the village’s old town.
For its part, the Walt Was Here Association is planning to hold on the 16th, the date of the anniversary, a story time in the library for the school’s pupils, in which Mickey Mouse would be present. On the 25th of November, there will also be celebrated the second edition of the children’s festivity in honour of Disney and his characters, which was a resounding success last year.
Just over a year since its creation, the association continues with its work of investigation and compiling proof in its bid to confirm the Mojácar origin of Walt Disney.
Nobody in Mojácar has given up on this possibility, and for now, Mojácar village pays homage to the magic and the charm of his characters and of their creator.
The fifth Mojácar la Vieja excavation campaign comes to an end
After a month of work at the Mojácar la Vieja excavation site, the University of Granada team of archaeologists presented the results and provisional conclusions of their work throughout the month to local residents at the Mojácar fountain.
Following the welcome by the locality’s Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, and his thanks to the team of archaeologists from all over Spain, the members of the research team, by speciality, told the audience about the different discoveries made throughout this campaign.
José María Martín Civantos, coordinator of the University of Granada MEMOLab Biocultural laboratory, highlighted in his conclusions, first of all, the potential that was visible from the first year and that continues to be demonstrated as the area of excavations is expanded.
Not only in the fortified area, with its two walls, one in the upper area where the military fortification area was found and the Almoravid state and the beginning of the Nasrid state were represented, but also in the lower part, the area of dwellings and above all a monumental defence, with up to 18 towers that surrounded the entire hill, and with a tower gate. In case there was any doubt about its importance, last year they located another more external one, a double wall, which made the fortification more complex.
This year they have been excavating outside the exterior wall and it has allowed them to identify what the small town was like, how the people of Mojácar lived between the 12th and 13th centuries.
Urban planning is being discovered, with houses around patios and homes that seem to have two levels, silos, earthenware jars for collecting water from the terraces, filtering it and making it drinkable, bedrooms, kitchens and elements that are related to the textile industry, the transformation and conservation of food, a community oven and a quarry from which materials for construction and many other elements were obtained.
Along with the urban planning there appear remains of pottery, demonstrating that it was made in the settlement, and of fauna. The spine of a cetacean is noteworthy, very odd, and with very few examples in the Medieval context. Also striking is the discovery of a cooking pot with snails, which was not a food allowed by their religion. To give an idea of the food and their way of life, it has been possible to locate a kitchen with a deep dish or platter with remains of food that would be served at the table. Next to a couscous pot. It is described as the “last supper” of Mojácar la Vieja by its discoverers. There are also seeds which demonstrate the flora of the area.
All of this together is giving a complete and at the same time more complex image of
Mojácar la Vieja, although it remains unclear how this first settlement emerged.
For this reason it is very important to know what the environment was like, the territory. Whether they were people who lived in small farmsteads and there emerged a process of population concentration directed by the state to improve defence, or whether it is a general tendency that makes families come together and form small towns like Mojácar la Vieja, which did not have the category of Medina (city), but which they start to increasingly resemble. What is clear is the presence of the state and its representatives.
It is the head of a district, what today would be a municipality; in fact it is the origin of the structuring of the territory that still exists, with an administrative head where there is the state representation, around which there are rural hamlets that are always in connection with the productive activity that is essential for life.
In order to interpret the origin of Mojácar la Vieja, for Martín Civantos and his team it is important to recover all the information that is disappearing: irrigation canals, waterwheels, mills, and with them the memory of all this heritage which is what has shaped the surrounding landscape of Mojácar, together with the beach and the mountains.
Among their tasks, the archaeologists responsible for the excavations want to complete all this information and give it meaning to be able to transmit it to all residents and visitors, offering a cultural resource that has to be an engine of social and cultural development for the locality, a binder to create community and identity.
Mojácar´s Night of the Candles: a participation success
Neither the change of date nor the cancellation due to the “Dana” storm cast a shadow over Mojácar’s celebration on its “Night of the Candles”, which turned out to be a true success for participation.
Under a spectacular sky and with an enviable temperature, more than 8,000 candles hanging in the streets of Mojácar’s old town shone, offering an old town full of charm and magic.
Although it is still not possible to evaluate the number of people who took part in such a special night, it is noteworthy that the 15 buses which covered the route from the beach to the village arrived full from 6pm, when they began the route, until 2.45am, when the last bus left Mojácar village.
The special transport service for the Night of the Candles, organised by the Local Council and the transport company, functioned correctly, as did the ticket offices set up for buying the transport tickets.
The 2023 Night of the Candles started earlier than previous editions, as did the traffic operation planned by the Local Police and the Council. The village started to come alive early afternoon and the number of visitors increased as the night went on.
The Mojácar Pueblo Traders’ Association is very pleased with the assessment of the celebration, which it has rated as the “best” of all the years and the change of date for September by the Local Council as a “wise move”.
This new position on the calendar gives a boost to deseasonalisation and comes at a time in the season when the number of visitors starts to go down, coinciding with the arrival of British residential tourism.
The hotels registered a better than good occupancy and the hospitality trade businesses worked until their stock nearly ran out.
Mojácar Council also considers moving the event date a good option, placing its new position within the municipal plans to strengthen and expand the offers outside the traditional summer season.
A further boost to strengthen the image of the municipality and its appeal throughout the year.
Mojácar celebrates The Day of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain
This year, 2023, marks the 10th anniversary of the official presentation of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain Association, which took place at the Madrid International Tourism Fair, FITUR, in 2013.
As this presentation there were 14 villages which started this project, among them Mojácar as one of the founding municipalities.
A great deal of enthusiasm and a lot of effort, by everyone, believing in the project and backing it, have made it possible that today the association is proud to have 111 municipalities in the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain network.
All of them represent a highlighting of the importance of the conservation, the traditions and the history of many of our country’s municipalities. The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain brand is a national and international quality stamp.
Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, accompanied by members of his government team: Noemí Linares, Culture councillor; María Gracia Alarcón, Tourism councillor, and the Junta de Andalucía delegate for Tourism, Culture and Sport, José Vélez, raised the most beautiful villages flag following the reading of a manifesto by the Mayor, in which he highlighted quality services in regard to education, health and opportunities for economic development.
Nor did he forget the problematic access to housing as one of the most worrying problems: “We must accept that without these requisites it is very difficult to establish and increase the population in a rural world. Fiscal incentives for entrepreneurs must be promoted, and of course, connectivity must be a priority so that economic development is a reality”, affirmed Francisco García.
As every year, all the villages included in this association’s network celebrate a day of festivities, but also of recognition to remember the problem of the smallest villages and the rural world, as well as to call for solutions and support in their determination to safeguard their traditions.
Mojácar Council expands and reinforces the bus service throughout the Municipality
Mojácar Council has expanded the public transport service in the municipality, with three bus lines that support and boost the movement of users throughout the whole municipality. Until now Mojácar has only had one route that was circular, regardless of the final destination.
From the 1st of October, users will be able to choose from among the three routes, according to their destination.
Line 1 will connect Sopalmo with Mojácar village and vice versa, picking up passengers at all the previously existing usual stops on the route between Macenas, Pueblo Indalo, the Parque Comercial and Mojácar Pueblo.
Line 2 will connect Marina de la Torre with Mojácar village and vice versa, likewise with the regular stops along the whole route between Marina de la Torre, the Parque Comercial and the old town. This line has the novelty that it will go up Avenida del Mar and will provide a service to the hotels in the Marina de la Torre urbanisation, facilitating the mobility of residents of this area and of the people staying in the hotel establishments, returning to the coast to continue on its usual route.
Line 3 will run along the entire Paseo Marítimo, connecting Macenas with Marina de la Torre. Users will be able to find the usual stops, going by the Hotel Indalo, Parque Comercial, the Palmeral and Marina de la Torre and vice versa.
This municipal initiative means greater ease and speed for getting around the whole municipality, choosing the line according to the destination. Hence the service has been expanded, and the number of buses.
The complete timetables, according to the stops and the lines, can be consulted on the Local Council website, where all the conveniently detailed information can be found, as well as on the Mojácar application for mobiles and on social media.
Movement along the coast is reinforced with this municipal initiative, the number of stops has been increased and there is more frequent communication with the more remote points, plus routes are rationalised.
With this measure Mojácar council aims to facilitate the use of public transport, reminding residents and visitors that public transport is more sustainable, environmentally friendly and practical. It reduces costs in regard to private transport and avoids parking problems.
The Territorial Delegate for Tourism, Culture and Sport in Almería visits Mojácar on World Tourism Day.
The Junta de Andalucía territorial delegate for Tourism, Culture and Sport in Almería, José Ángel Vélez González, visited Mojácar to, together with the local mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, and his government team, take part in several of the events programmed by the local authority on the occasion of World Tourism Day.
José Ángel Vélez visited the Mojácar la Vieja excavations and was able to chat with the archaeologists, who, on their fifth campaign, are carrying out the works of recovering the ancient Mojácar settlement.
Accompanied by José María Civantos, coordinator of the University of Granada Biocultural Archaeology laboratory (MEMOLab), and CSIC researcher Jorge Rouco, the territorial delegate, alongside the mayor and the Tourism and Culture councillors, toured the enclaves where the excavations are being carried out, as well as the latest work being done by the team of archaeologists, being able to find out first-hand about the results that, on first impressions, have emerged from this campaign.
The territorial delegate demonstrated at all times his interest in the experts’ explanations, highlighting the potential and the importance of the Mojácar la Vieja dig site based on what can be seen with the naked eye and the discoveries made so far.
According to the territorial delegate, the general plans in Almería are now being drawn up, and it is a great time for the future of this project, in which we must continue excavating, researching and documenting, he affirmed.
“It is a tourism resource of the first order that reinforces Mojácar as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain, reinforces its potential and which represents another incentive”, a resource that has to be made available to all the residents and visitors who come to the locality.
José Ángel Vélez wanted to share with the Mojácar Mayor, his government team and with the population of Mojácar a special day for the locality, like World Tourism Day, a municipality that has recently been named Andalucía tourism municipality in its own right.
Among other activities for World Tourism Day, Mojácar Council organised a guided visit to the dig site for all those interested in finding out about the conclusions on the foundation of the first Mojácar enclave and transfer to its current location.
Mojácar at last celebrates its Night of the Candles on the 30th
Following its forced cancellation due to the arrival of a “Dana” storm, this 30th of September Mojácar celebrates its long-awaited “Night of the Candles 2023”, one of the most special events on which, under the light of the stars, the municipality has its most magical and unforgettable offer of the whole year.
The Mojácar Night of the Candles is organised by Mojácar Council and the Mojácar Pueblo Traders Association, with the collaboration of all the residents, who turn off all the lights in the old town, including in homes and businesses.
The magical streets of Mojácar, one of Spain’s most beautiful villages, appear suggestive in the light of the 8,000 candles which are placed along its streets. To these have to be added those put out by traders and individuals, which they strategically place in their establishments and homes. A multitude of torches complements a unique scene in the province.
The organisation asks all visitors who come along to this event to dress in white. It is part of a “staging” that complements the painstaking decoration, created in detail throughout the whole of Mojácar municipality.
As usual, telescopes will be set up at the Castle Viewpoint for the lovers of Mojácar’s skies. A professional will guide them through the planets and the different stars that shine in the spectacular Mojácar skies, without forgetting our moon that, as ever, appears seductively in the sky.
The old town’s different squares will serve as the stage for intimate concerts that can be enjoyed for free: Antonio Lucas on piano will welcome you in the Mariquita la Posá cave; Aitor Gómez, on saxophone in the Plaza Arbolollón; Ashley Cathcart on guitar and vocals in the Plaza del Parterre; Salvador Esteve and Octavio Santos, on violin and piano in the Plaza del Caño and an incredible batucada which will go round the streets of the old town. All from 9pm onwards.
The organisation recommends that for greater comfort visitors use the bus (best round trip), the tickets for which can be obtained from the huts at Marina de la Torre, the Montemar Commercial Centre, the Pueblo Indalo area and Calle Glorieta, next to the Pavana. The last bus down from the village will be at 2.45am.
A taxi is also a good option given that access to Mojácar village in a private vehicle will not be allowed.
A date to enjoy unique surroundings, music and stars on the now celebrated Mojácar Night of the Candles.
Mojácar organises an excursion to the Sorbas Caves
Mojácar Council’s Sports Department and the Almería Provincial Council, through its Multiaventura programme, organised a visit to the Sorbas caves, bringing together families and residents of the town.
Exceeding the expected number, 52 residents, accompanied by the Sports Councillor Jesús Montoya Gredilla, began a cycle of excursions to the province’s emblematic locations to discover their richness and their most beautiful corners.
´For this first trip they chose the Sorbas caves, an area specially protected by the Environment Regional Ministry’s Provincial Delegation.
From the age of six and with no age limit, the group of visitors from Mojácar began their adventure at the Visitor Centre, where they were given information about the caves: their location in the more than six million years old Karst en Yesos natural landscape and the largest underground system in Spain.
Thanks to the visitor centre experts, they also learned about how the caves formed and their origins.
In the second part of the visit, and now accompanied by the centre’s professional guides and teachers, they entered through one of the caves’ routes and itineraries, being able to enjoy the natural works of art they offer and that are considered unique in our country.
The excursion was a complete success and also an experience of a day as a family or with friends. More remain to do in the near future, according to Jesús Montoya, making the most of the multitude of corners and opportunities that our province offers, yet unknown by many Almerians.
Writer Julia Navarro presents her latest book in Mojácar to a large audience
Once again, Mojácar brought together a large number of participants for its “Mojácar Literary Space” cycle, which this time had the visit of writer Julia Navarro in the presentation of “Una Historia Compartida” (A Shared History), her latest work.
Julia Navarro arrived in Mojácar, where she was received by the Corporation. She signed the town’s book of honour accompanied by the Mayor, Francisco García, and the members of his Government Team.
“Sometimes dreams form part of reality. Mojácar is a real dream. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be among you in this very real dream. With all my love and admiration.”
With these words Julia Navarro recorded her visit to Mojácar, and after chatting with the municipal representatives she headed for the Multi-Uses Centre where a large audience was waiting for her.
The presentation was given by Antonio Lao, editor of the Diario de Almería. For more than an hour the writer was telling anecdotes about a “Una Historia Compartida” and commenting on different current topics.
This work was written during the pandemic and the lockdown. It brings together the history of many women who have been important in the history of humanity, both in the world of science and of literature. Nonetheless, histories linked to the men who have accompanied them because: “Since the beginning of time the lives of men and women have been intertwined and one cannot be explained without the other.”
It was obligatory to mention the news that, in the light of her work, was on everyone’s mind. During her speech she was interrupted by spontaneous applause from the public, who were intently following her words.
Once the presentation was over and the question time concluded, nearly all those attending, more than 200, formed a long queue to have their books signed and to chat and take photographs with her.
Julia Navarro was at all times friendly and approachable with her readers. A woman, journalist and writer who, despite her great success, lives in today’s world and is not out of touch with citizens’ worries or the direction set by Spanish current affairs.
Young people from Mojácar recreate "Mojácar La Vieja" in 3D
Twelve young people from Mojácar came together at the Guadalinfo facilities to take part in the creative interactive workshop about “Mojácar la Vieja”, organised as part of the activities organised around the fifth excavation campaign of the ancient Mojácar settlement.
This workshop has been designed for children and organised by the Mojácar Council Culture Department and the Guadalinfo centre, and included among the activities that Mojácar Council and the University of Granada MEMOlab Biocultural Archaeology Laboratory, are running on due to the Mojácar la Vieja fifth excavation campaign.
On this occasion, the proposal of workshop director Miguel García-Campoy for the participants was for each of them to build their house in the ancient settlement and help construct, in 3D, the castle with its walled enclosure.
The activity is completely collaborative between the participating children, sharing a common digital environment and being able to freely interact with each other.
The simulation of Mojácar la Vieja is achieved through joint work that takes shape and life, thanks also to new technology as well as the instructions on its use by the workshop director and to the teaching they are receiving throughout the year on the courses run at Gaudalinfo, the Andalucia public network on digital competence.
The youngsters were debating for two hours about what the ancient Mojácar would be like or how they would like it to have been. The result could not have been more spectacular.
Defensive towers, walls, roads, houses and even a small river that supplied the town with the necessary water for the life of the locality are reflected in what the Mojácar la Vieja hill is for the Mojácar youngsters.
Throughout the whole of September, in parallel to the archaeological activities, different activities have been staged and there are many others yet to come, all in relation to the archaeological site and its history, but also and principally, about the cultural, social and economic environment of the zone and its inhabitants throughout the 11th to 12th centuries, the period of its creation.
Hence on the 20th a photography day is planned, which will take place at the archaeological dig site itself throughout the day with the aim of capturing the role the archaeologists play in the recovery of the history of Mojácar.
There has also been organised for the 27th of September a day of drawing and painting to, on Thursday 28th, present an exhibition of the results of this fifth archaeological campaign 2023 at 8pm in the locality’s Multi-Uses Centre.
The writer Julia Navarro will present her latest book in Mojácar, this Wednesday
Julia Navarro, journalist and one of Spanish literature’s best-selling authors, will be in Mojácar this Wednesday 20th of September to present her latest book “Una Historia Compartida” (A Shared History).
The presentation will be at 8pm in the locality’s Multi-Uses Centre, her visit part of the “Mojácar Literary Space” cycle, organised by Mojácar Council.
Julia Navarro will pay a visit to the locality’s old town and will then be received at the Town Hall by the Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, the Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, and members of the Government team, where she will sign the town’s Book of Honour.
After presenting her book and answering questions from the audience, Julia Navarro plans to sign autographs for those who wish. Also in the Multi-Uses Centre, there will be copies for sale of both her latest book and other publications.
“Mojácar, Literary Space”, opened its run with Carmen Mola and the presentation of their work “Madres”. A great success in terms of participation, with not one empty seat in the Multi-Uses Centre. With their naturalness and warmth they managed to connect with the Mojácar public. They spent more than an hour signing books and chatting to residents, leaving a sense of closeness and friendliness on an unforgettable evening.
Antonio Mercero, Agustín Martínez and Jorge Díaz, are the three authors who under the name “Carmen Mola” have gained the Planeta Prize, thousands of readers and revolutionised the literary world.
With the “Mojácar Literary Space” cycle Mojácar Council, in collaboration with the Macenas Resort complex, aims to bring to the readers of the municipality and the Levante region the Spanish literary scene’s best authors.
A bringing closer of culture and reading that has already had the presence of great writers and which will continue with an autumn full of pleasant surprises, such as the presence of Lorenzo Silva and of Santiago Posteguillo
Cultural activities in Mojácar around the Mojácar La Vieja archaeological excavation
The Mojácar Council Culture Department together with the University of Granada MEMOLab laboratory is throughout September staging different activities in relation to the fifth Mojácar la Vieja excavation campaign 2023.
The first of these activities, the archaeological ceramics workshop, took place this week in the locality’s senior citizens functions hall and will be held again on the 26th in the same place.
There were a large number of volunteers for this gathering; more than 30 participants who, together with the archaeologists in charge of the excavation, cleaned and classified the ceramic remains found so far in this 2023 campaign.
Cristina Martínez, the excavation technician, in charge of professionally studying the ceramic remains found at this archaeological site, had the responsibility of welcoming everyone and explaining the characteristics of this workshop.
As Cristina Martinez explained to the participants, she highlighted the importance of the task to be carried out in this workshop, as with the subsequent study of these remains it is possible to know how the ancient inhabitants of Mojácar lived, how they ate, how many people lived in each house and many aspects of daily life.
So far, a great variety of ceramics have been found, everything that you would find in a home today: pots, plates, glasses, small jars, storage material, etc., that speak of life in those times
Although the excavation works will be carried out throughout September, the archaeologists’ work does not end there. With the new discoveries, it is the specialists who investigate, now in laboratories, all the data and remains that they are analysing and comparing in work that extends throughout the year. There also remains the work of consolidation to ensure that what has already been excavated is protected and does not deteriorate in inclement weather; the survey technicians who produce reports about how and what has been excavated, among many other data processing actions that are generated around a comprehensive investigation of the archaeological dig site and its surroundings.
Throughout September other workshops open free to the public are planned, such as interactive games about Mojácar la Vieja, photography, drawing and painting days, and showing and teaching children how clothes were washed in past times in the Mojácar fountain.
On the 17th and 24th of September there are guided tours of the excavation, when the director of the project and of the University of Granada MEMLab laboratory will explain what the Muslim Mojácar of the 12th century was like and the latest discoveries and conclusions obtained up until now in this 2023 campaign.
On the 28th at the locality’s Public Fountain, all the experts involved in the excavation will exhibit the results of the fifth archaeological campaign.
El día 28, en la Fuente Pública de la Localidad, todos los técnicos implicados en la excavación expondrán los resultados de la quinta campaña arqueológica.
The "Costa de Almería" beach volleyball closes in Mojácar
Mojácar was the setting for the final of the “Costa de Almería” beach volleyball tournament, closing the provincial circuit that has passed through the localities of San José and San Juan de los Terreros.
A weekend that turned the Ventanicas beach into the centre of the sport of Beach Volleyball and of the best players in this discipline in the province with the turnout of the best teams and many members of the public who didn’t want to miss this final.
The gathering took place over the weekend. On Saturday 16 pairs competed in a tournament classified as local, the Huércal-Overa team being the winners. Mojácar had its own representation with Alejandro Villegas and Daniel Flores.
On Sunday the competition focused on the tour, with 25 pairs competing between the women’s and men’s categories in a day of excellent beach volleyball, with a high level of play which could be enjoyed on the courts set up on the Ventanicas beach, being a perfect setting for the competition and the practice of sport, as well as for holding the different events.
The winners in the men’s category were the brothers Alejandro and Javier Yuste. Darius Cernauskas and José Carlos García achieved second place. Completing the podium were the pair Luori and Dimas from Lorca, classified in third place.
In the women’s category victory was gained by the duo made up of Andrea Narváez and Chanel Valderrama. Second place went to Sofia Smiehk and Elena Abtil, and third place went to Judith Ross and Jana Ross from Granada.
The trophies were presented by the Mojácar Council Sports Councillor, Jesús Montoya Gredilla, and the Citizenship Councillor, María Luisa Pérez López.
Jesús Montoya was very pleased with the good organisation of this final day of the “Costa de Almería” Tournament and expressed his gratitude to the organisation and the sponsors and collaborations, as well as to the many members of the public who encouraged all the players by being there on a very special day on the Mojácar beach
The fifth Mojácar La Vieja excavation campaign begins: an open door to the history of eastern Almería
Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Flores, Noemí Linares and María Gracia Alarcón, the Councillors for Culture and Tourism respectively, accompanied by the project director, José María Martín Civantos, Jorge Rouco and Pedro Gurriarán, an architect specialising in heritage restoration, have visited the works being carried out at the Mojácar la Vieja archaeological dig.
In this fifth campaign, the second within the general research project, 30 archaeologists from all over the country are working, remaining in Mojácar until the 15th of this month, when another group of 40 archaeologists will replace them on the dig until the end of the works planned for 2023 at the end of September.
Jorge Rouco Collazo, INCIPIT-CSIC researcher, director of the PGI and the excavation campaign, will be present throughout the campaign, as well as José Maria Civantos, University of Granada MEMOLab coordinator.
It also has the collaboration of the University of Exeter Institute of Islamic Archaeology in the UK through the presence of Cristina Martínez Carrillo, doing her doctoral thesis, and the collaboration of the CSIC Institute of History for the study of archaeobotanical remains, with the presence of Antonio Peralta Gómez, also doing his doctoral thesis.
The Mojácar Mayor together with his councillors went around the whole archaeological site, finding out first-hand about the relevance of Mojácar la Vieja in the history of Muslim Spain in the area and in Eastern Almería, as well as the importance of the discoveries being made as the excavations progress.
Among the matters dealt with at the foot of the site, the planning of the expected steps in the future and the possibility of requesting assistance and collaborations with regional and national administrations stand out.
Although there have only been a few days of excavations, various ceramic pieces have already been found and what was the first settlement in Mojácar is taking shape.
It is important to remember that the archaeological site is open to the public, not only to visit it and to ask any questions that may arise, also, and most importantly, to take part in the works the specialists are carrying out and to be able to be an archaeologist for a day or for the time considered appropriate.
Within this open and participatory character of the excavations, the workshops being held to find out about the history of the locality and its surroundings stand out.
Among them are an archaeological ceramics workshop, interactive games about Mojácar la Vieja, washing in the fountain the old way, drawing and painting days, as well as different guided tours of the archaeological site
The Peripherals collective exhibits in Mojácar until 30th of September
Until the 30th of September the “Peripherals” collective is exhibiting in Mojácar in the La Fuente Municipal Art Centre Hall, where the visitor can admire a fantastic collection of the works created by this renowned artistic group.
Many members of the public went along to the inauguration, as did the Mojácar Council Culture Councillor Noemí Linares, who did not want to miss this first day of the exhibition and the opportunity to discuss the characteristics of the exhibition with the artists themselves.
Under the title “Art to take away”, the Mojácar exhibition is a nod by the collective with which they want to give another dimension to art: “You can enjoy art, but also taste it and above all consume it”, they affirm.
“Art to take away” in Mojacar is made up of 56 paintings, 14 sculptures and various items of furniture made with recycled elements.
The Peripherals collective is formed by Rafael Ebrero, Anne Kampschulte and Safi.
Rafael Ebrero, born in Cordoba, is professionally dedicated to envisioning furniture and furnishings with recycled materials. He reuses any discarded thing and gives it new life. An integrative example of art and usefulness.
Anne Kampschulte lives in Almería province, and although she also paints, presenting some of her works in Mojácar, she is essentially a sculptor, working in marble and natural stone.
Safi, from Almería, multi-disciplinary artist, invokes nature as an objective for everything. Nature itself is also very present in his work, using materials which he takes from it, moulding it into forms and compositions that are art and poetry.
Peripherals exhibited in Mojácar 11 years ago. As a collective they have gone almost 10 years without exhibiting. This is one of the first occasions on which they are meeting with the public again.
The exhibition in Mojácar has a careful presentation, both in the placement of their works and in the intention of the message, and in creating an attractive atmosphere for the visitor. Visits to exhibition halls, Safi comments, have cooled off in recent times, perhaps due to social media which shows artists’ work immediately and comfortably, but it is important to see the works “on the spur of the moment”.
The La Fuente municipal art hall opens its doors free of charge, with visiting hours of Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 2pm. Saturdays from 10am to 2pm and from 5-9pm.
However, this weekend it will also remain open on Sunday to extend the possibility of enjoying it. An exhibition not to be missed.
Mojácar Council highlights the importance of the figure of Walt Disney and his possible link to the muncipality
Pupils at the Mojácar Bartolomé Flores public school will have a nice surprise when they return for the next school year.
The school façade now sports a brand-new mural with which Walt Disney and the legend that links him to the municipality will welcome the little ones every morning and will recall the possible origins of one of the most important geniuses in the world of animation.
Mojácar Council developed this idea in collaboration with the “Walt Was Here Association”, which works to highlight the importance of the legend about the Mojácar origins of Walt Disney.
A first project which, as well as the mural with commemorative images and representative figures of this legend, includes a QR in four languages, where you can find out about the whole journey made by this illustrious character and his mother to emigrate from the locality to the US.
The mural was created by Raúl Moreno López, better known as Nauni, along with Danklabara, also a renowned graffiti artist. Nauni started to draw when he was a child, although his mastery of the aerosol was consolidated in 2006. He is currently one of the most in-demand artists, with more than 1,500 works bearing his signature in different styles and present in the famous “stops” that bring together the best international artists in this urban artistic style.
The mural, which already serves as a photographic reference point for local residents and visitors, would be one of the first actions that Mojácar Council has in its portfolio in collaboration with Walt Was Here.
There are also plans to rename a square with the name “Walt Disney Plaza”, which would be complemented with decoration and significant elements, making reference to the legend, as well as a series of streets that would form an official tour, with surprises and allegorical motifs on which residents would be able to collaborate, providing an attraction for families and a complement to the traditional historic routes that are now in high demand through the old town.
The Walt Was Here Association, recently created, has worked intensely in gathering all the traces and clues which have been generated over the years and which bring to light the possible Mojácar origin of Walt Disney.
From documents in the Town Hall itself in the last 35 years to compilations from the Spanish and US press, through to private or official reports, features, as well as their own investigations about everything that leads them to a definitive and indisputable answer about his place of birth.
Participation success in the Mojácar domino tournament
The Mojácar Dominos Championship, following a long time without being held, returned to the municipality on the occasion of the Saint Augustine festivities.
Organised by Mojácar Council through the Festivities Department, there was high participation: 28 male players and eight female who battled for victory, both in the men’s and the women’s tournament.
For the first time it was possible to call women to take part in a joint championship, and they responded with a high participation, all with their Mojácar scarves around their necks, a lot of enthusiasm and a high level of play.
Throughout all the matches there was a great atmosphere and the reencounter of many players is worth highlighting, some of them after a long period of absence and leading to many anecdotes, memories, old stories, and above all conversation and catching up on the news.
As it had been a long time since the championship had been organised, the call to take part was very well received and there was a request to repeat it soon.
After a tough competition which demonstrated the high level of the participants, the winners were, in the women’s category, Beatriz Gómez and Isabel Colmenero.
The male finalists were José María Montoya, Javier Montoya, Juan Montoya and Francisco Flores, the latter two being those who in the end gained victory in a hard-fought final.
The winners, masculine and feminine, obtained a tasty prize consisting of hams, pork shoulders and wine, to celebrate the victory with friends and family.
The Mojácar Third Age Centre is usually the meeting point for domino enthusiasts, although the games of “garrafina” and “subastao”, among others, are also popular among attendees.
Dominos is one of the most famous board games in the world. It emerged more than 1,000 years ago in China, being created, perhaps, as a derivation of the game of dice. Despite its name of French origin, it seems that it was the Italians, in the mid-18th century, who introduced it to Europe, at least as we know it today: 28 double, rectangular dominos.
Mojácar´s Night of the Candles postponed until 30th of September
Due to reasons beyond their control, Mojácar Council and the Mojácar Pueblo Traders Association, have been forced to move to the 30th of September “The Night of the Candles” event, scheduled for this Saturday 2nd of the same month.
The confirmation of the arrival of a “Dana” (isolated high-level depression), and the high probability of rain on the day make holding it impossible, while at the same time it could compromise transport safety and the fluid circulation of both vehicles and pedestrians.
In this case, safety must take precedence over the enthusiasm and the effort made by the local authority and the Traders Association, as well as of residents in general, and which always accompanies each of the calls to events staged in the municipality.
Mojácar Council apologises for any inconvenience that may be caused, and especially to those people who had planned to share with us one of the locality’s most magical nights. Only reasons of acts of God have been able to force the local authority to make the decision to move the date.
However, Mojácar Council and the Traders Association want to stress that the 30th “The Night of Candles” will have all the planned activities and will shine, as usual, with the magic and charm that characterises this locality, and most especially this celebration.
A marine turtle lays its eggs on a Mojácar beach
Just a few days after the end of the “Mojácar, here we save turtles” campaign, organised by the town’s Local Council, the Junta de Andalucía and other institutions, a loggerhead turtle chose the beaches of Mojácar to lay its eggs.
A female, already monitored by the University of Valencia and the Polytechnic University through the INGENI Project, financed by the Biodiversity Foundation, last Tuesday chose the Descargador beach in Mojácar to lay its eggs.
Alerted by a local resident, the protocol was put into operation and the nest protected. Over approximately an hour and a half the turtle laid 92 eggs.
The location, a very busy beach, the proximity to the sea and other considerations assessed by the experts, made apparent the lack of conditions to guarantee the success of the laying. Under these circumstances, the experts who went to the location of the nesting took the decision to collect the eggs with a specialised technique and proceed to their incubation in different institutions that collaborate with the Regional Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy Ministry.
From the first moment, the Mojácar Local Police was in charge of the protection of the animal, arriving immediately and putting themselves at the disposition of the rest of the authorities, who also went there immediately: Environment, General Directorate of Coasts and specialised experts in the subject.
It is not the first time that the loggerhead turtle, which is currently at risk of extinction, has chosen the beach of Mojácar to lay its eggs. In fact, it is increasingly more common on the Mediterranean coasts.
The circumstance of being an endangered species makes the action of Mojácar Council more significant, taking a step forward for its protection through information campaigns or with direct actions, which it joins with or collaborates on, overseeing a more sustainable municipality and in harmony with nature through all means at its disposal.
Marina Golf the setting for the 7th Mojácar Town Tournament
Marina Golf was the setting for the 7th Mojácar Town Golf Tournament which, on the occasion of the patron saint festivities, has been held at the course’s facilities.
This 7th edition was organised by Mojácar Council and Marina Golf, sponsored by Bridgestone and numerous local companies, as well as the Valle del Este, Aguilón Golf and Alborán Golf golf courses.
The players were able to enjoy the excellent condition of the course and enjoy a good morning of golf. The Levante respected the players and led to very good results on the cards handed in at the Club House.
The prizes were established in the individual Stableford system in the first and second category, the most typical in club tournaments as it allows for a more fluid game than other systems, in which you can “lift the ball” when the golfer has used all the strokes possible on that hole.
The best results in the first category were for Alfredo González Álvarez with 38 points, top classified, followed by Francisco Martos Molina with 37 points.
In the second category victory went to Pedro Fernández Grima, who got 39 points, and second classified, Tony Herrriot, with a total of 37 points.
The prizes were presented by the Mojácar Council Sports Councillor, Jesús Montoya, and the Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, who after thanking the participants for taking part in this seventh edition and the Marina Golf Club for the good organisation, invited the golfers to next year. A now traditional appointment on the occasion of the patron saint festivities in honour of Saint Augustine.
María Gracia Alarcón and Jesús Montoya also had the responsibility of choosing the cards from the rest of the participants in the gift raffle among the players. Always a fun moment, in which the good humour of the participants following the tough competition rounds off an intense day.
Mojácar maintains the tradition of taking up of the water and its bessing by Saint Ausgustine, its Patron Saint
Among the many traditions preserved in Mojácar’s patron saint festivities, the Taking up of the Water and the Floral Offering is one of the oldest and most deeply rooted among the locality’s residents..
Centuries old, the Taking up of the Water brings together up to four generations and there are increasingly children, young people, residents in general and visitors who join in with this tradition.
Whether it is carried in the pitchers that the women of Mojácar carry on their heads, the custom has been maintained over time to thank their Patron Saint for the blessing of water and a fountain that has never lost its water or its powerful glow, giving life and sustenance to the population.
A unique event where the people of Mojácar, dressed in the typical costume of the locality or in frilled dresses, pay homage to the water, which goes up from the Mojácar fountain to the Santa María Parish Church for its blessing, following the route that in yesteryear the Mojácar women used to take water to their homes.
Opening the walk up, the Festivites Queen, Iris Fernández, accompanied by her ladies: Laura Rayza, María Flores and Luz Riveiro, followed by the locality’s mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, and the members of his government team. Following them, a colourful and numerous procession.
Every year there are more visitors and tourists who join the residents of Mojácar, forming along the entire climb to the Church Square, a joyous and mass procession of flowers and pitchers, accompanied by the Municipal Music Band.
At the door of the Santa María Parish Church, a fortress church built in the 16th century on the remains of an old mosque, the parish priest awaited them, who after blessing everyone, proceeded to celebrate Holy Mass, but not before decorating the altar with the floral offerings also offered by the faithful.
Pilar Martínez-Cosentino herald of the Mojácar Festivities in Honour of Saint Augustine
With the reading of the proclamation of the fiestas by Pilar Martinez-Cosentino Alfonso and the election of the Queen and the Ladies of Honour, the celebration of the Mojácar 2023 patron saint festivities officially began.
With the Plaza Nueva full of people, Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, after thanking the numerous residents and visitors for coming along, invited all those present to enjoy several days of fun, calling for harmony, happiness and fraternity. “The Mojácar festivities are festivities of harmonious coexistence, and looking always for the common goal of making Mojácar the best place in the world.” After also thanking all those who made this celebration possible, Francisco García Cerdá, introduced the herald of the 2023 festivities.
Pilar Martínez-Cosentino is Executive Vice-President of the Cosentino Group. She has a degree in Law and Business Legal Advice from the Comillas Pontifical University, ICADE, in Madrid, and an MBA from the Business Institute. She is among the 100 leading women in Spain and the Best Director of Andalucía, to point out some of her well-earned distinctions.
A special herald, who with her simplicity and friendliness knew how to win over the audience, who interrupted her proclamation several times with applause, and who at the end received a standing ovation, as well as the affection and congratulations of all those present.
Pilar Martinez-Cosentino mentioned her childhood in Mojácar, her youth, and ultimately her whole life as she currently has her place of residence and her home in the locality along with her husband and three children.
“Without doubt, the best season in Mojácar is the whole year”, maintained Pilar Martínez-Cosentino on recalling her time in Mojácar.
She could not fail to mention the family project in Macenas: “a very important commitment, with a long-term vision of sustainability, respecting and valuing the authenticity of this land.”
In her wish for a Mojácar of the future, she called for “preserving its enormous natural and cultural wealth, and that it grows with the pillar of quality and sustainability. Look towards the future with healthy ambition. And for this, our great commitment has to be the best possible training for our young people. Education and training are essential to develop a more humane, fairer, more competitive, richer and more diverse land.
With her speech and the election of the Queen, Rosa María Arán Aguila, and Dames of Honour: Iris Fernández, Laura Rayza and María Flores, the Mojácar Festivities in honour of Saint Augustine officially began with dancing and music from the Prometidas and Melodías orchestras.
Photo credit: Image World Mojácar.
Mojácar Castle: The St. Augustine festivities 6th Digital Game Day Challenge
For the Saint Augustine Festivity, which is celebrated in Mojácar from the 25th to the 28th of August, the Festivities Department and its head, Jesús Montoya Gredilla, has organised an extensive programme of festivities, which includes activities designed for all ages.
For the youngest, the 6th Digital Game Day was held, the Guadalinfo school bringing together 12 youngsters in a fun challenge where they had to imagine what Mojácar’s castle would be like through the 3D digital game, Minecraft.
This construction video game, which started with a version for mobile devices, grew until it reached consoles, and today it is very popular among young people.
The game centres on placing blocks, cubic three-dimensional, with which you can create all kinds of constructions and also natural elements, which opens up a wide range of possibilities and where there are no limits to the player’s imagination.
The challenge started at 10am at the Guadalinfo centre in Mojácar’s Multi-Uses Centre. For three hours, participants let loose their imaginations, and the works presented were high quality.
The jury, responsible for choosing a first prize and three finalists, had a difficult job selecting the winner.
There was everything in the proposals for Mojácar castles presented by the participants: moats, a throne room, waterfalls, defensive towers and a multitude of details, including the lighting, furniture and gardens, which did not make choosing one from among them at all easy.
In the end, although the four competitors with the most points received their well-deserved cup, they all received a medal for their brilliant collaboration and a “sweet” souvenir for taking part, which was presented by the Festivities Councillor, Jesús Montoya Gredilla, and the Councillor for Commitment to the Citizenship, María Luisa Pérez, with the presence of the Guadalinfo classroom teacher, Miguel García Campoy, who was also assisting the participants throughout the day.
Mojácar Council joins the "Here we save Turtles" support for Marine Turtle Conservation
Mojácar Council, in collaboration with the Junta de Andalucía, the Andaluz Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, as well as the Seville Aquarium, organised a day to support marine turtles in the municipality.
Mojácar Council has joined the awareness-raising campaign “Here we save turtles”, an initiative that aims to inform everyone about how to act when they find a marine turtle on our coastline.
Hence, and fitting in with future actions planned by the local authority, the Playa del Lance beach was the setting for the installation of a large stand with educational material, where specialists in the care and conservation of turtles explained all aspects related to these creatures: from their habits and morphology to how to act correctly for their protection, whether it is when finding a nest or an injured turtle.
Many bathers, children and adults went over to be informed and to listen to the experts’ explanations. Also there were the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, the Environment Councillor, Sergio Alonso, and the Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, who were able to talk about the action protocols in the event of sightings and how the local authority can collaborate on the protection of this marine species and be prepared with a joint action protocol.
A matter on which the whole corporation is very aware, as the important campaign running throughout the summer for good practices in the environment and sustainability demonstrates. A campaign and actions which will be carried out throughout the year and in the different sectors involved.
It would not be the first time the marine turtle chooses the beaches of Mojácar to nest. Last year, in June 2022, 20 small loggerhead turtles that were born in the municipality were returned to the sea. The turtle’s footprints in the sand were spotted by a resident, who alerted 112, deploying a whole protection and rescue network.
The laying season goes from June to the end of August and the incubation period is about 45 days. The most common is the loggerhead sea turtle.
The protocol when a nest is detected is to protect the area and monitor it, looking at the ambient temperature as it determines the sex of the turtles: at more than 25º only females are born, from which it follows that global warming could be a threat to their survival.
Given this circumstance, the specialists decide whether to collect some eggs and incubate them in a specialised centre in order to later release them when they are of a size that allows then a higher survival rate, and in the area where the nest was found. This means an increase in survival of more than 60% of the nest.
Enrique Ferreira exhibits his works at the Mojácar Art Centre
An exhibition of paintings by the Sevillian artist Enrique Ferreira was inaugurated at the Mojácar “La Fuente” Art Centre at the weekend.
The show, open to the public, free of charge, until the 3rd of September, brings together 20 works and includes oil paintings, watercolours and charcoal drawings, a compilation of his long painting career, as well as some of his new works.
Enrique Ferreira started out in the world of painting at the age of 16 when he enrolled in the St Elizabeth of Hungary Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Seville. Founded in 1660 by Murillo and Juan de Herrera, among other well-known artists of the period, it has maintained over time the prestige of quality in the education of its students.
This encounter with the arts at such a young age coincided with his incorporation into the world of work, which meant combining both activities throughout his life until his retirement.
The influence of the academy, as well as training him in painting and sculpture, also left an impression on him in his taste for realistic painting, and especially for the artistic style of the Renaissance, on which he did a Master’s degree.
Ferreira, an artist full of life and curious about all the activities that take place in the art world, and with an inexhaustible desire to learn, decided to join the Prado Museum’s restoration group, allowing him to have painting masterpieces in his hands and to observe up close the techniques, pigments and resources of the best masters.
One more experience that takes him to Colombia, Canada and other countries to restore Renaissance works from private collections.
The Mojácar Council Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, attended the inauguration of the exhibition, commenting on the works on show, and especially a recreation of the Mojácar entry arch, set at the turn of the century and created by the painter from an old photograph.
A large part of his work in oil or watercolour corresponds to places found on his journey around different places in Andalucía and always evoking the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.
Enrique Ferreira is repeating having an exhibition in Mojácar. Last year he had the opportunity to hang his works in this hall and from the success of that experience he had decided to return to “La Fuente”.
Noemí Linares expressed her satisfaction at the success of the La Fuente Art Centre and its great reception among both local artists and residents. The centre has all the dates for exhibitions covered until January.
Anyone interested in the works of Enrique Ferreira can visit the exhibition from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 2pm.
Mojácar Council collaborates on the "Andalucía, seas that taste" campaign
” As part of the environmental awareness-raising campaign for the beaches, coastline and natural spaces .
As part of the environmental awareness-raising campaign for the beaches, coastline and natural spaces launched this summer, Mojácar Council has joined the “Andalucía, Seas that Taste Good” promotional initiative carried out by the Junta’s Regional Ministry for Agriculture, Fishing, Water and Rural Development on the whole of the Andalucía coast and which has now landed in Mojácar.
An activity that has been held successfully on the Marina de la Torre, Venta del Bancal and Lance beaches on several days on which the campaign has not gone unnoticed, giving out promotional material and with interesting workshops aimed particularly at the very youngest, although numerous adults have joined in.
Workshops that try to raise awareness about the consumption of immature fish and rejecting their consumption; learning about the variety of species on the Almería coast, their morphology and anatomy through real fish: also learning about the dangers of the Anisakis parasite, with the possibility of being able to observe it through a microscope and without forgetting the exciting world of algae which are making a strong entry into our diet, as well as aquatic plants, among them Posidonia, of vital importance for the Mediterranean seabed. In general, raising awareness about the care of fishing grounds and coastal ecosystems that include all forms of life.
The aim is, in short, to promote the responsible consumption of fish and value their importance in the diet, at the same time as warning about the need to respect the minimum sizes permitted for consumption and rejecting the commercialization of immature fish.
With the support of Mojácar Council, bathers on Mojácar’s beaches have been able to learn from specialists in the field about the reality of our environment.
Sergio Alonso, Mojácar Council Environment Councillor, highlighted the relevance of these campaigns: “Environmental awareness is vital. We have to learn to consume responsibly in all spheres, but especially with marine resources”, the councillor stressed.
These days on the beaches of Mojácar, thanks to Mojácar Council, have managed to create, through activities, games and raffles, that we know better, and are therefore more sensitive to, sustainability, collaborating, alongside fishermen and all the related sectors, on the common purpose of caring for our seas.
The Valparaiso Foundation cedes its own land to Mojácar council for the consolidation of the Mojácar La Vieja archaeological site
Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, and Beatrice Beckett, President of the Valparaíso Foundation have signed an agreement to transfer the land owned by the foundation located on the site of Mojácar la Vieja.
As a result of this agreement the Local Council will be able to carry out all the actions aimed at the consolidation of the site.
The contract signed between the Council and the foundation, lasting 50 years, represents a major advance and a notable boost to the Mojácar la Vieja excavation works. It will allow for the expansion of the collaboration framework with other entities, including state, the possibility of accessing official and private financial assistance, and among other matters, creates the guarantee of solidity and commitment to the continuity of the works that are being carried out at the site.
This important agreement opens up new lines of work for the next excavation works. That corresponding to 2023 will start next month.
Thanks to the transfer of this land, and with the cession of other local minority owners of the Mojácar la Vieja hill, Mojácar Council plans to initiate the request for assistance and collaborations from higher administrations, both at the state and autonomous community level.
Mojácar la Vieja is currently included in the 2022-2025 General Research Project, which allows for having a conservation, maintenance and management plan for the site that gives access to facilitating the highlighting of the importance of the site, increasing its promotion among residents and visitors.
As of today, and within this framework of the 2022-2025 General Research Project, Mojácar la Vieja annually receives an important team of archaeologists, national and international, who continue the investigation work on the site that began five years ago.
In 2018, Mojácar Council started, thanks to the University of Granada and Memolab (Biocultural Archaeology Laboratory), the first exploration, adaptation and research work on the Mojácar la Vieja hill. With these actions and thanks to the exhaustive work carried out by the archaeologists from Granada, the historic and cultural value of the site was uncovered, making important advances in each campaign, both from the point of view of their finds and in its strategic positioning in the field of archaeology and in the study of these first Islamic settlements in eastern Almería.
The Mojácar Mayor thanked Beatrice Beckett and the Valparaíso Foundation for the support received over all these years on the Mojácar la Vieja project, of great relevance for the municipality and for the historic studies of the province, and especially for the confidence received with this important step of the cession of their land located in a part of this archaeological zone.
The Valparaíso Foundation is a cultural foundation of national scope, dedicated to the patronage of activities in all artistic disciplines.
Beatrice Beckett founded, together with her husband Paul Beckett, the Valparaíso Foundation and the Artists Residence after arriving in Mojácar in 1964 and in 1972 acquiring the estate where both projects are located.
Every year in Mojácar Valparaíso hosts artists from different disciplines from all over the world, among them theatre, music, painting, photography, sculpture and literature.
With the aim of promoting culture in Mojácar, which has always been a place of artistic inspiration, the Council has for years been collaborating with this foundation, a collaboration which maintains its continuity over time and under which new actions are not ruled out.
María Flores Fernández winner of the Mojácar Saint Augustine 2023 festivities poster competition.
The winning poster in the Posters Competition organised by the local authority has been presented in the Mojácar Council Plenary Hall and will be the image of the locality’s 2023 patron saint festivities in honour of Saint Augustine.
Twelve works were presented in this competition, organised through the Festivities Department, from which the organising jury selected three, automatically becoming the finalists of this edition.
The winner was chosen through social media and by popular vote. The poster getting the most votes was the work presented by María Flores Fernández, author of the work which got the most support and which is therefore the competition winner.
María Flores Fernández, 18-years old and Mojácar born and a Mojaquera in her heart, actively participates in all the activities programmed in the municipality, as well as in the cultural offers organised. She’s a member of the Municipal Music Band as a saxophonist and next term she will attend the Superior Design School in Murcia to study graphic design, her great passion.
With this 2023 festivities poster María Flores has tried to combine the traditional and the modern. She confesses to being a lover and defender of maintaining traditions so that these much-loved days do not lose their essence and grandparents, parents and children can together relive the emotions of such important dates, but she has also wanted to give a nod to the youngest: the main idea is that “the customs grow and evolve without losing their essence or their soul.”
The winning work has been made with digital technique, having achieved great strength in the composition and in the clarity of its message.
Attending the official presentation were the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, and the Festivities Councillor, Jesús Montoya, who posed with what will be the image of this 2023 edition, which has already gone to print, and which will be able to be admired on the posters distributed throughout the municipality and in the festivities book.
Both the Mojácar Mayor and the Festivities Councillor wanted to thank all the authors of the works presented for their participation in this municipal competition, highlighting the high quality of them all, “making the selection of the three finalists very difficult for the jury”, as the locality’s Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá stated.
Mojácar Council organises awareness-raising days on the beaches of Mojácar together with its lifeguards.
As part of the important campaign that Mojácar Council has organised through the Tourism and Environment Departments for the respect and correct use of the municipality’s beaches, coastline and environment, the beaches of Mojácar have become the setting for awareness-raising days organised by the local authority and the company in charge of monitoring the beaches during the 2023 summer season.
This specific campaign is mainly aimed at the very youngest, although many parents and adults are also encouraged to take part, the work of the lifeguards being shown and the little ones shown steps to take in the event of a problem, and always alerting, in the first place, the professionals, adults or calling 112, the emergency telephone number.
With a great reception by the children, the lifeguards demonstrated their work in the monitoring of the beaches: first-aid, watching out for their maintenance and respect for the rules established for the correct use of bathing in the sea.
They also organised drawing and recycling workshops, a lifeguard for a day workshop, a waste collection workshop, and as a final touch, gifts and prizes for everyone.
Mojácar’s beaches are monitored by 38 lifeguards who watch out for everyone’s safety. For the 2023 season, the period of daily work has been extended to nearly the end of September and weekends for the whole of October.
“Cooperation 2005” is the company in charge of this work and has for five consecutive years been responsible for the monitoring, assistance, rescue and first-aid on the locality’s beaches.
According to its managers, the bathing season in Mojácar is going by calmly and without any important incident, as the beaches of the locality are calm and safe for the bather.
They also point to the increase in bathers’ respect for bathing rules, on following the flags which indicate the state of the sea and the lifeguards’ instructions.
Equally noteworthy is Mojácar Council’s effort to provide the best services and equipment to its beaches with the aim of it being a quiet and ideal destination for families and all kinds of summer holidaymakers
Mojácar Council starts a beach and natural spaces environmental awareness-raising campaign
Mojácar Council has started a communication campaign to raise environmental awareness among residents, visitors and users of the locality’s beaches and natural spaces through a series of actions throughout the entire municipality.
Attending the presentation were the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, and his government team: Noemí Linares, María Gracia Alarcón, María Luisa Pérez, Sergio Alonso and Jesús Montoya.
Francisco García Cerdá explained the importance of “sustainability as one of the main objectives linked to the tourism development of our municipality and the conservation of the natural resources as one of the vitally important aims, the beach being one of the priority spaces to protect.”
Mojácar has 17kms of coastline in a succession of beaches that make up a fundamental tourist attraction, especially in high season.
Even though environmental awareness is growing, the Mojácar Council Government Team wants to take responsibility for communicating to beach users both the basic rules for using this natural resource as well as other messages linked to the conservation and environmental protection of the territory.
The main aim of this campaign is focused on improving the state of the municipality’s beaches and natural spaces environmentally and in social awareness-raising so that this is possible.
With this awareness-raising campaign, they also want to emphasize, in a clear and effective way, objectives like keeping the beaches clean, pointing to the coast as a vulnerable natural space. Likewise, it is important to communicate incorrect actions in the use of the beaches, the restrictions, suggesting the appropriate and correct measures and which respect the environment.
For this Mojácar Council has designed a series of communication actions on the matter, which include a short video for communicating the campaign, the installation of environmental awareness-raising messages on the infobus supports distributed throughout the whole municipality and informative signage at the main accesses to the beaches, at the same time as actively working in the natural environment in a sustainable way.
Although this campaign starts this summer of 2023, it will remain active throughout the year.
Mojácar is the base for the Spanish canine use sport obedience competition
One of the scoring trials for the Spanish championship of ODU dog Use Sport Obedience has been held in Mojácar with the participation of 40 dogs from across the country and of all breeds and mixed breeds, divided into the official categories of: puppies, basic, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade, according to the dog’s age and the difficulty of the trials.
The competition was held in the La Mata area, organised by the Almería City Kennel Club in collaboration with Mojácar Council, and is the second of its kind to be held in Almería.
The different trials were staged within a great atmosphere of camaraderie and competitiveness. The dog-trainer pairings were of the most varied, those taking part going from nine-year-old children to adults, offering a perfect image of collaboration between both, without taking into account the age of one or the other.
This qualifying trial was attended by the local Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, and the Sports Councillor, Jesús Montoya, who presented the prizes to the winners. The great work of the Almería City Kennel Club is noteworthy, not only for the perfect organisation of the trial but also for the great work it does throughout the year, encouraging the joint work of dogs and owners, making them discover a new way of enjoying a sporting activity together and a new form of communication and camaraderie which goes far beyond what can be enjoyed from having a pet, as well as the many possibilities there are to practice skills with dogs.
The Almería City Kennel Club is also associated to the Spanish Mondioring Association, a form of canine sport that tests the ability of the dogs to protect both themselves and their owners, even through external distractions. Another facet that it puts into practice in the province, and which makes it a benchmark in working with dogs, whatever the chosen relationship, although this category does not correspond to the trial held in Mojácar, where only skills are taken into account and it is not professional.
Standing out is the prize in the third grade, which was obtained by a small, mixed-breed dog called Mouse and his owner, Elsa Pinilla, from Alicante. Mouse was adopted by Elsa as he did not fit in, due to his great energy, with his first family. Correctly channelled this talent, he is a promising figure in the 2023 championship and an example of work and the results that can be obtained with any dog if you know how to work with it.
Along these lines, the Almería City Canine Club offered a special prize to the “happiest pairing”, a reward for working positively and where dog and owner demonstrate a special understanding. Yet another example of the great professional and personal standing of this Almería club.
Sopalmo festivities in Mojácar 2023
The Sopalmo neighbourhood patron saint festivities 2023 in Honour of Christ the King have been celebrated in Mojácar.
Sopalmo, which means natural shelter or cave, is one of the most emblematic districts of Mojácar, which, although it preserves the essence of authenticity of all Mojácar districts, has managed to find a special place in the heart of the locals and of many artists and summer holidaymakers, who look for the authentic flavour of Andalucía of all times among its streets and corners.
Following its traditions, the Sopalmo festivities had a solemn mass in honour of Christ the King, the married people’s ribbon race, how could it be otherwise, the junior ribbons on motorcycles, a lot of dancing, music and the desire to meet again with friends and family.
The opening address for this 2023 edition was given by Eloisa Montoya Torres, Mojácar Council Tourism Agent and a person very connected to Sopalmo.
Eloisa Montoya was queen of the festivities, ribbon race participant for several years, collaborated with the district’s Festivities Commission and named, rightly, Miss Congeniality. Likewise, she’s a habitue of its beaches and the magical corners that Sopalmo offers.
“Through this festivity we remember our routes and traditions, strengthening our sense of belonging and unity as a people. In these festivities we find a space to share joy and happiness with friends, family and neighbours. Thanks to every generation that has contributed to keeping our customs and values alive. It is a privilege to celebrate this legacy together.”
With these words, the herald wanted to emphasise the friendliness, simplicity and naturalness that characterises the Sopalmo residents and which make it even more attractive and authentic. Values which they have known how to pass on to the youngest and which are even more evident on such well-loved dates.
The Queen of the Sopalmo 2023 festivities is Ana Belén Torres Crespo and her Ladies: Rocio Hernández Gómez, Andrea Requena Gallardo, Ainhoa Castillo Zamora and Paula Flores Piqueras. These youngsters will be the ambassadors of the neighbourbood until its next edition.
Sopalmo is a well-known corner of Mojácar, which should not be left off any visitor’s route when it comes to knowing the municipality and its treasures a little better.
Scouts from Granada, belonging to the Fénix group, take part in the Mojácar council environmental programme
From the 3rd of August to the 5th of the month, the Fénix Scouts group from Mojácar will stay in Mojácar taking part in activities included in the environmental programme created by Mojácar Council, and carrying out several projects that they themselves have developed for their stay in the locality.
When they arrived in Mojácar they were received by the Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, who welcomed them and was able to meet in person these youngsters who had voluntarily chosen this municipality as a centre of their activities within the organisation to which they belong.
The Group, made up of 20 scouts, including the two monitors in charge, are being put up by Mojácar Council at the town’s Multi-Uses Centre in connection with their voluntary work in the municipality.
The choice of Mojácar was motivated by many reasons, among them their interest in the battle against the proliferation of plastic on beaches and coastlines and their fight against “basuraleza” (rubbish and litter in nature).
As well as actively taking part in the cleaning of the beach and the seafront promenade, throughout these days they plan to carry out explanatory campaigns about the importance of not leaving waste and informing citizens about correct recycling.
With an average of 17, the commitment of the youngsters is of great importance as they are the future generations and the inheritors of the planet.
The Scouts in Spain is an educational movement, to which a great number of people throughout the world belong, sharing the same system of values and the desire to build a more sustainable world, respect human rights and nature.
The Scouts-Explorers Federation of Spain is a non-profit organisation present in Spain since 1912 and one of Spain’s biggest childhood, youth and voluntary NGOs, which has more than 34,000 members and 7,000 volunteers.
Mojácar receives the conductors of the Province´s Music Bands in a specialisation course
An important course for the conductors of Music Bands and Orchestras has taken place in Mojácar, organised by the Almería Provincial Council and the FEDERBAND Music Bands Federation, in collaboration with Mojácar Council.
The master instructor for this important gathering was Miguel Sánchez Ruzafa, principal conductor of the Granada Municipal Music Band and Principal Conductor of the Classical Orchestra of the same city.
Sánchez Ruzafa has an extensive CV of academic qualifications, obtained not only in Spain, but also some of them in countries with a great musical tradition and level of exactitude like Italy and Austria. At a professional level, he has been professor of Harmony at the Granada Royal Superior Conservatory of Music, among many other relevant posts in the conducting of orchestras.
Throughout his career, he has conducted several orchestras all over Spain and internationally, and among other countries, it is worth noting the conducting of orchestras in Italy, France and the US.
The opening of the course was attended by the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, accompanied by the Culture Councillor, Noemi Linares. The conductor of the Municipal Music Band, Miguel Ángel Miranda, was also present.
At the opening act the Mayor expressed his support for culture and his intention, and that of the Corporation he leads, to recover the city of Mojácar and consolidate it as a meeting point for art and culture, not only in the Levante region of Almería, but also the province.
To access this Almería Federation of Bands course it is necessary to be conducting a music band in the province or be a member or have the higher level and be federated in one of them.
The orchestra conducting courses consist of consolidating and using knowledge of the instrument that the conductor handles: in this case the music band, the orchestra or the choir, through their hands.
The conducting of an orchestra is the highest degree in the world of music. You have to master two instruments that make up the orchestra, master harmony, counterpoint, composition and demonstrate great worth. Up until not long ago it took nearly 30 years to have the degree.
For Miguel Sánchez Ruzafa, in Spain there has always been a good level of orchestra conductors, mainly due to the character of the Spanish. At the level of composition and of conducting, they are the two most complicated levels within music.
Profound knowledge of all the instruments is what gives mastery of the scores. Among the qualities and the training that a good conductor must have the following stand out: a good ear and complete dedication.
Mojácar Council has completely restructured three children´s playgrounds on the beach
Mojácar Council has completely restructured three children’s playgrounds located at Marina de la Torre, El Palmeral and Cueva del Lobo.
In this action the Council has completely changed all the play elements, adapting them in size and safety to the smallest children, as well as new elements that allow users to interact with greater freedom and autonomy to enjoy them all.
Likewise, the entire playground surface has been completely replaced with vulcanised rubber based on coarse granules in bright and attractive colours.
The fencing which protects them from the exterior has also been replaced with fencing which is safer and firmer, which offers the enclosure greater protection.
These three children’s playgrounds are in addition to those already updated last year, located in Piedra Villazar and El Descargador.
For next year, the Parks Department has plans for the complete remodelling of the final two, located in Vista de los Ángeles and El Parador, hence completing the restructuring of all the children’s playgrounds located on Mojácar beach.
Mojácar has nine children’s playgrounds in total: one located in the old town, one at the fountain and the rest spread out along the nearly two kilometres of the locality’s seafront promenade.
Ana García, the Council’s Parks Councillor, has expressed her satisfaction with these works, which represent a very important contribution to the development of the very youngest, as for this Department, the playgrounds are not only a moment of fun, but are also important for fostering cognitive, physical and social awareness.
The local Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, along with his Government team, has been visiting the new children’s playgrounds, thereby demonstrating his interest and that of his Government team in the prominent role of childhood in society and the responsibility of their correct education in order to face the challenges they could come across as adults: “investing in childhood is investing in the future”, the Mayor affirmed.
Masterclass in the Municipal Music School given by María Torres Melgares, one of the best international saxophonists of the moment.
The Mojácar Municipal Music School, through the Council’s Culture Department, organised an important masterclass by saxophone teacher María Torres Melgares, one of the best performers on this instrument in Spain.
María Torres Melgares has lived in the US for three years. She is currently completing her Doctorate of Musical Arts in saxophone performance at the University of Iowa. She completed her Music Masters in saxophone performance at the University of Michigan, together with two certificates of Entrepreneurship in Arts and Leadership.
She was born in Tarrasa, although her family is of Almería origin. She graduated with higher studies from the Liceu Superior Conservatory, receiving a scholarship on her own merits in all courses for the Ferrer-Salat Music Foundation.
Despite her youth – she’s 25 – she has an endless CV of national and international prizes, special mentions, successes and awards which she has been accumulating with a lot of hard work and talent. She started her musical journey at nine years old, the age when she decided to dedicate herself to this instrument, inspired, as she recalls, by her grandfather as she already played the saxophone.
A total luxury and a unique opportunity for the students of the school and for Mojácar municipality, which has had the presence of a true professional of internationally recognised prestige, and mainly in the US, where getting to the level of María Torres is a real achievement and places her among the most important international saxophonists.
In this masterclass she did a presentation to the students of the Music School and of the municipal band about how to optimise the study of this instrument and how to organise time. She also practiced different melodies with the students, advising each one of them, improvements when it comes to performing the scores and getting the most out of their instruments and their musical qualities.
María Torres Melgares took part in the Mojácar Municipal Music Band concert of soloists on 27th July in the locality’s Multi-Uses Centre under the baton of its director, Miguel Ángel Miranda.
Mojácar Council joins the “Here we save turtles” awareness-raising campaign
Mojácar Council has joined the “Here we save turtles” awareness-raising campaign. An initiative which aims to educate the public about how to behave when they find a marine turtle on our coastline..
This initiative was started in 2019 by the Oceanographic Foundation. It has been growing, the Azul Marino Foundation and Palma Aquarium Foundation joining, and extending to the Balearic Islands and Murcia Region, incorporating also the Seville Aquarium with the participation of Andalucia localities, there now being 80 municipalities that have joined the campaign.
This action, which also has the collaboration of the Junta de Andalucía and the Andalucian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FAMP), is possible thanks to the collaboration of councils like that of Mojácar, which has backed this educational campaign to protect these animals through different actions.
To maximise the reach of this campaign, posters have been put in the municipality’s MUPIS (Urban Furniture Information Presentation), and the manual of good practices is publicised on the Council’s social media and website, as well as making people who have a relation with the beach aware of the importance, every morning, of looking out for tracks on the beach. Bathers and travellers are also informed about the presence of marine turtles on the Mediterranean coasts, so that in the event of a sighting they can call 112 and activate the Strandings Network.
An environmental workshop on the Lance Nuevo beach is planned for the 24th of August from 11am about marine turtles, conservation and good environmental practices where experts from the Seville Aquarium will carry out a citizen awareness-raising action. At this workshop participants will learn about the biology of these incredible animals, they will learn what they should do if they come across a turtle in danger, how to detect the trail left by a turtle on the beach when it’s going to lay eggs and how with small, everyday changes we can put an end to its main threats.
It would not be the first time that a marine turtle chooses the beaches of Mojácar to nest. Last year, in June 2022, 20 small loggerhead turtles which were born in the municipality were returned to the sea. The turtle tracks on the sand were spotted by a resident who alerted 112, deploying an entire protection and rescue network.
Before setting out on this adventure which led them to freedom, these 20 little loggerhead turtles spent their first days of life in the Algeciras marine environment recovery centre, CEGMA, which belongs to the Junta de Andalucía.
Four very delicate months in the survival of this species, but in this centre, they now have the experience in the care of neonatal or recently born turtles necessary for their survival.
The fact that the turtles nested here is a phenomenon that is occurring on many points of the Spanish coast and it’s necessary to be prepared. It is important to have a good network of coordination and work at a technical level.
The nesting season is well underway. It’s impossible to know if they will return to the beaches of Mojácar or not, but in any event, it is very important if you see the tracks of a turtle on the beach or even the female itself, not to touch anything or bother it with photos or a flash and to immediately call 112.
Mojácar Council announces a competition for its Patron Saint festivities poster
Mojácar Council has, through its Festivities Department, announced a competition to select the poster announcing the 2023 Patron Saint Festivities in honour of San Agustín.
Anyone can take part, being able to present a maximum of three originals, which must be unpublished.
The theme of the poster will be based fundamentally on any representative aspect of the locality’s Patron Saint Festivities.
The works presented can be of free technique in the form of expression, although in such a way that they can be reproduced without any difficulty in four-colour. The dimensions of the posters must be 50x70 cm, without margin, and vertical orientation.
The organisation warns artists who present their work without a signature will have to contact them at once via sending an email festejos@mojacar.es or WeTransfer to the same email address, indicating in an attached text file the name and surnames, nationality, date of birth, ID, NIE or passport, mobile number and email address.
Mojácar Council is committed to the responsible and legal use of all the details provided and their destruction where appropriate, at all times respecting current legislation.
The mandatory text, which you can compose freely on the poster, will be: FIESTAS DE SAN AGUSTÍN, MOJÁCAR 2023, del 25 al 28 de agosto. Receipt of the works will be up to 11.59pm on Monday 31st of July 2023.
The jury is made up of members of Mojácar Council Festivities Department, who will choose three finalist posters from among all the works presented. Subsequently, the winner among the three selected works will be deliberated through the votes received on the Mojácar Informa Facebook and Instagram: mojacarinformando. The poster which receives the most votes will be the winner of the San Agustin 2023 Patron Saint Festivities poster competition.
The prize for the most voted for will be a diploma and a dinner for two in a local restaurant. The conditions will be presented when the prize is presented.
Mojácar Council promises to cite the name of the author of the poster on each and every one of the reproductions made.
If the quality or the theme of the works presented do not meet the expectations of Mojácar Council, it would be able to declare this competition void.
Participation in this competition means the complete acceptance of the rules and regulations and which you can look up for more information on the municipal social media, where they are published in full.
The "La Fuente" municipal art centre opens its doors to the works of Pedro Molina.
Mojácar Council has opened the doors of the “La Fuente” Art Hall to a painting exhibition by local painter Pedro Molina, resident of Garrucha, although born in Turre.
Pedro Molina presents his work in which he pays homage to the great classics of painting of all times. Self-taught, lover of figurative art, he faithfully reproduces the works of the most recognised masters in history, gathering in his brushes not only the mastery, but also the atmosphere and the intention of the paintings.
Although he has had moments when he has been attracted by abstract art and other styles, it is realism that ultimately marks his hand when in front of canvases and his definitive path in painting.
Self-taught, reproducing the paintings, in his words he continues learning and never ceases to be surprised by the amount of detail which could go unnoticed, just with his observation. He uses oil and all the technical resources which seem appropriate for each work, giving greater importance to the final work and the expression he wishes to imprint in his works.
With a long career working with his brushes, this is the second time he has exhibited in Mojácar, although this exhibition is one of the most important due to the large amount of work presented.
Among his favourite painters, Rubens, Velázquez and Vermeer stand out, although on his special list of masters there appear many more.
The inauguration was attended by the Culture Councillor, Noemí Linares, accompanied by Jesús Gredilla, María Gracia Alarcón and Ana García, also Mojácar Council councillors.
Noemí Linares expressed interest in Pedro Molina’s work and had the opportunity to visit the exhibition with the artist, who expressed his gratitude to Mojácar Council for the opportunity of being able to exhibit his work in an exhibition hall of such a high level in terms of the invited painters. The Culture Councillor reiterated the interest of her department and of the local authority in giving space to local artists, “many of them of great quality”, and in continuing Mojácar’s trajectory as a meeting point for creatives in all artistic disciplines.
The Pedro Molina exhibition will remain open to the public, with free entry, until 13th August. The La Fuente Art Centre is open from Tuesday to Sunday, in the mornings from 11am to 2pm. In the afternoon, it opens its doors from 7-10pm.
The Mojácar Artefact Collective rewarded at the 14th edition of the La Voz de Almería Levante Awards
The 14th edition of the Levante Awards, organised by La Voz de Almería, Cadena SER and Los 40 Principales, has been held at the Marqués de Los Vélez Castle in Cuevas del Almanzora.
These awards are aimed at recognising the efforts and achievements of the people, entities or companies which have contributed to the greatness of this region of Almería in the different economic, social and cultural sectors, always linked to the 14 towns which make up the Levante Almeriense.
This year in the Culture category, the award has gone to Artefacto, a collective born a year ago in Mojácar with the goal of promoting art and solidarity in society.
The Artefacto collective is today made up of 19 artists in different disciplines and of different nationalities, although it remains open to the incorporation of new creatives.
Artefacto was created with the intention of carrying out a project which had the purpose of organising art exhibitions and cultural workshops, among many other activities, always associated with collaboration with charitable institutions and donating part of its profits to charitable institutions.
Last year they put on an exhibition in Mojácar, the collective’s first, initially made up of eight artists: Ricardo Rejón García-Pichi, Elizabeth Attewell, Marijose González Iglesias, Pamen Merchante, Serafín Redondo, Ulli Butz, Heidi Gaber and Joaquín Sáez. An exhibition that had great success in terms of turnout.
Currently, and among multiple projects in the portfolio, they plan to interact with the area’s elderly, an increasingly more numerous population in the region, creating workshops and other actions in which they could collaborate together.
The prize was collected on behalf of Artefacto by Pamen Merchante and Ricardo Rejón and presented by Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, who highlighted the work of this collective that combines art and social work, being a platform of solidarity assistance with the region.
Mojácar joins, for another year, the Green Flags Movement for sustainability
Mojácar Council has joined, for another year, the Green Flags movement for sustainability, promoted by the non-profit company Ecovidrio.
More than 140 municipalities have joined in with obtaining the Green Flags for sustainability in its fourth edition, launched by Ecovidrio, the company responsible for managing the recycling of glass container waste in Spain. A campaign that aims to reward the efforts and activism of the coastal municipalities on sustainability during the summer, especially in regard to the correct management of its waste.
This incorporation was announced by the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, accompanied by the Environment Councillor in Mojácar Council, Sergio Alonso, with the aim of encouraging and promoting the recycling of glass in line with boosting recycling in all areas, one of the strategic objectives of the government headed by the locality’s Mayor.
Francisco García Cerdá highlighted the importance of respecting the ecosystem, reaffirming his commitment in regard to the environment, promoting all those initiatives which promote the circular economy, the reduction of pollution, waste and the consumption of natural resources: “another opportunity to position ourselves on the environmental map and to be among the most responsible and active municipalities on this global problem.”
The Green Flags movement is a project which tries to provide an answer to the high levels of glass container consumption during the summer, mainly in the hospitability channel, although it also extends to private users and other types of activity, and that focuses particularly on coastal areas with high levels of tourism.
To qualify for a green flag it is necessary to comply with a series of requirements based on criteria like: an increase in the volume of the selective collection of glass containers in respect to the previous year, the collaboration of the hospitality sector and the commitment of the local council in advancing the campaign and its promotion.
Ecovidrio, for its part, commits to the local authorities, providing them with the necessary means to carry out this work, whether installing new bins or carrying out information campaigns among the hospitality businesses, among other actions.
At the end of the summer, nine new green flags are awarded throughout the country. Two will go to Andalucía. Mojácar has already obtained this award in 2021, being in first position in Almería province and fifth place at Andalucia level. In the 2022 edition, the objectives set out were achieved, carrying out a campaign with great results.
Within the framework of the green flags movement, during the summer of 2022 52,302 tonnes of glass containers were collected in the 135 participating coastal localities, 16% more than in 2021. Thanks to all the glass recovered, it was possible to avoid the emission of 30,335 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to taking 14,000 cars out of circulation; avoid the extraction of 62,762 tonnes of raw material and save 37,354 MWH of energy.
Both Mojácar Council and the locality’s tourism sector, especially hospitality, are working to collaborate on this campaign as yet another action which the local authority and the locality’s business network carry out throughout the year to achieve tourism in line with the new preferences. Among them, the concern for health and the consequences of climatic change, creating an impact and a trend when choosing a sustainable and quality destination
Mojácar´s Blue Flags are now flying on its beaches.
Now flying on the beaches of Mojácar are the four Blue Flags awarded by the European Foundation for Environmental Education, and which since 1987 have distinguished the beaches and ports that comply with a series of rigid environmental and services conditions.
This year the beaches of El Cantal, Lance Nuevo, Marina de la Torre and Venta del Bancal-Ventanicas have renewed this distinction.
At the official flag-raising ceremony which every year the Mojácar Council Government team carries out jointly with the managers of each area’s most important hotels were present the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, and the councillors Noemí Linares Ortiz, María Gracia Alarcón, Sergio Alonso and Jesús Montoya Gredilla.
Representing the hotel establishments were Belén García, Mar Tramunt, Roger del Blanc and Sonia León, managers and assistant managers of Best Pueblo Indalo, as well as Ricardo Escudero, Servigroup Area Manager, Cándido Jiménez, Hotel Oasis Manager, and Felicia Rodríguez from the Hotel Best Mojácar. Members of the rescue and lifesaving team monitoring the safety of Mojácar’s beaches during this 2023 summer season were also present.
It must be added that as well as these distinctions the beaches also have the Secretary of State for Tourism’s SICTED quality award, also renewed this 2023 season, joining the Blue Flags and representing a double quality guarantee.
Mojácar Council has received these distinctions with satisfaction as they correspond to the recognition of the local authority’s work to improve the Mojácar coastline.
Mojácar has 17 kilometres of fantastic coast. As well as these double award-winning and best-known beaches, you can also enjoy protected beaches on the outskirts of the urban areas, such as the Sombrerico and Granatilla, smaller, and while they don’t have facilities, they have the charm of being in a natural environment.
It is important to highlight the efforts of all the Council departments involved in maintaining and improving the optimum level of use of them all and presenting the highest level of quality that all Mojácar’s beaches have, as well as the effort made equally by the tourism business sector and which with the local council works together throughout the year.
The financial and human investment made in Mojácar’s beaches has translated into an increase in services, personnel and the quality of their facilities. Quality and effort that extends to all the services that the municipality offers the visitor.
The Cuartillas 2023 festivities get underway in Mojácar
This Friday 7th of July the festival of Cuartillas, a district of Mojácar, gets underway, which celebrates its seventh edition this year 2023 after local residents’ recovery of this lost tradition following 70 years of oblivion.
In honour of its Patron Saint, San Antonio, Cuartillas starts its festivities on 7th July at 10pm with a performance by the Lita Paredes dance academy. At 11pm a performance by the Savoy orchestra will open the dancing until late into the night.
On Saturday 8th July at 1pm, the midday festival will allow for trying the area’s typical dishes or a multitude of tapas, to be followed at 2pm with a giant paella which will serve as sustenance for the “tardeo” (afternoon drinks and partying), which little by little is finding its place in all festivities and which can end up with ice-creams, cakes and churros. As is traditional, also planned are attractions for the little ones.
The Holy Mass at 6pm in honour of San Antonio will take place in the small chapel which residents have built for the image of their Patron Saint.
A performance by the Conchi dance academy at 9pm will open the evening session and the Embrujo Orchestra will continue the festivities for everyone who has come along.
The Cuartillas Residents’ Association, created not only for the organisation of its patron saint festival, works all year with the aim of recovering a neighbourhood which in its day was an important population centre with more than 100 residents.
Recovering its old hermitage and the original image of San Antonio have been two priorities which have kept the residents very active. It could not be. The hermitage is on private land and the original image of the saint went to Barcelona at the time of the Civil War, rescued when the original hermitage was in ruins.
But there is no discouragement for these residents who created this association, and who during this time, with the help of their elderly, have recovered the memory of some festivities and of some days of gathering with family and friends.
They have also got the enthusiasm back with the construction of an enclosure where the image of their patron saint is watched over, and lacking the original, have managed to raise funds and been able to order another one like the one from yesteryear.
New hermitage and new saint, which have been received with the same affection and enthusiasm, and which contain the essence of many generations who gave life to a neighbourhood which today refuses to be lost in oblivion. The proof is that every year there come along more residents from other parts of Mojácar and the region who do not want to miss these days to have fun and to break with routine.
The Mojácar La Fuente Art Centre opens its doors to the work of the artist Anik Lagarrigue.
An exhibition of paintings by the artist Anik Lagarrigue, better known as Anika, has opened at the “La Fuente” municipal art centre in Mojácar.
More than 40 highly colourful works make up this exhibition, which will be open to the public, free of charge, until the 15th of July.
Anika, born in France, has been in Spain for more than 30 years. The volcanic eruption in the Canary Islands took away her house and everything which made up her life until then. Fate brought her to Mojácar, where she continues on her dynamic career path.
Her work done in acrylic and with the spatula as her main tool, fills the entire exhibition hall with colour and life.
Her hand moves across the canvas spontaneously and dynamically. Self-taught, art is nothing alien to her as several members of her family have made it their profession.
Attracted by the art of Morocco, you can appreciate its influence in her work, which goes beyond canvases and is reflected in other works made with buttons and beads from Arabic clothing, as well as in writing and messages of peace made on sheepskin.
Among her future plans would be to be able to hold painting workshops, dedicated mainly to the youngest, although they would be open to all ages, where artistic expression would be the main aim. For Anika the possibility of expressing yourself through painting is a healing therapy that calms the bind and balances the spirit.
The inauguration was a success for turnout, and many of her works were sold on this first day. Raquel Belmonte, acting Mojácar Council Culture Councillor, did not want to miss this event either, and had the opportunity to go around the exhibition with the artist, who told her about the details of many of her works.
The works of Anik Lagarrigue will be open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 2pm until the 15th of July.
Mojácar revalidates four Blue Flags for the summer 2023 season.
The Municipality of Mojácar will this summer have four Blue Flags flying on the El Cantal, Lance Nuevo, Marina de la Torre and Venta del Bancal-Ventanicas beaches..
Beaches that renew for another year this award, which the European Foundation for Environmental Education awards annually, and according to very rigorous criteria, to beaches and ports which meet its requisites in terms of water quality, environmental management, safety and services, as well as user information and environmental education.
Also of great importance for this organisation is accessibility for people with reduced mobility, the existence of health assistance, rescue and lifesaving services and maritime surveillance, as well as other considerations.
These four blue flags awarded to Mojácar are the recognition for the efforts of the locality’s Council, through its Tourism Department, not only on these beaches, but also along the municipality’s 17 kilometres of coast
It is worth noting that, in reality, it is five Mojácar beaches that should have been awarded with a Blue Flag as Venta del Bancal and Ventanicas are two different sectors. The foundation only considers four as the Venta del Bancal and Ventanicas beaches share the same water sampling point because they are designated in health as the same bathing area.
Equally, the beaches have the SICTED, “Tourism Quality Commitment”, distinction, which credits and recognises compliance with the quality requisites established by the Secretary of State for Tourism with the support of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, recognising efforts and the commitment to quality and to continuous improvement of tourist destinations.
The SICTED Quality Stamp is valid for two years, although this is conditional on an annual monitoring evaluation which guarantees the application of the standards established on its platform.
There is no doubt that Mojácar offers one of the best urban beaches, with all services. Nevertheless, Mojácar also has so-called natural ones, none with prohibited use, where bathers can enjoy bathing in the middle of nature and in the locality’s magnificent landscapes.
Mojácar celebrates the 7th edition of the Night of Romance and prepares for the most beautiful kiss in the world.
Mojácar gets summer underway with the Night of Romance, one of the locality’s most anticipated activities, which will take place on the night of 1st of July starting at 9.15pm, paying homage to love, filling all its streets and plazas with its most romantic side and opening hearts to all the visitors who want to experience and discover an unforgettable night.
The Night of Romance brings together more than 300 localities around Spain and Europe in a very special passionate night, without precedent before its launch by this Association, and in which Mojácar has taken part from the start.
The 7th edition of the Night of Romance pays tribute to love in a unique environment, surrounded by a natural and monumental heritage which forms the ideal setting.
From 9.15pm onwards you will be able to enjoy live music in the different squares of the old town. Rosario Almansa at the piano; Nadia on violin or the Double Swing piano and guitar duo, without missing a romantic DJ from Litri Sound in Plaza Nueva, where at midnight there will also be the most beautiful kiss in the world.
With the 12 chimes of the Santa María Church, and against a backdrop of fireworks, all of Mojácar, everyone already gathered in this Plaza, will, in unison, kiss to create the most beautiful kiss in the world, and undoubtedly, the greatest mass kiss. Following this romantic moment, the music and dancing will continue throughout the night on its impressive viewpoint and under the incomparable Mojácar sky.
But before the grand finale, the whole of Mojácar will receive its visitors not only with live music: mime artists full of love with go through the streets inviting and infecting visitors with the desire to express their affection.
In another of the planned activities, starting at 10.30pm in the Santa María Parish Church, married couples who so wish will be able to renew their vows, couples who want to go to this beautiful Parish Church, that for this day will look even more beautiful, also receiving a blessing.
The whole of Mojácar is decked out: close to 6,000 balloons, all eco-friendly, heart-shaped, many of them helium, will decorate arches and columns, as well all the corners of the municipality. A Photocall will serve for immortalising the moment.
The restaurants will offer special and suggested menus, filled with nods to love. The shops will also expand their offers to offer mementoes and gifts in keeping with the atmosphere.
This unique celebration is organised by Mojácar Council through the Tourism Department, in collaboration with the Mojácar Pueblo Traders’ Association and all its residents. An original celebration which represents an almost universal coming together as it is shared with the municipalities making up the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain, as well as those of France, Italy, Belgium and Germany.
Due to the success of previous editions, Mojácar will run a special bus service, which will continue until 2.45am, the time when the last bus will leave the village.
Given the large number of people and the difficulty in parking, the organisation recommends going up to the village using the bus service, which will be reinforced on this day. The buses stop at different points on the beach and facilitate access to Mojácar Pueblo.
Night of San Juan in Mojácar
Following the age-old custom of the whole Mediterranean coast, yet another year Mojácar is joining in with the celebration of the Night of San Juan, with the traditional bonfire which Mojácar Council, through the Festivities Department, organises on the Descargador beach.
Open free of charge to everyone who wants to join such a magical night. The celebration will start on the evening of Friday 23rd of June and will end after midnight.
At 6pm the Descargador beach will start to receive the youngest with children’s activities: bouncy castles, workshops for family fun until 9pm.
From 10pm the children’s bonfire will be lit and the “Los Juaraginos” band will perform so that music and dance provide an atmosphere for the youth on the shortest night of the year.
The grown-ups will have their turn from midnight, which will be when the adults’ bonfire begins to burn and with fireworks as a backdrop, to burn not only the accumulated firewood. Each one, according to tradition, will be able to contribute to the magical ritual everything that they want to leave behind. Accompanied, of course, by the performance of the musical group “Klandestinos”.
The origin of the celebration of the Night of San Juan represents a festival of worship of the sun, also a homage to the times of harvest and as a purifying element to burn negative energies and open up to new stages of prosperity.
Later on, the Bible, records on this date the birth of St John the Baptist, which was announced with a grand bonfire by Zechariah, maintaining, as a result of this fact, the tradition of the bonfire on this night.
The celebration of the Night of San Juan, as everyone knows, is the night of legends and spells, of rites and charms. Remedies for nearly everything, and at the very least, the opportunity to have a fantastic night in Mojácar.
Also, those coming along will be able to discover whether among the bonfire, as on other occasions, there hides, or does not, a mysterious person of whom nobody knows how they got there.
MOJACAR RED CROSS ORGANISES A GRAND FESTIVAL OF GOLD FOR NEXT SATURDAY
Spanish Red Cross Mojácar Local Association has, in collaboration with the local Council, organised the “Grand Festival of Gold” for this Saturday 24th of June at 8pm in the Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre.
The Grand Festival of Gold is a set of several performances by different artists, that, in solidarity, will include music by the Municipal Music School’s guitar orchestra and a performance by the violinist Luis José Fernández Moraza, the Cuevas del Almanzora Conservatory lead violin.
It will also feature poetry with readings of the work “Silencios que cobran vida” (Silences that come to life), by the poet María Emilia Gutiérrez Contreras, who will personally perform her compositions.
But the most important surprise will come from the “Theatre Company for the Elderly”, belonging to the Mojácar Red Cross Association of the Third Age, with an original work: “La Parada”, written and performed by themselves. A stellar performance by 11 actors belonging to this senior citizens’ group.
La Parada has been written collectively and creatively by our senior citizens. It is an original idea from the members of the senior citizens’ group, as are the characters who will appear throughout the play. A comedy full of humour, which will undoubtedly make us smile more than once.
The theme is a surprise, just like the scenery, which has been designed and thought out by the participants in the Red Cross’s painting workshop. A workshop that is producing new artists, and who have collaborated in the staging of this contest.
The Mojácar Red Cross Local Association has called on all the region’s residents and visitors to attend the performance on Saturday. For a symbolic price, five euros, for which you also get a Golden Raffle ticket, not only is a fun and entertaining evening guaranteed, but it also helps this institution, which at the current time needs our collaboration more than ever.
Its work is immense, and in difficult times its help represents the only support for many families and many elderly people.
Concepción Rivero, President of the Mojácar Red Cross Local Assembly, wants to put out a call to action to everyone to collaborate with this charitable association, mainly by becoming a member, even if it is only for a symbolic amount. But all the help adds up, and solidarity is important, whether it is donating food, buying a raffle ticket or taking part in any initiative carried out throughout the year, and of which the only aim is to help the most unprotected and the neediest.
The Mojácar Medieval Market opens its doors for the Moors & Christians festivities.
The Mojácar Medieval Market opened its doors on Friday 16th for the celebration of the Moors & Christians festivites.
Between Plaza Nueva and Calle Glorieta of Mojácar old town, more than 40 stalls offer different products, all of them hand-made.
The visitor will be able to find everything from costume jewellery to beauty products, leather, wood and traditional sweets, all with the stalls decorated in Medieval style and the stallholders dressed in period costume to definitely transport us to the festive atmosphere and of a market of the Medieval period.
For the opening a parade by Bambolea was planned with aerial acrobatics, and with falconry as an essential activity in Medieval times, an exhibition of birds of prey was also organised by “Águilas del Sol”, to show visitors a demonstration of the such ancient art of hunting.
On Saturday 17th at 12 midday the market starts up again. The souk will be full of tumblers and the exhibition of birds of prey. In Plaza Nueva, Moorish and Christian-themed characters will liven up the morning with a spectacular performance.
And in the afternoon, after enjoying a good lunch in the different “kábilas” and “cuarteles” (Moorish and Christian encampments), you will be able to enjoy an excellent Moorish tea in an authentic Bedouin tent which will mean a trip to the tales of “a thousand and one nights.” You will also be able to opt for a good Medieval afternoon snack which will give us the energy to continue the day with the melodies of Treefolk or to be able to listen to the stories, legends and games of Bambolea.
At 10 at night a surprise awaits visitors. Illuminated by the Moorish moon, there will be a fusion of Arab dance. Follow the magic with the games of jugglers and fire, which will go around all the streets of the old town.
Over the three days the market will last, as well as all these fun activities, you will be able to find a point for a photocall prepared with Moors and Christians, where you will be able to immortalise the occasion, and of course, many children’s attractions in Plaza Nueva.
For the Sunday, the last day of the Mojácar Moors & Christians festivities, and while awaiting the most eagerly anticipated time of the grand gala parade, you can have a hearty breakfast while enjoying the flight of the birds of prey and the parades that will wake up the town and remind everyone that only a few hours remain until the impressive parade that will start at 6.30pm.
Thousands of participants, divided into the seven groups, whether they are Moors or Christians, accompanied by floats, horses and music bands, will go from Plaza Nueva to the Fountain in an exhibition of the most luxurious costumes, representations and performances which make the Mojácar Moors & Christians festivities the most important and representative festival, not only of Almería province, but of the whole of eastern Spain.
The 2023 Moors & Christians festivities get underway in Mojácar.
The highly anticipated Mojácar Moors & Christians festivities officially get underway this Thursday 15th June, and until next Sunday 18th June, with the grand parade, will fill Mojácar with fun and the special magic of several days where culture and history go hand in hand “without winners or losers.”
On Thursday 15th June the programme of commemorations and historic representations begins with a junior parade which will start out at 10.30am from the Bartolomé Flores Public School, going around the “kábilas” (Moorish encampments), and “cuarteles” (Christian encampments), accompanied by Bambolea jesters and tumblers, to the Plaza Nueva. On the same day, from 12 midday, the young Mojácar Moors & Christians will remain centre stage with the gathering of the junior heralds from the Aljama Mudéjar Moorish encampment and the Los Templarios Christian encampment to, accompanied by the Municipal Music Band, also arrive at the Plaza Nueva for the junior proclamation and the recreation of the handing over of keys.
On Friday 16th June, from 1pm to 5pm, the midday festivity opens in the kábilas and cuarteles spread throughout the old town. The Aljama Mudéjar encampment and the Templarios encampment will have entertainment from the “Los Chorreones” and “Los Juaranginos” brass bands.
It will be at 7pm when the blunderbuss fusiliers gather in the Multi-Uses Centre to at 8.30pm at the Mojácar Fountain begin the regrouping of the troops and proceed to the handing over of the keys to the city by the Muslim king Alavez to Capitán Garcilaso, sent by the Catholic Monarchs.
From 9pm, a clarion call, announcing the presence of hostile troops in the vicinity of the city. The troupes turn out with the greatest number of members possible, led by their respective captains, music bands, fireworks and volleys of musketeers.
With the entrance of troops in the city, now in the old town, it will be possible to enjoy the proclamation of the festivities by the adult ambassadors, with a final firecracker. The heralds of this 2023 edition will be Jesús Antonio Montoya Gredilla from the Templarios encampment and Antonio Jesús Pérez Carrique from the Aljama Mudejar encampment.
From this moment the Moorish and Christian encampments open, headed by their ambassadors, who will be accompanied by the “Los Juaraginos” band.
On Saturday 17th June, from midday onwards, the traditional Medieval market will open. The city Souk will open its door with the Bambolea characters and an exhibition of birds of prey. The activities on this second day of Moors & Christians continue with parades that will liven up the medina with Moors & Christians-themed characters, who will go around the whole old town, and many other offerings that will bring you closer to the tales of a thousand and one nights.
You cannot miss on Lance beach from 5pm onwards the much-anticipated concentration of blunderbuss fusiliers, who will wait until 6pm for the dance and fire show, the parade of horses and the dressage exhibition, giving way to the meeting and landing of the Moorish troops and the defence of their coast by the Christians.
Every battle ends with a Medieval tournament, where Moorish and Christian knights will try to obtain the greatest number of scarves put up by ladies from both sides. In the tournament, the young riders and their mounts strive to get a smile, and of course, a precious kiss, as a reward for their feat.
The jousting comes to an end with the march of the troops from the Ankara beach bar to the Red Cross along the seafront promenade. An unequalled spectacle of colour and beauty with the Mediterranean as an incomparable setting.
From 9.30pm in the old town, the Moorish and Christian encampments reopen their doors to offer fun and entertainment in these unique Mojácar festivities.
On Sunday the 18th, the last day of the Moors & Christians festivities, the day begins with the concentration of the Moorish and Christian fusiliers and a volley at 12 midday, which gives the alert of the preparations for what is the star activity of all the days: the impressive gala parade of Moors and Christians.
Virtually the whole town takes part. More than 2,000 people, all dressed up in the most luxurious gala costumes you can imagine, and accompanied by floats, bands and brass bands, start out at 6.30pm from the Plaza Nueva to end the parade at the Fountain.
The order of the parade has been stipulated by the Almosaquer Moors & Christians Association. On the Christian side, the Bandoleros go first, followed by the Cisneros Cuartel and the Templarios, who this year hold the captaincy.
On the Moorish side, it will be the Moros Viejos who open the Muslim participation, followed by Tuareg Mojácar, the Moriscos, and finally, Aljama Mudéjar, who also hold the captaincy of the Moorish side.
It’s impossible to miss the Mojácar Moors & Christians festivity. Unimaginable days that transport you back in time. Without comparison with any other held in any part of Spain. A whole town: its streets, corners, establishments, Mojácar, in short, transformed into a grand stage with its residents and visitors as actors in what is, without doubt, the most important date in the locality and in the province.
The costume of a Mojácar woman represents Almería in the Seville Museum of arts and customs.
The costume of a Mojácar woman represents Almería in the Seville Museum of arts and customs.
The typical costume of Mojácar is on display in the Seville Museum of Arts and Customs as part of a temporary exhibition titled “Somos Abril, Andalucía y sus fiestas a través de la Moda” (We are April, Andalucía and its festivities through Fashion), organised by the Junta de Andalucía’s Regional Ministry of Tourism.
This exhibition, which opened its doors on the 6th of June and which will remain open until the 21st of June, aims to highlight the importance of fashion and tourism in the Andalucía autonomous community through a space dedicated to each of its provinces and in which there are three characteristic garments of each.
At the suggestion of the Mojácar Council Tourism Department, and the exhibition curator, the Mojácar “Tapada” (item of clothing to cover the head and face), has been chosen as one of the characteristic costumes of Almería with the aim of highlighting this attire, as unknown as it is spectacular, and that has connections with other Andalucia regions such as the Axarquia, and even crossed borders thanks to the “Tapada Limeña”, in the 19th Century.
In the space dedicated to Almería province, accompanied by a promotional video about the province provided by the Junta de Andalucía, you can find along with the typical costume of Mojácar, a Susana Lirola flamenco dress and an haute couture model by the designer Daniel Cerdán.
This exhibition is the first that Andalucía is holding dedicated expressly to representing its identity through clothing and fashion as a vehicle for promoting its culture and tourism.
For Mojácar it is a privilege to be able to represent Almería province in this exhibition and present its typical costume, which is, at the same time, an important promotion of the locality’s rich heritage value.
The local council is excited about this new project, and invites all the friends of Mojácar in Seville, and of course all lovers of fashion, of Andalucía, of its customs and festivities, to visit the beautiful facilities of the Museum of Arts and Popular Customs, and specifically, its exhibition Somos Abril.
“Somos Abril, Andalucía y sus fiestas a través de la Moda”, features more than 30 pieces, among them regional costumes like the Cádiz “Piconera”, the mantilla in Sevilla and the Mojácar Tapada; flamenco costumes, such as those of Carmen Acedo, Sara de Benítez and Loreto Martínez, and couture and prêt-à-porter dresses, from labels like Juana Martín, Moisés Nieto and Antonio García.
Two exhibition halls full of fashion, with the purest Andalucían feel and with the clear objective of showing visitors and national and international tourists the folklore and the great diversity of fashion designers from the south of Spain.
Opening of the Mojacarte collective painting and the Juan Alonso sculpture exhibition in Mojácar.
The Mojácar La Fuente Municipal Art Centre has inaugurated an exhibition of painting and sculpture titled “Luz del Sur” that brings together more than 40 paintings and close to a dozen sculptures by students of the Clemente Gerez painting school and the sculptor Juan Alonso.
A large public attended the inauguration, among them Raquel Belmonte, acting Mojácar Council Culture Councillor, Francisco García Cerdá, also local authority acting Councillor and the locality’s next Mayor, as well as María Gracia Alarcón.
The artists making up this exhibition are Julia Poves, Michele Koster, Jocelyn Frith, Elena de Salinas, Mariat Bernabé, Mariam O´Dwyer and Marcela González, all of them students of the Félix Clemente Gerez painting school.
Feliz Clemente Gerez is the founder of “Mojacar Arte”, the name of the painting workshop to which the students exhibiting in Mojácar today belong, although the usual group that attends his classes is larger.
A well-known painter in Almería, with an international impact, he has exhibited throughout the world. Despite having numerous awards and being in demand in many places, he has not left the Mediterranean: not Mojácar nor his native Garrucha, only leaving the area on the days necessary for his exhibitions.
Félix Clemente maintains, and he’s not the only one, that the light of Almería is exceptional. A light which he interprets in his works and which is characteristic of it. He is a versatile artist, who has developed his artistic curiosity in sculpture, literature, music and theatre.
He comments with satisfaction on his links with the sea: “The shoreline of the beach was my first painting block and the waves of sea my first draft.” It’s not surprising that his first steps in painting “smelled of the sea”, since as a child the wall of the room where his father kept his fishing tackle was his first canvas.
For Clemente Gerez, the students who put together “Luz del Sur” are very well prepared, with a high level, although their training continues in relation to the understanding of a work: in short, whether it has harmony, composition, framing and soul.
Complementing this exhibition are the sculptures of Juan Alonso, a very well-known and well-loved sculptor in Mojácar due to his shop “Indalos Juan”. It is a reference point in the municipality for craftwork, sculpture, and of course, the indalos, all made from stone.
Macael-born, he has been in Mojácar for 23 years. Here, he says, he has found his place, and it is where he wants to be, although he frequently goes back to Macael in search of the raw material for his works: marble, and if possible Macael white, his preferred stone.
Reluctant to exhibit his work, he is not an exhibition regular, which makes his participation in this exhibition even more valuable. Juan Alonso is an intimist artist. A stonemason by profession, stone is his life. He gives demonstrations, only in his shop, and has been a master stonemason in Almería.
His work is sentiments that slip through the hands when he creates a sculpture. He starts to work and his sensations lead to the final result; to give life and form to his art.
Luz del Sur will remain open to the public in the La Fuente Municipal Art Centre until the 30th June. Entry is free, and it can be visited Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 2pm.
Vara Tartalo and Pedro Barranco exhibit in Mojácar
An exhibition of painting and sculpture by the artists M.Vara Tartalo and Pedro Barranco has been inaugurated at the La Fuente Municipal Art Centre in Mojácar.
Madrid-born Vara Tartalo studied drawing, painting and sculpture in the capital, where she also taught.
The works by Vara Tártalo that she presents in this retrospective exhibition are defined as works of colour, infinite vibrations, a brave painting and in absolute harmony with the artistic movements of the moment, despite having been created some years ago.
Vara was awarded the Metro Club Iberia Visual Arts Competition First Prize in Painting in 1988, third prize in the Renfe- TVE-Club Iberia- Retevisión- Metro de Madrid 1st Visual Arts Collective Competition in 1989, and third prize in the same competition in 1991. She has taken part in a great number of exhibitions, among which stand out the collective exhibitions at the Madrid Fine Arts Circle and the Polytechnic University of Madrid.
The sculpture is by Pedro Barranco, also Madrid-born, an industrial engineer, although he also trained in the world of art thanks to his brother, a Fine Arts graduate. A training and passion he has never abandoned, combining it with his work, and to which he has been fully dedicated since his retirement.
Pedro Barranco maintains that his passion for sculpture stems from when he was a child, during Easter in Valladolid. At that time, his preferred drawings were the grand sculptural “pasos” (the platforms on which religious images are carried in procession), and that is where his fascination with the movement and expression which he captures in his sculptures comes from, first in clay and now investigating new materials.
In the Mojácar show, Barranco has presented human and animal figures created from aluminium mesh, “which play with the light in shadows”, the artist says, and which do not leave the viewer indifferent.
Mojácar Council Culture Councillor Raquel Belmonte attended the inauguration and could browse the works on show accompanied by the artists, who were able to comment on details and anecdotes about many of them.
The councillor wanted to highlight the quality of the works and their relevance, despite this being a retrospective. “Art”, Raquel Belmonte commented, “is very important in daily life; it’s timeless and an open door to beauty in any of its forms.”
The Mojácar Council Culture Councillor called on all those who have a bit of free time to visit this exhibition, which will remain at the La Fuente Municipal Exhibition Hall until the 30th of May.
Entry is free and it is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 2pm.
Eva Almaya guest of honour at the 2nd City of Mojácar Short Film competition
Almería actress Eva Almaya, guest of honour at the 2nd “City of Mojácar” Short Film Competition, was received by Mojácar Mayor Rosa María Cano at the Town Hall and signed the local authority’s book of honour.
In the affectionate words that Eva Almaya wanted to record in the local council’s book of honour, she highlighted her gratitude for the opportunity to relive many memories of so many summers spent in Mojácar, and where she was “very happy”.
Eva Almaya, trained at the Cristina Rota Acting School, has despite her youth a professional career as an actress of more than 20 years, both in cinema and television. Among her extensive work are well-known series such as “Cuéntame”, “Águila Roja”, “Lope Enamorado”, “Arrayán”, and many others that have filled her career with major successes and made her a much-loved actress, not only among the Almería public.
Now, in addition to her acting work, she has extended her activity with the creation of her own production company, “Veramaya Producciones”, based in Almería.
Veramaya Producciones is developing several projects, among them the full-length fiction film “Nana”, by Liteo Pedregal, the series “Dragonas”, which is an adaptation of an original Israeli series, and the theatrical production “Juana”, on tour throughout Spain.
Eva Almaya made the most of her visit to Mojácar to carry out an affectionate scouting through the most emblematic places of the municipality’s old town.
Her presence at the 2nd “City of Mojácar” Short Film Competition was yet another attraction at this important cinematographic event in Almería, that once again made the locality the focus of this industry in the province.
The first day, one of the two planned in the programme, began in the morning with a tour around the CEIP and IES education centres, which became part of the competition through chats about the cinema industry today and a workshop in which there was a simulation of the filming of a movie scene.
In the afternoon, the inaugural gala at the Multi-Uses Centres brought together representatives from the Almería cinematographic world, as well as authors, actors from the competition’s short films and a large audience.
Competition director Antonio Casado spoke at the presentation, thanking the Andalucía government, the Almería Provincial Council and Mojácar Council for the support received to make it possible to bring about this initiative, a cultural offer “with selfless origins”, and that has its continuity thanks to the good reception of the previous edition, as well as to the sponsors and collaborators, who have given their support for this event, and the people of Mojácar, connoisseurs and fans of cinema.
For her part, the Mojácar Mayor confirmed the support of the local council for the continuity of this competition and the interest that, as has happened with only two editions, it makes Mojácar a reference point for directors and producers.
On this first day the audience was able to watch the 11 short films presented in the competition, and on the last day the distinctions corresponding to the best short films in the categories “Public Vote” and “Jury Vote” were presented as the grand finale to this 2nd “City of Mojácar” contest.
The short film “Campos Secretos” received the professional jury prize, which Pete Beale received from Tourism Councillor Emmanuel Agüero and from Eva Almaya.
Peter Beale, the short film director and scriptwriter, was the head of 20th Century Fox and EMI for a decade. He currently lives in Carboneras.
“Enero del 66” obtained the public award, which Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, and competition Director, Antonio Casado, presented to Jaime García Parra, short film director who has for nearly a decade been immersed in audio-visual productions in Almería.
Almería actress Eva Almaya will be the guest of honour at the 2nd City of Mojácar Short Film Competition
The Tourism, Culture and Sport delegate points to the municipality as an audiovisual reference point and cinematographic showcase.
The 2nd City of Mojácar Short Film Competition, which will be held on the 28th and 29th of April, will have the Almería actress Eva Almaya as Guest of Honour. Almaya has appeared in successful television series such as “Arrayan”, “Sin tetas no hay paraíso”, “Águila Roja” and “Seis hermanas”. In cinema, the feature films “La mitad de Oscar” by director Manuel Martín Cuenca, also from Almería, “Lejos del mar”, “Sangre de Mayo”, “Los veraneantes”, “Tileros” or “La conjura de el Escorial” stand out.
This was announced by the territorial delegate of the Junta de Andalucía Tourism, Culture and Sport Regional Ministry, José Ángel Vélez, during the presentation of the event, which took place at the headquarters of the Government Delegation. The delegate was accompanied by the councillor attached to the Mojácar Mayor's Office, Francisco García, and by the event director, Antonio Casado. Vélez pointed out that this cultural event "consolidates and grows to offer the municipality as a cinematographic showcase and audiovisual reference point". Vélez highlighted that Mojácar is fashionable due to its tourist environment, but it must also be made known on a cultural level.”
The Culture and Cinema deputy, Almudena Morales, stressed that "Mojácar has become a cultural reference point due to projects like this Short Film Competition. The Almería Provincial Council is committed to and proud to be part of all those actions that highlight the value of Almería province’s culture and art. I invite all Almerians to enjoy a weekend that combines culture and tourism in Mojácar."
The councillor attached to Mojácar municipality’s Mayor's, Francisco García, underlined the importance of sun and beach for this locality, "something very positive, but very seasonal". García added that "for this reason they are working to try to end the seasonality of the sector, and provide a plus to this Levante town during the winter months, with a larger event than the previous edition and with the special invitation of Eva Almaya.”
Antonio Casado, director of the event, expressed gratitude for "the work that the Andalucian Government, the Provincial Council and Mojácar municipality have done to make this festival a reality." Casado adds that it is "a cultural proposal that came about selflessly, and that due to the good reception received in the previous year has continued, and has also increased in the number of days, now being two."
Development of the Contest
The projections of short films together with the galas, both opening and closing, will be the stars of the Contest that will start with a tour of the municipality’s educational centres, where talks and workshops will be given on the world of cinema and more specifically, the short film. Likewise, visits to different film locations in the Mojácar municipality will be organised.
The short films presented in the Competition will be screened at the Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre. Prior to the screenings, there will be a talk, where the directors of the short films, together with Eva Almaya, will hold a debate on the audiovisual pieces and aspects of the film industry. The public will participate at the end of the projections with requests and questions. The two best short films of the Competition will be chosen, one by public vote and the other voted for by the competition jury, made up of professionals from the audiovisual sector.
The municipality’s educational centres will become part of the Contest. The centres will be visited and there will be two activities: a talk focused on young people about the current film industry, during which they will be able to participate, and a practical workshop in which a film scene will be filmed.
The workshop’s technical and artistic team will be made up of students from the centres and guided by the Competition management team. Both the talks and the workshop in the educational centres will be recorded and will become part of the final making-off of the Competition.
Likewise, the Guest of Honour figure, as a prominent figure within the Almería film industry, will have responsibility for, together with representatives of Mojácar Council and the Competition management team, making a tourist promotion for the different locations of Mojácar municipality.
Music will also have a place of honour, which, according to Antonio Casado, "is 50% responsible for the success of an audiovisual piece." For this reason, the competition has opted to include an activity where, "taking advantage of the magnificent Mojácar municipal music band", the public can listen to a concert with a selection of soundtracks.
Rocío Díaz visits the Mojácar coastal bypass and bus station works.
The Development regional minister saw the evolution of the works on the infrastructure of regional responsibility.
The regional minister of Development, Joint Territory and Housing, Rocío Díaz, has made a technical visit to the works on the second phase of the coastal bypass and the remodelling of the crossroads of the A-370 road with the A-1203, as well as to the construction of the municipal bus station, which are in different phases of execution.
Rocío Díaz first visited the works on the second phase of the Mojácar coastal bypass, which is a continuation of the first section of the A-1203 road put into service in 2005, on the section between the roundabout with the AL-5107 provincial highway and the Las Marinas area. It is a two-kilometre section of road on which three roundabouts are planned, designed to give a direct exit to the various buildings scattered around this area through connecting service roads, and the residential complexes in front of the coast in the final part of the section, such as the La Parata urbanisation and the urbanisation in front of the Playa del Cantal beach. The execution of the works is framed within a Collaboration Agreement between the regional and local administrations.
The regional minister then went to the junction between the A-370 and the A-1203, where work is being carried out to reinforce road safety at a point with heavy traffic, with a daily average of 13,269 vehicles per day, of which 11% are heavy vehicles. The intervention focuses above all on the elimination of the existing T-shaped intersection with central waiting lanes on the A-370, which posed a risk to road safety, and which is being replaced by a link at a different level. The contract specifications include a lower down roundabout with respect to the future level of the A-370, as well as the slight modification of the layout between kilometres 7 and 8.
Finally, the Public Works head visited the construction of the municipal public transport interchange, which has four bus bays, as well as an operations building where the offices, ticket offices and lavatories will be located. The structure of the facilities has been completed, hence the works are in the authorisation phase for the supply of energy and water with a view to becoming operational.
The regional minister was accompanied on this visit by the Junta de Andalucía Government delegate in Almería, Aránzazu Martín; municipal mayor, Rosa María Cano; the director general of Housing and Urban Regeneration, Eloísa Cabrera, and the Public Works territorial delegate, Carmen Belén López.
Tara Lassey winner of the Moors and Christians Mojácar 2023 poster competition.
The Moors & Christians 2023 festivity now has the poster that will represent it for this edition and which will be officially exhibited, along with the programme of events, in mid-May.
Twenty-five works were entered into the 5th Poster Competition of this edition, corresponding to artists from different parts of Spain. From these, the jury made up of different members of the Mojácar Moors & Christians Association and communications professionals, chose the three finals so that the public, through social media, could vote for their preference.
The winning poster in the competition organised by the Mojácar Moors & Christians Almosaquer Association for the 2023 festivities corresponds to the artist Tara Lassey, with her work titled “Moors & Chistians”, obtaining 59.26% of the votes cast via social media, followed by the poster “Sobre las Olas” (On the waves9, with 28.40%.
Tara Lassey is an artist of British origin, born in West Yorkshire, and settled in Mojácar, with her family, for two years.
Her works are created in different styles and materials: watercolour, pencil, acrylic and ink, including new digital techniques. In her beginnings in the art world, portraits of people or animals mainly caught her attention, but it was when she arrived in Mojácar that she was captivated by its landscape and started to include other themes in her works.
Wrapped in the light of the locality and mainly its sunsets, Tara Lassey has wanted to reflect in her poster the beauty of the Mojácar sunset and to capture the magical element of the village and this festivity.
The Mojácar Moors & Christians festivities will begin on the 16th of June, ending on the 18th with a grand parade, as has now been taking place for more than 35 years.
Emilio Egea, the new Association president, will present the official programme, accompanied by all the different presidents of the “Kábilas” (Moorish peoples), and “Cuarteles” (encampments), announcing all the novelties and details of the locality’s most important festivity, and undoubtedly the province’s most significant Moors & Christians festival.
Mojácar pays tribute to Diego Martínez Melgares at the I Federband Gala
The Mojácar Municipal Music Band has paid tribute to its former director, Diego Martínez Melgares, on the occasion of the I Federband Gala, celebrated in Olula del Río..
Mojácar Council councillors María Luisa Pérez and Raquel Belmonte, on behalf of the local authority, together with the current Mojácar Municipal Music Band director, Miguel Ángel Miranda, presented him with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his 14 years in charge of the music band and for “your contribution to and fight for our music band.”
Diego Martínez Melgares, was in the year 2000, responsible for forming and laying the foundations for what is today the music band. Its creation was linked to the first steps of the municipal music school. The first musicians to make up the band came from its classrooms. None at that time were over 15 years old. After a long time of rehearsals, enthusiasm, patience and a great desire to work, the time for its debut was finally a reality and for giving its first concert in 2002.
What’s certain is that the performances of the Municipal Music Band are highly anticipated in the municipality and are always welcomed with a great deal of interest and affection by its residents, being one of the best music bands in the province, as its numerous recognitions wherever they participate confirms.
Currently. Diego Martínez continues as a teacher in the locality’s municipal music school and continues to train the future members of the band or those who want to learn to play a wind instrument, being very loved and respected by his students and by all those who know him.
The framework in which this well-deserved tribute was paid to him by the Local Council and all the residents of Mojácar could not be more propitious, as the I Federband gala brought together more than 400 people, all of them connected to music and the music bands. Among them, the Almería Provincial Council Culture Delegate, the board of the Federban Andalucía Foundation, with its president Féliz Ruiz González, as well as the also president of the Delegation in Almería, Pedro Miguel Masegosa, and numerous members of the provincial board, mayors and members of the corporation of the municipalities represented in the 30 directors of the bands, also present, who make up part of the non-professional Music Bands Federation of Andalucía and who did not want to miss this important event celebrated in Olula del Río and which has been the greatest exponent of the world of music bands in the province.
Art on the beaches of Mojácar
The rescue and lifeguard modules on the beaches of Mojácar are coming to life thanks to the artists “Makiniko”, who, commissioned by Mojácar Council, have managed to bring the seabed and its most emblematic species to our coast.
At the moment whales are the main subject of this first work found on the Piedra Villazar beach in front of the Parador. In the coming days they will finish two other works, one on the Venta del Bancal beach in front of the Hotel Indalo and the other on Lance beach. All with themes of the sea and its surprising inhabitants, waiting for their turn.
Maria Ángeles “Maki”, a photographer specialising in cultural events, and Nicolás Rodriguez, have the job of adding beauty and a life of their own to the new rescue and lifeguard modules, a beauty and spectacularity which does not go unnoticed by bathers or passers-by.
Nicolás Rodriguez has been in the world of painting for 30 years. Graffiti artist and artist, he is a Fine Arts graduate. He started out with some friends in the world of graffiti, a method of free painting, generally in urban spaces and as visual street art.
From the beginnings of graffiti, with a touch of illegality, this artistic expression has become a fully-fledged part of the art world, and despite being widespread, there are very few professional graffiti artists.
Nicolás is currently an art teacher in a Málaga secondary school and has run different workshops organised by the Almería Provincial Council, combining teaching with many jobs in the province and throughout the world, taking part in different competitions abroad and receiving awards on many occasions.
For the last 10 years he has worked with María Ángeles “Maki” Fernández, forming the group Makinico, a name that synthesizes their joint work and with which they sign many works.
A Mojácar Council initiative that highlights the artistic character of the locality, evident in all corners of the municipality.
Art that is complemented by characteristics of the beaches and services which every year the local council improves, supplements and updates.
Great Easter Week in Mojácar
The tourist season is underway in Mojácar and Easter Week generated very high occupation figures, from Easter Friday to Easter Monday, with figures of 100% on the bank holidays. Global occupancy figures that have surpassed the best year recorded pre-pandemic in 2019.
Over these days the Mojácar Municipal Tourist Office dealt with 1,951 enquiries in person at its offices in the village and on the beach, to which must be added hundreds of phone calls and other indirect enquiries via social media, Google etc.
The markets of origin of the visitors, according to the records kept by the Mojácar Council Tourism department, were mainly national, those with the greatest volume of people being Madrid 23%, Valencia 14%, Andalucía 7.5% and Catalonia 7.3%. Despite this, the British market produced figures of 5.5%.
Clients staying in some of Mojácar’s establishments and who visited the office produced very similar figures, as 31% came from Madrid, 20% from the Valencian Community, 13% from Andalucía, 9% from Cataluña, 8.25% from the Basque Country, 7.22% from Castilla la Mancha, 6% from León and 3% from Murcia.
The total average stay was 5 days, and in the general calculation of those surveyed, the profile of visitors gave us figures of 44% family tourism, 41% couples, 6.9% seniors, 4.3% groups of friends, 2.6% young people and 1.3% singles.
Of those interviewed staying in Mojácar, 58% made their reservations online via the internet, 26.42% directly with the accommodation and 15.57% with their usual travel agency.
Also assessed has been accessing the Mojácar web portal looking for information, which increased in the 28 días prior to Easter by 75.4%, in 85% of cases using a mobile phone.
The greatest number of accesses to the QR audio guides installed in the old town was over Easter Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Visitors to Mojácar village were able to enjoy not only the beautiful and meaningful processions in an incomparable setting but also the fantastic beaches, where a rescue and lifeguard service was provided from the 1st to 9th of April on the main urban area beaches such as the Venta del Bancal beach (in front of Hotel Indalo), Lance Nuevo beach (in front of Pueblo Indalo) and Marina de la Torre beach.
Also being applied this year is the extension of the validity period for the exploitation of the seasonal services from 2nd to 9th April and from 1st May to 15th October on the Marina de la Torre, Descargador, Piedra Villazar, El Cantal, Lance Nuevo, Venta del Bancal, Las Ventanicas and Punta del Cantal beaches, which means that seasonal services (sunbeds, umbrellas, etc.) can be installed for their exploitation on the aforementioned beaches, which undoubtedly results in a higher quality offer for visitors and an improvement in the competitiveness of the destination.
This Easter on the beaches of Mojácar there was the first opening of modules on several. In addition, more than 75 metres of concrete walkways have been added, on top of those installed last year. These more resistant walkways are of a special totally accessible width, more efficient and therefore more sustainable.
Mojácar, recently declared Tourism Municipality of Andalucía, is pleased with this 2023 tourism campaign, when the good weather has accompanied the thousands of tourists who have enjoyed all of its heritage and natural offer, showing once again that it is a tourism reference point in Almería province, not only due to the very high occupancy rates on these dates in its hotels and apartments and the high average stay during these festivities, but also due to the thousands of visitors staying in other areas who come for the day to visit both the village’s old town, one of the prettiest in Spain, and to enjoy its excellent and varied gastronomic, commercial and leisure offer.
Mojácar has open at this time 47 tourism accommodation establishments (26 hotels and aparthotels, 11 hostels, 4 campsites and 6 rural houses), to which have to be added 1,454 properties registered for tourism purposes.
The International artist Bagé exhibits in Mojácar
The Mojácar "La Fuente" Municipal Art Centre has inaugurated an exhibition by the artist Brigitte Blansaer "Bagé", open to the public until the 30th of April.
Bagé was born in Ghent and graduated from the Hasselt and Tongeren art academies. She has had numerous exhibitions in Belgium, taking part in the opening of Bree's cultural season as well as the Netherlands Painting of the Year.
Her work is enveloped in feminine spirituality and power in shape and colour, combining her inspiration with the entry into the age of Aquarius, which according to experts will bring with it a new awareness of the human being, collaboration with and help for one another, peace and love for our planet and for nature.
As Briggite Blansaer explains, she wants with her painting to convey her soul, her spirituality through art. When she works, she meditates and expresses her feelings. She currently lives in Turre where she has her studio and paints.
Mojácar Council Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, attended the inauguration where she was able to appreciate first-hand the quality of the exhibited works and their delicate preparation. She was also able to exchange views with the painter about how she creates her work and her inspiration from ancient cultures, popular arts and the various religions that inspire man.
The Bagé exhibition at the Mojácar La Fuente Municipal Art Centre is an extraordinary free and leisure time option that we can enjoy, taking advantage of the Easter holidays.
The exhibition can be visited free of charge from Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 2pm.
Easter week in Mojácar full of tradition and beauty.
Mojácar began the religious acts of its Easter Week with the Procession of the Donkey and the Blessing of the Palms, which this year took place in the Plaza del Caño at the City Gate, an emblematic point of the old town and original entrance to the municipality through which Mojácar was accessed, going through the wall that centuries ago protected it.
At 11 in the morning the Parish Priest, accompanied by the children who will receive their first Communion this year, went to the City Gate, where he proceeded to bless the palms that numerous residents and visitors carried in commemoration of the entrance of Jesus to Nazareth.
Today Tuesday, 4th of April, the Way of the Cross will take place, going from the Santa María Parish Church, going around the village streets, carried by float bearers and accompanied by the prayers of residents and visitors who escort it throughout the route.
On Maundy Thursday at 6.30pm, the “in Coena Domini” Holy Mass will start following the papal bull proclaimed by Pope Urban V, to, at 10.30pm, start the procession of Our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth and the Our Lady of Sorrows.
On Good Friday, 7th of April, at 12 midday, the Procession of the Meeting will start, one of the most beautiful that takes place in Mojácar, recovered from tradition.
The Virgin, with black mantle, and her son, the Nazarene, depart from the Santa María Parish Church and direct their steps along different routes through the old town, enveloped in a sepulchral silence, both accompanied by the light of the faithful’s candles.
The Plaza del Caño is the meeting point. The Virgin awaits him, and the bearers of the Nazarene, in front of his mother, make the “three falls” while everyone intones the Salve Mojaquera with great devotion and seclusion.
After officiating, at 6.30pm in the Santa María Parish Church, the Holy Offices of the Passion, Death of the Lord and the Adoration of the Cross, at 10.30pm the procession of the Holy Burial will take place, which will go around the streets of the locality in silence.
During these days, the streets of Mojácar are the scene of processions with platforms made especially in keeping with the streets of Mojácar: narrow, winding and especially beautiful, which throughout Easter Week are full of the scent of incense, candles and flowers. Nor could there be absent the faithful, Nazarenes and Manolas (women wearing black and mantillas), who walk in procession accompanied by the notes of the Municipal Music Band.
In Mojácar there exist two Brotherhoods: the Nazarene and the Our Lady of Sorrows, made up of residents who throughout the year are responsible for finding the means to maintain the images and the platforms, adapt them and carry them in procession.
This locality has always had a great tradition in Easter Week. Before the Spanish Civil War, with a parish that had a spectacular wooden altarpiece, choir and images of great artistic quality from the hands of Salcillo, the population expressed itself around the most significant acts in which the whole village took part.
At this time the Santa María Parish Church was burned, the only one in the area that was destroyed, including the images of its interior and the religious and civil documents.
The image of Our Lady of Sorrows was acquired in the 1940s. A carving of the Venetian school in the style of the 40s-50s, although the costumes she is dressed in at Easter Week were preserved from the time of greatest splendour and inherited from the Virgin of Salcillo.
The Nazarene also arrived, which travelled from its place of origin by train to Zurgena, where it was received and taken to Mojácar. Of great beauty, it is a painstakingly made carving which draws the admiration of all.
The Junta completes the interchange works in Mojácar municipality
The Development delegate has together with the mayor visited this new infrastructure executed by the Development Regional Ministry
Works on the new Mojácar Interchange, Development Regional Ministry, Territory and Housing Interaction, have been completed. This infrastructure, which has been executed on a 5,607sqm plot on the Avenida de Andalucía (AL-6111), which is the road which connects the historic centre of the municipality with the coastal development, has consisted of the construction of an Interchange with capacity for four buses to stop at the same time and an adjoining waiting and services building.
The Development delegate, Carmen Belén López Zapata, and Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano and the councillor attached to the mayor’s office, Francisco García, have visited the Interchange and have toured these new facilities. López Zapata highlighted “the commitment of the Andalucía government, which has backed Mojácar with new facilities like this Interchange, together with others like the new health centre, actions on water matters and the Mojácar bypass.”
The Mayor of this Levante locality thanked “the push forward that the Junta de Andalucía is giving to the main projects of Mojácar, that are becoming a reality thanks to the government of Juanma Moreno”.
The functional structure of the interchange is made up of four bays for buses of 15 metres in length and includes the provision of the services necessary to ensure proper operation, as well as a rectangular 50sqm building which houses the toilets and offices, as well as a waiting hall. The building is one floor, allowing access for users with reduced mobility. Likewise, a metal canopy has been built next to the bus bays to give a greater shaded area which makes waiting for the arrival of buses more pleasant. The design sets out an irregular construction with the approximate shape of a triangle. It will be open on all sides and the roof curved. It is completed by a taxi rank and urban bus stop in the surroundings to guarantee access for users and the intermodality of the area. In the coming weeks the formal reception of the works will be carried out, from which time it will be Mojácar Council which is responsible for the management and maintenance of this new station based on the collaboration agreement signed on the 9th December 2021 in the Mobility General Directorate between the Development Regional Ministry, Territory and Housing Interaction and Mojácar Council.
This new bus interchange will allow for the provision of this public inter-urban transport service in an appropriate way, guaranteeing the safety of the population while getting on and off the buses, protecting users from outside temperatures and inclement weather, preventing bus manoeuvrability problems and improving the organisation of traffic in the municipality. Its centralised location between the historic centre and the coastal development, its direct access to the main artery which unites the two centres, the AL-6111 road, and due to being close to the roundabout that connects with the Mojácar bypass, an artery, the purpose of which is to relieve traffic congestion on the Paseo Marítimo, at the same time as providing rapid and direct access from the village, connecting it with the A-7 Mediterranean Motorway.
This action is within the framework of one of the major objectives of the Development Regional Ministry, Territory and Housing Interaction, to improve the quality of passenger transport services by road, through, among other measures, the construction, reform and modernisation of interchanges, bus stations and access points to the transport network, in coordination with the affected local administrations. In this way, it contributes to raising the quality of life in the cities of Andalucía and to facilitating the connection and integration of the different areas of the territory.
The municipality of Mojácar, has a population of close to 7,000 inhabitants, a population that in the summer season increases to 40,000 inhabitants. Its economic base is mixed, supported by intensive agriculture and tourism, the service sector clearly being predominant in Mojácar municipality.
Currently making a stop in Mojácar municipality are the autonomous concessions VJA-151: "ALMERÍA AND LÍJAR WITH EXTENSION TO SIERRO AND CHIRIVEL" and VJA-031: "GARRUCHA ZURGENA STATION WITH EXTENSION TO MOJÁCAR AND HIJUELAS", which allow this municipality to be linked with other towns in the province, such as Almería capital and Huércal-Overa, with the rest of the provinces of Andalucía and with the other intermediate municipalities on these routes. Likewise, these routes are joined with other interprovincial and state routes, the coordinated services between the aforementioned VJA-151 line and the VAC-229: “ALMERÍA – MURCIA” and another between the VAC-229 and the VAC-055: “MADRID- ALICANTE WITH HIJUELAS”.
Together all these routes, on any working week, add up to more than 40 bus trips. A number that increases on some routes at certain times of the year, such as the summertime, given the tourist nature of the region and of Mojácar municipality itself, which attracts people from other provinces and communities.
Despite the high volume of travellers using public road transport, Mojácar municipality did not have a specific facility to serve as a meeting point between public transport users and buses. Access to the interurban public transport service by road in Mojácar municipality is at various stops distributed throughout the municipality. The Development Regional Ministry, Territory and Housing Interaction has fulfilled the objective of providing Mojácar municipality with this centralised infrastructure that guarantees access to buses in the necessary conditions of safety, equity and intermodality.
This action is co-financed by the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), with a co-financing rate of 80% and framed within the Andalucía 2014-2020 FEDER Operational Programme, with a total expected investment of 686,300.00€, distributed between the project and other technical documents and the effective execution of the works.
Piano class students from the Municipal Music School offer their traditional easter week concert
The Plaza del Parterre served as the stage for the piano class students from the Mojácar Municipal Music School, who offered a concert as the beginning of the activities programmed by the Local Council for Easter Week.
Six young pianists and their teacher, Yolanda Parra Niederhauser, performed a selection of classical piano music as well as the songs from the soundtracks of well-known children’s films. One of the most touching stories of the day was that two of the performers, father and daughter, both piano class students, coincided as performers.
For some years the piano class students have offered two annual concerts: in honour of Saint Cecilia, patron saint of music, and at Easter; both much-anticipated by Mojácar residents, great music enthusiasts.
Yolanda Parra has for the last 15 years been in charge of teaching the very youngest, from three to seven years old, in the musical initiation class. She is also the piano teacher at the Municipal Music School, which has more than 30 students divided into different levels of learning.
The piano is one of the most complete instruments that exists. Despite this, there are a number of students in the piano class preparing to take the middle grade, which can be done at the Cuevas del Almanzora Music Conservatory.
The Municipal Music School, with close to 100 students, offers possibilities for learning nearly all the instruments, being the talent pool for the majority of the members of the Municipal Music Band. It also has a Spanish dance and singing class. The offer will soon be expanded to the double bass and the cello. The registration period for the next course will open in May.
The music classes and for learning to play the piano, as well as any other instrument for which the Mojácar Municipal Music School has teachers, officially start with the next school year, although anyone interested can join at any time during the course.
No matter the age or level; it’s never too late to learn, and in any case, music improves intellectual ability and memory, both in children and adults.
The Municipal Rhythmic Gymnastics School students rack up a another succes in the competition held in Viator for the Costa de Almería Cup
Following on from their recent success in Níjar, the students of the Mojácar Municipal Rhythmic Gymnastics School have taken part in the First Phase of the Costa de Almería CUP held in Vícar, once again achieving an optimum classification with six medals, which puts them in an excellent position for the next tournament in Viator and gives great hopes for the final which will take place in Almería in the Rafael Florido municipal sports complex.
The six podium positions correspond to a gold medal, three silver and two bronze, belonging to the categories of individual “pre-benjamin” (born 2015-2016), individual “benjamin” (born 2012-2014), individual “alevin” (born 2011-2012), initiation “alevin”, infant group and mini-baby group.
Our young adults have once again gained admiration and the best marks, despite some of the participants being off sick, making it impossible for them to be at this first meeting of the Costa de Almería CUP and compete with their companions for the top places.
The sporting trajectory of the Mojácar Municipal Rhythmic Gymnastics School could not have got off to a better start, the competition season having only just got going and already having 19 medals to their credit.
In their second year of competition, in which they are measuring up against the best teams of both Almería and other Andalucía provinces, and despite this difficulty, they already have many possibilities for leaving Mojácar in a good place within Almería rhythmic gymnastics and rubbing shoulders, without inhibitions, with other important clubs and sports schools.
If there are no setbacks, and the good results are repeated, the Mojácar rhythmic gymnastics team could be among the top five in the general classification. A position that would mark an achievement in the club’s sporting history.
The league will end on the 14th of May in the Almería capital, but not the training and the other commitments, like their eagerly anticipated participation at the end of the course in the Mojácar Municipal Sports School closing gala, where they are always much anticipated and highly applauded.
María del Mar Montoya, their coach for two years, will continue working with her students once the competition season is over until the end of the course, reinforcing the training on the points that are necessary so as to not forget was has been learnt before summer and the holidays when sports activity is interrupted.
Good luck and much encouragement to these young rising stars and their coach for the next date, which will be the 1st of April in Viator, where there will be more than 650 gymnasts.
The first local Women´s Association is presented in Mojácar and the local council restores a new area of tourism interest.
The first local Women´s Association is presented in Mojácar and the local council restores a new area of tourism interest.
The first women’s association of the locality has been presented in Mojácar, and which with the name “Mariquita La Posá Women’s Association, got underway with a public act at the foot of the cave around which was formed one of the municipality’s most famous legends.
A presentation which had a double character as Mojácar Council had for the occasion renovated this enclave and the surroundings for its incorporation into the already existing places of tourism interest and as an added value to the numerous points of interest in Mojácar’s cultural offer.
The event was attended by Nuria Rodriguez Martin, Mayor of Berja and Equality Deputy; Yolanda Fernández, Director of the Equality and Family Department; Francisco García Cerdá, Councillor Attached to the Mayor’s Office in Mojácar Council; the association’s governing board, as well as many members of the public, among whom were Mojácar Mayor Rosa María Cano and members of her governing board.
When it came to the speeches, Francisco García Cerdá wanted to thank the Almería Provincial Council for the support received for this initiative of Mojácar women, pioneers in the locality, as well as the municipal enhancement of another attraction of the municipality’s heritage, in this case a magical place recovered from tradition. For his part, from the local council, Francisco García Cerdá publicly offered the support of the local authority so that they continue with their activity.
Raquel Jiménez, Secretary of the association, highlighted the union, strength and creativity that arose thanks to the Ferrero Rocher Christmas award, “a magical Christmas that we intend to extend throughout the year”, and from which stemmed the idea of the association’s creation.
For her part, the Mariquita La Posá President, Ginesa María Montoya García, after thanking the local council for their unconditional collaboration and the Provincial Council for their support, expressed her satisfaction towards the members making up this association: women dedicated to rescuing the Mojácar traditions, “their customs and the extensive cultural heritage of the village that will only be possible “with everyone’s support.” An association that was born “open, participatory, apolitical, open to dialogue and independent.”
Despite its short life, they have been in charge of decorating the indalos distributed around the old town, giving them themes, according to the occasion, and they have recovered the age-old custom of the Christmas bonus and the carnival masked parade, among other performances.
At the same time, Mojácar Council has proceeded around the cave to recover the vegetation, creating a small garden, installing iron benches at the higher points, lighting and installing large old photographs in which young people can be seen in the cave and a sign explaining the legend, underlining its beauty and its magic.
The legend of Mariquita la Posá (or the newly-wed), tells a story from many years ago in which an old alchemist lived in the mouth of a cave, located on a slope that puts us at the Plaza Nueva viewing point. An epidemic of plague that was devastating the population of Mojácar was the reason why María, Mariquita, a beautiful young local woman, bravely decided to marry the old sorcerer who possessed the infallible remedy that would alleviate this evil. After the marriage, the alchemist, fearful of his wife’s flight once she had got hold of the “secret”, day after day put off giving María the remedy for the village’s suffering. The woman, eager to free the population, one night when the sorcerer was sleeping, steeling herself with courage seized the pot which contained the life-saving liquid, thus exorcising the village from its terrible punishment. Fearing the revenge of the magician upon waking up and knowing the truth, she poured the liquid inside his mouth in order to rid herself of him for good.
Due to impatience and enthusiasm, on shaking the jar, a drop of the concoction fell on her right hand, leaving a hole, and casting a spell on her forever. And they say that the two are still there, “bewitched”… and that on the nights of a full moon you can see Mariquita prowling around the streets of the village lamenting her ill fate… The people of Mojácar, grateful, on passing by the cave used to sing: “Come out, come out Mariquita la Posá, the one with the “pierced” hand, and if she didn’t have it the whole village would perish.”
Mojácar´s irish community celebrates the Festivity of its Patron Saint.
Mojácar´s irish community celebrates the Festivity of its Patron Saint.
Mojácar’s Irish Catholic community has celebrated the festivity of its patron saint, Saint Patrick, in the Santa María Parish Church.
The mass was celebrated by the Mojácar Parish Priest, Víctor Manuel Fernández, who conducted the service in English and Spanish.
The councillors Francisco García Cerdá, María Luisa Pérez and Ana García, members of the local council’s government team, were present at the mass, sharing with their Irish neighbours this big day for the community.
The parish priest called on the Irish faithful to share other important celebrations on the Spanish or Irish Catholic calendar on more occasions, an invitation that was welcomed by the faithful.
Saint Patrick was a missionary, preacher throughout Britain. In his youth he was captured by Scottish pirates and enslaved in Ireland. After seven years of captivity he managed to escape.
Following a vision he decided to return to Ireland as a missionary and ended up becoming a preacher of the gospel in Ireland. He adapted well to the social conditions of the place, forming a local clergy and several Christian communities, respecting the traditions and customs of the inhabitants. He was known as the Apostle of Ireland, where it was believed he died of old age about the year 461.
Once the mass was concluded, the Irish residents celebrated their big festivity in the different establishments of that nationality in the municipality.
Mojácar Council launches a campaign to promote the recycling of glass containers in the hospitality sector
Mojácar Council, in collaboration with the Almanzora Levante Vélez Waste Consortium, will launch a new campaign in which it will visit hospitality sector establishments to promote the recycling of glass container waste, facilitate their work, and thus comply with current legislation that makes it mandatory for these major generators to correctly manage their waste.
The hospitality sector generates approximately 50% of single-use glass containers, hence its collaboration is key to increasing the figures for the selective collection of glass containers in the locality and achieving recycling targets. For this reason, advancing the implementation of sustainable habits in the sector represents a significant improvement in the fight against climate change, and for the health of the municipality.
A team of environmental reporters is carrying out surveys and interviews with hospitality sector establishments in the municipality to ascertain first-hand their needs and in order to adapt existing resources. In addition, they will offer detailed information to the premises on how to recycle correctly and on the social, economic and environmental advantages of recycling glass containers.
In addition, through these visits, knowledge of the current regulations with respect to glass container recycling will be reinforced, and establishments will be reminded of the obligation to separate and correctly deposit glass container waste in the green container.
With the aim of facilitating glass recycling in the Horeca (Hotels, Restaurants and Catering) channel, Ecovidrio - a non-profit entity responsible for recycling glass containers in Spain - will provide the municipality with special containers, equipped with a wider opening and a hydraulic lifting system, which allows for the recycling of large amounts of glass. Likewise, the entity will deliver, at no cost to the hospitality sector, adapted bins with wheels to facilitate the transport of glass waste.
The glass deposited in the containers is 100% recycled and used to manufacture new containers, indefinitely and without losing its original properties.
The recycling of glass containers is a fundamental element for contributing to sustainable development, promoting the transition towards a circular economy and fighting against climate change. In addition, the recycling of glass containers is an activity that supports compliance with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically, it results in the objectives (11) Sustainable cities and communities, (12) Responsible production and consumption and (13) Climate action.
Mojácar shows pupils at the municipal nursery school their mothers´ professions to mark International Women´s Day.
To mark International Women’s Day, the “Garabato” infants’ nursery school celebrated a day at its facilities to show the little ones the different professions followed in their family circle, and more specifically, by their mothers.
The idea was received with much excitement by the little ones and they had fun finding out, some of them for the first time, what their mothers do daily while they are at nursery school.
Every mother taking part prepared a table with the usual tools of their trade. In this way the very youngest could see what hairdressers, nurses, mechanics, cooks, pastry chefs, masseurs and piano teachers do, helping them with the necessary tasks for doing their job and learning how to do it.
A whole range of professions that the children have discovered through their mothers at the nursery school, and that gives them a different perspective of their mums and their social environment.
It so happens that some of the mothers who took part in the day were, in their day, pupils at the nursery school where their children are now taking their first steps in their academic and social life, returning to the classrooms, but now to show the new generations their working activity. It is also the case that some of the teachers were pupils at “Garabato”, where they are now educators and have their children at the centre, as were their parents also.
A long history of the Mojácar municipal nursery school, which now has several generations among its pupils, being a well-loved and respected institution in the municipality.
Raquel Belmonte, Mojácar Council’s Councillor for Children, described the experience as very positive, aiming to meet one of the centre’s most important objectives: “gaining knowledge of the environment at the stage of infant education means offering the children opportunities of experiencing affective situations and bringing them closer to their culture, interacting with their surroundings in an increasingly diverse way that will be of great use to them at the schooling stage and throughout their lives.”
The “Garabato” municipal nursery school has nine teachers who take care of the pupils. They have five classrooms at their disposal in which they divide the little ones according to age, from 16 months to three years old, at which time they enter the Bartolomé Flores Public School.
Garabato is also one of the few nursery schools that has its own kitchen, guaranteeing the correct nutrition of all the little ones.
Mojácar promotion at the Berlín ITB.
Mojácar Council, through its tourism department, was present at the BERLIN ITB from the 7th to the 9th of March, where they worked to promote the municipality to the German market.
Located on the Costa de Almería stand, Mojácar promoted its hotels, beaches and events, as well as its history, cuisine and sporting options, publicising all the tourist potential of Mojácar in this interesting market.
Almería province, with a significant representation at the fair, expects the number of visitors from Germany to increase this year, aware of the importance that the Spain and Andalucía brands have in the German market.
Mojácar Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, along with the municipal tourism expert, held meetings with sector professionals in a fair format which is exclusively aimed at professionals.
Keeping to the international promotion planning included in the Mojácar Quality Plan plan of action, the tourism department went to Berlin to support the recovery of this European market and the possible commercial relations that the sector businesses achieve there.
La company Best Hotels, whose offer of hotel places in Mojácar reaches 4,500 beds, was also present at this edition of the Berlin international fair, marketing its hotels in the municipality.
Close to 5,500 exhibitors from 161 countries were present at the 57th edition of ITB, where a total of 90,127 attendees from more than 180 different countries gathered.
The Berlin ITB, organised by the company Messe Berlin, and held annually in Berlin’s Expo-Center City fairground, has in recent years become established as the event leader in the sector at a global level, and a must for a great number of companies.
This gathering has positioned itself as a meeting among professionals, with a broad range of round tables, seminars, conferences and networking.
Mojácar Council organises a weekend in Málaga to mark International Women´s Day
To mark International Women’s Day Mojácar Council organised its traditional trip for local women, which this year took them to neighbouring Málaga .
They set off last Friday to enjoy a special weekend in the Málaga capital. Accompanied by a guide, they went around the whole of the historic centre: its pedestrianised streets, the defensive walls of Nasrid origin, the Alcazaba, the Roman ruins, the cathedral; a walk through the history of one of the Mediterranean’s prettiest cities, which has been witness to and which still maintains the traces of all the civilisations which have lived in our community, and declared an asset of cultural interest.
The group was made up of 25 women, of all ages, accompanied by the Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, and by Ana García, local councillor and member of the Council’s government team.
The Local Council has for many years organised a trip for local women on the occasion of Women’s Day. A trip which is always pleasant, and which at the same time allows them to travel to Andalucía’s most important historic cities and places: Seville, Ubeda, Baeza, Córdoba, Granada, among others, as well as Madrid and Toledo, outside the Andalucía autonomous community.
A trip that always serves as a break from the daily routine and on which the coming together and the good organisation make it an eagerly anticipated date by Mojácar women.
As in previous years, it was a very positive experience; everyone came back already thinking about next year’s visit. It’s worth highlighting the conviviality and camaraderie between those taking part and the excellent planning, with activities for everyone.
As has become habitual, the way back was marked by the comments on the times experienced on the weekend and the choice of destination for the next gathering, which is already being looked forward to.
Mojácar Council organises a popular walk to celebrate international women´s day.
Under the slogan: “Together we are strong”, Mójácar Council in collaboration with the Almería Provincial Council and Mojácar Red Cross organised a solidarity Walk-Run in celebration of International Women’s Day.
Last Sunday, close to 300 people took part in this solidarity event held on the locality’s seafront promenade.
The participants signed up for a symbolic price, all destined for the Red Cross, which included a bib, a pink T-shirt commemorating the day and a serving of paella to end the day of coming together. According to the organisation 897 euros were collected, which will be a great help for this association.
Prior to the walk, several workshops were organised on the promenade, such as laughter therapy and bio-dance, in which numerous volunteers took part, it being necessary to double the number of monitors.
Also collaborating on this festive day were Platino Fitness Center and the Los Bandidos Nogalte Athletics Club, who along with the participants filled the town’s promenade with pink T-shirts in a fun “`pink” tide that filled Mojácar beach with light and solidarity.
The route was planned to go from the Red Cross headquarters to the Hotel Indalo to then retrace steps back to the finish line located at the departure point: the Red Cross headquarters.
Somewhat more than five kilometres, which some did running and others at a pretty sedate walk.
There were participants of all kinds: families, also including babies in their pushchairs accompanying their parents, grandparents and pets; Spanish and British runners and of all nationalities, young sportspeople and the not-so-young, but all united on a day to enjoy as a family, to join in the celebration of Women’s Day and to show solidarity with Mojácar Red Cross, which does such important work in the locality.
There was a prize for the first three to reach the finish line. In the men’s category, Steven Murton came first with a time of 19 minutes, followed by Ángel José Blazquez and Sebastián Reading. In the women’s, victory went to Ana Cristina Minoya, Alejandra Bohorquez obtained second prize, followed by Carole Cabrellc.
Mojácar Cross was waiting for them at the finish line with provisions of water and fruit to recover from the effort, although to end the celebratory day a giant paella was waiting for the participants and where everyone could chat about the day’s incidents and anecdotes.
The Mojácar Moors and Christians Association publishes the rules for the festivities poster competition
The Mojácar Moors and Christians Association has published the rules which will regulate the competition to select the official poster for the Moors and Christians 2023 festivities.
Anyone who wishes can participate, with the possibility of presenting a maximum of three originals, which will have to be unpublished.
The theme of the works will be based on any of the diverse and multiple representative aspects of the Mojácar Moors and Christians festivities.
They can be created using any technique in the form of expression, but it must be taken into account that in the event of being chosen it can be reproduced without any technical difficulty in four-colour process.
The works will have to be 50 x 70cm, without a margin and with vertical orientation. They should not be signed and must be presented in one go by emailing to almosaquer@gmail.com, or via wetransfer to the same email, indicating an attached text file which contains the first name and surnames, nationality, date of both ID, NIE or passport, mobile phone number and email address.
The Mojácar Moors and Christians Association is committed to the responsible and legal use of the information provided and to its destruction, if necessary, in all cases respecting current legislation.
In the works presented a mandatory text has to be incorporated, which can be freely composed on the poster, and which will be:
MOJÁCAR MOORS & CHRISTIANS 2023
From 16th to 18th June
Receipt of the works will be up until 00.00 hours on Tuesday 9th April, 2023, establishing a single prize of 300 euros.
The Mojácar Moors and Christians Association already has all the machinery in motion for the celebration of one of the municipality’s and the province’s most important festivities, which this year celebrates its 35th anniversary.
2nd City of Mojácar short film competition
The City of Mojácar Short Film Competition will celebrate its second edition on the 28th and 29th of April 2023
The contest will be the meeting place for Almeria’s audio-visual sector professionals.
The second edition of the Mojácar Short Film Competition will turn Mojácar into the meeting place of Almerian cinematography. A contest where producers, directors, actors, technicians and any professional or person related to the seventh art will have the opportunity to share experiences and life lessons and to talk about current events in cinema in our region and future projects.
This event will take place on the 28th and 29th of April in the locality’s Multi-Uses Centre.
The producers Antonio Casado and JagDreams Producciones, together with Mojácar Council, are organising this competition with the participation of the Almería Provincial Council’s Film Department. The first edition, held in April last year, was very well received by the public and by professionals in the audio-visual sector.
The participation of education centres, different social sectors and the locality’s businesses are one of the aims of this competition. The main objective of the programming is the screenings of short films, and as a novelty in this edition, there will be meetings between their directors and sector professionals, also with the participation of the public, who will be an active part of this contest.
The competition will give out two awards, one for the best short film by public vote and another, also for the best short film, voted for by a professional jury.
The competition will have the participation of a guest of honour, of Almerian origin, who has stood out for their work in this difficult and complicated audio-visual industry, and who will serve as a reference for the province’s young filmmakers.
The programming will include a scouting in this area of eastern Almería to discover the cinematographic potential of Mojácar, and a concert of film soundtracks.
Natalie Rocha presents her exhibition "Entramas" in Mojácar .
The La Fuente Municipal Art Centre in Mojácar opens an exhibition by the multi-disciplinary artist Natalie Rocha Capiello.
A resident of Bédar, the work of Natalie Rocha is marked by an expressionist language in which she plays with the figurative and the abstract, moving through a marked symbolic accent.
Under the title “Entramas”, the author makes a selection from the series
“De tripas corazón, corazones sin coraza” (bite the bullet, hearts without armour), which within “Un Mar en Calma” (A Calm Sea), refers to one of the most relevant events in today’s world: the migratory movement taking place across the whole planet. An allegory of the suffering experienced by the migrant when trying to cross the “border walls” and the life that drastically changes.
Her exhibition wants to pay tribute to the 3,077 personas who died or disappeared in the Mediterranean in 2021 alone, on a calm sea, under a clear and radiant sun.
The originality of her works lies in the use of fabric, embroidery and needlework which, together with the painting, has an impact on the viewer, communicating her message with a very distinctive language which leaves nobody indifferent.
Attending the inauguration was Mojácar Council Cultural Councillor Raquel Belmonte, who highlighted how spectacular the exhibition is, its beauty, high quality and the emotion that each work gives off, some made with details made with the migrants themselves.
She was accompanied at the inauguration by the master Dani Figueras on guitar, who offered a short guitar concert, and who in two shows - at 1pm and at 7pm - will accompany visitors to the exhibition throughout the time it is open to the public, until 1st April, and with free entry.
The La Fuente municipal art hall opens its doors from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11am to 2pm and from 6pm to 8.30pm, although there is the possibility of arranging programmed visits by getting in touch on WhatsApp via the telephone number featured on the poster publicising the exhibition.
Mojácar celebrates Andalucía Day
Mojácar has once again joined the celebration of the 28th, the Autonomous Community of Andalucía’s commemorative festivity, with a series of acts organised by the locality’s Culture and Festivities Department.
At 11 in the morning the Mojácar Mayor, accompanied by her government team and the corporation’s councillors, and with the presence of many local residents and visitors to the municipality, raised the Andalucian flag in the Town Hall square in a solemn act and along with the chords of the Andalucía anthem, performed by the Municipal Music Band.
Following this solemn act, and has also become customary, the Municipal Music Band offered those in attendance a short concert with pasadobles and Spanish music in the Town Hall Square, which served as an improvised dance floor for many of those present, who in this way started to celebrate what is such an important day for our community.
The Plaza del Parterre was the meeting place for tasting a giant paella which was offered free to all those attending.
The acts programmed for the celebration ended in the Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre with a performance of flamenco by Guillermo Fernández on guitar, also with free entry.
For their part, pupils from the Bartolomé Flores Mojácar Public School and from the Garabatos municipal nursery school also enjoyed their own particular celebration of Andalucía Day with a very special “typically Andalucian” breakfast and with a small party in their respective centres at break time.
Mojácar Council provided all the pupils with a nutritious breakfast consisting of bread with tomato and olive oil. A typical breakfast in all Andalucian localities, made with local products.
"Mojácar, literary space" begins with great success with Carmen Mola
Carmen Mola, or in other words, Antonio Mercero, Agustín Martínez and Jorge Díaz, inaugurated in Mojácar the “Mojácar, Literary Space” cycle with the presentation of their latest book, “Las Madres” (The Mothers), the fourth part of the saga that started with “La Novia Gitana” (The Gypsy Bride).
The Multi-Uses Centre more than filled up to the expected capacity, with close to 250 people, who, also coming from the whole region, did not want to miss the opportunity to meet the authors up close and discover first-hand how their works were created and how Carmen Mola was born.
During their stay in Mojácar, Antonio Mercero. Agustín Martínez and Jorge Díaz, had the opportunity to take a guided tour of the municipality. And in the afternoon they were received by the mayor of the locality, Rosa María Cano, and her government team, signing the town’s book of honour.
The presentation took place in a relaxed atmosphere, the friendliness and naturalness of the authors standing out, and who at all times held the public’s attention, raising smiles and demonstrating a closeness that, undoubtedly, enfolded those attending.
The success of their presentation was clear when it came to signing copies. All the books on sale in the Multi-Uses Centre sold out, as they had days earlier in the local bookshops.
A long queue of readers patiently waited their turn to get a dedication and the chance to speak in person with Carmen Mola, well-deserved Planeta Prize winner 2021.
Beginning with great success, the “Mojácar, Literary Space” journey, a Mojácar Council and Diario de Almería initiative, aims to bring the most prestigious Spanish writers closer, to promote culture and literature, both among local residents and readers in the Almería Levante region.
A premiere with top guests that will maintain continuity and the great literary level in the following writers to come to Mojácar to present their latest works.
An initiative that demonstrates, once again, that Mojácar is a leading municipality, both in the tourism sector and in the world of art and literature.
Mojácar brings it Carnival to a close with the traditional burial of the Sardine.
Mojácar brought its 2023 carnival to a close on Ash Wednesday with the traditional burial of the sardine, which also marks the beginning of Lent.
Following the Holy Mass and the imposition of ashes at the Mojácar Santa María Parish Church, local residents headed for the Multi-Uses Centre, where a massive procession accompanied the deceased sardine to the Plaza Nueva, the final point of the mortuary route and where its final destination awaited it.
For this year, a representation of the seabed and of some of its species served as a framework for a sarcophagus for the sardine at the same time as a warning of the sad end that our seas could suffer if they are not properly looked after.
The funeral cortege was made up of many mourners and the grieving, as well as by the main local authorities, who with a great outpouring of grief on the part of all those present, accompany the sardine among laments and litanies, an amusing custom in the locality.
It couldn’t be without the Municipal Music Band, which as is the tradition, with its repertoire provides the accompaniment along the route and which has the job of bringing the Mojácar carnival to a close
Nor could there be missing, to compensate for so much pain and to regain strength once the burial of the sardine is over, chocolate with churros for everyone there, which Mojácar Council offered as a farewell to carnival 2023.
As has become customary, Mojácar celebrated its carnival by starting these special days with the very youngest, who took the leading role in a fun and multi-coloured street parade.
The pupils of the Bartolomé Flores Public School, starting from the school, went around the streets of Mojácar to the Plaza del Frontón accompanied by puppets from the TV and other fun characters.
As they were also special guests, senior citizens were encouraged to take part, along with the Mojácar Red Cross, with another of the floats that made up the Mojácar Carnival mass parade which ended at the Commercial Centre. A parade that is surpassed every year for participation and the quality of the floats and the costumes, and which is able to bring together from the very youngest to the oldest, dance schools, troupes and clubs.
The sardine is buried, but not the enthusiasm for carnival, deeply rooted in the locality, and all the local residents are already thinking about the next edition and the new costumes for 2024.
Carmen Mola will present their latest work, "The Mothers", in Mojácar.
Under the title “Mojácar, Literary Space” Mojácar Council begins an interesting cultural cycle, through which the best-known Spanish writers will present their latest books in the locality.They will have a discussion with those attending and will sign copies of their works.
These cultural meetings start today Thursday at 8pm in Mojácar’s Multi-Uses Centre, with the Planeta Prize, Carmen Mola, a pseudonym under which three writers write: Jorge Díaz, Agustín Martínez and Antonio Mercero.
The three are the authors of the trilogy “La novia gitana” (The gypsy bride), with inspector “Elena Blanco” as the main character, and they will present their latest work: “Las Madres” (The Mothers), the fourth instalment of the series with the strange police inspector.
The resounding success in sales of their trilogy kept the literary world guessing and asking themselves who was Carmen Mola, unknown until now. It was after winning the Planeta Prize in 2021 with their work “La bestia” (The beast), that their true identity was revealed, when the world of literature was turned upside down on finding out that Carmen Mola was in reality not a woman.
Their work has been translated in eight countries and according to their sales figures they have sold more than 250,000 copies, as well as being adapted soon into a TV series produced by Diagonal TV and Viacom International Studios, which will be able to be seen on AtresMedia.
“Mojácar Literary Space” is organised by Mojácar Council and Diario de Almería, with the collaboration of Macenas Mediterránean Resort; Maraú, Beach Club and Loustau Abogados.
With this initiative Mojácar Council takes a step forward in bringing literature, books and their authors to Almería’s Levante region, as well as the possibility of residents being able to meet the most relevant authors of current literature in Spain.
Mojácar, which has a great tradition in the world of culture in all areas, is standing up for reading and becoming a meeting point for Spanish literature in the region.
The cycle will continue with the presence of other well-known authors who will come to Mojácar to present their new works.
Mojácar´s "Garabato" nursery school celebrates carnival.
The “Garabato” Mojácar municipal nursery school celebrated its own special carnival party, in which all the pupils, teachers and parents took part.
As in previous years, the carnival festivities did not overlook the municipality’s youngest, and with the help of the “little ones” the teachers prepared the costumes, the stage and the party.
Fruits had the leading role in this year’s carnival party. Pears, mandarins, strawberries, grapes and oranges came to life in a fun day to which parents were also invited.
All the costumes, both the children’s and those of their supervisors were hand-made by the teachers, and as is customary, the parents didn’t know the theme until the time of the party.
A total of 60 children, turned into little fruits for the day, enjoyed their own special carnival. From four months old to the older ones, aged three, who next year will move up to the school, had their costume.
The original plan was to hold it in the playground. The rain made it necessary to have it in the entrance hall, but there was no lack of decoration, also made with fruits, and recreating a giant garden where trees and vines grow. Not missing either were music, dance and the sweets that livened up the event.
Raquel Belmonte, Mojácar Council Culture and Festivities Councillor, attended the party, also in costume, and with parents and pupils shared in the carnival activities put on by the nursery.
Although they are still very young, the councillor declared, they know perfectly well that it is a special day and join in with their excitement and enthusiasm in all the organised activities. They love wearing fancy dress and they really enjoy everything which involves imagination and colour.
There is doubt that Mojácar’s pool of carnival-goers will not be exhausted anytime soon, and that the celebration of carnival in the locality is guaranteed for many generations.
The photographer, Aitor Pablogorrán, exhibits his works at the Mojácar Municipal Art Centre.
The La Fuente Municipal Art Centre opens its doors to the Aitor Pablogorrán photography exhibition, which will run until the 28th of February.
Jáitor, as he is known in the art world, was born in Bilbao and completed his degree in Technical Architecture in Barcelona, a profession to which he dedicated himself for 16 years.
A drastic change of direction in his personal and working life leads him to a “complete recognition of himself”, as he himself defines it, from which he starts to write poetry and to reflect in his photographs the beauty, peace, silence and serene love that floods his existence.
Under the title “Land, Sea and Flowers”, he creates an intimate exhibition, especially in his poetry, that shows a strong mystic and intimate character, which he exhibits together with his photographic work, complemented also by beautiful compositions created with stones obtained from the heart of the Mediterranean.
And this exhibition revolves around the Mediterranean. His photos capture the stillness and magnificence of its flowers, of the water and the buildings of the surroundings, as a wake-up call to the viewer. An invitation to take a break in a life caught up in rushing.
Attending the inauguration was Mojácar Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, who went around the exhibition accompanied by its creator and was able to discuss different aspects of his works with the artist.
Raquel Belmonte highlighted the importance of photography and its increasingly important role in the art world, as well as the quality of the works on show in this exhibition. She also underlined the support of the Local Council for all the different artistic disciplines and for their creators, “who will always have a place in this municipal hall.”
Mojácar, has throughout its history welcomed important creators and today still retains that special sensitivity and sincere hospitality towards all those who want to visit or settle in the municipality.
The La Fuente Municipal Art Centre is open mornings from Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 2pm, and Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the afternoon from 6pm to 9pm. Entry is free.
Mojácar brings forward Valetine´s to the Weekend with romantic proposals
Mojácar is bringing forward the celebration of Valentine’s Day and has organised for this weekend romantic proposals that will last throughout Friday and Saturday 10th and 11th of February..
The Mojácar Pueblo Traders’ Association, Mojácar Council and the Mariquita La Posá Women’s Association invite all those in love or incurable romantics to enjoy a day of surprises and a Mojácar that will make you fall in love even more in the days running up to Valentine’s.
On entering Mojacar you can choose the romantic route, following the trail of the Indalos and arches of the lovers which will welcome all visitors.
The visit by the King and Queen of Hearts is expected from 6.30pm onwards, and as well as being able to enjoy the beautiful decoration by Ferrero Rocher, this will be complemented by new illuminated romantic decorations, balloons and flowers.
Meanwhile, the restaurateurs of the old town will suggest romantic menus and afternoon snacks for refuelling or for inspiration for the photography competition on the route of love.
For this competition, the rules of which you can find on the municipal “Mojácar.es” website, you only need a friend, pet, family member, or of course, boyfriend or girlfriend or spouse, and to find the snapshot that most defines the moment.
A perfect excuse to enjoy Mojácar and its hospitality, its beautiful decoration and its good work when it comes to organising any event.
Mojácar gets back European Cycling Tourism for the winter season
Mojácar gets back European Cycling Tourism for the winter season.
Following the great interest aroused by Mojácar at the FITUR 2023 Madrid International Tourism Fair, and attending to the numerous commitments planned throughout the days of the fair, Mojácar Council Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, and Carmen García Campoy, Director of the Council’s Tourism Department, travelled to Belgium to attend one of Europe’s most important fairs dedicated to cycling tourism, which is held in the country.
At the fair Mojácar again this year offered the destination from a specific exhibition area within the segment of cycling destinations for enthusiasts, amateurs and professionals in the sport.
Emmanuel Agüero and Carmen García Campoy met again with numerous Belgian, national and international clients and companies related to the sector, many of whom had already been to Mojácar before the pandemic and who maintain professional relations with the locality, who enquired about the dates and hotels available with the intention of re-establishing the trips and tourism packages interrupted by the pandemic.
As a result of these contacts, professional relations are reopened and for next winter the support of this sector in the local council’s plans for breaking seasonality and offering tourism and economic stability throughout the year could be a reality.
Mojácar has hotel facilities specialised in this tourism sector and professionally trained agents for the revival with guarantees of sports tourism. Thanks to its climate, its facilities, its landscape and its business people, it is, without doubt, a consolidated cycling destination in Europe.
The Tourism Councillor expressed his satisfaction at the recovery of the presence of this sector for Mojácar, as the return of cycling groups from Belgium is a reality that will again offer an important boost to the locality’s tourism sector.
Mojácar, at FITUR 2023 along with the rest of Almería province, aroused great interest at this edition; professionals, and especially numerous members of the public, gathered at the stand. The Madrid market is one of the most dynamic and loyal, attracted not only by the sun and beach product, but also the residential, sports and cultural offer.
Mojácar, which was the first Andalucía municipality to obtain the Family Tourism quality certification, and which is undoubtedly one of the destinations in the minds of many Madrid families, has as well as the attractive specialised hotel offer, bars and restaurants, 17kms of beaches, events and cultural and leisure options.
Mojácar, that has now for a decade been part of this prestigious network, was also represented at the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain stand. On Thursday they held an event at the Turespaña stand to welcome six more villages. This important club of a quality product was praised by the director general of Turespaña, who as well as congratulating the 111 villages that make up this recognised club, offered the institution he runs to accompany the association with the aim of promoting the product internationally.
But without doubt, the important marketing campaign carried out this winter on social media, TV and other media, with the participation of celebrities and well-known figures, has had an impact, not only on the general public, but also on the professionals who have congratulated Mojácar on it.
The announcement about maintaining the special illuminations and decorations put on display this Christmas, or what has been dubbed “February Roché", captivated all visitors every day of the fair.
Mojácar returns to its Christmas traditions and residents go out onto the streets to sing popular carols
Mojácar has approached Christmas 2022 with renewed joy, getting back the spirit that spills over the population at this time of year, and with this its oldest traditions.
And so, after 25 years since the last time residents went out onto the street to “ask for the Christmas bonus”, and following a custom lost in the memory of the locality’s eldest, a group of 12 women, with Ginesa María Montoya at the head, and dressed as Mother Christmas, took to the streets to sing the carols they remembered from their childhood.
It was a great experience. These residents, some accompanied by their little ones, and with the traditional Christmas instruments like tambourines, castanets, bells and triangles, were joined by many visitors, pleasantly surprised by this initiative, spontaneously joining in with the group until they formed a more than considerable procession that went round the streets of Mojácar old town, with songs, music and a lot of smiles.
As tradition dictates, this Christmas choir’s request to their neighbours was limited to shortbreads and drinks to “keep up strength” and to carry on with the rounds. The response was unanimous and they didn’t lack anything.
This year, the members of the group chose the theme of Mother Christmas for their outfits, a nod to the British to include them, but for next Christmas they are already planning other themes, like the Mojácar typical costumes, little shepherds, or whatever they consider most appropriate in order to create anticipation among residents.
With this initiative, the door is opened to the re-establishment of both the old customs that marked the life and the traditions of the history of Mojácar and its inhabitants, as well as to the Christmas spirit, solidarity, sharing and celebrating together these special days that mark the beginning of winter.
The Mojácar locals are now talking about recovering Christmas experiences from their elderly and of rescuing from oblivion everything that marked their childhoods, now distant, but that will serve as a new beginning for the next generations. It also recovers something very important, the excitement and the desire to share joy and entertainment with all those who come to visit at this time of year.
Mojácar Council extends the period of the Christmas illuminations
Mojácar’s attractive Christmas decorations thanks to being the winner of the Ferrero Rocher “Together we shine brighter” contest, added to the offers from traders and the hospitality sector, have made the municipality one of the must-sees this Christmas.
Every night Mojacar receives a large number of visitors, who come to enjoy the festive atmosphere that runs through the whole of the locality’s old town.
Given the raised expectations, Mojácar Council wants to let everyone who wants to gaze at these spectacular illuminations know that they will remain on, for the time being, and as a minimum, until the end of January, not ruling out the possibility of extending this period further and as already announced by the Mayor, Rosa María Cano.
With this decision, Mojácar Council wants to give thanks for the support fired up throughout the province in the campaign to become the competition winners and hence give the opportunity to all those who wish to enjoy the illuminations, without having to rush and without the need to stay within the limited calendar of the traditional dates of Christmas.
This way Mojácar will shine brighter for longer and remain open for many more dates to be able to come to the municipality.
Mojácar expands its offer for visiting the locality this Christmas. Success in Mojácar of the sweet route.
Mojácar’s Christmas illuminations thanks to winning the “Together we shine brighter” campaign have been a boost this Christmas, making a visit to the locality a must, with an offer of complementary activities which shouldn’t be missed.
A great increase in suggestions that, aside from admiring the old town’s magnificent illuminations, go from experiences like touring and discovering Mojácar’s different emblematic corners, following the route of the lucky Christmas indalos, which have grown in number and expanded their magical powers.
Another alternative, although complementary, would be another route, this a “sweet” one, that nobody doesn’t like following.
The “Sweet Route”, which is on the initiative of the Mojácar Pueblo Traders Association, suggests a gastronomic route for those with a sweet tooth, running through the locality’s old town. It is proving to be a complete success, and the establishments which have joined in with the proposal have to continuously replenish the different offers they have made, all of them based on Ferrero Rocher chocolates.
As well as tasting incredible desserts, this route also includes an evaluation by the customers, who can rate each creation from one to 10. In the 11 establishments taking part in this route you can try from Rocher mojitos to gold ingots, as well as Ferrero logs, each more intriguing.
Customers have the possibility of expressing their opinion, and the three sweet dishes which get the most points will be the winners of a special prize which has been put together by all the local traders. Nevertheless, everyone will receive a prize and recognition because, and on this there is unanimity, each sweet dish is created with the excellence and care of the great pastry chefs.
You mustn’t forget to pay a visit to Father Christmas during the route, who is waiting for children and grown-ups in the Multi-Uses Centre to collect their letters and to give out sweets before his imminent arrival at the homes of Mojácar.
Father Christmas is visiting Mojácar and has been receiving children in the Multi-Uses Centre for several days. Today, 23rd December, he will be waiting for them from 6pm to 10pm. On the 24th, and before starting on his gift route, he will attend to the littlest ones and their families from 12-midday to 2pm. For those who are most behind, and once he’s finished his work, on Sunday 25th December he will say goodbye to Mojácar from 6pm to 10pm, to bid farewell until next year.
The Levante Almeriense Fighters donate three fire engines to the Huércal Overa paediatrics centre for the hospitalised children
The Levante Almeriense Firefighters Association has been to the paediatrics department to visit the hospitalised children and to make a donation of three fire engines for them to use during their hospital stay on these such important days.
These trucks are automatic and able to be steered by the parents of the hospitalised children or by the children themselves if they are a bit older. They also have a built-in Bluetooth music selection system, sirens, and are equipped with lights for emergencies.
The fire engines have been decorated by the firefighters themselves with all the emblems, shields and anagrams to make them replicas as similar as possible to the ones that they use. They have also devised a special system for fixing a hook so that there is the possibility of hanging IV bags or medications and they can be used by everyone without any hindrance.
They were received at the Huércal-Overa Inmaculada Hospital by the Health Delegate, Juan de la Cruz, the Inmaculada Hospital Manager, José Miguel Medina, and the paediatrics service Management Team and health personnel, who thanked them for their generosity towards the hospitalised children and their parents, an appointment they don’t fail to keep both at Christmas and throughout the year.
For their part, the members of the Levante Almeriense Firefighters Consortium feel very pleased at having been able to repeat this visit that they never miss at Christmas, except those required due to lockdown, and for having managed to bring happiness and smiles to the patients and their parents, making them forget the hospital routine, even if it is only for one morning; one of the aims that, for years, they have fulfilled at this time of year.
A touching gesture by the Levante Almeriense Firefighters team, which together with other initiatives, such as collaboration with different NGOs, sports events, etc., expresses their closeness to and their wish to be in contact with the public.
Added to the important work that the firefighters carry out in our society, they go a step further in their commitment to solidarity and assistance, with this type of initiative.
World premier in Mojácar of the short film "A dream come true", José Antonio Carreño´s first movie
There has premiered in Mojácar the film “A dream come true”, the first film by director José Antonio Carreño, in which he tells the story of the difficulties of a very special woman, Isabel Zamora, a single mother who at the beginning of the last century brought into the world in Mojácar a child about whom the suspicion remains of being one of the most influential characters of all time.
“A dream come true” is the real story of the journey from Mojácar to Chicago by the mother of who could have been Walt Disney. A tough, brave and difficult journey for a single woman with a newborn child, full of dangers which in itself deserves to be the central theme of this production.
Although José Antonio Carreño does not doubt that the child who went to America was Disney, he does not want to enter into that part of the story. The story told in this short film is not about what Walt Disney would be, but about “that single mother who suffered so much and who was disowned by her family and by her neighbours due to a series of circumstances, which is what is recounted. The story starts in 1900 and ends in 1901: “it’s short but very intense, with aspects which in today’s life seem incredible, but which were the reality of those times, the hardness of a family or a village due to a pregnancy”, he adds.
Attending this world premiere in Mojácar was the Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, her government team, Oscar Gagliardi, representing the Walt Was here? Association, the cast of actors, the production team and a large number of local residents, who more than covered the capacity of the Multi-Uses Centre, and who did not want to miss this premiere.
The short film was, apart from the soundtrack, made entirely by professionals from Almería, among which the performance by Mar Rovira, who plays Isabel Zamora, stands out.
In the very near future, José Antonio Carreño will focus his most immediate plans on presenting his work at the Tabernas Film Festival and on being able to access all the film festivals with the aim of promoting this short film, which now, in Mojácar, has been screened with notable success and for which great success is predicted.
The traditional Festival of Nine Lessons is celebrated in Mojácar, bringing together the Catholic and Anglican faithful.
As has become a regular in Mojácar’s Christmas celebrations, the locality’s two most important religious communities came together for the Festival of Nine Lessons, a meeting of Catholic and Anglican faithful gathered around the reading of Genesis, in both languages, as well as an exchange of traditional Christmas carols from both cultures.
The celebration was officiated by the Mojácar Santa María Catholic Church Parish Priest,
Victor Manuel Fernández, and the Costa de Almería Anglican minister, Alwyn Carter.
As is customary, the gathering was held in the Mojácar Santa María Parish Church, and was attended by Spanish and British faithful, Catholics and Anglicans, who jointly and emotionally celebrated this time of Advent, a prelude to the most important days of the year for the faithful of both communities.
The readings by the faithful begin with the Old Testament. By the hand of the prophet Isiah the birth of Jesus is announced and through the apostles Luke, Matthew and John, the impact of his birth on the world is related. The lessons, in Spanish and English, are interspersed with Christmas carols, also typical of both cultures.
The Anglican tradition of holding the Nine Lessons Festival during Advent dates back to 1880, when the Archbishop of Canterbury designed the service for the eve of Christmas in Cornwall in the UK. It’s a service of nine short lessons from the Bible in which the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus is usually outlined.
The ceremony ended with the performance by the British and Spanish faithful of the well-known carol “Adeste fideles” (O Come, All Ye Faithful), sung in the original Latin.
Decorated for Christmas, the Santa María Parish Church, has an addition to its original charm as a place of meditation, highlighting the Parish Nativity scene, which is always set up by the Mojácar parishioners.
The Nativity, of great beauty, is the work of the Murcian creator Jesús Griñán from the locality Puente Tocinos, where there are the best Nativity scene makers in Murcia, and which has a grand modelling tradition.
Although the central figures of the Nativity scene have been in the parish for a long time, new passages from the life of Jesus have been acquired over time from the same sculptor, so that today it is a display of great artistic and cultural value with moveable figures that recreate the different trades of the time.
Mojácar will inaugurate its Christmas lighting this Thursday 15th December
Mojácar, winner of the “Together we shine brighter” contest, and now the Ferrero Rocher 2022 town, will have the official switching on of the Christmas lighting this Thursday 15th December, starting at 8pm.
The official switching on will be accompanied by a gala presented by the presenter Jesús Vázquez, who will also be in charge of the countdown to illuminating Mojácar after winning the ninth edition of this well-known competition.
Mojácar Council, along with the volunteers and the municipality in general, friends and supporters, has been carrying out an intense campaign to take the town to being proclaimed the winning municipality.
Mojácar Tourist Office’s digital campaign on social media, both Facebook and Instagram, has reached more than five million people. Total impressions have exceeded six million, and reproductions just over two and a half million. As to the number of interactions, they’ve reached nearly 500,000.
These figures, provided by the Tourist Office, multiply geometrically as you have to take reckon on the numerous social media of other entities, individuals and celebrities who have supported the campaign also having achieved an enormous reach, almost impossible to quantify.
To these impressive digital figures, you have to add the high impart in the media, not only provincial, but also at regional and national level, which have covered the Mojácar campaign in its candidacy to the final of the “Together we shine brighter” initiative.
In addition to the work in the digital field, there are 20,000 leaflets with the QR for the vote link, plus the 500 display stands distributed around the establishments of Mojácar and throughout the whole region.
The volunteers have gone round virtually all the most strategic points of the province and have been present at the most important events held during this time, asking for the vote at street level.
The main hotel chains have given out the link to their guests, as have the local businesses. The Tourist Office alone sent 15,000 emails with the direct vote link.
Figures impossible to quantify in total, that sum up the impressive and exemplary work carried out by the Mojácar campaign coordination team, with their Mayor, Rosa María Cano, at the helm, and that has produced close to 165,000 votes, leading Mojácar to becoming the most voted for town.
It’s important to highlight to everyone who wants to attend that gala the need to access the old town via public urban transport which will be reinforced from Mojácar beach from 6pm. Vehicle access to the village will be restricted from 7pm. The experience of other gatherings makes this measure necessary as parking capacity is limited.
Open letter from the Mayor of Mojácar, Rosa María Cano
Dear friends of Mojácar, We’ve won!
It gives me great pleasure to tell you that all the efforts made so far have paid off. As you already know, we will have the illuminations for this Christmas!
First of all I want to thank everyone for your work: residents, the whole province that has thrown itself into this like never before, Andalucia, which has faithfully been with us, all the friends and supporters of Mojácar throughout Spain, even beyond our borders, who have supported us unreservedly, and of course, Peñíscola, what has always been by our side giving us wise advice and encouragement at all times. To Ferrero Rocher, for this opportunity you have provided us with.
I also want to acknowledge the towns that have participated alongside us in the “Together We Shine Brighter” campaign. Ainsa and Santillana del Mar have been tough competitors. All of them deserved members of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain.
Our prize is a double one: the first gift of our campaign has been the solidarity, the affection, the common effort of all, the union in the same hope and dream. The spirit of Christmas is its purest form that will forever change these festivities in our municipality and in our hearts.
What’s more, the illumination of Mojácar, so desired, offers us the opportunity to show that Mojácar is also a corner of enchantment in winter, at Christmas. A boost to the economy and to deseasonalisation. Great news for tourism, for trade and for us all following such tough and difficult years.
Many thanks to you all, and as I’ve already said, each little light that will shine in Mojácar this Christmas will have a name: that of everyone who has helped us to get here.
We’re looking forward to seeing you all in Mojácar.
Mojácar Council inaugurates its Nativity Scene and opens a packed Christmas programme full of activities for everyone.
The traditional municipal nativity scene has been inaugurated in Mojácar with the blessing of the Santa María Church parish priest, Víctor Manuel Fernández, and with the presence of the Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, her government team and many members of the public, who as is customary attend this very traditional Christmas religious act.
The nativity scene has 35 figures that represent the most representative characters of traditional nativity scenes. Its elaboration is inspired by the construction and the landscape of Mojácar, using traditional fabrics, as well as the utensils that appear in the different scenes. It is situated in Plaza del Parterre, below the Santa María Parish Church.
The figures are highly realistic, acquired by the Local Council 50 years ago from a well-known Murcia workshop, with a Neopolitan tradition and inspiration from the Murcian nativity scene masters in their work.
Following the blessing, those attending could sample typical Christmas sweet treats, which accompanied by a good cup of hot chocolate extended the festivity, already with a marked atmosphere of Christmas and of excitement among both the children and the grown-ups, now that Christmas is approaching, and with the hope of the whole town that, along with the support of the entire region and of Andalucía, feels very close to being able to “shine brighter” this Christmas.
This inauguration opens the programme of Christmas activities with the Christmas Zambomba Flamenca, in which flamenco singers will share traditional Christmas carols with those going along to the locality’s Multi-Uses Centre from 8pm onwards.
Flamenco continues filling Mojácar with light and colour at 8pm on Sunday 11th December in the Multi-Uses Centre.
On Wednesday 14th, among the religious acts, the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols stands out. An emotional meeting between faithful Catholics and evangelists for the reading of the nine lessons and an exchange of traditional carols from both cultures. It will be in the Santa María Church at 8.30pm.
There is a date with music and dance on Friday 16th December in the Multi-Uses Centre at 6pm, with a recital by the Music School students. And dance, in the same venue, at 8.30pm, with the latest performance by the Fusión Natalia Dance School.
The programme continues throughout the Festive Season with carol concerts, cinema, parties for children, at which the presence of Santa Claus is expected, a postcard competition, a fun proposal from the Mojácar Music Band titled “Your town sounds familiar”, and many other activities about which you can consult the Christmas programme the Local Council has made available to all its social media followers.
Mojácar inaugurates the Christmas route fo the Indalos.
Mojácar has inaugurated the “route of the lucky Christmas indalos”, which runs through the locality’s old town’s most emblematic points.
A route and some indalos that are creating a Christmassy atmosphere in a town which awaits, with a great deal of excitement, the results of the well-known chocolate brand Ferrero Rocher’s “Together we shine brighter” Christmas campaign.
Five indalos in total, with their own name and theme, that have been entrusted with spreading their “magic” to give a helping hand to Mojácar and that final “nudge” that, along with everyone’s votes, leads Mojácar to shine as it deserves.
A delightful pedestrianised Christmas route that starts in Plaza Nueva, where the first indalo, the “Golden Indalo”, decorated in Ferrero Rocher gold, welcomes the visitor, inviting them to discover them all, one by one, as they move on to the Church square, Plaza del Parterre, Plaza del Frontón and the final one in the Multicentro in front of the Mojácar Pueblo Tourist Office.
The initiative comes from the Walt Was Here Association, which follows the steps of the possible Mojácar origin of the well-known Walt Disney, from the Mojácar Pueblo Traders’ Association, the Multicentro Community of Owners and Mojácar Council.
Los indalos have been decorated by these associations, the majority by Raquel, from Akra, who, in the name of the whole of Mojácar, has pinned the hopes of the town, children and grown-ups, on a Christmas that will now anyway be different.
There is no doubt that the indalos will bring luck to Mojácar and to everyone who visits it. The emblem of Almería and of this locality in particular, they are ready to reaffirm their magical and lucky character for the occasion.
In the wake of this excitement to shine more than ever, as well as the illuminations provided by the competition in the event of winning, the locality’s different associations and local residents, want to programme other involvements in the village in support of what it would be from Ferrero Rocher.
Mojácar appreciates the support received from the region and from Almería province, as well as from many parts of Spain and even beyond our frontiers, calling for one final effort for this final and definitive stage.
Mojácar venue for the XXII edition of the Spanish Petanque Championship for people with an intellectual disability.
The championship was held at the Mojácar Petanque Sports Club Facilities, with a great sporting atmosphere over the two days of the competition and the emotion of some very close matches in terms of the level of quality of the players and the scoreboards.
The trials were held at three levels of participation in accordance with the sporting discipline’s federative regulations: competition (threes), adapted (twos) and sports skills (individuals).
In the threes category, Rogelio Sánchez Ruiz from CD de Ciudad Real emerged the winner. In the twos, first place went to CD FEDDIG2008 from Madrid, and in shared skills, first position also went to Madrid, with Javier Valdés.
Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, attended the prize-giving, accompanied by the Sports Councillor, Francisco Garcia Cerdá, as well as the Provincial Sports Deputy, José Antonio García, the Territorial Delegate for Tourism, Culture and Sport, José Ángel Pérez, the Almería Provincial Council’s adapted sport expert; also not missing the event were José Antonio Antolín, head of the Los Carriles Foundation, and the President of the Los Carriles Foundation, Diego Martínez. All of them representatives of the bodies that organised this event, which has been held in the locality for a long time.
The Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, expressed her satisfaction on Mojácar, once again, being the venue for a gathering of these characteristics, which goes beyond the practice of sport and that allows the locality to contribute to highlighting the value of the sport as social integration and of a healthy life for everyone, even in the case of having a disability.
She also wanted to thank all the bodies collaborating on the event, as well as the FEDDI for their efforts, for their organisation and for their work throughout the year, and in particular the Los Carriles Foundation for their unconditional support for Mojácar.
In the spirit of everyone, the hope is that the next edition will also be based in Mojácar and that it could be the host of the XXIII Spanish Petanque Championship for People with an Intellectual Disability.
The Mayor of Mojácar attends the presentation of the New Macenas Mediterraneo Resort project
The Mayor of Mojácar, Rosa María Cano, accompanied by the First Deputy Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, attended in Madrid the presentation of the Macenas Mediterráneo Resort sustainable urban development project which the Cosentino family plans to carry out in Mojácar.
The act, presented by the well-known Almerian journalist Isabel Jiménez, started with the Mojacar Mayor’s speech, in which she expressed her satisfaction about the project and the support of the municipality for the development of this project which respects the history, the surroundings, sustainability and the environment, as well as being a future and quality project under a next-generation, sustainable residential and tourist model.
The Cosentino family plans to recover the Macenas complex located in Mojácar to turn it into a sustainable resort, a national and international benchmark, in which an investment of more than 200 million euros is estimated and the initial creation of 180 direct jobs and 320 indirect.
Of particular note is the construction of its own water purifying plant, as well as the expansion of electricity capacity, in accordance with actions such as those carried out in Fines, Partaloa and Cantoria, the biggest photovoltaic self-consumption industrial facility in Spain.
Another noteworthy investment is a golf course designed by the firm Stirling & Martin, under the management of the specialist architect Marco Martín. An 18-hole golf course which will be a benchmark for environmental practices, given that it will integrate the landscaping using indigenous solutions. It will create a botanical garden along the entire route and will have water-saving systems, automated irrigation networks and 100% recycling of the wastewater for irrigation, regenerating and recovering the native flora and fauna. The maximum occupation is 50% of developable land.
Álvaro de la Haza, director of the Consentino family Family Office and member of the project executive team, together with Antonio Sánchez, head of 'Macenas Mediterranean Resort', affirms that “this investment stems from the Consentino family’s commitment to Almería, recovering in a responsible way the natural wealth of Macenas, turning this resort into a first-class tourism and residential option, prioritising the criteria of sustainability, quality of life and well-being before overbuilding,
A long-term plan that will get underway in the coming months with the opening of the social club and the possibility of offering different spaces, of a gastronomic experience of local products, kilometre 0, to open in 2025.
Also at the presentation was the Junta de Andalucía’s Regional Minister for Agriculture, Fishing, Water and Rural Development, Carmen Crespo, and the President of the Almería Provincial Council, Javier A. García.
The Mayor of Mojácar receives preschoolpupils from the Bartolomé Flores Public School
With the Constitution Day festivity just around the corner, preschool pupils from the Bartolomé Flores Public School have been received by the Mayor of Mojácar, Rosa María Cano
The centre’s very youngest, 123 in total, aged between three and five years old, got to know the Mayor and the work of the local council in the municipality on a pleasant visit, joined by their teachers.
The centre’s teachers wanted their pupils to know first-hand, not only the significance of the Constitution, but also wanted to broaden their explanations to what the different administrations mean in everyday life. The local council, as the nearest administration, its departments and the work of the civil servants.
The pre-school pupils wrote a letter to their Mayor and gave her a gift of a box of chocolates, and they did not waste the opportunity to make a very special request: swings and a slide for the school playground on which to have fun at break time.
In turn, the Mayor gave them all a fun pencil with a rubber in the shape of a dolphin, which went down very well with them all.
Finally, a family photo of the pupils and teachers with the Mayor at the doors of the Town Hall which will serve as a memory of a very special day for the Bartolomé Flores Centre preschool pupils.
Mojácar, Ferrero Rocher 2022 competition finalist
Mojácar is now a finalist in the “Together we shine brighter” competition organised by the well-known chocolates brand Ferrero Rocher for this Christmas 2022.
Mojácar, Ainsa and Santillana del Mar will have to face a new stage in which a final effort to recapture all the votes gained up until now will take the municipality to the finish line and dream Christmas illuminations that will remain permanently in the locality.
From today 1st December at 10am until 11.59pm on 11th December, the voting is open again for the three finalists. In this new phase, everyone who has voted must do so again via the same links or QRs set up for this.
Mojácar Council plans to continue with its vote-capturing campaign with the aim of gaining strength in this final stretch and taking Mojácar to the goal set: to be the winners of “Together we shine brighter 2022”.
Among the planned activities Mojácar has the “Ferrero Challenge”, which will involve getting together the greatest number of people having a Ferrero Rocher chocolate at the same time. To beat the record, the local authority has put out a general appeal to all those who want to take part to come along to Mojácar Playa’s seafront promenade (the Lance Nuevo beach area in front of the Pueblo Indalo), next Sunday 4th December. It will undoubtedly be a great opportunity to collaborate on this campaign, to enjoy the challenge set with the family, as well as a free tombola and children’s games.
Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano and the local council have thanked all the Mojácar local residents and those of Almería province for their collaboration, as well as the thousands of people who over recent days have unreservedly supported the municipality in the Ferrero Rocher competition, giving special thanks for all the support and the love received.
Important figures like David Bisbal, ambassador for Almería, the journalist Carlos Herrera, recently awarded the province’s gold medal, the journalist Isabel Jiménez and her colleague David Cantero, the flamenco singer Miguel Campello, the musicians Jorge Pardo and Josemi Carmona, the Almerian chef and first MasterChef winner Juan Manuel, designer Sergi Regal, actress Luisa Martín, world kitesurfing champion Osaia Reding, and many more have shown their support for Mojácar.
There has been no lack of institutional support either, such as that of the Almería Provincial Council President, the mayors of the province’s localities and trade unionist Cándido Méndez, who described Mojácar as having “the best light of the Mediterranean”.
But there is no doubt that the popular support for Mojácar has been on a scale never seen before in the province. The dissemination of the image of Mojácar, and therefore of Almería province, linked to Christmas has had a very high media reach, both online and offline.
Rosa María Cano wanted to give her congratulations for this important step to all those who have collaborated in one way or another and congratulate them because this has been everyone’s success, and thanks to the undivided coming together for Mojácar.
A great support which it is hoped will be repeated and exceeded in the coming days, and for which Mojácar asks for the collaboration of the whole of Andalucía and the rest of Spain.
To be the winners of this campaign would help the province and the locality in the struggle against the seasonal nature of tourism, generating an unprecedented economic and promotional boost for the region.
Celebrities, institutions, businesspeople and local residents ask people to vote so that Mojácar shines this Christmas with Ferrero Rocher.
The Almería municipality aiming to be lit up this Christmas by Ferrero Rocher.
A few weeks ago, the well-known brand of chocolates Ferrero Rocher launched the ninth edition of its ‘Together We Shine More’ campaign, the contest for which the prize is the Christmas illuminations for one of the prettiest towns in Spain. For the first time, this edition has an Almerían town among the candidates, Mojácar.
Since Jesús Vázquez announced the inclusion of Mojácar municipality there have been many personalities, institutions, businesspeople and local residents who have wanted to show their support for the locality and ask people to vote so that this Christmas it shines like never before.
One of the ambassadors of the province, David Bisbal, was one of the first well-known faces to ask that Mojácar be illuminated by Ferrero Rocher. He did so shortly after finding out it was a candidate and a few days ago in the moments before his concert in Almería to mark his 20 years on the stage. There he was with the Mayor of Mojácar, Rosa María Cano, and in another small video on the Power Horse he once again asked for the vote for the Mojácar candidacy.
But it’s not only Almería’s most international singer who has joined this initiative. Other well-known faces like the communicator Carlos Herrera, current director of Herrera on COPE, journalist Isabel Jiménez and her colleague David Cantero, news presenters, have also sent a message of support for the Almería Levante region locality. Sheila Torres, creator of es.decirdiario, has also joined this campaign of support through her social media so that Mojácar shines like never before this year.
From the world of music, as well as the aforementioned Bisbal, other artists such as the Singer Fran Ocaña, the musician-composer Jorge Pardo, Josemi Carmona, from the group Ketama, and the artist Miguel Campello have also joined in with this campaign of support, accompanying each message with the art that characterises each one.
Other well-known faces like the Almerían chef Juan Manuel, winner of Masterchef, or the actress Luisa Martín have also asked for Mojácar to be the town that Ferrero Rocher fills with lights this year.
The trade unionist Cándido Méndez, the Almerían fashion designer Sergi Real and the kitesurfing junior world champion, Mojácan Osaïa Reding, are other familiar faces who are backing Mojácar.
El former football player and model Jaime Astraín and the Almerían actor Jaime Ribas, who is currently in the well-known series ‘La que se Avecina’, have also wanted to send their support.
But not only celebrities have joined this campaign. Mojácar has the institutional support of the entire province. Javier A. García, María del Mar Vázquez, Gabriel Amat and other institutional representatives have sent their messages of support, as have hundreds of businesspeople, both from Mojácar and from the neighbouring towns, including the provincial capital.
In short, a campaign that has brought together the whole province in search of a common dream, that Mojácar shines like never before this Christmas and becomes the prettiest town in Spain to visit at this such well-loved time.
Because together, we shine more.
You can vote for Mojácar at: https://pueblos.ferrerocher.com
The magic of Disney shines in Mojácar at Christmas. Was Walt Disney born in Mojácar?
Mojácar celebrates, with great success, a mass party held for the first time in the locality and that is here to stay.
Thousands of people joined in with the call to “The Magic of Disney shines in Mojácar at Christmas”, turning the locality into an enormous stage where all the most famous characters from Disney films had fun with a colour parade, games, children’s workshops, guided visits, a gigantic paella for more than 1,000 people, songs from the best-known soundtracks from the Disney factory and a fancy dress competition.
Many families shared costumes and Disney themes with their children and friends on a day everyone enjoyed and that will become as established in the municipality as the Moors & Christians festival, the Night of Candlelight and the Romantic Night.
Mojácar adds to its festival calendar another celebration that will be the precursor to the Christmas festivities. Christmas festivities expected to be very special starting this year with the boost, in the event of being the winner, of the Ferrero Rocher “Together we shine more” Christmas illuminations contest, and that would put the municipality in line for a new focus for the celebration of Christmas.
It is not just the mass participation of adults and children, it is also the good organisation and the success of each programmed activity that has prompted the public to request its continuity over time.
Parallel to the festival activity, the day began with a discussion table with the tagline: Was Walt Disney born here?, organised by the Walt Was Here? Mojácar Association.
All the information gathered over the two years of the association’s existence was exhibited at the table. Documentaries, press releases, interviews and TV programmes, in which a more than reasonable doubt about the Mojácar origins of Disney is expressed.
The Walt Was Here? Association came into being two years ago in Mojácar with the aim of rekindling the legend that was created around the possible Mojácar origin of Walt Disney. For this purpose, it has collected and interpreted all the related information and has been opening its own line of work.
Without ruling out any information, they are in contact with the University of Chicago to find, around the early 1900s, the clue about the presence of the mother of the Mojácar child who is supposed to have been Walt Disney.
They are also waiting for a document from the 1940s in which the Government in Madrid requests from the Local Council information about a child, José Guirao Zamora, and the response of the local authority and of the Church. As a result of this communication there was a mysterious visit by the “men in black”, as locals called some men in suits who arrived in Mojácar, also in search of the aforementioned documentation, and who were supposedly from the FBI.
Dates that coincide with the collaboration of Walt Disney with this American police investigation body and with his marriage.
Was Walt Disney born in Mojácar? Everyone in the locality thinks so, and while the mystery is being uncovered, his magic and his charm are on display thanks to the children and to the whole locality celebrating an even more magical day, with the memory of him and of all his characters who have made children and grown-ups dream.
"The Soundtrack of your village" and "Your village sounds familiar", Two new proyects for the Mojácar Municipal Music Band
As part of “The soundtrack of your village” project, promoted by the Almería Provincial Council through its Culture Department, the Mojácar Municipal Music Band has, on the occasion of the Almería Province Bicentenary, staged a concert in the locality along with the Antas and Garrucha Municipal Bands.
More than 70 musicians, members of the three bands, performed pieces by Almerían composers. Pasodobles, Moorish marches and symphonic poems were performed under the baton of the directors of each one, paying a small homage to the province’s musical talent.
This project has led to the creation of six regional bands, among them that of Mojácar. Nineteen bands from the whole province are taking part, offering 18 concerts in different municipalities.
For Miguel Ángel Miranda, Director of the Mojácar Music Band, it is a unique opportunity for the young musicians who make up the bands, in which they can share not only their music, but also their concerns and knowledge about it. An experience that has been welcomed by everyone and that they will attempt to repeat on more occasions.
As always when the Municipal Music Band offers a concert in the locality, there was maximum attendance by local people, made greater by the expectation of listening to the three music bands perform Almerian music together.
At the end of the planned programme, the public, on their feet, gave long applause to the young musicians, who enjoy all the support and love of their village, as do the members of the Antas and Garrucha bands and their directors.
It is getting closer to the date, the 23rd December, when the Municipal Music Band will return to the stages of Mojácar with “Your village sounds familiar” project, an idea in which music and singing join hands for a challenge that has not been done by the Music Band until now.
Amateur singers will imitate famous songs with the music performed live by the Municipal Music Band.
The idea has been very well received in the village, and there are already many volunteers willing to have a go at an idea which will undoubtedly be another attraction on the Christmas programme that Mojácar Council has planned this year.
Vera International Photo Club exhibits its best works in Mojácar
The “Vera Photo Club” photography exhibition, organised by Mojácar Council, has been inaugurated in the Mojácar “La Fuente” Art Centre, and remains open to the public until the end of November.
Mojácar Mayor Rosa María Cano attended the inauguration, along with members of her governing team, who showed their interest in the works on show and organised by members of the Vera Photo Club collective, and who along with the many members of the public who attended the opening of the exhibition were able to enjoy the exhibited photographs and the numerous anecdotes which came up about taking them.
Vera International Photo Club presents in Mojácar a sample of the work done by a large part of the photographers who make up this collective in its annual appointment with the municipality, the aim of which is to show their best work and the most recent shots taken.
Over the years, and in the many exhibitions held at the La Fuente Art Centre, the great progress of its members can be seen, both in terms of the quality of the shots and the artistic composition.
For this show, 19 artists have exhibited their work. Nineteen styles: blank and white or colour, nature or human figures. Different ways of looking from their camera lenses at the world around them, but all of them of great quality.
The club was founded some years ago by Roberts Stan, a photography enthusiast who managed to encourage two other friends, among them Rod Westwood, and create a platform where you can discuss, learn and improve on everything related to the world of the image.
Rod Westwood, a professional photographer in the world of fashion, is now president of this large club, formed by members of all levels: from professionals to those starting out in the world of photography.
Its members keep up an intense activity and regularly meet up to present their work, discuss it, and search, perhaps, for other ways of doing it. They also usually have special guests from the world of photography and propose projects or themes to follow and which are then shown to the most experienced members.
There is no doubt that today Vera International Photo Club is the province’s most important photography collective, and many of its members could be considered benchmarks in the artistic world of this genre.
In short, an exhibition which nobody should miss and which offers a unique opportunity to admire one of the best works of photography in the province and to acquire one of their works.
The Mojácar La Fuente Art Centre, located on the Cuesta de la Fuente, is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and on Sundays from 10am to 2pm. Entry is free.
David Bisbal supports Mojácar in its candidacy for "Together we shine more"
Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, along with her government team, presented to Mojácar village the candidacy of the locality for the Christmas campaign of the famous brand of chocolates, Ferrero Rocher “together we shine more”, in which the winner obtains the municipality’s Christmas lighting.
Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, along with her government team, presented to Mojácar village the candidacy of the locality for the Christmas campaign of the famous brand of chocolates, Ferrero Rocher “together we shine more”, in which the winner obtains the municipality’s Christmas lighting.
Mojácar’s Multi-Uses Centre was the venue for the presentation, which was attended by a good crowd of local residents of all ages, as well as by friends of the municipality who wanted to find out first-hand what the promotion consists of and how they could collaborate.
The Mojácar Mayor was in charge of informing those attending about all the steps that have been taken so far to become the winners, highlighting the hard work and persistence in their objective (nine years), until achieving the selection of Mojácar, together with six others, from among all the villages of Spain.
For the first time, in this ninth edition, Mojácar represents an Andalucian Mediterranean and Almería province locality. For this journey, Mojácar has the sponsorship of Peñíscola, winner of the previous edition, a new feature in the campaign, and that is hand-in-hand with Mojácar, offering it the experience acquired last year.
Rosa María Cano, emphasized that “success is in the coming together of all residents, it’s the work of everyone.” She also stressed that the local council cannot do much without the joint work “of all residents, of the friends of Mojácar, of the friends of the friends”, encouraging everyone and getting the enthusiasm of the public who offered their unreserved support.
Together with other members of her team, she explained what Mojácar’s campaign was going to consist of in its candidacy to be the village illuminated by Ferrero Rocher and how to vote for Mojácar.
As the organiser of the campaign, the voting must be done through the Ferrero Rocher website to access the page of the brand of chocolates, and from there, give your support to Mojácar.
Once you click on the link you have to choose Mojácar from among the list of candidates. To do this you only have to click on the “elige a tu pueblo” (choose your village), banner and select Mojácar from among the list of candidates. From among the voters, Ferrero will draw for a pyramid of chocolates.
Next, on a giant screen, the first video of Mojácar in the campaign presented by Jesús Vázquez and the best moments of the official presentation on the Telecinco set in Madrid was shown. To the delight of everyone, and to applause, a video of David Bisbal in which he supports the candidacy of Mojácar and encourages everyone to vote for it, was shown.
Following this spectacular presentation, there was a raffle among those present of 10 boxes of chocolates, and a very long list of volunteers to collaborate on the information on how to vote and take the candidacy to every corner of Almería was drawn up, as it is the first time that this province, along with Mojácar, is taking part in this iconic campaign.
The support of David Bisbal is only the beginning of many more who want to give support to Almería and Mojácar, and who will be revealed over the next few days.
There is no doubt that Mojácar village is throwing itself into this experience having a successful ending and making Mojácar shine more this Christmas. An aim that, besides giving a boost to the 2022 celebrations, represents valuable financial support for the locality and for breaking the seasonal nature of tourism.
Ferrero Rocher will light up one of Spain’s most emblematic villages in the ninth edition of Together we shine more
Ferrero Rocher will light up one of Spain’s most emblematic villages in the ninth edition of Together we shine more
- Seven municipalities are competing this year: Aínsa (Huesca), Cazalla de la Sierra (Seville), Chinchón (Madrid), Mojácar (Almería), Portomarín (Lugo), Santillana del Mar (Cantabria) and Sigüenza (Guadalajara)
- For the first time, the winning villages of previous editions sponsor the candidates
- The first phase of voting is now active until 30th November
Madrid, 10th November 2022 – Ferrero Rocher has this Thursday presented the ninth edition of ‘Together we shine more’. Yet another year, the brand will make one of Spain’s most emblematic villages shine with the aim of sharing a Christmas full of light and joy.
Seven historic municipalities are competing this year to light up their streets: Aínsa (Huesca), Cazalla de la Sierra (Seville), Chinchón (Madrid), Mojácar (Almería), Portomarín (Lugo), Santillana del Mar (Cantabria) and Sigüenza (Guadalajara). These seven villages aim to become the winner of the ninth edition of ‘Together we shine more’ and get the impressive Ferrero Rocher Christmas lighting.
More participants than ever and sponsor villages
More villages than ever are participating in the ninth edition of ‘Together we shine more’. In total, seven municipalities have been selected, based on their charm, cultural wealth, gastronomy and the welcoming power of their residents, among other aspects.
What’s more, for the first time each one of the participating municipalities has the support of one of the seven winning villages of previous editions, who are acting as sponsors throughout the process. Through this alliance, the villages will be able to undertake joint actions to boost their candidacy with the aim of gaining the maximum number of votes.
The seven sponsor villages taking part in this year’s edition are Astorga (León), Guadalupe (Cáceres), Morella (Castellón), Peñíscola (Castellón), Puebla de Sanabria (Zamora), Rubielos de Mora (Teruel) and Valderrobres (Teruel).
Voting system for choosing the winning village
The first phase of the action started on Thursday 10th November, and will end on 30th November. On 1st December the three finalist villages will be announced and a new round of voting will open, which will go on until 11th December. Finally, on the 12th December Ferrero Rocher will announce the name of the winning village which will get the Christmas lighting.
Throughout the process, the voting will remain active via the Ferrero Rocher website, where all the promotional videos of the candidate villages and other information of interest can also be found.
Villages participating in the ninth edition of ‘Together we shine more’
This edition’s seven candidate villages were announced this Thursday at an event that had the participation of Jesús Vázquez, who this year is once again serving as an ambassador for Ferrero Rocher; Franco Martino, director de Communication and Institutional Relations at Ferrero Ibérica; and Daniel Anechina, Media Manager at Ferrero Ibérica. The mayors and institutional representatives of the participating municipalities and the sponsors also attended.
| Candidate villages and their respective sponsors | |
| Aínsa (Huesca) | Morella (Castellón) |
| Cazalla de la Sierra (Seville) | Guadalupe (Cáceres) |
| Chinchón (Madrid) | Valderrobres (Teruel) |
| Mojácar (Almería) | Peñíscola (Castellón) |
| Portomarín (Lugo) | Astorga (León) |
| Santillana del Mar (Cantabria) | Rubielos de Mora (Teruel) |
| Sigüenza (Guadalajara) | Puebla de Sanabria (Zamora) |
Aínsa, in Huesca – sponsored by Morella (Castelló)
Strategically located between the rivers Cinca y Ara, Aínsa stands out for its archaeological ensemble of great historical wealth. The imposing Santa María de Aínsa church, the large castle compound and its breathtaking Plaza Mayor provide the welcome to this small medieval village at the foot of the Pyrenees.
Cazalla de la Sierra, in Seville – sponsored by Guadalupe (Cáceres)
The historic beauty of the municipality of Cazalla de la Sierra is accompanied by its location within the Sierra de Seville National Park. The symbiosis between the natural scenery that surrounds it and the architectural wealth of its old town delight the curious who visit the village in search of a relaxing and enriching experience.
Chinchón, in Madrid – sponsored by Valderrobres (Teruel)
An old town from another time provides the welcome to the village of Chinchón, located in the heart of the autonomous community of Madrid. The municipality preserves its medieval spirit through various points of interest anchored in the 15th and 16th centuries, such as the Castle of the Counts and the Clocktower.
Mojácar, in Almería – sponsored by Peñíscola (Castellón)
The coastal locality of Mojácar is easily identified with the Mediterranean aroma and unmistakable blue colour of its beaches. The welcoming character of its people combines with the natural charm of its whitewashed houses, typical of the Andalucian region that they represent in this edition.
Portomarín, in Lugo – sponsored by Astorga (León)
In the town of Portomarín, archaeological remains proliferate in the form of castles and “medorras” (Neolithic burial mounds). In 1946, the whole of the village was declared a Historic Artistic Site, and since then, its buildings have welcomed a multitude of pilgrims who find in Portomarín a haven of peace and calm on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
Santillana del Mar, in Cantabria – sponsored by Rubielos de Mora (Teruel)
Known popularly as “the village of three lies”, as it is neither “holy”, nor “flat” and nor does it have “sea”, Santillana del Mar and its cobbled streets bring gather together years of history and a bucolic air due to the medieval-style architectural ensemble in the town.
Sigüenza, in Guadalajara – sponsored by Puebla de Sanabria (Zamora)
Located in a strategic enclave, Sigüenza is one of the jewels in the crown in the province of Guadalajara. Inhabited since the Paleolithic period, the locality stands out for the combination of the vestiges of the ancient settlers: Celtiberians, Romans, Visigoths and Arabs have modelled the rich variety of architectural styles that currently stand in the village.
For more information:
Oriol Aguilar – oaguilar@llorenteycuenca.com - 932 172 217
Clara López – clara.lopez@llorenteycuenca.com – 932 172 217
Julen Chavarrías – julen.chavarrias@externos.llorenteycuenca.com – 932 172 217
About the Ferrero Group
Ferrero started its history in the small city of Alba in Piamonte, Italy, in 1946. Today, with a consolidated turnover of more than 12.3 thousand million euros, Ferrero stands among the market leaders in sweet packaged foods worldwide.
The Ferrero Group has a presence throughout the world, with more than 37,000 personnel and 31 production plants. Ferrero is the producer of many iconic brands loved by generation after generation, including Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, Tic Tac, Kinder and Raffaello, which are marketed in more than 170 countries. For more information visit: http://www.ferrero.com y www.ferrerosustainability.com
Come to the Theatre in Mojácar
With the arrival of November, a month dedicated to theatre comes to Mojácar as a demonstration of the great love of this art in the locality which has prevailed over time.
With the arrival of November, a month dedicated to theatre comes to Mojácar as a demonstration of the great love of this art in the locality which has prevailed over time.
Under the slogan “Come to the Theatre”, Mojácar Council, through the Culture Department, has actors and actresses appearing on stage at the Multi-Uses Centre every Friday with a display of the talent of our performers and our most renowned writers.
The curtain went up on the Mojácar cycle of theatre with the play “Las Desventuras de Arlecchino” (The misadventures of Arlecchino) by MDM Producciones, who for their particular stage game interact with the public as the main concept of the story and which makes every performance unique.
Next Friday 11th November, again as ever in the Multi-Uses Centre, the play “Tenorio” will be in Mojácar. This time, Zorilla’s famous character. Don Juan Tenorio, appears on stage through three employees of a parcel warehouse, who in their break come across a pile of Tenorio’s books and decide to stage it in a particular style.
For the following Friday 18th November, the classic work “Cornudo y apaleado” (cuckolded and downtrodden), will continue filling the Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre with the adventures and misadventures of Juan Rana, a daft, clumsy and scatterbrained character, who, of course, gets caught up in entanglements orchestrated by his wife and her lover.
Juan Rana is brought to the stage by the theatre company El Ojo del Bululú from Lucena. One actress and two actors from the company will stage four interludes from this golden age of our literature. The picaresque is the most important literary genre of the period known as the “Century of Gold”, and on this occasion presented to us through a master with words, as is Calderón de la Barca.
The interpretation will respect the diction of the period, but with an easy-to-understand language which will be enjoyed by young and old.
To end, on the 25th, “Somos muchas, más que dos” (We are many, more than two), brings the curtain down on this cycle with a project born from the union of two short pieces of theatre: “Me gustas cuando callas” (I like it when you are silent), and “Entretejidas” (interwoven), written by Cecilia Caballero and María Núñez respectively.
Both texts invite reflection, condensing into two fictitious stories a great number of common patterns which the victims of gender-based violence suffer.
Anyone interested in going to one of these performances can get entrance tickets at the Tourist Office in Pura Vida in Mojácar Playa’s Parque Comercial. Tickets have a popular price: three euros per performance.
Mojácar experiences its scariest afternoon on Halloween thanks to AMPA and Mojácar Council.
The children of Mojácar have been able to enjoy their own special Halloween party, one of the most anticipated dates of the school year, which brought together more than 300 people, between parents and little ones.
The Multi-Uses Centre was turned into a fantastic and terrifying setting, where the children of Mojácar, transformed into different and chilling characters, spent an afternoon full of fun.
The Mojácar Bartolomé Flores Public School “El Jalí” Pupil Parents’ Association, along with the local council, celebrated this festival with numerous activities: a fancy dress competition and decoration contest, and to continue the tradition of this festival, lots of sweet treats and sweets.
Some 50 children of all ages took part in the fancy dress competition. There were prizes for the best three, and the jury made up of Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, a member of AMPA and a volunteer parent, frankly had a difficult task.
In the end, a charming little three-year-old witch won first place; in second place, Frankenstein’s doctor, while third place went to the Joker’s girlfriend.
There were also prizes for the best Halloween decorations made by the infant and primary school pupils. One of the novelties of this edition, which in all cases was a demonstration of the great imagination and skill of each of the participating courses.
It is worth highlighting the games prepared for the occasion, such as the crafts and bat shooting, among others, without missing the witch’s train for the youngest ones and the star attraction, “the panic room”, which was an absolute sensation and a complete success, standing out among all the activities.
An afternoon of terror, and above all sweet treats, sweets and popcorn, much of it provided by the parents themselves.
Paloma Ramos, President of the new Mojácar Bartolomé Flores School AMPA board, highlighted the efforts of many parents, who “have worked with great enthusiasm on this celebration, which is a very eagerly anticipated moment for the pupils.” She also expressed her gratitude for the collaboration and great assistance of Mojácar Council, which through the Festivities Department has collaborated intensively on the success of this celebration.
Mojácar is perhaps one of the pioneer municipalities in the celebration of Halloween. For more than 10 years the Mojácar children have been celebrating this ancient “Halloween night” of Anglo-Saxon origin.
The sizeable British population, always present in the municipality, could have been the reason for this early interest, taking into account that some of the first members of AMPA in Mojácar were English and brought along this tradition. Television and cinema have done the rest, and the truth is that these days, Halloween crept in with strength, to stay on the youngest ones’ calendar.
The “El Jalí” AMPA and the pupils of the Bartolomé Flores school are already thinking about the next Halloween celebration. However, the new team of this parents’ association has arrived with a great deal of energy and new plans in the portfolio. For another magical night like Christmas, they are preparing new activities, as well as others for throughout the school year
Manuel García wins Spanish Cup in Aragón in the Mountain bike XCUM category.
The double winner of the Spanish Open BBT Marathon and the Ultramarathon Master 60 in 2021, Manuel García, has once again climbed to the top of the podium in 2022 after he was proclaimed Spanish Cup Champion in the XCUM Master 60 cycling category.
Manuel García, member of the Mojácar club “Los Saltapitas”, has yet another year shown himself to be unbeatable on a mountain bike, as well as having physical strength and perfect preparation.
Following two trial classifications in Jaén and Galicia, it was finally in Ejulve, Aragón, where Manuel García was proclaimed champion of Spain.
The route proposed by the organisation was especially tough:160 kilometres and a 4,500 elevation. The demands of the route made his victory even more praiseworthy.
The XCUM category corresponds to the acronym of Cross Country Ultra Marathon, an especially rigorous trial staged on longer routes than other mountain bike categories.
Our champion always dedicates special words to his “saltapitas” companions, as it is with them that he always trains and with whom he began his competition journey.
According to him, “the Moro track” and the climb to “El Jalí” were of great help to him in this latest trial in which he was declared champion as “they were very similar.”
When the competition season ends, it is easy to spot him, along with his fellow “saltapitas” cyclists, riding all the trails in Mojácar and Sierra Cabrera. According to Manuel García, perseverance is very important to have excellent physical shape, which helps when it comes to tackling these exhaustive competitions.
In a week he will start with his cardio-vascular exercises to “train the heart”, and then he will get back out on his bike again to “do some kilometres.”
Manuel García wants to highlight, once again, that he carries “a saltapitas in his soul”. He was virtually one of the founders, nearly 15 years ago. This club has been the springboard and the motivation for dedicating himself to this sport, in which in the 10 years since he started to “seriously” compete in the Spanish championship he has achieved third position in two seasons, runner-up on another occasion, two years champion in the BBT category, and now champion once again in an even more difficult trial, as the ultra-marathon is.
On the horizon for 2023, Manuel García has another challenge: the European and the World Championships.
There is still no set calendar for either event, but Manuel is now back out on his mountain bike, riding around the landscapes of Mojácar so that, when the time comes, he will again show that in his category it is not going to be easy to leave him behind.
The painting exhibition by the “ARTEFACTO” collective is inaugurated in Mojácar
The painting exhibition by the “ARTEFACTO” collective which brings together the area´s best artists, is inaugurated in Mojácar.
The Mojácar Council Tourism Councillor has inaugurated a painting exhibition by the “Artefacto” collective, which is being held in the La Fuente Municipal Art Centre, remaining open to the public until 31st October.
The Artefacto collective is currently made up of 11 artists, although it is open to the incorporation of new artists of any nationality and already has several requests to become part of it.
Virtually newly born, Artefacto was created to achieve a lovely project, the aim of which is not only to organise art exhibitions, but also other proposals that they plan to carry out throughout the year, such as cultural or social workshops, among many other activities, always associated with collaboration with charitable institutions. For this exhibition, they have had the Vera Lions Club and a part of the proceeds will be donated to this institution.
The Vera and District Lions was founded in 2012 and forms part of Lions International, the world’s biggest humanitarian organisation. In the Levante area they raise funds which are used to support local charitable entities, as well as directly to people in need.
The Mojácar exhibition is the first held by the collective as such, and is initially made up of eight artists: Ricardo Rejón García-Pichi, Elizabhet Attewell, Marijose González Iglesias, Pamen Merchante, Serafin Redondo, Ulli Butz, Heidi Gaber and Sáez.
Painting and sculpture that attracted a large number of visitors at the inauguration, which was also attended by members of the Mojácar Council Government Team, who did not want to miss this interesting show which has brought together a large part of the area’s best artists, and that also demonstrates their support for this initiative combining art and social work, being a platform of assistance solidarity with the region.
This exhibition has free admission in the opening hours of mornings, from 10am to 2pm, Wednesday to Sunday; an appointment is necessary at other times and on other days.
Mojácar has increased its recycling of glass containers by 43% more than the previous year.
Mojácar municipality, a participant in the Ecovidrio company Green Flags movement, has in the 2022 edition collected 110,764 kilos of glass containers, which represents an increase of 43.4 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year.
Mojácar has therefore surpassed Ecovidrio’s challenge in the competition which this company promotes for the Green Flags Movement, which involves actions to respond to the increase in the generation of these residues in coastal areas and in the summer season, due to tourism.
The organisation of this distinction has thanked Mojácar Local Council, residents and hospitality businesses for their efforts and work carried out, taking a further step forward in the transition to a circular economy and in the fight against climate change, becoming “an example of green recovery.”
Green Flags is established as one of the key initiatives of the Ecovidrio alliance with the hospitality sector. Taking part in this third edition of the Green Flags Movement have been 144 local councils and more than 15,000 hospitality sector establishments from five autonomous communities: the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Murcia and Andalucía.
The 2022 Ecovidrio 2022 campaign has consisted of different actions to increase the recycling of glass containers in summer. In this time alone a third of the containers put into circulation are consumed and 52 per cent of these are generated directly in the hospitality sector, hence their involvement is key in order to produce a real transition towards a more circular and decarbonised model.
Mojácar has obtained the highest points in Almería province, followed by the provincial capital, and fifth place for the whole of the autonomous community of Andalucía.
Both Mojácar Council and the locality’s tourism sector, especially the hospitality sector, have worked efficiently to collaborate on this campaign, which is yet another action that the local authority, and through the Tourism Department and the locality’s business community, has been taking throughout the year to achieve a tourism in keeping with the new preferences, where the concerns about health and the consequences of climate change create an impact and a trend when it comes to choosing a sustainable, quality destination.
The Valparaíso Foundation announces the 24th edition of the Paul Beckett poetry prize.
The Valparaíso Foundation, a private non-profit institution and artists’ residence in Mojácar, has announced the 24th edition of its “Paul Beckett” poetry prize, which is awarded to a book or a collection of poems.
The competing works, of free form, meter and theme, will have to be original and unpublished, not less than 500 verses or more than 700, must be submitted in Spanish and typed double-spaced on folio-sized sheets of paper, on one side only and in a duplicate copy.
The works will have to be submitted under a catchphrase or pseudonym, marked “For the Paul Beckett Poetry Prize”. To accompany the work a separate envelope, duly sealed, on which the name, surnames, address and telephone number of the author must appear, together with a brief bio-biographical note, stating the chosen catchphrase or pseudonym on the outside.
The admission period will end on 23rd December 2022. The works will be forwarded to the Valparaíso Foundation address at its headquarters in Madrid, Calle Miguel Ángel, no.1.
The amount of the prize will be 4,000 euros and the selected work will be published in the “Beatrice” collection, created for this purpose, within a year. Once this period has elapsed, the author will freely have their work, but at the time of its publication will have to record the distinction gained.
El jury will be presided over by prominent literary figures and by an academic, and their decision will be final. Its composition will be announced immediately after the decision.
The “Paul Beckett” poetry prize has been organised annually by the Valparaíso Foundation since 1999. Over the years, promising poets have been awarded the prize, such as Leopoldo de Luis, Antonio García and Juan Van Halen, and renowned figures have participated as judges: members of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language, professors of the Spanish Language and National Poetry Awards, among others.
The projection and importance of this poetry competition have gone beyond the national sphere, getting books from America and even several European countries.
The Valparaíso Foundation was founded in 1990 by Paul and Beatrice Beckett in order to promote artistic creation and research in the field of fine arts, literature and music. It has a residence in Mojácar for artists, writers and researchers to provide financial support to any cultural activity.
Seminars, conference cycles and prizes in the distinct artistic disciplines are also held regularly at its Mojácar facilities.
Mojácar celebrates the Day of the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain
Mojácar has celebrated the official day of the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain.
Mojácar has celebrated the official day of the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain, commemorating its foundation in 2011 to promote, publicise, foster and preserve the cultural, natural and rural heritage of the municipalities of which it is comprised.
Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, Mojácar Council Tourism Councillor, read out a manifesto as in the 105 localities which make up the network and of which Mojácar has been part since its creation.
On this occasion, Emmanuel Agüero, accompanied by the local Mayor, Rosa María Cano, and by members of the Government team, were joined by a delegation from the municipality of Peñíscola, a fellow member of the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain Association, as well as by local residents and visitors who did not want to miss this moving act.
The Tourism Councillor highlighted the importance of the small towns as the guarantors of the preservation of our country’s heritage and culture. A great contribution that does not always receive recognition and support from the institutions.
In a solemn act in the Town Hall Square, they proceeded to raise the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain flag, which flies next to the Spanish and Andalucian flags.
Mojácar Tourist Office organised different activities for the day, among which a guided visit to the “La Canana” Museum stands out.
This association is successfully working on a brand image to help promote the recognition of quality tourist destinations and the exchange of ideas between members, as well as those initiatives which could serve to drive the promotion of their municipalities.
The work carried out by the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain organisation has been of great importance in driving and promoting tourism. Mojácar fully participates in all the activities and actively collaborates on all the new modernisation paths opened up by the association.
This collaboration is producing notable benefits, both in the increase and the quality of the services provided, with very satisfactory results, according to the Council Tourism Department, advantages that businesses in the sector also support.
The Mojácar La Vieja 2022 excavation campaign yields new and interesting discoveries and places the locality as an important settlement in the Nasrid period.
The Mojácar la Vieja 2022 excavation campaign has concluded with very positive results, as those responsible for the dig revealed in the presentation of the results: the University of Granada, the MEMOLab Biocultural Archaeology Laboratory, the director of the General Research Plan and Mojácar Council.
As is customary, at the end of each campaign’s excavation works, those responsible explain the findings and conclusions stemming from the works carried out on Mojácar la Vieja to local residents and to those who are interested.
On this occasion, the locality’s Multi-Uses Centre, with a large audience, was the meeting point where Emmanuel Agüero, Mojácar Council Tourism Councillor; José María Martín Civantos, Director of the MEMOLab laboratory; Jorge Rouco Collazo, director of the General Investigation Plan; Julio Miguel Román, PGI Researcher; Cristina Martínez Carrillo, Archaeological Material Expert; and Noelia Aguado, Community and Participative Archaeology Expert, gave an interesting conference about the novelties found.
The 2022 campaign is the fifth since this project was started and the first carried out with the support of the General Investigation Plan.
This year two main lines of action have been followed: one of them following the outside walls, by the entrance gate, and another in the area outside, on the southeast hillside, where it is suspected there were dwellings.
Worthy of note is the appearance of another wall and corresponding entrance gate, at the foot of the one initially found during other actions, and that in previous years was thought to be the only entrance to the compound. The defences of Mojácar la Vieja, as shown by its two walls, are much stronger than initially believed, indicating a huge investment in the construction of the castle and its control with this double fortification. This makes the defence and the attack very complicated since it is very intricate, both being built on a curve. This also suggests that this great effort would only have been made due to the great importance of the settlement.
In the new open zone, in the area outside the walls on the southeast side, a very well-structured, two-floor house has been found, and what could be other very well-built houses that correspond to the typical models of the Moorish era.
In the conclusions obtained during this month of work, there have taken part a group of professionals made up of researchers, the majority from MEMOLab, and by another 13, external, who are professors and researchers from different universities and analysis centres, such as CSIC, from both Spain and the UK, as well as two shifts of 35 archaeology students who have worked on the excavations.
Standing out is the reaffirmation of the potential, whether from the historical or heritage point of view of Mojácar la Vieja, that little by little is being uncovered and which can be seen with the naked eye on the mountain itself, underlining the importance and the significant remains, together with its good conservation and the possibility of understanding everything related to this settlement: how it was built, when and how it was abandoned.
In addition, increasingly more evidence of the instability of the terrain is appearing, mainly in the area of the old entrance.
Work remains to be done on its origin and its formation in order to understand how it was founded, who created it and where the population came from, since we already know how they lived and what type of dwelling was used.
Also remaining is the work of study and analysis throughout this year, from organic remains like thorns, scales, shells, eggshells, and ceramic remains, including a pipe with remains of what is suspected to be hashish, found this year, and which will yield new data, new surprises about the form of production, subsistence and organisation, providing a complete image of Mojácar society of those times.
Coming away from the dig site, mixing with local people and bringing them closer to it, understanding the direct relationship between the two settlements - Old and New Mojácar with their surroundings – and keeping the intangible heritage alive, is a task that MEMOLab tries to carry out in all its actions.
With the PGI there opens a new stage of analysis and of basic management to restore, conserve and highlight its importance so it can be visited.
Collaboration with both the Valparaíso Foundation and the owners of the land on which they are working, opens the door to gaining more support from the State, to the 1% Cultural that would be added to that already provided by the Local Council and from the Smart Heritage company.
Mojácar La Fuente municipal Art Centre inaugurates the exhibition of paintings by María José González
A new painting exhibition offering works by the artist María José González Iglesias has been inaugurated at the La Fuente Municipal Art Centre and will run until 9th October
For her first exhibition in Mojácar, María José González has chosen 34 works of great strength and colour, full of the passion and the feeling with which she creates her paintings.
The inauguration was a success both for participation and sales. A debut in the world of exhibitions which could not have started better.
Her works, done in acrylic technique and impressionist style, encapsulate, according to the artist herself, her inspiration and her feelings that flow when, alone, she faces a blank canvas.
Humanist by training, and although painting has always been present in her life through watercolour or pastel, it was not until her retirement that she felt definitively attracted to painting as a means of artistic expression.
She tries to convey her feelings, María José González comments, her way of life: “there’s nothing established previously”. A woman full of life and full of strength that guides her hand and captures the moment in a work that does not go unnoticed.
She arrived in Mojácar seven years ago from Zamora, her native land. A contrast, or perhaps a complement, between the overflowing light, the colour and the new sensations that she found on arriving at the Andalucian locality and the image that remains in her eye of a Zamora full of history and illustrious artists, combined with the Castilian-Leonese landscape, with the Romanesque and with a rich inland world.
The La Fuente Municipal Art Centre is open to the public, free of charge, from Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 1pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.
Prestigious women´s golf trophy, the Solheim Cup, presented in Mojácar
The Solheim Cup trophy, corresponding to the most important biennial women’s golf tournament in the world, has been presented in Mojácar. It was taken to different parts of the locality accompanied by its ambassadors in Andalucía, Ana Moreno, ambassador of Alboran Golf and Lis Meins, ambassador of Aguilón Golf and Sports Councillor, Francisco García Cerdá.
The Mojácar Mayor received the delegation at the Town Hall, thanking them for the presence in the locality of such a coveted prize, that every two years pits Europe’s best golf players against the best US players.
Francisco García Cerdá also wanted to thank both the ambassadors and the Solheim Cup organisation for their generosity in allowing such a valuable cup, both at a financial level - it is made entirely of carved glass - and at a sporting level, to be within the reach of Mojácar residents before the celebration of the competition, which this year 2022 will be in Spain at Finca Cortesín in Casares, Málaga, as in the last edition the European golfers were the winners.
Hosting a world-renowned event like the Solheim Cup represents a unique opportunity for Spain and for the promotion of women’s golf. Spain, with 64,000 federated, represents only 27% of the total players in Europe.
Also noteworthy is the impact of the world of golf on tourism in Spain, the impact of which on local and national economies is very evident, especially in Andalucía, where we enjoy an ideal climate for the sport, principally in wintertime.
The Solheim Cup is played in the same format as the men’s Ryder Cup as it is the equivalent in the women’s game.
The initiative for this competition came from Karsten Solheim, founder of the American brand PING, which makes golf equipment. The first tournament was held in 1990 and it was then played in various locations in even-numbered years until 2002. After the Ryder Cup calendar was changed, it has been held in odd-numbered years since 2003 to avoid a conflict of dates.
Of the 17 tournaments played until now, the US has achieved victory on 10 occasions against Europe, which has only managed to lift the trophy seven times.
We hope that the European players can repeat the result and that the la Solheim Cup stays on our continent for another two years.
The Mojaquera workshop, organised by Mojácar Council and the University of Granada, explains old water management by local women.
Mojácar Council and the MEMOLab Biocultural Archaeological Laboratory are organising a series of workshops related to the Mojácar la Vieja excavations aimed at complementing the investigations and the recovery of the history and customs of the locality through the ages.
A series of workshops have been planned in this 2022 campaign, that have started with the so-called “Mojaquera Workshop”, at which the role of the woman in managing the family’s water is highlighted, their distinctive daily comings and goings between the fountain and the homes, doing the washing, and their typical dress, one of Mojácar’s symbols of identity for decades.
Mojácar women of different ages, including children, were at the workshop explaining to the participants what the typical costume of the locality was made up of, how it was put together and its complexity when it comes to making it due to the number of garments it’s composed of.
The question arises about the origin of the custom of using the scarf, which in the past would cover “half an eye” and was a sign of modesty among females of the time, as was the colour used, which was different depending on whether they were single or married.
Another of the peculiarities in the feminine attire, and an essential piece in the transfer of water, is the so-called “rodete” (round pad), which was placed on top of the head. It was essential so that the heavy pitchers, full of water, stayed balanced on top.
The image of a woman carrying pitchers of water on their head and others resting on their hip represents one of the most typical images of the locality and a Mojácar symbol of identity.
Another of the peculiarities in the water management concerns the washing of clothes and in their fountain. From its outlet from the spring through 13 spouts, the water was distributed through two parallel, but differentiated channels: one in which the laundry was done and another which flowed freely to its storage place.
Mojácar is one of the few places in which the women got into the water to do their washing. With their skirts rolled up, they put their legs in the channel in which the water flowed freely and the other was for doing the washing. The two channels were separated by a series of stones, today of marble, which served for rubbing the washing. Hence the laundry water, which had soap in it, was not mixed with the other.
The workshop was directed by Noelia Aguado, a MEMOLab community archaeology specialist, who is also in charge of the esparto grass workshops, at which master esparto grass weavers teach the almost forgotten technique of making nearly all the items used at the time, both for the home and for agriculture, and the “Mojácar Stories” workshop, which aim to recover the memory concerning Mojácar la Vieja and what perception they had of this place.
The traditional ceramics workshop is maintained and a day of drawing and painting at which the participants can paint at the dig site itself and in Plaza Nueva to capture the image of this emblematic place which inspires them the most.
Mojácar La Vieja dig 2022 underway in Mojácar.
The work project for the Mojácar la Vieja archaeological site dig for the 2022 campaign has been officially presented, the works starting on 5th September and remaining active until the end of this month.
The MEMOLAb Biocultural Archaeology Laboratory, belonging to the University of Granada, along with Mojácar Council, gave an interesting informal talk at the Multi-Uses Centre to numerous local residents, which included the conclusions from the discoveries made over the years at the Mojácar dig site.
Emmanuel Agüero, the local authority’s Tourism Councillor, opened the speeches with thanks to the Valparaíso Foundation, as well as to the property owners of areas where the site is located, who have allowed greater access to the land for both the University of Granada and Mojácar Council to carry out this work. This support has made it possible for the Mojácar la Vieja site to today be part of the 2022-2025 General Investigation Plan, as well as making it easier to obtain more support from the State with regard to the 1.5% Cultural and other financial support, although Mojácar Council will continue to collaborate financially on this project, as well as the Patrimonio Inteligente (intelligent heritage) company.
Jorge Rouco Collazo, director of the Mojácar La Vieja General Investigation Project and MEMOLab member, has developed the planning of the Mojácar General Investigation Plan for these years. The group of investigators is made up of 18 investigators, the majority from MEMOLab, and another 13, external, who are professors and researchers from different universities and analysis centres, such as CSIC, both in Spain and the UK.
The general objective of the Mojácar la Vieja GIP is, essentially, to continue with the line of action of the three previous campaigns: to continue defining the sequence of occupation and the construction phases of the settlement; although it is now known what the phase of abandonment at the end of the 13th century to the 14th century was like, it has still not been possible to determine, at an archaeological level, its foundation in the 12th century.
As well as continuing to document the settlement itself, they also want to document what productive activities were carried out at that time and which provided their sustenance, both the handicraft activities and their relationship with the plain and food production labours. They are equally as interested in establishing the relations between the rest of the archaeological sites in the immediate surroundings, whether cultural or commercial, which would be maintained, among other points and almost certainly, with the north of Africa, as shown by ceramic remnants.
Parallel to these actions, it is planned to propose a conservation and maintenance plan that, as soon as possible, allows local residents and visitors to visit the site.
The two new areas which are going to be worked on are situated outside the fortification, outside the walls, one of them close to the entrance gate, where it is known, from the remains that can be seen with the naked eye, that there are more structures, and to check whether it is as built on as the interior.
At the other chosen point, on the south-east slope, they hope to find areas of handicraft production, as well as of homes, to put together the life of the Mojácar la Vieja residents.
The 2022 campaign has the assistance of 35 volunteers, history and archaeology students from different Spanish universities, being open as always to all those who want to help for the time they can on this work or pay a visit to the site, outside of the two official guided tours which are planned for September.
The archaeological activity carried out parallel to the excavation works is to be highlighted, centering on the study of the plain and the irrigation system, making maps and carrying out research, which from the first moment have been done with the irrigators, and which are of great importance for an overall understanding of what Mojácar la Vieja meant.
Mojácar begins its traditional festivities in Honour of San Agustín
Mojácar, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, will celebrate its big festival in honour of San Agustín, patron saint of the locality, from Thursday 25th August to Sunday the 28th, the saint’s day.
Following two years of forced suspension due to Covid, Mojácar is filled with light, happiness and many traditions, which throughout these days will be the common denominator of Mojácar life.
Starting at 12 noon, firecrackers will mark the beginning of the patron saint festivities, and at 2pm the midday fair officially opens in Plaza Nueva, where fine food and a great atmosphere guarantee a great start and a “tardeo”, or afternoon get-together, that invites families and friends to enjoy every day of the fair.
However, the day on Thursday will get going from 10am to 1pm with the 5th Recreational Digital Game Day aimed at young people aged eight to 14, and which will take place in the Guadalinfo Centre in the Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre.
Young people also take centre stage at 6.30pm in the traditional junior ribbon race, in which the seasoned participants will try to get the highest possible number of ribbons on their bicycles.
The “Prometida and Melodías” orchestras will be in charge of providing the music and dancing from 11pm onwards, making way at midnight for the opening address of the San Agustín 2022 festivities, which this year will be given by María del Mar Esteban López, family doctor at the Mojácar Playa health centre. The Queen and Ladies of Honour of the festivities will then be announced before the open-air dance continues.
A highlight on Friday 26th is the Ascent Uphill with Water and Floral Offering to the patron saint San Agustín, accompanied by the Municipal Music Band. Starting out from the fountain, the colourful procession will go up to the parish church, where the offerings will be left. As on all the days of the fair, the open-air dance will start at 11pm in Plaza Nueva.
On Saturday 27th the final day of the 11th Paddle Tennis Tournament will be held and the presentation of prizes will take place at 10pm at the La Mata facilities. The midday fair and the performance at 4.30pm by the “El Tinglao” flamenco group, and later the public dance, are the main activities of this day of festivities.
On Sunday 28th, San Agustín’s day, the festival activities will start early with the celebration of the 6th City of Mojácar Golf Tournament, which will be held on the Marina de la Torre golf course. The start for all the participants, a shotgun start, is scheduled for nine in the morning.
The Mass in honour of our patron saint will take place at 12 midday, accompanied by the Virgen del Carmen Rociero Choir. After the service, the procession through the different streets of the village will be followed by the Mojácar Music Band.
Following the centuries-old tradition, the ribbon race on horseback will take place at 6.30pm at the fountain, where the riders, on the backs of their mounts, will try to get the greatest number of ribbons which the women of the locality hang up high to make it more difficult.
The patron saint festivities in honour of San Agustín will come to an end at 1am with a spectacular castle of fireworks, although the music and the dancing will continue throughout the night with the group “Frecuencia Modulada”.
Mojácar incorporates augmented reality as a promotion and information tool.
Mojácar Council has presented at a press conference the launch of the Mojácar Augmented Reality Interactive Map, which does not need a mobile application, and where the user can interact through their mobile device, visiting and touring the destination from a different perspective and getting more information about the most important places of interest, simply by scanning a QR code.
The presentation was made by Emmanuel Agüero, Mojácar Council Tourism Councillor, Carmen García Campoy, Director of the local authority Tourism Department and the person in charge of the project, which is run by the Almería company, Yes I Do España.
This project has been fully paid for by the Junta de Andalucía’s Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Administration regional ministry, thanks to the grant obtained by Mojácar Council under an open competitive system, aimed at promoting the implementation of information and communication technologies in municipal resources and tourism facilities (MUNITIC).
The Mojácar Interactive Map not only develops and promotes the municipality’s cultural heritage in several languages and in an attractive way, but also facilitates understanding and Mojácar’s tourism resources, making them more accessible and contributing to the intelligent management of the destination, as thanks to the measurement systems incorporated in the project, the local council will obtain valuable information about visitor preferences, movement flows, etc.
It is a development through which the user can interact through a mobile device, seeing the destination from a different perspective and providing them with more information about the most relevant points of interest, simply with a QR code, passing the mobile over a tourist map of the destination without having to download an app.
The map for visiting Mojácar has been personalised, with extensive information possibilities, totally adapted to the destination; new files have been generated for inclusion on the map, created for this project. It has also been linked to existing information to increase synergies and strengthen the main information platform, which is the web: 3-D models which can visualise the Mojácar points of interest; audio guides, making existing audio guides more widely available, incorporating the information in several languages; videos that play on the map itself; 3-D elevations with virtual visits through 3-D elevation, videos and 360-degree photos, PDF files with information about places of interest and links that access content of interest related to the key points.
Some 50,000 people annually request specific information about how to visit Mojácar in the Tourism Office. With the evolution of the new technologies and the advance in the use of mobile devices, tourist information is experiencing a revolution and a qualitative leap in the area of information, becoming a fundamental tool for the dissemination of cultural heritage. Equally, the planning of the trip is a very important part of this, and it is vital to put the most up-to-date information tools at the disposal of the potential visitor.
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Mojácar to compete with up to 42 Andalucía localities this summer to win the ecovidrio green flag for sustainability.
Mojácar Council Tourism Councillor Emmanuel Agüero, Concejal de Turismo has held a press conference at which he informed the media about the locality’s intention to take part once again in the Ecovidrio 2022 campaign.
Ecovidrio is a non-profit entity dedicated to managing the selective collection of glass containers in Spain. It stands out for guaranteeing high-quality recycling, as well as for investing in plans and resources aimed at increasing glass recycling and mobilising the public through awareness-raising campaigns, also promoting prevention and the eco-design of packaging.
It its 2021 edition Mojácar obtained its Green Flag, which was presented by the Secretary of State for the Environment, coming in first place among all the Andalucía municipalities, managing to rescue 70,000 kilos of grass between July and August alone. In the 2021 campaign, 127 local authorities in up to five autonomous communities and more than 14,000 hotel establishments aimed for one of these Green Flags. Only in Andalucía, 41 municipalities also competed for this award.
For 2022 there will be 43 Andalucía municipalities that will strive for the Ecovidrio hospitality sector Green Flag, which have been joined by Mojácar Council and several of the locality’s hotel establishments. Together they will try and increase the levels of selective collection of glass containers and mobilise the sector to obtain yet again the Green Flag and revalidate it in this edition.
For Emmanuel Agüero, Mojácar’s intention goes beyond obtaining a Green Flag: “for us it is important to encourage participation in recycling, especially at the times of year when there is a lot of activity in the hospitality sector which results in a greater use of glass. The idea is to recover the greatest amount of glass and to collaborate with the sustainability of the environment.”
A third of the glass containers put into circulation are consumed in summer and 25% of this is directly generated in the hospitality sector, hence its involvement is key to generating a real transition towards a more circular and decarbonised model.
Green Flags is established as one of the key initiatives of the Ecovidrio alliance with the hospitality sector. In fact, at national level, this campaign runs in 144 coastal municipalities in five different autonomous regions, with the participation of nearly 15,000 establishments.
Thanks to this movement, in 2021, 31,045 of glass containers were collected between the 127 participating coastal localities, the subsequent recycling of which avoided the emission of 17,700 tonnes of CO2, much like removing 8,000 cars from circulation for a year.
Mojácar hamlet Sopalmo celebrates its patron saint festivities in honour of Christ the King this weekend.
Mojácar hamlet Sopalmo begins its festivities in honour of its Patron Saint, Christ the King, the traditional acts and celebrations continuing throughout the weekend.
The festivities will get underway today Friday 5th August at 7pm with a Holy Mass in the Chapel of Christ the King located in Sopalmo’s main square and continue at 8pm with races with married couples’ ribbons.
Accompanied by the Mojácar Municipal Music Band, the brave married men, on the backs of their motorbikes, will try to recover the ribbons which their beloved wives have embroidered for this purpose, and which will be placed strategically high up to make the manoeuvre difficult.
Following the ribbon race, this first day of the festivities will end with an open-air dance from 10pm onwards, with music from Rafael Rueda. The dancing and the fun are down to the locals and visitors.
On Saturday 6th August, starting at 10pm, the music and public dance will be in entrusted to “Cuarteto Insignia”, and at the stroke of midnight, University of Barcelona Physical Geography Professor Javier Martín Vide will be in charge of the proclamation of the 2022 festivities.
Javier Martín Vide, a climatology specialist, is a regular visitor to Sopalmo, and for many years he has chosen the locality as a place to take a break from his multiple occupations.
Following the proclamation, Sopalmo Hamlet Mayor, José Antonio Fernández, along with a jury, will crown the Queen of the 2022 Festivities and her Ladies of Honour.
The Sopalmo festivities will come to a close on Sunday 7th August at 8pm with the junior ribbon race, also accompanied by the Mojácar Municipal Music Band.
The Sopalmo festivities have been celebrated since 1953, although originally they were held at the end of October. As this celebration is a special time of reunions between family members and friends who were away from the locality, it was decided to move it to the beginning of August to make it easier to be there.
Worth noting is the participation of all the residents in the days of celebration, decorating their streets with flowers and festive decoration in this magical corner of Mojácar, as well as wearing traditional flamenco-style costumes at all gatherings.
Resounding succes of participation in the "Mojácar night of the candles" on its 10th Anniversary.
In the middle of the tourist season, the Night of the Candles held in Mojácar was a success both in organisation and participation, exceeding the number of visitors reached in 2019 (the last time it was held due to the pandemic). The event organisation estimates that 17,000 people took part in this Mojácar event.
Visitors staying in municipal hotels, locals and residents of other Almería municipalities went along, as well as visitors on more than 20 organised excursions from other Spanish cities and regions.
Last Thursday 21st July marked 10 years since its first edition, which was held on 12th August 2012 on the initiative of Mojácar Pueblo business owners and shopkeepers with the aim of offering Mojácar, its streets and viewpoints, as the perfect settings for gazing at the stars on summer nights. For this purpose, they turned off the public street lights, illuminating some streets with candles. The success of that first edition only grew, in 2018 and 2019 reaching 12,000 and 14,000 visitors respectively.
Since then, the event has become one of the most eagerly anticipated on the Mojácar calendar of activities.
In this 2022 edition, the first announcement with the dates of the event reached 50,000 hits in just a few hours on Facebook. From then, and as the date got closer, the Municipal Tourist Office got thousands of enquiries by email, Messenger, telephone, etc.
This expectation is justified by the wonderful setting that one of the prettiest villages in Spain’s old town offers, lit up by 8,000 candles instead of electric lighting, which remains off, creating a very special atmosphere in the historic district’s streets, squares and emblematic corners. At the same time, it’s a great opportunity to gaze at the stars from the Mojácar viewpoints, also taking advantage of the installation of telescopes at the highest part of the village.
To make their strolls even more pleasant, visitors came across live music and a Batucada percussion procession through the village streets. These attractions brought together all kinds of people, mainly couples and families, who were also able to enjoy on the terraces the offer of restaurants, bars, cafés, ice-cream parlours, etc. Like the wining and dining establishments, a wide variety of charming shops stayed open until late that evening.
The large number of visitors attracted by this festival brings with it important support to the economy of the municipality’s businesses, which see an increase in their sales on that day and on the days prior to and following the event.
To guarantee access to the village without parking problems, Mojácar Council put in place a special public transport service, which functioned perfectly.
This service had 20 buses, which from 7pm to 3am did direct routes between the village and the main, busiest bus stops on Mojácar coast. To speed up the service, booths were installed at these stops for the sale of bus tickets, thus ensuring that the waits to get to and from the event were as short as possible.
This service managed to transport thousands of people in eight hours in a safe, economical, comfortable and sustainable way.
Many congratulations for the event were received at the end.
Mojácar Council thanked everyone via social media who made the success of this great event possible, among them:
- Volunteers putting candles in place from 6am.
- Volunteers lighting 8,000 candles and taking care they didn’t go out.
- Moors and Christians Association volunteers.
- Civil Protection volunteers.
- Works and Services personnel.
- Local Police.
- The 20 special transport service drivers.
- Ticket sales personnel in the huts.
- Transportation coordinators.
- Mojácar Pueblo business owners and shopkeepers.
- Hospitality sector and shop staff.
- Hoteliers.
- Musicians.
- Local Council Candles2022 event organisation team.
- Tourist Office Staff.
- The media.
etc., etc.
And especially the thousands of people who went along to the Mojácar 2022 Night of the Candles.
Mojácar prepares its special transport service for the night of the Candles.
This Thursday 21st of July one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year returns to Mojácar: the Night of the Candles.
Mojácar Pueblo will turn off the lights and will be lit up by thousands of candles, which will form routes through its streets. The beauty of one of Spain’s prettiest villages will be enhanced, where the music of live piano, violin and saxophone will surprise visitors in different locations.
Batucada percussion will liven up all the crowds who go along to Mojácar on this special night.
From the castle viewpoint it will be possible to gaze at the stars through telescopes.
In addition, the organisation reminds members of the public attending the event they can also play a part by coming dressed in white, which contributes to creating a lovely atmosphere.
Given the time of year of the celebration and the high hotel occupancy, Mojácar Local Council will activate a special transport service with the aim of speeding up transfers between the village and the beach, in an effective and sustainable way.
From 7pm in the evening and until 3am in the early hours (last bus down from the village), there will be a special transport service, which will have 20 buses distributed between five lines, which will make the transfers quickly and comfortably.
To facilitate the smooth running of the operation, the Local Council is setting up six bus ticket sales huts where you will be able to buy your round-trip tickets.
The sales huts for transport ticket sales will be located in the following areas: Hotel Indalo, Pueblo Indalo, Marina de la Torre, Montemar Commercial Centre (Post Office), village access service station and Mojácar Pueblo (Pavana). You are reminded that the use of facemasks on public transport is necessary.
The different stops on the Avda. de Encamp are already signposted so that visitors to the village on the night can easily find their five lines.
Mojácar Council strongly recommends that visitors leave their private vehicles in the coastal area or in park and rides set up for the purpose and to not forget that the use of facemasks is obligatory on public transport.
The Mojácar Municipal Music Band celebrates its 20th Birthay an emotional concert.
Mojácar celebrated the Municipal Music Band’s 20th birthday with an emotional concert at which members of the municipal band from all times since its creation played together, co-conducted by the two directors it has had during this time, and which took place in the locality’s Plaza del Frontón.
The members of the current Municipal Music Band were joined by many who started the adventure, as well as the director at that time, Diego Martinez Melgarea.
The concert began with the founding director, Diego Martinez, who did a tour through the representative repertoire of those early years: the Sisco Moorish march by the composer, Daniel Ferrero, a very representative musical genre in the municipality. There could not be missed out two concert works like Moment for Morricone, an adaption of the great Italian composer for the band, and the work Variazione in blue by the Dutch composer Jacob de Haan.
In the second part of the concert, the current director, Maestro Miguel Ángel Miranda, took the baton, and along with his musicians performed
Pascual Marquina’s pasodoble and Cielo Andaluz, introducing new instruments incorporated into the Municipal Band, like the drums and the electric bass.
A programme aimed at showing the evolution over the years, both in the incorporation of new elements and in the technical evolution of its members.
Each theme was presented by the members of the Municipal Music Band, as well as the incorporation of their directors.
The uninterrupted applause by the public made an encore necessary, which was made up of a “potpourri” called “Fiesta en España”, which had a happy and festive character.
The anniversary could not end without a special and affectionate tribute to Luisa Garrido, recently retired, but who was there from the initial days of the founding of the Music School and the Municipal Band. For all the school’s former students and students, her support, help and support has meant a lot in this formative stage.
Luisa Garrido received a large bunch of flowers from everyone and a photo in which there was the school’s first promotion.
The Municipal Music Band was born in the year 2000, coming out of the Municipal Music School. Two years later it became a reality following the work and enthusiasm of its 70 members, most of them children and young people, and the determination of its director and the unconditional support of Mojácar Council.
The Mojácar Music Band is made up of very young musicians, with an average age of 15, but who have managed to position themselves among Almería province’s best.
Since its founding in 2002, this young Municipal Music Band, as well as collaborating on all the local events has also visited different Spanish cities, taking part in concerts, competitions and musical gatherings, always gaining a high level of recognition, both from the public and from judges and members of other municipal bands.
From that moment a very intense and complete programme of concerts was established, which it has offered year after year: the St Cecilia, the Christmas, the Andalucía Day concerts, the Easter Week concert and accompaniment of processions, the Moors and Christians festivities, the festivities in honour of St Augustine, the Virgin of the Rosary and the audition of Mojácar Municipal Music School pupils.
Mojácar, joins the awareness-raising about food alergies
Today 8th July Marks World Allergy Day.
Mojácar Council has joined the awareness and information campaign promoted by the Spanish Association for People with an Allergy to Food and Latex, tonight lighting up in blue, the colour which represents allergies, the fountain on the crossroads between Mojácar Pueblo and Mojácar Playa in front of the commercial centre, one of the town’s busiest spots, especially in the summer season.
The initiative aims to alert the population about the importance of controlling food allergies and highlighting allergies and the promotion of measures that guarantee the safety of everyone who suffers from them.
Twenty per cent of the patients who suffer from serious allergies live every day with the fear of suffering an asthma attack or anaphylactic shock, which can lead to death from an allergic reaction.
People with food allergies often suffer a lack of understanding by society in several ways: food allergy is confused with intolerance to foods, celiac disease, etc., foods are wrongly labelled (despite current legislation), foods are mishandled, generating cross-contamination, children are excluded from activities due to their allergy, experiencing problems in schooling, etc.
The only real way to prevent allergic reactions is to completely avoid the foods that trigger them. Allergy sufferers can react from inhalation, contact or simply by ingesting slight traces of that allergen, which can trigger a life-threatening reaction characterised by the acute onset of symptoms that involve different systems and organs, which require immediate medical intervention or will cause death.
For this reason, the aforementioned association is encouraged to work on the promotion of measures which guarantee safety and quality of life for people with food allergies.
It is forecast that by 2025, allergy sufferers could represent half the population of the EU. Allergies have a financial cost for national health symptoms, which range from 55 million to 151,000 million euros per year.
At global level, 220-520 million people could be suffering from food allergies. Food allergies significantly affect the quality of life of sufferers, mainly children
Pamen Merchante exhibits in Mojácar until the end of July.
The Mojácar “La Fuente” Municipal Art Centre will keep a painting exhibition by Valencian artist Pamen Merchante open throughout July.
Under the title “Be Water”, Pamen Merchante presents 21 of her latest works with the theme of water. The visitor is pleasantly surprised when “immersing” themselves in her works, whether in large formats, from 122 x 122cms, or in other smaller ones, of 30 x 30cms, in which water, in any of its forms, is the only protagonist.
To the beauty of her work there has to be added a surprise that the artist has reserved for all those who want to admire this exhibition.
Also on show in the hall are the “precious stones” of Mojácar, as the artist calls them. Original stones, selected and collected over a year from Mojacar’s beaches.
Visitors to the exhibition can interact by wetting the stones to see the drawings and colours which appear when they are hydrated. See how the magic explodes, full of light and colour, as only nature knows how to do.
If there is any stone which particularly catches your eye you can take it home, leaving a donation which will go to the Fundación Ecomar, a non-profit foundation founded in 1991 by Teresa Zabell, the only Spanish woman to win two Olympic golds, to collaborate on the collection of contaminating plastics, as well as on the cleaning of beaches, seas and rivers.
Pamen Merchante is IADE, interior designer and owner of the well-known G-Z and La Vitrina studios, being the author of projects such as the well-known Archy disco of Madrid, the Hipódromo de la Zarzuela racecourse, Casa Decor, among many others.
In Valencia she creates and directs the Almacén Lab multi-space, with cultural events, auctions, film screenings, art exhibitions, entertainment and restaurants. She has had many individual and collective exhibitions throughout Spain, as well as in the UK and US.
Pamen Merchante lives between Valencia and Mojácar, where she spends long periods of time.
The La Fuente Art Centre is open to the public from Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 1am and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm. For afternoon visits check availability. Entrance is free.
Mojácar officially raises its six Blue Flags obtained for 2022
Now flying on the beaches of Mojácar are the six Blue Flags they’ve been awarded by the European Foundation for Environmental Education, which, since 1987, has distinguished the beaches and ports that meet a series of rigid environmental and facilities conditions.
For 2022, the beaches of El Cantal, El Descargador, Lance Nuevo, Piedra Villazar, Venta del Bancal and Marina de la Torre have been selected, revalidating the number of flags obtained last year, and representing the greatest number of distinctions awarded to the municipal beaches in the last 17 years.
To these distinctions you have to add the five beaches which also have, and which likewise have been revalidated, the Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism SICTED quality award, which represents a double guarantee of quality.
Present at the official raising of the flags were the Mojácar Council Government team and the Mayor, Rosa María Cano, as well as the directors of the principal hotel facilities of the municipality: Sonia León, Director of Hotel Best Indalo; Esteban Loiacono, Deputy Director of Hotel Best Pueblo Indalo; Francisco Sosa, Director of the Best chain Southern Zone; Ricardo Escudero, Area Director of the Servigroup chain; and Loritz Irabien, Director of the Hotel Alegría.
Mojácar has 17 kilometres of fantastic coastline. As well as these double award-winning and best-known beaches, you can also enjoy protected beaches on the outskirts of the urban centres, like the Sombrerico and the Granatilla, which are smaller, and although they don’t have services, they have the charm of being in a natural environment.
These distinctions and recognitions confirm the efforts made by the Tourism Department in recent years to improve and highlight the importance of one of the municipality’s most important attractions.
The financial and human investment made in the beaches of Mojácar has translated into an increase in services, personnel and the quality of their facilities. Quality and effort that extends to all the services which the municipality offers visitors since this is not the first distinction that, for example, SICTED, has awarded Mojácar. The Municipal Tourist Office has now had this stamp of tourism quality since 2015, which remains in force thanks to the continuous upgrades and improvements to quality.
The urban beaches of Mojácar have surveillance, both by the locality’s Local Police and by the lifeguard service, which during the summer season is responsible for rescue and lifesaving in the event of an emergency.
In charge of putting up the flags indicating the condition of the sea, they have modules and personnel ready to intervene in the event of a need for a rescue from the sea as well as to offer first-aid on land.
All the guarantees for enjoying the best beaches, with clear, quality waters. Free time and leisure offers which go beyond a pleasant dip, and which in Mojácar are complemented by a wide range of possibilities for practicing sport and immersing yourself in the culture and traditions of a Mojácar bursting with charm.
The beaches of Mojácar renew their Sicted Quality Stamp, as do its tourist Office and some of the locality´s establishments.
Mojácar Council has renewed its SICTED Comprehensive System for Spanish Tourism Destination Quality distinction for five of Mojácar’s beaches, as well as its tourist office, having continuously been distinguished with this recognition since 2015.
Mojácar Council has for several years through its Tourism Department successfully opted for the management of its tourist offices and its beaches with the comprehensive quality this distinction demands.
The official presentation of these awards was made by representatives of the Levante region of Almería Grouping of Municipalities at the Garrucha Cultural Centre and collected by the Mojácar Council Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, and the Director of the Tourism department, Carmen García Campoy.
The evaluation committee has awarded the Playa Venta del Bancal, Playa de las Ventanicas, Playa Piedra Villazar, Playa del Descargador and Playa Marina de la Torre beaches the SICTED stamp.
As well as these beaches and the Mojácar Tourist Office, two of the municipality’s establishments were distinguished: Hotel Mamabel’s and the Neptuno beach bar.
SICTED is a project to improve the quality of tourist destinations promoted by the Secretary of State for Tourism, SETUR and the Junta de Andalucía’s Regional Tourism and Sport Ministry with the aim of improving tourist experience and satisfaction.
These distinctions are the support for the “Tourism Quality Commitment” recognition, which credits and recognises the efforts made by tourism services to reinforce quality. The distinction is valid for two years, although it is conditional on an annual follow-up evaluation by their inspectors.
The recognition which these beaches have received this year by the Secretary of State for Tourism is on top of the recognition they habitually receive with the Blue Flags, which the European Foundation for Environmental Education awards annually, and which every summer fly on the beaches of Mojácar.
Mojácar Council has expressed its satisfaction with these awards, which together with the Blue Flags, also renewed on six of its beaches for 2022, represent a guarantee of quality for the tourist and support for its management and the intense work carried out over the years in this sector, highlighting one of the municipality’s most important attractions.
The financial and human investment in the beaches of Mojácar has resulted in an increase in services, personnel and the quality of their facilities.
Quality and effort that extends to all the services which the municipality offers to the visitor and that amply justifies the distinctions which SICTED awards to Mojácar.
Mojácar Council obtains the extension of the seasonal service on the Municipality´s beaches
Mojácar Council obtains a modification on the basis of a request presented on 10th February 2022 to the Junta de Andalucía to extend the seasonal service on the beaches of the Municipality.
The resolution modified the validity periods for the exploitation of the seasonal service, of all the facilities, (sunbeds and umbrellas, kiosks and aquatic sports) on the Marina de la Torre, Descargador, Piedra Villazar, el Cantal, Lance Nuevo, Venta del Bancal and las Ventanicas beaches, where this service will be extended.
The new validity period allows the beaches of Mojácar to offer their seasonal services until the 15th of October in the current 2022 season.
In 2023 this extension may be fully offered since the period permitted will be from the 2nd to the 9th of April and from the 1st of May to the 15th of October.
This new calendar improves the service which visitors to the beaches of Mojácar will receive and offers the awarded party greater profitability of their services.
At the same time, the Mojácar tourist destination offers a better image given that the extension means having tourist services on the beach like sunbeds and umbrellas, water sports and kiosks on the sand for longer.
According to statements made by Emmanuel Agüero, Mojácar Council Councillor for Tourism and Beaches, “this government team is very satisfied with this favourable resolution on the part of the Territorial Delegation for Sustainable Development in Almería, as it has met an important demand from both the council and the tourism businesses of Mojácar, who struggling against seasonality proposed extending the period for exploiting the services on the municipality’s6 beaches with the aim of being a more competitive destination.”
This favourable resolution sets a documented precedent so that when the renewal of the seasonal beach services for Mojácar is requested, it’s possible from the start to obtain a more extended season.
First performance of the Mojácar Red Cross senior citizens theatre group a great success
Great success for the first performance of the Mojácar Red Cross theatre group for senior citizens, which debuted with an original work, which was fun and full of humour.
The actors know how to capture the audience’s attention, getting lots of smiles and earning the admiration of everyone there with their quick, jovial, spark-filled dialogues.
An entertaining evening which made a good impression on the members of the audience, who were wondering when the next performance would be.
For their part, the veteran actors also enjoyed being on stage and were able to transmit their vitality and good work.
The Mojácar Red Cross Theatre Workshop is part of the comprehensive programme for elderly people that the association organises.
A commendable job which the volunteers work on so that elderly people can carry on with their daily lives, developing their independence so that they can be in their homes for as long as possible with a good quality of life.
In this line of actions, Mojácar Red Cross does accompaniment to make managing procedures easier and to alleviate loneliness, organising technical assistance should it be necessary, as well as an outreach service with regular calls to check how people are, and dealing with new technologies.
But undoubtedly, the greatest acceptance among our senior citizens is found in the different active ageing workshops that Mojácar Red Cross organises and the healthy walks and excursions.
Our elderly were perhaps those who most felt the lockdown, and now there is a great desire to resume all the activities postponed in the last two years.
Outstanding for now on the calendar is the cooking competition that the Red Cross organises annually in collaboration with Mojácar Council, for which the “lifelong” recipes and the flavours which only the grandmothers know how to obtain are the main focus and the perfect excuse for a get-together in the open-air.
Mojácar senior citizens organise a theatre performance hand in hand with the Red Cross.
The Mojácar Local Assembly of the Spanish Red Cross has organised a theatre play with local senior citizens in collaboration with Mojácar Council.
Under the title, The curtain goes up, and with a “Grand Golden Festival, they are getting back to a play planned for 2019 and which will see the light on Sunday 26th June, at 9pm in the Multi-Uses Centre.
The Red Cross Senior Citizens Theatre Company will be presenting the original work, created by the company itself.
A long-awaited premiere, given that for two consecutive years, having planned everything – learning the lines, rehearsals, costumes, etc. -, they had to cancel due to the pandemic.
You should not miss the performance as the seniors have put a great deal of enthusiasm and interest into their work as actors, and they show that still have a lot to surprise us with.
The Red Cross, Mojácar Local Assembly, also calls for a good turnout from members of the public for the double purpose of encouraging their senior students and of collaborating financially with this essential institution, which does so much good and provides so much help to all sectors of society. The price is symbolic, five euros, plus they are giving away a ticket for the “Sorteo de Oro” lottery.
This original work deals with the tribulations between students and teachers on one school day. Along with this performance, Antonio Casado will screen, in strict premiere, the short film “Ruido” (Noise), some sequences of its “making of” having already been previewed in the 1st Almería Short Film Competition.
You will be able to enjoy the short films “Grooming” by Francisco Yélamos Marín; “Querido diario” (Dear diary), by Rocío Guijarro; “Virgen Santa” (Saintly Virgin), by Oscar Gagliardi, and “Ruido”, by Antonio Casado.
Come along on Sunday to enjoy watching and to support our senior citizens, and of course the non-profit association, Spanish Red Cross, Mojácar Assembly.
For Mojácar Red Cross, in the countless actions it carries out in a wide range of support, senior citizens form an important part of its work. They pay special attention to elderly people: many of them are affected by loneliness, disabilities, with a chronic illness and without a network of family support. The workshops, the contests, all the activities which its volunteers programme, such as the visit to the Ibañez Museum, among others, are of great importance for our elderly.
Mojácar celebrates its most romantic nitght again.
Mojácar celebrates its most romantic night again this Saturday from 9.15pm onwards, and to also achieve the most beautiful kiss in the world.
In an international call, Mojácar surrenders to love, and all its streets and squares will show their most tender and sentimental side to all visitors who want to experience and enjoy an unforgettable night.
Mojácar shares with the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain and the Most Beautiful Villages in France, Italy, Belgium and Germany, in a total of more than 300 localities, a romantic night without precedent anywhere else. The romantic night, now in its sixth edition, pays homage to love with the most beautiful natural and spectacular heritage.
For this special night, thousands of balloons - around 5,000, red and white – will fill every corner of the old town.
It is essential to enter Mojácar through arches and columns, also formed by balloons, which will welcome everyone who’s in love. And of course, immortalise the moment in their special romantic photocalls.
The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain has organised a competition on its Instagram account, in which anyone can take part, sending their preferred photo taken during this celebration.
The village’s squares become improvised concert halls with romantic music in the open air which surrounds you and sets the atmosphere for the magic of these special corners.
The restaurants have special menus prepared to finish conquering the hearts which can still resist and the bars have magic formulas so that on this magic night nobody is oblivious to love.
Many surprises will emerge on the streets of Mojácar throughout the evening: mimes, surprises, performances, who knows what can happen?
This festivity is also ideal for enjoying as a family. The very youngest have fun playing among the balloons and hearts, running around the pedestrianised streets, discovering corners and surprises.
But the high point is expected at midnight in the Plaza Nueva, when at the sound of the 12 chimes of the Church and under a sky lit up by fireworks, everyone shows their affection, fondness and eternal love with the kiss “Most Beautiful in the World.”
At the same time at which in all the participating villages thousands of people will simultaneously kiss, raising the purest feeling of love to the skies.
It’s not necessary to have a partner. The kiss, like love, is universal. It can be a child a friend, a pet or whoever you want.
This same Plaza Nueva, from midnight onwards, will become a grand dance floor on its impressive viewing point, under the stars and for eternity.
Mojácar celebrates the night of San Juan once again.
Mojácar has resumed its celebrations following two years of cancellations due to the pandemic and is preparing to celebrate the Night of San Juan, or St John’s Eve.
Following the custom, mainly on the Mediterranean coast, Mojácar Council is organising a grand party, open to everyone who wants to join in with this magical night.
For the occasion, the Playa del Descargador beach will serve as the setting and meeting point for the celebration.
The party will start for the youngest at 7pm, with inflatable water games, bouncy castle, games, dances, music and many surprises as well.
To recharge batteries and to continue celebrating what will be the shortest night of the year, the local council has planned a grand beach picnic at which the traditional sardines will be cooked over coals from 9.30pm onwards, and to keep everyone’s energy up until midnight.
When the clock strikes 12, a grand municipal bonfire with fireworks, along with a performance by the group Frecuencia Modulada, will keep the fun going.
The origin of the Night of San Juan fiesta represents a sun worship celebration, as well as a homage to harvest time and as a purifying element to burn off negative energies and open up to new stages of prosperity.
The Bible records the birth of St John the Baptist on this date, which was announced with a gran bonfire by Zechariah, maintaining as a result of this fact, the tradition of a bonfire on this night.
The local council puts on the fiesta and the bonfire. Now, each person, brings to the fire the ritual they consider most appropriate.
The celebration of the Night of San Juan is the night of legends and incantations, of rituals and spells. Remedies for nearly everything, and as the least, the opportunity to have a fantastic night in Mojácar.
The loggerhead sea turtles born in Mojácar are now swimming free
Now swimming free on the Mojácar coast the 20 small turtles which just a year ago saw the light for the first time in this locality.
Now swimming free on the Mojácar coast the 20 small turtles which just a year ago saw the light for the first time in this locality.
They were returned to the sea by the people who had been looking after them during this time, by students from the Mojácar Rey Alabez Institute who took part in the beach waste collection programme; the Red Cross, which, along with volunteers, also held a day of cleaning up and raising awareness about the conservation of our coasts; the security forces that guarded the nest to protect it, night and day; Environment and Mayor of Mojácar, Rosa María Cano, as well as the Andalucía Regional Minister for Agriculture, Fishing and Rural Development, Carmen Crespo, and many onlookers who didn’t want to miss the moment.
Before starting on this adventure which has led to their freedom, the 20 small loggerhead turtles spent the first days of their lives in the Junta de Andalucía CEGMA marine environment recovery centre in Algeciras.
Four very delicate months in the survival of this species, but at this centre they now have experience in the care of new-born turtles.
Care means 24 hours of continuous surveillance: stable temperature, balanced diet, the initial days with purees so that they don’t struggle with chewing a lot, and identification and personalised health monitoring.
They have to go from the 15-20 grammes they weigh at birth to the kilo they weigh when set free.
After the initial months, 10 of them remained at the CEGMA centre, five were transferred to the Seville aquarium and the other five to the Equinac NGO facilities in Almerimar.
With this distribution the experts tried to minimise risks, in the event they could arise, as well as set up teams and experts who can collaborate and take responsibility for new animals in the event of needing support in this kind of care.
There is an attitude of learning and collaboration between all the centres. The fact that the turtles nest here is a phenomenon which is occurring at many points on the Spanish coast, and which requires being prepared. It is important to have a good network of coordination and work at the technical level.
The Mojácar turtles have started their new lives with a number on their shells which will identify them in the initial days of their lives. Number 18 has a built-in GPS which traces its movements via satellite and will allow the Equinac experts to follow it and learn more about its life and behaviour.
The loggerhead turtle inhabits the Pacific and Indian Ocean, as well as the Mediterranean. In the eastern Mediterranean there is a colony of turtles, but usually they do not go beyond Corsica or the Balearic Islands.
In the western Mediterranean there are young animals which come from Florida and Cape Verde, spending the first years of their lives in the area as they cannot leave because the currents of the straits prevent them from doing so until they are of sufficient size and strength.
These nestings on the Spanish coast are a historical fact. An incredible fact which has the scientists looking for answers, beginning with the hypothesis that the turtles, due to living in tropical zones and to global warming, look for lower temperatures, like those on our coasts.
You have to keep in mind that the sex of the turtles is defined during incubation and as a consequence of the air temperature and that of the sand. With high temperatures females are born, and in the event of continuing to nest in tropical zones and without the guarantee of sex diversity, they could become extinct.
The nesting season starts now. It’s impossible to know if they will return to the beaches of Mojácar or not, but in any case, if you spot the trace of a turtle on the beach or even the female herself, it is very important not to touch her, not to touch anything, not to bother them with photos and a flash, and to immediately call 112.
Mojácar officially receives its Six Blue Flags from Regional Tourism Ministry officials
Mojácar has officially received its six Blue Flags .
Mojácar has officially received its six Blue Flags, which were presented to the Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, the Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, and the Deputy Councillor to the Presidency, Francisco García Cerdá, by the Secretary General for Tourism, Manuel Muñoz, and the Tourism, Justice and Local Administration Delegate, José Luis Delgado Valdivia.
The official presentation was held in the Town Hall Meeting Room. The Mayor thanked the regional ministry officials for their visit and commented that she was “very pleased” about obtaining the six Blue Flags, “the result of the intense work carried out, not only on the quality of the beaches, but also in that Mojácar continues to be a benchmark in the province, synonymous with quality and good work.”
The Secretary General for Tourism gave his congratulations for the work carried out: “it is very difficult to gain a Blue Flag, and here you have gained six”, highlighting the quality of the work, services and infrastructure, and everything that entails in order for this European organisation to have fixed on Mojácar, Blue Flags covering nearly the whole of the municipality’s coastline.
Tourism Delegate, José Luis Delgado Valdivia, also congratulated the municipality for its efforts, emphasizing that “while work is often carried out hand-in-hand with the Junta de Andalucía and the Delegation, it the daily work and effort in the municipality that achieves the success.”
Next week the six Blue Flags obtained once again for the 2022 tourist season will flutter on the El Cantal, El Descargador, Lance Nuevo, Marina de la Torre, Piedra Villazar, Venta del Bancal and Ventanicas beaches.
The Blue Flags are awarded by the European Foundation for Environmental Education to the beaches and ports which meet the strictest criteria in regard to water quality, environmental management, safety and services, as well as information and environmental education.
Also taken into account by the awarding organisation are accessibility for persons with reduced mobility, the existence of health care, lifesaving and maritime surveillance.
The Mojácar Mayor inaugurates a new four-star Hotel in the locality.
Mojácar Mayor Rosa María Cano has inaugurated the Mojácar Playa Aquapark Hotel, belonging to the Rossel family’s prestigious hotel chain .
The Mayor, along with the owner, José María Rossell, unveiled a plaque commemorating this important day for tourism in the locality and in the province. The act culminated with a grand celebration attended by many of the province’s leading figures.
Taking the floor, José María Rossell, Provincial Tourism Deputy, Fernando Giménez, Secretary General of Tourism, Manuel Muñoz, and the Mayor of Mojácar, who brought the event to a close.
Rosa María Cano highlighted the ideal location of the Mojácar Playa Aquapark Hotel: Beaches with Blue Flags, the seafront promenade, and one of Almería province’s prettiest walks, the Macenas-La Mena path.
She welcomed the Senator Hotels & Resorts chain, which is one of Almería’s most prestigious, and thanked them for backing Mojácar, with the certainty the hotel will become a national reference point and be a great success.
The Mojácar Mayor also pointed to the offers that tourists staying in the hotel can find, with the Local Council’s backing of culture, sport, free time and leisure, as well as the new infrastructure that, thanks to the Junta de Andalucía, are nearly a reality: a new health centre, the central bus terminal and the coastal bypass, among others, thanking Juan Manuel Moreno and his team for supporting the municipality, without whose intervention it would not have been possible.
All this which Mojácar offers is on top of being one of the Prettiest Villages in Spain and the quality of the services which the locality offers in general and its line of work to have a sustainable, environmentally friendly municipality.
The new journey of the four-star Mojácar Playa Aquapark Hotel began in 2019 when the hotel chain wanted to reform the previous hotel, know previously known as Suites Puerto Marina, although the pandemic paralysed the plans for a while.
Today it is a luxury hotel with an impressive waterpark, made up of three slides more than 10 metres high and a splash zone. The little ones have slides adapted to children.
It has 190 luxuriously reformed rooms, a gymnasium, a buffet restaurant, café and theatre bar.
Mojácar leading role in sport throughout the weekend
Mojácar had a leading role in an intense programme of sport at the weekend, when the municipal sports school closed; it was the venue for the Levante Cup and also for the 2022 Indalo Congress of Hand-to-Hand Combat.
The closure of the Municipal Sports School, held at the locality’s football ground, was attended by many members of the public and more than 250 of the school’s students in the different disciplines.
The event began with a demonstration of what was learned during the course. From the oldest, with a class of exercises performed in the classroom of the gym for senior citizens, to the very youngest, aged three, who drew a lot of applause from the audience for performing the choreography of the ballet and rhythmic gymnastics classes.
Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, accompanied by the whole Government Team, had the responsibility of presenting all the students with a medal accrediting their attendance at the municipal school and personally congratulating them on their progress.
In addition, Mojácar was the venue for the trials of the 2022 Levante Cup, the Levante region of Almería’s most important football tournament, and in which teams from all over Spain took part, with more than 2,000 players in all categories
In the locality alone there were 40 matches, corresponding to the category for the very youngest players, including a Mojácar team in this category. A unique experience for the young players, with perfect organisation, and in which our team had the opportunity to take on high-level lineups such as the reserves of Atlético de Madrid, Murcia and Marbella, among others.
Also staged in Mojácar at the weekend was the 2022 Indalo Congress, Hand-to-Hand Combat and Operational Intervention, held at the Mojácar Marina Playa hotel.
The Congress was organised by UGFAS, an entity belonging to the Spanish Royal Federation of Karate and Associated Sports, for the preparation in combat, hand-to-hand, of members of the Armed Forces, FAS, Security Forces and Bodies, as well as for promoting the values of the martial arts, given the need to prepare their members.
Theoretical and practical workshops on combat techniques were given by the instructors at the event. On the final day, the classes and training were given on the beach, allowing for a more natural environment.
Attending the closing ceremony were Mojácar Council Security Councillor, María Luisa Pérez, and Francisco García Cerdá, Deputy Councillor to the Mayor’s Office, who received a plaque offered by the organisation to the local authority in thanks for their collaboration and the facilities provided over the days in which the congress took place.
Almería Red Cross has held the 1st World Environment Day Provincial Meeting in Mojácar
Almería Red Cross has held the 1st World Environment Day Provincial Meeting, which took place in Mojácar, and had the participation of 150 people, from the technical team and volunteers from the entire general population of the province, and the collaboration of Mojácar Council.
The day started with a route going from the Macenas Tower to the Mojácar Red Cross local assembly, a five-kilometre route along which the participants collected the rubbish which they found along the way.
They were divided into eight groups, each one led by a Red Cross official, and checked every corner of the beaches and coastline.
Although the beaches of Mojácar were found to be perfectly clean thanks to the work of Mojácar Council, which runs cleaning machines over them daily, and the many rubbish bins, the volunteers collected a large amount of “microplastics”, which escape the routine cleaning efforts and which represent a true problem for the environment.
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic which pollute the environment and which are created by the degradation of larger pieces of plastic in the environment and which can even be ingested by humans.
Another one of the problems found on this first World Environment Day Provincial Meeting is the numerous cigarette butts, which are also very polluting and which remain in nature for many years before disappearing.
The route not only served for collecting waste, but also had as a purpose raising awareness among bathers so that they are careful not to leave any kind of waste on the sand, especially small bits, as well as making them aware of the major negative effect on nature.
For this campaign, volunteers and members of Mojácar Red Cross gave out beach ashtrays to all the beach users they came across along the way.
According to statements made by the President of the Spanish Red Cross Mojácar Assembly, Concepción Rivero Puche, for this association, and as part of its strategic plan, the environment is one of the most important points that they want to deal with throughout the year and giving a major boost in the sphere of education, at the same time as having a more active presence in all activities that promote respect and awareness to create a sustainable system.
Once at the Mojácar Red Cross headquarters, they had a day of team building and associative participation, attended by Mojácar Mayor Rosa María Cano, and the Local Council Environment Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero.
The Mojácar Mayor thanked the Red Cross and the Mojácar Assembly on having chosen the locality for this first initiative and experience, and highlighted the great work of this association, which is always “on the front line” in the face of all needs, whatever they are.
The teambuilding day ended with the tasting of a giant paella for all the participants, which was provided by the Local Council.
Serafín Redondo exhibits his work in Mojácar.
An exhibition of paintings by the artist Serafín Redondo has been inaugurated in Mojácar, and will remain open to the public until 30th June at the La Fuente Municipal Art Centre.
For this exhibition Serafín Redondo has brought to Mojácar 25 of his latest works in large and medium format, most of them works in oils and acrylic, which capture the light and the colour of Almerian lands and beaches in an exceptional way.
Serafín Redondo discovered his passion for painting at 12 years old, a passion which has never left him.
Although sharing his profession with painting, it is not until 1974 when he started his activity exclusively as a painter.
He has had numerous exhibitions, both in Barcelona and other Catalan provinces, obtaining many awards and recognitions.
A painting teacher at several academies, even giving master classes, today he directs a painting workshop in Garrucha, having numerous students and the same recognition and admiration which has accompanied him throughout his artistic career.
His style is figurative, with an impressionist touch, full of light and colour through loose brushstrokes, the artist says. He mainly depicts nature: flowers, plants and even seascapes, capturing landscapes which could disappear if the environment is not looked after and respected.
Attending the inauguration was the Mojácar Council Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, who welcomed the painter, who has already exhibited in Mojácar on other occasions.
They were able to talk about the works on show, drawing attention to the polished technique, the base of any quality work.
Both artist and councillor agreed on the resurgence of realism painting and awareness among true painting lovers of the need to acquire and perfect the different painting techniques, whatever they are, to properly finish works.
The La Fuente Municipal Art Centre is open to the public, free of charge, Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.
Mojácar Municipal Music School 2021-2022 course comes to a close.
The Mojácar Municipal Music School 2021-2022 school year comes to a close with a musical demonstration by the centre’s students.
From the very youngest, aged just over three, to the most veteran, they had the opportunity to show the progress they have made over the course, which was finally able to resume following the pandemic.
The start of the classes at the Municipal Music School was a complete success in the number of new enrolments, mainly among the youngest.
Very important additions, according to Music Band Director Miguel Ángel Miranda, given that they are the foundations of the school and the talent pool of the future musicians who make up the Mojácar Municipal Music Band, which is one with the most standing in Almería province.
There are currently close to 125 students in the school. It has four teachers divided between brass and percussion, woodwind, piano, guitar and the Municipal Music Band director. A broad range of instruments which every year is increased with new instruments.
For this course a teaching singer joined the school, who initiates those interested in opera and lyrical singing, which is in addition to the dance classes, both activities linked to the music school.
Music and movement, musical language, instrumental teaching, musical ensembles, vocal and instrumental groups, as well as the opportunity to reach medium grade, are some of the disciplines taught at the school.
This school’s most significant project is the Municipal Music Band, which is among Almería’s best 10.
The band is made up of 60 musicians, who in all their performances outside the locality have well-deserved fame, the band being one of the most applauded and recognised.
The registration period for the music school is now open. Anyone interested, of any age and any musical level, can join and have access to the learning their preferred musical instrument.
The Municipal Music School offers the opportunity, both to children and adults of any age, to access the world of the melody and of musical instruments.
Third Edition of "Andalucía, land of Moors and Christians", Blas Infante memorial prize, presented in Mojácar.
Third Edition of "Andalucía, land of Moors and Christians", Blas Infante memorial prize, presented in Mojácar.
Miguel Ángel Martínez Pozo, Doctor of Humanities and Social Sciences, Blas Infante Memorial Prize 2020, has presented in Mojácar the third edition of his book “Andalucía, Land of Moors and Christians”.
As a prelude to the now imminent start of the Mojácar Moors and Christians Festivities, many local residents gathered at the locality’s Multi-Uses Centre to enjoy the talk given by Doctor Martínez.
The presentation was made by Juan Montoya, representative of the Almosaquer Mojácar Moors and Christians Association. In his speech Montoya recalled the first meeting with the writer Miguel Ángel Martínez Pozo two years ago in Granada, where they took the decision that he had to come to Mojácar, although this visit was delayed for two years.
At this first meeting, along with other Andalucian Moors and Christians associations, there was an exchange of opinions, different ways of organising the festivities. Finding out about the reality of these kinds of celebrations and even contemplating the creation of a grand Andalucian association which would encompass us all and which would make possible the expansion of the development of each festivity.
The talk, supported with videos and photographs of great beauty, showed how throughout history in the lands of Andalucía Muslims, Jews and Christians lived together and shaped what is today the Andalucian people, their culture and the Andalucian traditions.
A process of osmosis and exchange between all the civilizations that settled in this land, after which time and a process of sedimentation, shapes our customs with a clear imprint of Al-Andalus and of the Jews and Muslims who converted to Catholicism of which we are not aware.
The Mayor of Mojácar, Rosa María Cano attended the talk, accompanied by members of her government team, who enjoyed the book presentation and the interesting overview of the history of Andalucía throughout the centuries.
After two years of waiting, the Mojácar Moors and Christians festivities will get underway on 10th June and continue until Sunday 12th June, with the Grand Gala Procession as the grand finale, the most spectacular event of this celebration, when hundreds of people go through the village in their finest costumes.
"Mi playa bonica" in the Mojácar Rey Alabez Secondary Education Institute
The Mojácar Rey Alabez Secondary Education Institute, together with 10 other provincial educational centres, has recently participated in a pilot marine rubbish research programme, “MI PLAYA BONICA”, promoted by Objetivo Newen, in collaboration with the University of Almería.
Marine rubbish is today considered one of the biggest environmental problems worldwide, with complex action and very serious consequences, both for marine ecosystems and for the linked socio-economic activities of man.
Mojácar Council, through the Education Councillor Ana García, has wanted to back comprehensive policies of mitigation, conservation, outreach and research policies, mainly among the locality’s youngest.
“We are committed to holistic and cross-sectional management for the conservation of our coastal ecosystems, ecosystems providing us with so many services and on which both our state of well-being and our economy directly depend,” councillor Ana García affirms.
MI PLAYA BONICA is a comprehensive management programme for coastal ecosystems which is structured around two principal lines of action. A first point is decontamination in the summer season, when users of our beaches actively take part in the cleaning. This is a high-impact activity, where active participation is around 100 people, and in which Mojácar volunteers have also participated. This activity involves the cleaning and conservation of the natural space, as well as the environmental education, outreach and awareness-raising of the citizenry.
A second block of investigation, in which pupils from the Rey Alabez Secondary Education Centre have participated, has analysed the residues extracted on the cleaning day.
This is a pilot programme, together with the University of Almería and Objetivo Newen to give participation and a voice to local young people about the municipality’s environmental problems and to offer them the opportunity to take part in the proposal of policies of conservation and management of the coastal ecosystems as a final and main goal of the research project.
For the Local Council Education Councillor Ana García, education is established as a priority and the main axis of the municipality’s policies.
“Our young people must be involved in the conservation of our municipality through research and education.”
All efforts are few for the correct management of our coastal area, the Education Councillor points out. The decontamination of marine rubbish, the conservation of our natural spaces, education, outreach and investigation, all for the improvement of our environment, our coast and our municipality.
Mojácar awarded six Blue Flags for another year, for the 2022 tourist season
Mojácar has renewed the six Blue Flags obtained last year, becoming one of the Almería municipalities with the most beaches to have gained this distinction.
The Mojácar beaches of El Cantal, El Descargador, Lance Nuevo, Marina de la Torre, Piedra Villazar, Venta del Bancal and Ventanicas have been awarded with the Blue Flags which the European Foundation for Environment Education annually awards to the beaches and ports which meet the strictest criteria in terms of water quality, environmental management, safety and services, as well as information and environmental education. The organisation issuing the award also takes into consideration accessibility for people with reduced mobility and the existence of healthcare and maritime rescue and surveillance.
In fact there are seven Mojácar beaches awarded a Blue Flag as Venta del Bancal and Ventanicas are two different beaches. The foundation only considers them as six, as the Venta del Bancal and Ventanicas beaches share the same water sampling point on being designated in health as the same bathing area.
These beaches also have the SICTED “Tourism Quality Commitment” distinction, which certifies and recognises compliance with the quality requirements established by the Secretary of State for Tourism, with the support of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, recognising effort and the commitment to quality and the continuous improvement of tourist destinations.
The SICTED Quality Stamp is valid for two years, although it is conditional on an annual follow-up evaluation which guarantees the application of the standards established on its platform.
Other recognitions for quality come from organisations like the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain and the Spanish Federation of Family Tourism.
Mojácar has 17 kilometres of coast, more than eight kilometres corresponding to the urban beach area, of which more than five kilometres correspond to beaches with Blue Flags.
As well as urban beaches, with all services, Mojácar also has so-called natural beaches, none of them prohibited from use, where bathers can enjoy swimming in totally natural surroundings and the locality’s magnificent landscapes.
Among the services which the Mojácar beaches offer this 2022 season, it is worth highlighting the increase in the rescue and lifeguard service, making them even safer than ever.
As well as the usual rescue and lifeguarding service which all the beaches of Mojácar offer during the bathing season from mid-June to mid-September, this year said service is also provided at weekends on the following beaches: Venta del Bancal, Las Ventanicas, Lance Nuevo and Marina de la Torre.
As a novelty, on weekends from May to 9th October, the schedule will be from 11am to 7pm. From 18th June to 18th September, this lifeguard service will be extended an hour and on weekends in July and August the service will be extended for another hour, that is, until 8pm.
Among the improvements for 2022 there is also the installation of new rescue and lifeguard modules and other improvements to the existing ones in terms of accessibility for people with difficulties, such as the purchase of amphibious crutches, new walkways, etc.
The effort made by the Mojacar Council Department of Beaches and Department of Tourism to year after year improve facilities and the offer of beach and leisure time has its reward in the recognitions which are repeated and extended each season.
Mojácar piano students offer a Spring concert for local residents.
Mojácar Municipal Music School students offered their Spring Concert in Plaza del Frontón, attended by many local residents and visitors, who did not want to miss this well-loved event.
Mojácar Municipal Music School students offered their Spring Concert in Plaza del Frontón, attended by many local residents and visitors, who did not want to miss this well-loved event.
Under the title “Spring Concert”, eight piano class students aged from eight to 30 presented a varied programme ranging from classical music to the best-known tunes from the soundtracks of great cinema successes, all under the direction of their teacher Yolanda Parra.
These concerts, performed by piano class students, are a regular event in Mojácar throughout the year, although their most significant coincides with the celebration of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music and poets.
The piano classes, included at the Mojácar Municipal Music School, have more than 30 students of all ages and levels.
Their teacher, Yolanda Parra, gives classes separated by levels, every afternoon from Monday to Friday from 1.30pm to 10pm. A very open timetable to allow access to everyone interested in learning.
The piano is one of the most complete harmonic musical instruments there is and can be used for interpretation in various ways: soloists, chamber music and accompanied. It is also a very important element for composing and rehearsing different kinds of melodies.
For anyone interested in learning, whatever their age, the registration period for the next course is now open; they can formalise their registration at the Municipal Music School located in Mojácar’s Multi-Uses Centre.
Madrid artist, Javier Torras, exhibits in Mojácar.
An exhibition of paintings by Madrid artist Javier Torras has been inaugurated at the “La Fuente” Municipal Art Centre in Mojácar.
Torras did higher studies in architecture, changing, in the early years to E.G.B. (Basic General Education) Science Teacher Training.
He trained at the painting workshop of well-known painter Manuel Coronado, paying for his studies as a graphic designer.
His life takes an important turn when, abandoning everything, he retires to an Andalucía village and sets out on a path of inner knowledge and introspection.
He begins to paint in a meditative state, from which arises, as if by magic, the worlds, beings and realities of other dimensions which characterise his work.
Since 1992, his canvasses have travelled throughout Spain in individual and collective exhibitions, many of them in Almería and Mojácar, where his work is highly appreciated. He has also participated in Europ´Art in Switzerland, at which he had great success.
Mojácar Council Culture Councillor Raquel Belmonte attended the inauguration, where she was able to take a look around the exhibition with the artist and enjoy his explanations of the works on show.
Many members of the public did not want to miss this inauguration either and could enjoy looking at the highly colourful and spectacular works in the exhibition, and appreciate their beauty.
The exhibition remains in Mojácar until 29th May, open free of charge to the public Wednesday to Friday, from 10am to 1pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.
1st National Moors & Christians marches composition competition 2020 held in Mojácar.
The concert of the finalist compositions in the 1st National Competition of Moors and Christians Marches, organised by the Mojácar Al-Mosaquer association, Mojácar Council, the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain Association and the Spanish Federation of Family Tourism, has been held on Mojácar.
Following two years of postponement due to the pandemic, it was at last possible to celebrate this highly-anticipated competition scheduled for May 2020. The Mojácar Al-Mosaquer Moors & Christians Association wants the competition to begin a stage where the music of these kinds of festivals acquires more importance, expressly recognising its contribution to making the Moors & Christians festivity a recognised cultural asset.
This first edition was dedicated to Moorish marches. Of those taking part in the competition, four went through to the final and were performed by the locality’s Municipal Music Band and enjoyed by the large audience.
The jury was made up of Diego Morales, President of the Mojácar Moors & Christians General Association; Juan Pedro Montoya, Treasurer; Miguel Ängel Miranda, Director of the Municipal Music Band; Ginés Gallardo, Music Professor and Competition Director; and Javier Miguel Artaza, composer and Professor of Composition Fundamentals at the Murcia Superior Conservatory of Music.
The Al-Mosaquer General Association wanted to express its special thanks to Javier Artaza for accepting the invitation to form part of this jury. And of course, to thank the Mojácar Municipal Music Band musicians and director for their enormous work preparing the four marches.
The winner was Ángel Francisco Pérez Montesinos, awarded 1,000 euros and a diploma. The chosen compostion received the name “Mojácar Mora”, with which it will be performed from now on.
The criteria followed by the jury were based on the sound and melody, the instrumentation and the parade character, which is of great importance as they are performed in different processions and acts celebrated during these festivities.
The Al-Mosaquer Association plans to organise the 2nd Al-Mosaquer National Competition of Moors and Christians Marches 2023 in the Christian Marches category. The rules will be published next September. The aim with these competitions is that within a few years each “Kábila” and each “Cuartel” group will have a march dedicated in its honour.
At every edition of the Mojácar Moors & Christians festival, novelties are presented which even further enrich its special idiosyncrasies. A unique fiesta of its kind and which year after year attracts even more people. An unmissable date in the provincial calendar, which nobody wants to miss, and for enjoying all the surprises and novelties which the Al-Mosaquer Association organises over the three days the celebration lasts.
The world´s biggest gathering of Ferraris comes to Mojácar
Passione Rossa, Italy’s most popular Ferrari car owners’ club, visited Mojácar in an event with more than 40 luxury cars, among them models from different eras, led by speed champion Fabio Barone, who has three Guinness World Records in his track record.
In the first gathering of the Ferrari Western Tour 2022, organised by the Passione Rossa Club, UNED, the Almería Provincial Council and Mojácar Council, as well as other localities which have also collaborated on this spectacular adventure, they planned Mojácar as the first stop and the start to their route around Almería province.
It is the biggest gathering of Ferraris in the world, outside Italy, getting a lot of media coverage, and with the commitment of the Passione Rossa Club to “give visibility to this land which has incredible tourist potential and for everything it offers.”
These luxury vehicles arrived in Barcelona from Rome, and from the Catalan capital arrived in Mojácar by road.
Despite the rain, many fans were waiting for the spectacular caravan which made its entrance at the Parque Comercial, from where the Ferrari Western Tour 2022 officially began.
An image to go down in history with the whole of the Parque Comercial car-park full of the most extraordinary super high-end vehicles, which filled Mojácar beach with colour. Among them was the first hybrid from the “Prancing Horse” company, as well as the car which on three occasions has gained a Guinness World Record.
Attending the official reception for the group was Mojácar local authority Finance Councillor, Francisco García Cerdá, accompanied by the also councillors and members of the council government team, Raquel Belmonte and Pedro Torres, who wanted to welcome the more than 100 participants in the tour, presenting them with a memento of the town,
Passione Rosa Ferrari Club President, Fabio Barone, accompanied by Ferrari Spain Delegate, Antonio Santacroce, presented a plaque to Mojácar Council for its “contribution, commitment, dedication and effort” in staging this Ferrari meeting.
A visit which was not only a pleasant surprise for all the locality’s residents and visitors, but which also represents an important event, which is being documented by the Spanish and Italian media, like Rai International, Corriere dello Sport and Askanews in particular, as well as by all the international sports media.
Following the visit to the Parque Comercial, the Prancing Horse caravan headed towards Mojácar Pueblo on its way to the next destination in Almería.
Mojácar Local Police give highway safety classes to the locality´s youngest
Mojácar Local Police have given a highway safety class at the locality’s Bartolomé Flores public school to children aged between three and five, included in the first cycle of infant education.
These classes, which the Local Police have been giving to the littlest ones for some time, were interrupted by anti-Covid measures. Now without the previous restrictions, they have returned to the classrooms with the aim of including the very youngest in the knowledge of pedestrian rules.
From when they start at the school, although always accompanied by an adult, the smallest children begin to move around more freely and form part of the pedestrians walking on the pavements, zebra crossings, etc.
With these courses, Mojácar Local Police want to achieve several objectives. One is to make themselves known; although many children want to be police officers when they grow up, it is true that they also have a certain fear of the figure of a police officer and of the public order forces. Modifying this possible mistrust and seeing the police officer as a friendly figure is an important aim, as it means that in an emergency they will approach them with confidence and security, and they can provide the necessary service more easily.
To this end, the officers in charge of this course made available to the more than 120 pupils attending the classroom prepared for this some of the police tools commonly used in the regulation of traffic. They also organised games simulating they were walking down the street accompanied by their parents or an adult and having to solve any issues which could come up along the way.
But without doubt, introducing them to the knowledge of pedestrian rules for walking on public streets is one of the main purposes of these meetings. With these, the police, theoretically and through games orientated to this aim, are instructing the children on the most basic knowledge and rules, such as the use of pedestrian crossings, traffic lights, pavements, street crossings, and on interpreting the signals which the police themselves make to regulate the traffic.
The recommendations on being responsible with your pets could not be left out. Having them always on a lead and with the appropriate bags for picking up their excrement and not leaving it on the public street. Control, safety and responsibility, which always have to be instilled and taught from a very young age.
In short, a fun day, on which the children, always contributing and attentive, along with the police officers, had an enjoyable time laying the foundations for safe and harmonious citizen coexistence.
Explanatory workshop on Mojácar La Vieja at the Mojácar public school
The work related to Mojácar la Vieja goes on throughout the year and goes beyond the specific actions carried out at the foot of the dig site.
Along with the tasks which archaeologists and professionals from different disciplines carry out around Mojácar la Vieja, there is the work of informing people about the discoveries being made, not only within the sphere of archaeology professionals, but which also has as a priority making it known and highlighting its importance among Mojácar residents.
On this occasion is was the youngest ones, the 3rd and 4th-year pupils at the Bartolomé Flores Mojácar Public School, who had a master class in their classrooms about the Mojácar la Vieja archaeological site, founded around the 12th century.
Noelia Aguado and Antonio Peralta, part of the University of Granada Memolab biocultural archaeology laboratory and members of the team in charge of the excavation and understanding of the site, held an interesting workshop, explaining to the youngsters the work they are carrying out to investigate the origin and the past of their locality.
Also taken to the classrooms were some of the objects found there: ceramics and animal bones associated with the old Mojácar settlement, which complemented a video with images of the site, the evolution of the excavation work, the interpretation of what has been found up to now and what form the archaeologists think the old Mojácar settlement had.
The pupils attentively followed the archaeologists’ explanations and the details about the objects on show, asking a multitude of questions, which confirms the interest that Mojácar la Vieja arouses among local residents, whatever their age.
1st Mojácar short film competition
The 1st Mojácar Short Film Competition has been held in Mojácar. It was organised in Mojácar by Antonio Casado and the producers JaG Dreams in collaboration with Mojácar Local Council with the aim of publicising new movie and short film directors who lack opportunities to screen their directorial debuts or works.
Four shorts were screened in this first competition: “Juan 2:23”, “Querido diario” (Dear diary), “Estoy muy enfadao” (I’m very angry) y “Ruido” (Noise). The first short is by an audiovisual student at the Universidad de Carlos III. The second is by high school students carrying out an audiovisual study on gender-based violence from the perspective of an adolescent. The third is an initiative by the Águilas academy, TID, which teaches courses on all aspects of film under the direction of Benito Rabal, son of the well-known film actor Francisco Rabal. The short film “Ruido”, with a script and directed by Antonio Casado, also featured the screening of the “Making of” of the filming.
The competition also provided an opportunity to enjoy the screening of the teaser or trailer of what will be the film “Un nuevo amanecer” (A new dawn), on which Antonio Casado has also collaborated and with music by the composer David Miralles, an Andalucía Film Academy award-winner.
“Un nuevo amanecer” tells the true story of a famous actress who was murdered by her ex-husband at the Cervantes Theatre in Almería during a performance.
Attending this first edition of the competition were Mojácar local authority members Emmanuel Aguero, Tourism Councillor, and Francisco García Cerdá, Finance Councillor.
The event was staged at the Senior Citizens hall, with a capacity audience and excellent feedback from spectators, who are now looking forward to the second edition.
The 1st Mojácar Short Film competition was created with the aim of promoting young directors and is linked to the Almería and Mojácar cinematographic tradition.
Land of cinema, of artists, and the setting for many of the best films to be shown in the world’s top movie theatres, Mojácar, thanks to the local council, is returning to its vocation for the scenic arts and collaborating with this initiative, which it is hoped will open many doors to the province’s young talents.
The Mojácar Moors & Christians festivity now has a poster for the 2022 edition
The Mojácar Moors & Christians festivity now has a poster for the 2022 edition, which following two years of cancelation due to the pandemic has been organised for this June.
Rubén Alejandro Lucas García is the winner of the competition organised by the Mojácar Moors & Christians Association to represent its most significant festival.
The final choice was by popular vote from among the three works selected by the jury, chosen from the more than 30 works submitted for the competition, all of them of high quality, the association noted.
Rubén Alejandro Lucas, born in Murcia, is a graphic designer, painter and photographer, obtaining numerous prizes for his designs, as well as being the author of a large number of posters commissioned to publicise different events organised throughout the country.
Very familiar with the Moors & Christians festivity, having attended the celebration on different occasions, he highlights the uniqueness of this Mojácar celebration, very different from those he already knew of in eastern Spain.
Attracted by the uniqueness of the programme: the horseback tournament, the landing, the processions, and the setting for the festivity, he wanted to give a nod to this originality, which served as his inspiration for his winning poster.
The author’s intention was to represent all the elements making up this festivity, as well as its heritage: “That you know what it’s about and where it is: harmony between design and information.”
It was the most voted for, with 3,124 votes, which gave it more than enough for victory, the 300-euro prize, and once the festivity is over, joining the compilation of posters, which since its beginnings in 1988 have been kept in the art gallery in Mojácar castle, and which has the permanent “Meeting between Cultures” collection: this brings together photos, posters, costumes and everything which represents the memory of the beginnings and development of one of the most emblematic festivities of Mojácar and the province.
The Mojácar Moors & Christians Festivities are starting up again, and from 10th to 12th June will return with more force.
Before then, on 1st May, the Mojácar Moors & Christians Association, Almosaquer, has a Moorish Marches concert planned, corresponding to the composition competition organised for 2020 which had to be suspended. Also, on a date yet to be finalised, it will be possible to attend the presentation of its annual magazine and calendar of events for 2022.
The artist Teresa Nájera exhibits her latest works in Mojácar.
The “La Fuente de Mojácar” Municipal Art Centre has opened its doors to the works of Teresa Nájera, who is exhibiting her works until the end of April.
Born in Logroño, Teresa Nájera is a great admirer of Mojácar and a painting lover. Settled in the locality, she studied Applied Arts in La Rioja and has taken part in numerous painting and visual art courses, exhibiting her works throughout Spain since 2011.
Although she has mastered all techniques, watercolour is Teresa Nájera’s favourite, doing a masters with great international artists like Álvaro Castagnet, rated as the world’s best watercolourist, and with Manuel Jiménez, among others.
This is not the first time she has exhibited in Mojácar, where she has participated in individual and collective exhibitions.
On this occasion she is presenting 30 works, mainly oil paintings, in which she uses a special technique: she prints a background of gold, silver or copper leaf on the canvas and then paints on top of it.
Worth noting on this occasion in Mojácar is the decision to include paintings inspired by bullfighting, which is well received in her homeland and also in Andalucía. The works which characterise her, like the portraits and the human figure, could not be left out. Moments of personal vision about society in her mastery of the human figure, the nude and movement.
Present at the inauguration was Mojácar Council Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, who had the opportunity to visit the exhibition with the artist.
Raquel Belmonte highlighted Teresa Nájera’s mastery and how well-received her works always are with the public.
The “Fuente de Mojácar” Municipal Art Centre is open to the public free of charge Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.
Mojácar starts Easter Week with all its beaches and services ready and with an occupancy forecast of around 90%.
The tourist season gets underway in Mojácar, and despite the stormy weather of recent days, with all the beaches ready, the hotels, beach bars and business premises open, and ready to begin the first days of the holidays with optimism in anticipation of what is expected to be a good start to the season.
According to initial figures, as of this weekend occupation is at 80 to 90%. Close to 10,000 hotel places, plus a further 7,500 places in hotel accommodation, 6,338 tourism properties, and an undetermined number of second residences, which will accommodate their owners during the holidays.
The increase in visitors has been noticeable since last Friday, with a lot of traffic and restaurants and bars crowded with customers, the streets full of life, and the first bathers on the beaches.
However, the greatest number of visitors will be registered from Maundy Thursday onwards. The forecasts are very optimistic and could be around figures of over 90%. Some establishments could be completely full.
Following two days of intense work, the beaches are in perfect condition for use, ready for sunbathing and the occasional swim, as the weather forecasts are favourable.
In addition, Mojácar Council has also begun the rescue and lifesaving service on its urban beaches, starting the season with all the safety services activated.
The storms have not particularly affected the area’s beach bars, and although there has been some damage, it has been possible to sort it out in time, the rough weather having surprised them as they were carrying out the finishing touches. This circumstance has made it possible to quickly resolve everything.
Easter Week in Mojácar has also recovered its tradition in regard to religious programming. All the processions, religious acts and other activities carried out in the old town return to fill the streets of Mojácar village following two years of the pandemic, allowing for the increase in the free time and leisure offer for visitors.
Juan Frau, Paul Beckett Prize for Poetry awarded by the Valparaíso Foundation in its 23rd edition, 2022
The Paul Beckett Poetry Prize, organised annually by the Valparaíso Foundation, has in its 23rd edition been awarded to the book titled “El contorno de las horas” (The contour of the hours), the opening of the sealed bid revealing the author to be Juan Frau.
The award comes with a cash prize of 4,000 euros and the publication of the book in the Beatrice poetry collection.
Juan Frau is a senior lecturer in the Theory of Literature at the University of Seville. Included among the prestigious poets of the 21st century, he has already received for his first publication of poems first prize in the University of Seville Literary Competition. As a researcher he has published books like “The Literary Theory of León Felipe” and “Reality and Fictions of Literary Text”, and the editing and translating of “A Defence of Rhyme” by Samuel Daniel.
The Paul Beckett Prize for Poetry has received 233 collections of poems from very different parts of Spain and from another 13 countries. An important number of authors which increases with every edition as the importance of this poetry competition on the literary scene also grows.
The jury was made up of Jorge de Arco, Raquel Lanseros, Jesús Mateos, María del Carmen Mestre and Carlos Murciano, under the presidency of María del Carmen García Tejera in her capacity as academic at the Real Jerezana de San Dionisio, all of them highly regarded names in the literary world.
The Valparaíso Foundation is a non-profit institution established in 1990 by Paul and Beatrice Beckett. Its main aims are the promotion of artistic creation and research in the field of fine arts, literature and music.
Among its diverse activities in the field is a residence for artists, writers and researchers at the facilities owned by the foundation in Mojácar, which has brought many of the best artists of the moment to the locality.
Madrid painter Ricardo Rejón "Pichi"exhibits in Mojácar
An exhibition by Madrid painter Ricardo Rejón “Pichi” has been inaugurated at the Mojácar “La Fuente” exhibition hall.
Born in the authentically pure “madrileño” Madrid neighbourhood of Chamberí, hence his nickname, he got started in the art of drawing and painting at a very young age.
His childhood memories revolve around paper and felt-tip pens which his father gave him to play with, one of his first gifts, according to his memory, being a draftsman’s square, also given by his father, who was a quantity surveyor.
Self-taught, he has never stopped painting and looking for his style and his way of expressing himself. A whole life in which painting has occupied a very important space.
Ricardo Rejón has lived in Garrucha for five years, and now devotes all his time to painting. Time to go to the beach and to paint, the perfect combination for his inspiration.
The future opens up to him with many projects which he is “very excited about”: presenting his work in Madrid and illustrating books.
Until 31st March, anyone interested can enjoy the works of “Pichi”, who in a style known as “naif pointillism”, presents 19 of his works in Mojácar with great affection, as it is his first exhibition and each one of his works represents an important part of his memories.
The Mojácar La Fuente Art Centre is open free of charge to the public from Wednesday to Friday, from 10am to 1pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.
The Mojácar Moors and Christians association announces a competition for its 2022 festivities poster
The Mojácar “Al-Mosaquer” Moors and Christians Association has published the rules for the competition for the poster which will be the image and publicity for its 2022 festivities.
Anyone interested in taking part must submit their work, unsigned, by email to the association at almosaquer@gmail.com or via wetransfer to the same email address, indicating in an attached file the information: name and surnames, nationality, date of birth, ID or passport, mobile phone number and email address.
There is a mandatory text which can be freely laid out on the poster, but which has to be MOROS Y CRISTIANOS MOJÁCAR 2022, as well as the date: “Del 10 al 12 de junio”.
Submissions will be admitted up until 8pm on Sunday 3rd April of this year, establishing a single prize of 300 euros.
The jury will be made up of professionals and enthusiasts selected by the Al-Mosaquer Association, who will choose three of the submitted works, which will then be put to a popular vote via Facebook and Instagram. The voting period will run from 4th April until 8pm on the 10th of the same month. A representative of the Moors and Christians Association will act as secretary. Both the winning work and the others selected by the jury may be used for an exhibition in the municipality organised by the association.
Following three years of enforced cancelation due to the pandemic, the Moors and Christians festivities are returning to Mojácar. On the calendar of activities, which is already underway with the organisation of this poster competition, there is the celebration on 1st May of the Moorish Marches Competition, which could not go ahead due to the lockdown.
This Moorish Marches Competition was organised for the first time in 2019, receiving eight unpublished scores, which should have been performed in 2020 by the Municipal Music Band. It wasn’t to be, but it will take place this year in the Multi-Uses Centre, resuming this initiative.
Also planned for May is the official presentation of the festivities: the selected poster, the magazine and the programme for all the “kábilas” (Moors and Christians fiesta groups) for the 10th,11th and 12th June, the official date of the Mojácar Moors and Christians Festival.
Also on the agenda on 28th May is a conference headed by the writer Miguel Ángel Martinez Pozo, author of book “Andalucía, Tierra de Moros y Cristianos” (Andalucía, Land of Moors and Christians), published in 2020, and winner of the Junta de Andalucía’s Memorial Blas Infante award.
Miguel Ángel Martínez Pozo has a doctorate in Humanities and Social Sciences from the University of Jaén.
Mojácar Red Cross to stage an open day in the locality´s Multi-uses Centre.
Mojácar Red Cross, in collaboration with the Local Council, has organised an open day for next Sunday 6th March from 10am onwards in the locality’s Multi-Uses Centre.
The event is aimed at members, donors, volunteers and members of the general public who are interested in finding out first-hand about all the activities which the Mojácar Red Cross Local Assembly carries out over the year.
Stands will be set up at the Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre which will show visitors the different work which they do with families in need, the elderly, the environment, lifesaving, as well as the day-to-day activities of all their volunteers.
For the recognition that they want to offer the members and collaborators, there will also be included a thanks to the different State security forces, firefighters, doctors, Civil Protection and other public services which actively collaborate with their assistance and first-aid work.
As a representative of them all, the Head of the Levante Almería Firefighting Consortium Francisco, Javier Flores Ortega, will receive a symbolic present, with which they want to express their gratitude for the collaboration they receive, and in the case of the Levante Almería firefighters, the affection and the attention which they receive though the donations and the campaigns which they personally organise.
As well as the members of the Mojácar Red Cross and its governing board: Concepción Rivero Puche, Local Assembly President; Rosa María Vicente, Spanish Red Cross Expert; and the President of the Almería Red Cross, Antonio Alastrué Latorre, also present at the open day will be the Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, and members of her government team; Garrucha Mayor, María López Cervantes; María Isabel López, Mayor of Turre; and Mayor of Los Gallardos, Francisco Miguel Reyes, as well as Andalucía Parliament member Rodrigo Sánchez Haro.
Mojácar Red Cross encourages all the region’s residents to go along on the 6th March and share the day with this important non-profit association, which is always there where it is most needed. Not only in international conflict zones, but also, and very often, in our own municipality, serving the neediest effectively and discreetly.
Carnival in Mojácar dedicated to the locality´s youngest.
Carnival has not missed Mojácar out in this 2022 edition, although it has been dedicated only to the very youngest while waiting for the end of the pandemic to allow the kind of celebrations like the grand Mojácar carnival tradition held for many years.
The children had their special event at the weekend, although the plan had been to celebrate it at the Commercial Centre in the open-air and rain meant the celebration was moved to the Multi-Uses Centre.
The children, wearing costumes, enjoyed costume workshops and games, fun competitions and the company of the best-known characters from the big screen and from TV, who along with the youngsters took part in the singing games and dances staged throughout the morning.
Mojácar’s Carnival has always been very popular among local residents, and it’s one of the most important dates on the festival calendar.
More than 10 troupes come together over the several days, and are joined by invited troupes from other localities in the province and from Murcia, all forming part of a parade which gets bigger every year in terms of numbers and colourfulness.
Costume competitions and troupes, dance and several days of uninterrupted partying make up Mojácar’s Carnival, with a fun burial of the sardine as the grand finale.
Although it could not be this year, Mojacar Local Council, which over past years has enhanced the children’s carnival, the talent pool for future troupes, did not want leave the little ones without their party, and promoted this day for them, as well as at school, where last Friday they staged their private party with costumes and entertainment from the group Indalo Show, and which they shared with an Andalucian breakfast in celebration also of the Day of Andalucía.
Mojácar celebrates Andalucía Day with a Flamenco Concert.
Mojácar celebrated Andalucía Day with the official raising of the Andalucian flag in the Town Hall square in the presence of all the Local Authority councillors.
Mojácar Mayor Rosa María Cano proceeded with the flag-raising accompanied by the sounds of the Andalucian anthem, performed by Guillermo Fernández on guitar and singer Mónica Cortés.
A large audience gathered in the Town Hall square for this moving ceremony and were also able to enjoy the reading out of a poem dedicated to the Andalucian provinces and composed by local resident Raquel Jiménez, as well as a performance of singing and dancing by the group formed by Mónica Cortés and Guillermo Fernández.
Both the raising of the Andalucian flag by the municipal authority and the concert were streamed directly via social media by the YouTuber José Potier, who wanted to take part in the acts planned for the day through his connection.
In years prior to the pandemic, Mojácar Council always extended the celebration of 28th February with the release of green and white biodegradable balloons from Plaza Nueva, as well as an invitation to try a giant paella with everyone who wanted to join Mojácar in its commemoration.
For 2022, Mojácar Council still maintains precautionary measures in light of the possible mass of people and the impossibility of being able to comply with the health regulations still in force, which is why it is moving its traditional Andalucía Day programme to next year.
New Mojácar municipality quality tourism plan approved at plenary meeting.
The plan contains the new strategies for Mojácar as a tourist destination, designed with a time horizon of four years (2022 -2025).
With the objective of providing a response to the new challenges which arise in the sector, the recently approved plan aims to improve the competitiveness of the Mojácar tourist destination, improve its position in the national and international context and increase its quality and sustainability.
It is a strategic document to mark out the course of Mojácar tourism activity coming from an in-depth analysis, which includes an economic study, along with an always and continuously updated observation of its offer, resources and tourism demand.
The diagnosis has been validated and completed through a participatory process, carried out through hundreds of surveys and specific meetings with associations, professionals, agents, residents, etc., in which all the contributed comments, suggestions and evaluations have been brought together. This participative process has not only led to the specific actions featured in the plan, but also form part of one its strategic lines for the improvement in management as a tourist destination.
Among the plan’s general aims are moving forward in a model of tourism management, with the basic pillars of environmental, economic and social sustainability, strengthening strategies orientated at reducing the seasonality of tourism activity through the creation of products and the development of sectors which can be established set up throughout the year.
At the same time, this planning aims to boost the local economy, reaching not only pre-health crisis levels, but improving on them. Similarly, it aims to maintain or even exceed the rates of satisfied tourists, excellence and quality in the destination and generate increasingly stable employment in the sector.
The plan is divided into five strategic plans which allows programmes, projects and actions to be grouped together around elements with homogeneous characteristics.
These lines bring together the protection and enhancement of its landscape and beauty, environmental protection, energy saving, sustainable movement, inclusivity and universal accessibility, promotion and tourism intelligence and the participation of Mojácar society in the management of the destination, among other aspects.
For the development of the new Mojácar Municipality Tourism Quality Plan, the local council will use its own funds, request assistance and seek the institutional and financial support of higher administrations. For this reason, in the medium-term the aim is to initiate the request for the declaration Tourist Municipality of Andalucía for Mojácar.
New International artists come to Mojácar thanks to the Valparaíso foundation and the Locality´s Local Council Scholarships
New artists continue to spend time in Mojácar, awarded scholarships by Mojácar Council and the Valparaíso Foundation.
This time it was the first residents of February, once the collaboration between the council and Valparaiso, which had been maintained with a very restricted presence of international artists due to Covid, was reestablished with full normality.
On this occasion, seven creators from various disciplines, stayed in Mojácar during the first fortnight of February.
The group was made up of Andreas Rasmussen, an interdisciplinary visual artist who experiments with multiple materials, of Danish origin, born in Copenhagen; Jeppe Ugelvig, writer, also Danish, has given readings of his work throughout the world, mainly in New York and London; Maria Judova, visual and digital artist, Slovenian, directly awarded a scholarship by Mojácar Council, she has had her artistic base in Prague for more than 10 years. She bases her artistic creation on the creative potential of technology. She regularly collaborates with performance artists, dancers and choreographers, attempting to understand the principles which can be found behind the creation of movement.
Also there were Elena Mironov, a native of Estonia, singer, composer and musician; Ivana Mer, Slovak singer, composer and musician, author of music for dance and theatre. Ivana has presented her repertoire in concerts throughout Europe, as well as in South America. She has been nominated for the National Theatre Prize in Slovakia in the “Best Music for Theatre” category; Peter Hammer, Danish filmmaker and Anders Villadsen, trained at Denmark’s National Cinema School, winner of the “Robert Award for Best Editing”.
New artists will this month join in the scholarships which Mojácar Council and the Valparaíso Foundation offer to everyone and from all branches of creation, where the artists, in a privileged location like Mojácar, find a quiet and peaceful place where they can focus on their creative work.
Sevillian artist Enrique Ferreira exhibits in Mojácar
An exhibition of paintings by Sevillian artist Enrique Ferreira Martínez has been inaugurated at Mojácar’s La Fuente Art Centre.
Anyone interested can until 27th February visit the gallery, which, free of charge, has its doors open Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 1pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.
Enrique Ferreira is presenting more than 30 works in Mojácar, including oil paintings, watercolours and charcoal drawings; portraits, landscapes and several masterful reproductions of great artists like Sorolla and Julio Romero de Torres.
Seville-born Ferreira currently lives in Almería locality Cuevas del Almanzora, where he continues to work on his lifelong passion: painting.
He studied Fine Arts in Seville, learning to work in all the artistic styles. A lover of hyperrealism, he fell in lovely mainly with the work of Murillo and decided to do a masters in the Renaissance.
His restless gaze, the search for perfection in his brushes and his inexhaustible desire to learn led him, among other things, to join the Imaginería Sevillana restauration group and Madrid’s Prado Museum restoration team. Nor does he hesitate to travel to Colombia, Toronto and many other cities, working on private collections, always restoring Spanish Renaissance painting.
Mojácar Council Culture Councillor Raquel Belmonte attended the official inauguration, where she could chat with the artist and comment on some of his works, many of them inspired by landscapes and customs of his childhood.
A large part of his works in oil and watercolours are concerned with places discovered on his travels through different places in Andalucía, always evoking the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.
Worth noting is the presentation in Mojácar of an interesting collecting of portraits done in charcoal, these portraits being one of the themes which Enrique Ferreira most likes to do.
Their Majesties the Three Wise Men from the east don´t miss their appointment in Mojácar
Their Majesties the Three Wise Men from the East didn’t miss their appointment with the children of Mojácar and arrived in the locality on time for their annual visit.
Although they couldn’t do their traditional parade, they went to the Santa María Parish Church to make their offering to the Baby Jesus, which was held for the first time in Mojácar.
Received by the parish priest, Víctor Manuel Fernández presided over the offering which Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar had brought from their faraway kingdoms for the Son of God. Gold, frankincense and myrrh were left at his feet to honour the Messiah.
Following the ceremony Their Majesties went to the Plaza del Frontón, in the open air, where they were able to greet all the children and give them the first of the many presents which they found this morning in their homes.
About 600 gifts and bags of goodies were given out to all the children born between 2010 and 2021; even though they couldn’t hug or kiss them as in previous years, there was no shortage of photos with Their Majesties to keep as a memory of such a magical day.
After the giving out of toys, with the afternoon by then getting on, the Three Kings said goodbye to Mojácar until next year, with the hope of being able to resume, by then without the pandemic, their traditional acts accompanied by their pages and their helpers.
It was a long night for Their Majesties, but on the 6th all the residents of Mojácar were able to find gifts when they woke up.
Local children will receive their presents from Their Majesties
Mojácar unable to celebrate its Three Kings Parade, although local children will receive their presents from their Majesties.
Mojácar Council is suspending the Three Kings parade scheduled in the Christmas programme, although Their Majesties the Three Kings will still visit the locality and personally hand out presents to all the local children.
On Wednesday 5th January, as planned, Melchior coming from Persia, Gaspar from India and Balthasar from Arabia will visit Mojácar for their annual date with all its residents.
At 5pm they will be officially received in the local Town Hall, where Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, and members off her government team will give them an official welcome.
From the Town Hall they will go to the Santa Maria Church, where Their Majesties, for the first time in Mojácar’s history, will proceed to the adoration of baby Jesus, giving him the presents: gold, frankincense and myrrh, which they have brought from the East in recognition of who will be the Messiah, the Son of God.
For health safety reasons, and in order to follow the recommendations and social distancing measures, it will not be possible to stage the parade, but the Three Wise Men will give out their presents to the children of Mojácar at 5.30pm in the Plaza del Frontón, in the open air, moving the delivery from the Multi-Uses Centre to this central Mojácar plaza.
About 600 children, born between 2002 and 2021, will receive their presents from Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar, who despite this wave of infections due to Omicron, and with the due safety measures, did not want to miss this magical meeting with the little ones.
On Thursday 6th January at 11am, the Holy Mass for the Epiphany of the Lord, sung by the Mojácar Rociero Choir, will be celebrated in the Mojácar Parish Church, closing the Christmas programme in the Plaza del Frontón at 12.30pm with the children’s show “The Tin Soldier.”
Double Year End Celebrations in Mojácar
Mojácar Council has scheduled a very special New Year’s Eve for the youngest members of the family, which will take place on 31st December at 12 noon in the Plaza del Frontón..
Children will be able to have their 12 “gumdrops” and juices to the rhythm of the Mojácar Santa María Church chimes, just as the grown-ups hours later will have the lucky grapes.
Mojácar Council will give out free more than 300 bags of gumdrops and juices to toast 2022 and wish the best for the New Year just which is just around the corner.
Respecting Covid measures, the children’s New Year will be celebrated with the animation company “Celébritas”.
Photocall, surprises, dolls from the TV, a confetti cannon will be some of the amusements awaiting the children who want to have an original and fun children’s New Year’s Eve unlike any other in Spain.
Following many years of celebration, due to the pandemic Mojácar Council had to last year cancel its traditional start to the year in the Plaza del Frontón, where the whole town came together to have the grapes and toast the New Year.
Instead, it was proposed to bring forward the celebration, symbolically, to 12 noon, with almonds for the grown-ups and gumdrops for the children.
The success of the gathering, the fun had by everyone there, and the request from many local residents to repeat the experience, encouraged the local council to again celebrate an unusual end of year party with the little ones.
For the grown-ups, again following anti-Covid safety measures, the traditional chimes to the rhythm of the Church clock is back.
This time, capacity for the plaza has been calculated at 400 people, who will get their bag with the 12 grapes and a glass of Cava for the first toast of 2022.
There will only be able to be background music and it will not be possible to dance, but there will be no shortage of fireworks nor the wishes of everyone for the New Year to be full of happiness and prosperity.
Mojácar municipal music school students offer their traditional Christmas performance.
As part of the 2021 Christmas programme, the Mojácar Municipal Music School offered a Christmas performance, something which has become traditional at this time of year, and in which all the students took part.
This year it had to be moved from the school’s auditorium to the Multi-uses Centre due to the number of members of the public going along, which was too many for the Music School facilities.
First up were the beginners and preparatory children aged between three and six, who sang and performed traditional Christmas carols under the direction of their teacher, Yolanda Parra.
They were followed by the guitar group and their teacher, Francisco Gonzáles Ridao, who offered the audience a selection of musical pieces which they are working on in their musical learning. Again, there was no lack of Christmas carols and popular tunes which are always highly applauded by the public.
Finally, the School Music Band, under the baton of their director Diego Martinez, also performed different Christmas carols, the last of which, and as the finale, in an emotional joint performance with all the beginner and preparatory students.
Worth noting, as in previous years, is the presence of some of the students’ parents, who for the first time performed some musical pieces alongside their children. Parents who also took part in the music adventure of the Municipal School, and who represent the talent pool for the Mojácar Municipal Music Band.
Mojácar Council Culture Councillor Raquel Belmonte highlighted the work of all the Municipal Music School teachers and how well they are received by their students, who year after year gain a high level of learning and performance.
The Mojácar Municipal Music School began with just 20 students nearly 30 years ago. Today it has more than 200, between school students and members of the Municipal Band, with ages going from three to 70, although countless students have already passed through its classrooms.
The Mojácar Municipal Music School has studied and prepared guidelines for each cycle. From the age of three to five, it is possible to attend the music and movement initiation classes. From six years old, there is an initiation in the chosen instrument, moving from the age of seven to the preparatory, and from there, to the rest of subjects they want to choose.
It is important to emphasize that anyone who is interested, whatever their age, has the opportunity of participating in the Mojácar Municipal Music School and of having access to the world of music, effortlessly and in a fun and enjoyable way.
Mojácar Council and the Valparaíso Foundation resume grants for international artists.
Mojácar Council and the Valparaíso Foundation have in December resumed their collaboration in their work to promote creation and research in the field of fine arts, and with it the grants to artists, which over the years have brought together in the locality creators from all over the world.
Interrupted by the pandemic, this month Mojácar has once again received six artists: Spanish filmmaker and photographer Javier Morales; visual artist Bárbara Arcos; María Rosa Aránega, also a visual artist and researcher; photographer Carlos Aguilera; Haitian poet Luis Bertony; and New York painter Caritas Young.
Javier Morales is part of the Granada-based audio-visual production company Ínsula Sur, made up of a multi-disciplinary collective of creators of numerous documentaries. They also make creative content for brands and agencies. They have received numerous mentions and nominations at prestigious contemporary art festivals, and have clients such as Estrella Galicia, the University of Granada, Catalana Occidente, Huawei, etc.
Bárbara Arcos is a University of Granada Fine Arts graduate. She has a masters in research and creation in the arts from the Madrid Fine Arts Faculty. She is currently working on researching the categories of limit, stability and permanence in the subject
Almería-born María Rosa Aránega is the illustrator of, among others, “The miedo de los niños” (The children’s fear), written by Antonio Muñoz, and author of numerous publications, some of them in the Antonio Gala Foundation collection for young creators.
Carlos Aguilera is a “photojournalist”, and with his work he tries to get to the bottom of things from a very particular perspective. He’s not interested in the apparently “nice”, the superficial, rather the opposite. His passion lies in capturing the process behind the official version, “which always shows a reality closer to that which it is intended to show.”
Born in Haiti, Luis Bertony, studied law, but his life is in poetry. He is a member of the French Le Cénacle des Treize literary association and has participated in numerous poetry publications, as well as being the author of many books of poems.
Artistic activity resumes in the Valparaíso Foundation and in Mojácar Council Culture Department, reactivating the grants to artists which offers promising young people from the world of art the opportunity to get to know the locality and the many opportunities it offers for the development of their work.
Giant dinosaurs arrive in Mojácar today Thursday in a fun show for all the family.
The “Perdidos entre Dinosaurios” (Lost among Dinosaurs) show lands in Mojácar today Thursday 23rd December at 7pm in the Multi-uses Centre, as the last activity of the year dedicated to children and to the family.
As part of the Christmas programme organised by Mojácar Council through the Culture Department, Perdidos entre Dinosaurios recounts the adventures of Sara, a fearless, nature-loving young woman and owner of a leisure boat with which she makes a living taking out tourists.
One afternoon out alone on the sea, she is surprised by a storm which drags her to a lost island where dinosaurs still live.
Sara’s father, worried about his missing daughter, takes on an expert guide, Indalecio Jones, alias Indi, who along with her dad sets out in search of Sara.
Neither are experts in the field, and after getting into lots of jams, it is Sara who in the end finds the two taking refuge in an old abandoned laboratory. There they discover in an incubator a dinosaur egg which is about to hatch, witnessing the birth of a baby dinosaur.
Perdidos entre Dinosaurios is one of the most successful shows of the season. It has travelled around nearly the whole of Spain, delighting all the family.
It arrives in Mojácar with two impressive two-metre, 3.5-metre-long dinosaurs: a Spinosaurus and a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Next generation dinosaurs, two giant animatronics operated by professional actors, who are joined on stage by another much smaller one born during the performance.
An unmissable fun adventure. Tickets will be on sale in the Mojácar Pueblo and Mojácar Playa tourist offices at very reasonable prices.
Magical Night in Mojácar complete success
The Mojácar Municipal Music Band presented a musical at the weekend titled “Magical Night” which, hand-in-hand with Disney, managed to fill all the seats for the two planned shows and which delighted children and grown-ups.
Students from the Music School and volunteer local residents sang and performed the best-known songs from famous Disney films like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen and Coco.
More than 100 people were involved in making it possible to put on this musical. In the Municipal Band alone, 40 musicians performed the soundtracks, 30 actors and singers took part in the staging and more than 20 local residents were in charge of the costumes and the props for each performance.
Minnie and Mickey, Walt Disney’s first leading characters, were the presenters and hosts of each performance. With flair and with jokes, they did the leads into all the songs and their characters. Both arrived in Mojácar a few days before and visited the nursery school and the Bartolomé Flores School, encouraging the children to go along to the Artisans’ Centre to enjoy the company of the companions from the Disney factory, as well as giving out treats to the little ones ahead of the Christmas celebrations.
Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, together with her government team, was there for the first Music School experience, and expressed her delight at seeing the great quality of the work carried out and the response of Mojácar to the invitation to attend, given the “full” sign had to be put up for both performances.
Despite rigorously following the anti-Covid-19 measures, the capacity was covered with all the expected places, and close to 500 people were able to enjoy a really “magical” night.
Rosa María Cano also highlighted the involvement of many local residents, who took on the multiple tasks which staging a show on this scale requires. An involvement and care, she stressed, as in the best of times which theatre productions in Mojácar were everyone’s task and the excitement of nearly the whole year.
At the invitation of Mojácar Council, Father Christmas visits the Locality to collect children´s cards in person.
Father Christmas will visit Mojácar next Saturday 18th December from 4-9pm at the Parque Comercial, where he will personally collect the letters which the children of the locality want to hand deliver to him to order their presents for the night of the 24th.
Coming straight from the North Pole, and accompanied by his trusted elf Alabaster Snowball, administrator of the list of children’s letters, and by other helpers, he will set up his magical travel house protected by a giant bubble to attend to all the children’s requests.
Father Christmas and his entourage have been invited by Mojácar Council. On his arrival he will be officially received by Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, and by Finance Councillor, Francisco García Cerdá, who will have the job of welcoming him to the municipality and of passing on the wish that all the children of the locality, without forgetting anyone, can enjoy the gifts which they make in his lost village at the North Pole.
Various Christmas craft workshops will also be set up at the Parque Comercial, where children and their parents will be able to learn how to make different Christmas decorations or whatever their inspiration takes them to.
The Council will provide the materials and the monitors who will orientate the young artists and those accompanying them so they can make something special to decorate their homes at this well-loved time and which will serve as a reminder of a long-awaited visit.
A small Christmas party which Rudolf, the captain of Father Christmas’s reindeers, could not be absent from, and who, in the form of a mechanical reindeer, will let the children ride on his magic back.
The Catholic and Anglican Churches of Mojácar celebrate together the traditional Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons
The protagonists of one of the first acts featured on the 2021 Mojácar Christmas programme are the two most important churches in the locality’s religious life.
The Festival of Nine Lessons signifies a gathering of the Catholic and Anglican faithful around the reading of Genesis in both languages, as well as an exchange of traditional Christmas carols from both cultures, in which the “Embrujo Mojaquero” choir took part.
The celebration was officiated by the Mojácar Santa María Catholic Church Parish Priest, Victor Manuel Fernandez, and by the Costa de Almería Anglican Reverend, Vincent Oram, from the San Pascual Anglican Church, also located in Mojácar in the area known as Agua en Medio.
As is customary for this celebration, Spanish and British faithful, Catholic and Protestant, gathered in the Santa María Parish Church, to jointly and emotionally celebrate this time of Advent, a prelude to the most important days of the year for the faithful of both communities.
Among the many people in attendance was Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, as well as members of her government team: Safety Councillor María Luisa Pérez, Education Councillor Ana García, and Culture Councillor Raquel Belmonte.
The Anglican tradition of holding the Nine Lessons Festival during Advent dates back to 1880, when the Archbishop of Canterbury designed the service for Christmas Eve in Cornwall in the UK. It’s a service of nine short lessons from the Bible in which the story of the fall of humanity and the promise of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus is usually outlined.
The readings by the faithful begin with the Old Testament. By the hand of the prophet Isaiah, the birth of Jesus is announced, and the apostles Luke, Matthew and John narrate the impact of his birth on the world. The lessons, in Spanish and English, are interspersed with Christmas carols also typical from both cultures.
With the Santa María Parish Church decorated for Christmas, it is worth noting the presence for this celebration of the Parish Nativity scene, installed by Mojácar parishioners.
This Nativity of great beauty is the work of Murcian creator Jesús Griñán from Puente Tocinos, renowned for some of the best Nativity scene makers in Murcia, with a grand modelling tradition.
Although the central figures of the Nativity scene have been in the parish for a long time, new depictions of Jesus’s life have been acquired over time from the same sculptor, so that today it is a display of great artistic and cultural value.
Graciana Peralta and The "Amigos de la Pintura" exhibit in Mojácar
The “La Fuente” Municipal Art Gallery inaugurates a painting exhibition by the “Amigos de la Pintura” (Friends of Painting) Group directed by Graciana Peralta next Friday 3rd December at 7pm.
Until 30th December it will be possible to admire, free of charge, the works of seven of the group’s artists which have been brought together in the Mojácar municipal gallery.
This is not the first time that the Amigos de la Pintura Group have delighted visitors to the gallery with their works. Under the direction of Graciana Peralta, who is also the group members’ teacher, nearly all artistic techniques are presented in Mojácar, presented also in the most varied of styles, from the traditional to the most avant-guarde.
When she arrived in Spain in 2001, Graciana Peralta, Argentine architect and artist, started to put painting at the forefront of her activities. The artist, whose introduction to artistic drawing and painting techniques was self-taught, participated in Pablo Bobbio’s painting workshop in Buenos Aires, where she familiarised herself with the different styles and trends which have given shape to her artistic personality.
In 2009 she created the Amigos de la Pintura Group, bringing her students together with the aim of showing their work off to the public. Since then, they have staged more than 15 exhibitions in a number of places in Almería, all with excellent reviews. As in the previous exhibitions, the aim of this one is for participating artists to show the public, with complete freedom, their personality, using the most appropriate pictorial techniques.
Hence, with students aged from seven years old to 80, Graciana Peralta manages to bring together in her workshop a wide range of artistic sensibilities and creativity, which enrich everyone and which is reflected in their works.
The “La Fuente” Municipal Art Gallery is open to the public from 10am to 1am Wednesday to Friday and from 10am to 2pm Saturdays and Sundays. Free entrance.
Guitar students from the Mojácar Municipal Music School give a concert in the locality
Guitar students from the Mojácar Municipal Music School have given a concert for residents and visitors to the locality, with a large audience able to enjoy a wide and varied repertoire.
Under the direction of guitar teacher Francisco González Ridao, the 11 students taking part in the concert performed, among others, an anonymous romance very well-known in the classical repertoire of this instrument, and popularised in the film “Forbidden Games”, as well as the theme titled “I will survive” and “The Godfather”, followed by such well-known themes as “My Way”, “Hotel California” and “The Sound of Silence”, among others.
All their perfomances were highly applauded, and the audience highlighted the pleasing impression of the major progress made by the students.
The guitar classes are currently taught as one of the disciplines within the Mojácar Municipal Music School. There are 23 students between the Spanish guitar, flamenco guitar, electric guitar and electric bass classes.
They are also included in the musical language classes, with two groups: beginners and advanced.
Francisco González Ridao has undertaken in Mojácar the task of forming a guitar orchestra with 11 of the school’s students. To this end, they rehearse every week to give form and consistency to this orchestra.
Francisco González has been teaching classes for more than six years in the Levante Almanzora area, currently holding the position of guitar teacher in the Cuevas del Almanzora Music and Dance School.
Mojácar Culture Councillor Raquel Belmonte highlighted the work of all the Municipal Music School teachers and how well they are embraced by the students, which year after year is seen in a high level of learning and performance.
The Culture Councillor also wanted to put special emphasis on reminding anyone interested, whatever their age, that they have the opportunity to participate in the Mojácar Municipal Music School and access the world of music, without effort, and in a fun and enjoyable way.
Mojácar Council adds an interactive Augmented Reality Map to the Municipal Resources
Mojácar Council has obtained a 18,019 euro subsidy offered by the Junta de Andalucía within the MUNITIC programme to promote the implementation of information and communication technologies in municipal tourism resources and facilities.
The Council Tourism Department will use this subsidy for the creation of an interactive augmented reality map without the need for a mobile app for Mojácar municipality. This application will contribute significantly to the management of the Mojácar tourist destination.
The creation of the augmented reality map will contribute to the diversification of the tourism offer as it adds value to new tourism resources of interest which will be added as places of interest. Heritage elements not made known up until now, such as history, heritage, landscape value, the old town’s past, its legends, etc., thanks to the use of videos, 360º or 3D photos, among others.
The interactive augmented reality map is itself a new resource which will attract visitors due to being a novel product which will offer a unique and enjoyable virtual experience. The incorporation of IT as a resource is on the rise, and is a highly valued resource. It will generate new opportunities for educational visits, thereby diversifying the municipal offer, targeting other markets and segments. It will contribute to the fight against seasonality.
A visit to Mojácar old town is a major attraction, not only for the municipality, but for the entire Levante region of Almería and for Almería province. Up until now, the distribution of the tourist information has been via maps on paper. The creation of an interactive augmented reality map for Mojácar municipality will be carried out with the aim of showing contents via technology accessible on mobile devices, using QR codes, audio guides, 360º photos, 3D developments, etc. This novel and virtual dissemination and information tool will contribute to saving on physical street maps printed on paper.
It will also mean a reduction in waiting times for the tourist information service; an offer of information for those who do not want to wait a long time in enclosed spaces as a preventative measure against Covid-19 and information without a time limit, as the office does not have to be open at the time of the consultation and the information will be improved as it will be offered in various languages.
The virtual interactive augmented reality map will, through the use of new technology, make it possible to accept very specific and complete information without having to be in the place and without having to resort to more leaflets. With the technological revolution, the tourism sector has at its disposal a large number of technological tools which it can use to both improve the efficiency of its internal processes and in its meetings with customers.
The possibility of not having to download an application allows users to quickly access information without needing a lot of applications on their mobiles which block the speed of the device, wasting time and data. The interactive augmented reality map without the need for a mobile application will allow people with reduced mobility to visit Mojácar’s old town virtually without having to travel.
Among its many advantages, as well as serving as a great help to the visitor, there is also the obtaining of the evaluation of results, as it is a technology accessible from mobile devices, measuring, among others, the number of downloads. The project will run for a minimum of 12 months, during which time it will provide important information on behaviour, profile and tourist flows and establish comparisons and summaries of the service used.
Mobile technology with access without an application gives the project greater versatility and dynamism when it comes to measuring the results of the service, since users will connect with the interactive map by means of a QR code, which will provide analytical and statistical results on the number of users, their origin, main channels, location of the devices in real time, the information consulted and the duration of the sessions, among other parameters.
In addition to improving management in terms of measuring promotion results and on measuring seasonality, it will contribute to making known the “purchase” intentions and interest of potential users. It will be a major help in managing and controlling the flow of people, mobility and possible saturation percentages of the urban area environments and hot spots.
Mojácar hosts the FEDDI 2021 Spanish Pétanque Championship for people with intellectual disability
This weekend the Spanish Pétanque Championship for people with an intellectual disability was staged in Mojácar.
It was officially inaugurated on Friday and took place at the Mojácar Pétanque Club facilities.
The Spanish Pétanque Championship for FEDDI clubs, included in the official federative calendar, has as a mission to bring together the greatest number of clubs and sportspeople practicing this sport aimed at players with an intellectual disability in Spain.
The presentation took place in the function rooms of the Hotel Punta del Cantal, where the players stayed. Present were the Provincial Sports Deputy, José Antonio García, the President of the Spanish Federation of Sports for People with an Intellectual Disability, Javier Gutierrez Hernández, José Antonio Antolín, Head of the Los Carriles Foundation, and Francisco García Cerdá, Mojácar Council Sports Councillor, accompanied also by the councillor Ana García.
They are all representatives of the bodies which organise this event, which has been held in the locality for a long time, although it was postponed due the lockdown for two years.
Fourteen clubs from eight Autonomous Communities took part in the event, with the participation of 126 players. In addition, there were 48 trainers, 45 volunteers and other personnel, as well as more than 200 spectators and companions.
At the presentation, Mojácar Council Sports Councillor Francisco García Cerdá, highlighted the importance of sport and physical activity for all ages and for all kinds of people, as well as the support of the council for its promotion and establishment as a healthy habit. Francisco García also thanked the players for being there and the organisers, particularly emphasizing the Los Carriles Foundation and the great effort made over all the years, and without whose drive it would not have been possible to celebrate this competition.
The competition took place in a good atmosphere of sportsmanship, accompanied by an excellent day and with the Mediterranean as a backdrop.
The matches were held with three levels of participation according to the sports discipline federative regulations: competition (trios), adapted (doubles), and sports skills (individual).
The organisational structure of the championship was made up of Mojácar Council, Macael Council, the Almería Provincial Council, FEDDI, the Andalucía Pétanque Federation, the Almería Pétanque Delegation, the Mojácar Pétanque Club, the “Mundo de Todos” Regional Association, the Los Carriles Sports Club and the San Marcos Sports Club.
First places went to: in the individual category Javier Casanova from CD Primi Sport; Primi Sport also got first place in the doubles, and in triples, Atlético Fortius.
The winners received a lovely trophy made from Macael marble by members of the Los Carriles Foundation.
Municipal Music School holds open day on Thursday
The Municipal Music School is holding open days at its facilities with the aim of showing local people the work their students are doing as well as to encourage young and old, whatever their age, to participate in the adventure of learning to play any instrument and perform music.
This Thursday, starting at 5pm, there will be a screening of the film “Vivo”, recommended for all audiences from three years old.
There are plans for fun games in the music classrooms, such as What instrument is it? Those taking part have to guess the instrument which can be heard but not seen.
In the company of teachers and students, well-known melodies will be played to better understand the sound qualities of each instrument.
The Municipal Music School has more than 150 students as well as the members of the Municipal Band, although many of those are still studying music at the school.
The Municipal Music School offers both children and adults of any age the opportunity of getting closer to the world of the melody and of musical instruments.
Music and movement, musical language, instrument teaching, music groups, vocal and instrumental groups, as well as the opportunity to gain intermediate grade, are some of the disciplines taught at the school.
Among the instruments you can learn to play are piano, guitar, recorder, side-blown flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba and percussion. A wide range of instruments which every year is expanded with new instruments.
There are studied and prepared guidelines for each cycle. From the age of three to five, it is possible to attend the music and movement initiation classes. From six years old, there is an initiation in the chosen instrument, moving from the age of seven to the preparatory, and from there, to the rest of subjects they want to choose.
It is important to emphasize that anyone who is interested, whatever their age, has the opportunity of participating in the Mojácar Music School and having access to the world of music, effortlessly and in a fun and enjoyable way.
Concert in Mojácar in honour of Saint Cecilia Patron Saint of music.
To mark the celebration of Saint Cecilia, the Patron Saint of music, piano students from the Mojácar Municipal Music School performed a highly anticipated concert for residents.
As has become usual, students from the school commemorate the day of their patron saint with a musical selection which this year was performed outdoors with the Plaza del Parterre as the setting for this much-loved event.
Conducted by their teacher Yolanda Parra Niederhauser, the young pianists performed a complete repertoire, which included such well-known pieces as “Charriots of Fire” by Vangelis, “Like Chopin” by Gazebo, “Mariage d´amour” by Richard Clayderman, “River Flows in You” by Yiruma and “Corazón de niño” by Raul Di Blasio, among others.
For several years the piano school students have offered two concerts a year: in honour of Saint Cecilia, Patron Saint of music, and at Easter; both much-anticipated by residents of Mojácar, lovers of good music and always supporting and encouraging their young musicians. On this occasion, there were seven performers in the concert, aged between seven and 37.
Yolanda Parra has for 15 years been in charge of teaching the very youngest, aged between three and seven, in the musical initiation classroom. She is also the Municipal Music School piano teacher.
To learn this instrument, one of the most complete, 30 students have enrolled and attend the piano classes offered by this school.
There are studied and prepared guidelines for each cycle. From the age of three to five, it is possible to attend the music and movement initiation classes. From six years old, there is an initiation in the chosen instrument, moving from the age of seven to the preparatory, and from there, to the rest of subjects they want to choose.
It is important to emphasize that anyone who is interested, whatever their age, has the opportunity of participating in the Mojácar Music School and have access to the world of music, effortlessly and in a fun and enjoyable way.
Mojácar La Vieja excavations subject for study at the 13th Internacional Congress for the study of Almohad and Nazrid production.
The 13th XIII AIECM3 Congress on medieval and modern Mediterranean ceramics organised by the University of Granada has been held in Granada, and in which archaeologists from the Mojácar la Vieja excavations took part, presenting the conclusions obtained so far.
In the presentation “Characterisation of the Almohad and Nasrid Productions in the Levante region of Almería”, the Mojácar la Vieja dig site and the discoveries made in the three excavation campaigns served as an example and subject for analysis by the archaeologists from all over the world attending the congress.
The presentation was made by José María Martín Civantos, Director of the excavations and of the University of Granada Biocultural Archaeology laboratory, as well as Cristina Martinez, Noelia Aguado, Julio Román, Pablo Romero, Jorge Rouco, José Abellán, Blas Ramos, José María Moreno and José María Martin Civantos, all of them members of the laboratory and archaeologist specialists in different subjects, who have actively participated in the Mojácar la Vieja works.
The presentation developed many of the conclusions already set out in Mojácar at the end of the third excavation campaign in September this year, and thanks to digitalisation and the efforts during these months, it has been possible to admire in 3D many of the important pieces found.
La AIECM3 is an international organisation for the study of medieval and modern ceramics in the Mediterranean. It organises its international conference every three years and also programmes innovative themed workshops. Thanks to the work of this association, it has been possible to attain new achievements and to make significant reflections on the history of ceramics.
This is the first time it has been held in Granada, following the line of previous congresses, as well as putting the emphasis on discussion and debate.
In the sessions the world of archaeology is made aware of the advances made in the production and technology of ceramics, patterns of ceramic consumption, the social significance of ceramic production and the new discoveries, always within the Mediterranean area.
The inclusion of the Mojácar la Vieja dig site confirms the importance of this settlement and the important role it will play in the study and the understanding of the Almohad and Nasrid period in the history of our country.
Vegetable Toys Workshop in Mojácar
Mojácar Council and the Almería Provincial Council have organised a workshop entitled “Vegetable Toys Workshop, which will take place next Saturday 20th November at 5pm in the locality’s Multi-Uses Centre.
Mojácar Council and the Almería Provincial Council have organised a workshop entitled “Vegetable Toys Workshop, which will take place next Saturday 20th November at 5pm in the locality’s Multi-Uses Centre.
Designed for the whole family, it sets out to promote and provide learning about customs and traditions within a space of play and learning for all the family. It is part of the “Old Trades” campaign, created by the Provincial Council.
At the workshop participants will turn into very special toymakers. Ecological toys created with plant materials which combine imagination, sensitivity and the natural resources of each area.
According to Raquel Belmonte, Mojácar Council Culture Councillor, the attempt is to learn to value plant materials as a source of resources for handicrafts, to learn about local ethnobotanical uses, as well as to recognise the sources of inspiration and creativity in nature which have accompanied man throughout history.
Other values the Vegetable Toys Workshop tries to strengthen: within a playful and enjoyable environment, to try to find the ideal way to reflect on our consumption habits and to rethink the possibility of acquiring new ones, making the most of the resources which our environment offers, just as our elders did.
Knowledge of our culture and our traditions offers us the possibility of appreciating the exploitation, use and reuse of the environment.
It also offers an interesting opportunity to create toys for the whole family, working together in the multiple free time the youngest will soon enjoy during the Christmas holidays.
Anyone interested can contact the Local Council to formalise their registration as places are limited.
The Municipal Library expands its reading offer
The Mojácar Municipal Library is increasing its reading inventory thanks to a subsidy of 5,000 euros received from the Junta de Andalucía.
Open to the public since 1989 with an initial stock of something more than 2,000 books from a foundational set provided by the Junta de Andalucía, the number has been increasing with the purchases made each year by Mojácar Council, some donations from individuals and other grants.
Today it has something more 15,000 books and close to 1,000 members, and despite new technology and the tendency to read on paper increasingly less, continues to offer an unreplaceable service.
It has come a long way since then, always seeking to offer the best service to residents and first and foremost to instil the habit of reading in the youngest.
Culture Councillor Raquel Belmonte is very pleased with this new subsidy, which for the second consecutive year will allow for the acquisition of more books, mainly the latest novelties, although there is always something left over to allow for the purchase of the most in demand and of general interest, above all for young people if the institute requires some title which was not planned at the beginning of the school year.
The Mojácar Municipal Library is the meeting point for school children for their teamwork or for the reading recommended in class. It’s also a meeting point for many visitors looking for free time reading to complement their leisure time.
It’s also a place for cultural activities, having served as the setting for the gathering of writers, poets and people of letters, who have used the facilities for the presentation of their works and discussions with their readers.
It has computers and wi-fi, which help with the necessary queries and which can be shared with advice about its complete bibliography.
Although Covid paralysed its activity, it has resumed with more impetus, to which is added this Andalucía government assistance, which gives an important boost for extending its offers to all readers: children, young people and adults who want to find travel books, novels, essays, cookery books, collections or an unlimited universe which is always hidden within the pages of a book, at the same time as helping commerce in the area, since this money has to be used in local bookshops or stationers.
The Deputy Regional Minister for Culture, Macarena O´Neill, and the Almería Culture Delegate, Eloisa Cabrera, paid a recent visit to the facilities accompanied by Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, and Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte.
To have access to the Municipal Library, which is free, it’s necessary to become a member, allowing you to take home a book for a maximum period of a month. It’s open to the public Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm in the morning and from 5-8pm in the evening.
Mojácar Council also recognised with the Ecovidrio Green Igloo award
The award recognises tho localities which have increased their selective collection of glass containers during the summer and which surpass the challenge established by Ecovidrio.
This recognition is part of the Green Flags campaign, an initiative which recognises the effort of the local hospitality sector on recycling glass containers and the activism of the municipalities on sustainability.
Mojácar Council today received the “Green Igloo” of Ecovidrio, the non-profit entity in charge of the management of glass packaging waste recycling in Spain. This award, which is in addition to the recently obtained Green Flag, recognises the municipalities participating in the Green Flags movement, which have increased the selective recycling of glass containers during the summer months and which have surpassed the challenge established by the entity.
Mojácar Council, in collaboration with the Almanzora-Levante-Vélez Consortium, managed to selectively collect a total of 69 tonnes of glass containers, 31 per cent more than in 2020. These results would not have been possible without the collaboration of 41 hospitality trade establishments, to which 17 bins adapted to their needs were given, a sector which generates 52 per cent of single-use glass containers.
With the aim of increasing the collection volumes in a critical period for consumption, Ecovidrio has developed an intensive campaign to support hospitality sector professionals in the locality through the fitting out of containers adapted to the hospitality industry and bins which facilitate the transport of glass packaging waste.
Mojácar Council has received the Ecovidrio award, which was presented to Emmanuel Agüero as Delegate Councillor for the Environment and Tourism.
The Green Flags Movement is one of Ecovidrio’s most recognisable initiatives to support the hospitality sector and move towards a more sustainable and resources-friendly offer. This summer the entity made more than 15,000 information and awareness-raising visits to hospitality sector establishments in the participating localities. Finding out about their recycling habits, monitoring the surrounding areas’ filling volumes, installing more than 500 containers at the disposal of the hospitality sector, as well as facilitating the transport of glass packaging waste with adapted bins are some of the operational actions on the ground.
Mojácar prepares a Mojácar La Vieja excavations general research project
Mojácar Council, in collaboration with the University of Granada, the MemoLab Biocultural Archaeology Laboratory, the Valparaíso Foundation and Patrimonio Inteligente is preparing a General Research Project which will plan future interventions, consolidation, enhancement and content of the Mojácar La Vieja excavations for the next four years. .
To this end, those involved in the work met at the Valparaíso Foundation. Present were Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, Mojácar Council Tourism Councillor, the area which manages and promotes the project; Carmen García Campoy, Director of the Tourism Department; José María Civantos, University of Granada associate professor in the Medieval History Department and MemoLab Director; Beatrice Beckett and Teresa Santiago, Valparaíso Foundation President and Projects Director respectively.
At the meeting there was a review of all the achievements obtained during the three campaigns carried out, and looking to the future, the lines of action, preservation, dissemination and improvements to accesses, as well as the elaboration of the aforementioned project.
The Mojácar La Vieja General Research Project will be presented to the regional Culture Ministry together with the commitment of the Local Council for its development and support for financing.
At the same time, the works on Mojácar La Vieja resume, this time consolidation of the excavated elements for their protection, and which will continue until 8th November.
Specific works at the dig site since in fact works on the site continue throughout the year, but now at the facilities of the University of Granada and MemoLab, the University of Granada’s Laboratory of Biocultural Archaeology, where all the findings are catalogued, studied and digitalised.
For two weeks, five specialised archaeologists, financed by the company Patrimonio Inteligente, Mojácar Council and MemoLab, are responsible for ensuring the conservation of the structures discovered in anticipation of the start of the next campaign, which will be carried out in 2022.
Both Mojácar Council and the Valparaíso Foundation have been the driving force behind the restoration of “Mojácar la Vieja”, being one of the most important companies which the municipality deals with in its tourism, as well as historical and cultural projection. When they began the first restoration works on the site in 2018, Mojácar Council signed a collaboration agreement with the Valparaíso Foundation, the majority owner of the land on which Mojácar la Vieja stands, as well as with the owners of the other plots which make it up, land declared a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC), and which made the survey works and of its enhancement possible.
The archaeological investigation of this settlement can allow for obtaining interesting urban, archaeological and social data about the first Islamic communities settled in eastern Almería.
The results obtained so far are encouraging and speak of an important settlement with a strong military protection, as shown by the wall which surrounded it and the 14 towers which could have had defence purposes, as well as of an important population and trade centre.
Mojácar closes the 2021 Tourism Campaign with exceptional occupancy figures
Mojácar registered more than satisfactory figures in the 2021 summer campaign, as the summary produced by the Municipal Tourism Office with data gathered from 1st June to 20th October records.
Occupancy was high. It reached an average of 93% in the first fortnight of August, the figure rising according to the accommodation chosen.
The average occupancy is also considered high, producing very favourable percentages, which from June to October reached 80%, especially considering that for the places in the hotel, hostel and tourist apartment category, they respected the reduction in capacity for these establishments’ communal areas, swimming pools and restaurants were respected.
September also went exceptionally well, with average occupancy of more than 80%.
La general picture from June to September was the presence of mainly national tourists, in a proportion of 93% compared to 7% international tourists.
However, from mid-September to the second fortnight of October, clients of European origin, until then practically non-existent, started to be included. France, Belgium, the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands are the tourists detected both in the statistics for visits to the tourism portal and in-face-to-face visits to the Municipal Tourism Office.
From this office during the period of reference a total of 34,833 enquiries were dealt with. Of these, 21,018 were physical consultations at their offices and 13,815 via different social media.
What’s more, the increase in interest in getting to know Mojácar and its offer has been confirmed in the figures gathered on the Local Council website, which received 29,357 users on these dates.
The total Google views, taken from the Municipal Tourist Office listing, was 54.1 million during the quarter. Social media also increased considerably during this period.
The use of the QR Autoguide codes installed at the municipality’s main places of interest also increased. They were used 2,698 times, of which 93% were in Spanish and the rest in English.
Forty-one per cent of the tourists who used the Mojácar tourist information services were staying in the municipality. Of the 8,412 surveys carried out in these office, 3,509 corresponded to tourists staying in the locality.
In the profile of the tourist who enjoyed their holidays in Mojacar, 41% were families, 47% couples, nearly 5% young tourism, close to 6% senior tourism, and slightly more than 1% people on their own.
Of these, 69% booked through the Internet, 20% directly with the accommodation and 10% through travel agencies.
The average stay was six nights. Almost half were in a four-star hotel, followed by tourist apartments, private apartments, three-star hotels, camping in the locality, motor homes, and finally, rural houses.
Mojácar has total registered accommodation of 16,879 places, of which 4,293 correspond to hotels, 4,293 to tourist apartments, 407 to camp sites, 74 to rural houses, 58 to properties of rural use and 6,058 to holiday homes.
The Secretary of State for the Environment presents Mojácar with its green flag for being the most sustainable municipality in Spain.
Emmanuel Agüero, Mojácar Council’s Tourism Councillor, has received from the Secretary of State for the Environment, Hugo Morán, the Ecovidrio 2021 Green Flag, which recognises the locality as the most sustainable municipality in the whole of Spain.
This official presentation of the eight green flags presented throughout the national territory, and celebrated in Madrid, was the culmination of an intense campaign over the summer in touristy areas of Spain, and whose main objective was to boost the recovery of glass packaging for recycling in high season and the recognition of the recycling efforts of the local hospitality sector, as well as encouraging the activism of local authorities in publicising the importance of recycling among their residents.
Mojácar was the locality which achieved first position, managing to recycle nearly 70,000 kilos of glass between July and August. In the 2021 campaign, 127 local councils in up to five autonomous communities and up to 14,000 hospitality sector establishments have opted for one of these Green Flags. In Andalucía alone, 41 municipalities fought for this award.
Hugo Morán, Secretary of State for the Environment, wanted to congratulate Mojácar and Almeria, ranked second, for their green flags: “a goal of excellence which symbolises the recognition of a job well done.”
For the Secretary of State, the culmination of the circular economy requires the commitment of the whole of society, both citizens and public administrations, institutions and collectives.
Ecovidrio is the non-profit entity in charge of managing the recycling of glass packaging waste in our country. The recycling of glass containers is a key element in the struggle against climate change and the acceleration of a circular economy model.
Thanks to the Green Flags movement, 31,045 tonnes of glass packaging has been collected, the subsequent recycling of which has managed to avoid the emission of 17,700 tonnes of CO2, the same as taking 8,000 cars out of circulation for a year; avoiding the extraction of 36,770 tonnes of primary materials, equivalent to nearly four times the weight of the Eiffel Tower and saving 21,885 MWh of energy.
The journalist Emilio Aramburu exhibits in Mojácar
The La Fuente Mojácar Municipal Art Centre is until 31st October staging a photo exhibition which under the title “Mojácar La Vieja” brings together 108 photographs showing instants during the excavations carried out in the locality on the ancient settlement of Mojácar. .
Emilio Aramburu, author of the photographs, aims to reflect the human side of the excavations, which promoted by Mojácar Council, through the Tourism Department, have been carried out for several years.
Under the management of the University of Granada biocultural archaeology laboratory, MEMOlab, and throughout these campaigns, an important representation of archaeologists and students from different parts of the world have worked among the remains, as well as volunteers from the municipality and the region.
Thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of these young people and professionals, many of the secrets which were hidden under hundreds of cubic metres of earth and undergrowth are being brought to light. Work which has at certain times required great physical effort and great meticulousness and caution in most of the processes.
All this effort is brought together with great sensitivity by the author of the photographs. His objective to not miss any moment of these days of non-stop work, which are already part of the locality’s history, and which relates to his interest in photography and his personal project of capturing and creating a graphic compilation of the places, spaces and elements which surround him.
Emilio Aramburum who has lived in Mojácar since 1984, is a journalist, scholar and highly knowledgeable about the history of the area and its archaeological remains, and he has combined this passion with his talent for photography, leading him to actively take part in the three archaeological campaigns carried out to-date and to take thousands of photographs, always focusing on capturing the work of these groups of people in their efforts to puzzle out and reveal the historical vestiges hidden in these ancient remains.
The exhibition is open to the public, free of charge, in the morning, from Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 2pm.
Mojácar celebrates the Day of its Patron Saint, the Virgen del Rosario
Next Thursday 7th October, Mojácar municipality celebrates the festival for its patron saint, the Virgen del Rosario.
Although the traditional activities for this event have been reduced due to the crisis caused by Covid-19, the Culture and Fiestas Department has included several activities in its October cultural programme.
However there has been a change for the 7th, a local holiday. The Holy Mass scheduled for 12 noon in the Santa María Parish Church will move to 7pm in the same church.
The locality’s new Parish Priest, Víctor Manuel Fernández, will take up his post at this religious ceremony, accompanied by Miguel Esteban Jerez, who has served parishioners up until now and who is now the Director of the Aguadulce “Reina y Señora” House of Spirituality.
Present at the Holy Mass will be Octavio Santos on piano, Nadia Rudenko on violin and singer Sol Ruiz.
Additionally, in the Multi-Uses Centre at 5.30pm, the children’s show “las Recetas de Burbuja” (Bubble Recipes), will delight the little ones.
An exciting world for children from two to 99 in which expert cook Andrés Pumadera is recording a TV programme on which every day he prepares a diet with other great cooks’ cookery books.
On that day it’s the turn of Burbuja, a very special chef due to the ingredients and his surprising top dishes. A world of excitement and soap which will fly in front of everyone.
Mojácar celebrates the Day of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain 2021
Mojácar has celebrated the Day of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain with the reading out of a manifesto by Mojácar Council Tourism Councillor Emmanuel Agüero, joined by members of the local government team, as well as by many local residents and visitors who wanted to take part in the event.
Mojácar, due to its beauty, has been a member of “The Most Beautiful Towns in Spain Network” since 2013, practically from its beginnings, revalidating its continuity year after year with the association’s recognition. A recognition thanks not only to the charms and preservation of its old town, which encompasses the whole village, but also because of its history and cultural imprint.
The celebration of the “Day of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain” is to defend the preservation of the artistic and cultural heritage of the country’s most beautiful places, among them Mojácar.
A special day, which aims to highlight the work carried out throughout the year, both by the association and by all the municipalities of which it is made up.
Emmanuél Agüero underlined the importance and significance for Mojácar of making up part of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain and the commitment, always present, which it involves in all orders of municipal action.
The manifesto, which was read out in all the municipalities belonging to the network, highlights the support of their local populations, following a year and a half of the pandemic, recognising the efforts of our society to move forward. Nor could it be without a fond remembrance for all those who we have lost and who will never be replaced.
But The Most Beautiful Towns in Spain’s firmest request focuses on being taken into account at this crucial time for assistance and funds which have to come from Europe, really reaching our towns, calling on the State institutions to support, without the slightest doubt, our people, our productive framework, our tourism, our countryside.
Finally, in the name of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain Association, and of the whole of Mojácar and the local government, Emmanuel Agüero wanted to send a message of solidarity to the Canary Island of La Palma, which continues to be devastated by the Cumbre Vieja volcano.
Mojácar local Osaïa Reding world Kitesurf champion
Osaïa Reding, Mojácar’s best-known kiteboarder, has for the third consecutive time revalidated her title as world Kitesurf junior champion in the
Freestyle Sub 19 category, celebrated in Tarifa.
With the recently won title of Champion of France under her belt, Osaïa once again faced the best riders in the world in the Cádiz town of Tarifa, where this time she won the well-deserved world title.
The sporting career of this young woman of just 17 years of age is unstoppable. Since she started out aged just nine, she has picked up nearly all the existing national and international titles.
On her return home to Mojácar she was received by Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, and Sports Councillor, Francisco García Cerdá.
Following the congratulations for such a brilliant sporting career and for her achievements, Osaïa Reding signed the municipality’s book of honour, in which she wanted to express her gratitude to Mojácar Council for the support received throughout her sporting career.
Mojácar Council is one of her sponsors, always following her training and the results in the numerous competitions in which she takes part with interest.
This has been a difficult year for Osaïa as the pandemic and the impediments to getting around had her very worried. Two injuries also kept her away from the rhythm of work, from the maximum demand, she is used to having.
Her quality as a sportswoman and her maturity in facing all the challenges have gained her a well-deserved reward.
For next year she is now preparing for the championship of Spain. Training starts right away. On the near horizon there are the Paris Olympics and her dream of being able to represent Spain in this sport and show off the Mojácar shield on her board along with the best.
The beaches of Mojácar will, following this break in which she has been battling to revalidate her title, once again be the setting for the development of her “tricks”, flying over the waves in dizzying manoeuvres which leave beachgoers and everyone who stops to admire her open-mouthed.
Mojácar wins the Ecovidrio Green Flag as the most sustenaible municipality of the summer in the whole of Spain
Mojácar has got its first Green Flag, one of only eight awarded in the whole of Spain, and promoted by Ecovidrio, through the 2021 Green Flag Movement.
This award accredits Mojácar as the most sustainable municipality of the summer.
The Green Flag is a physical and symbolic recognition which Ecovidrio awards to the municipality which has demonstrated the greatest involvement in the “2021 Green Flag Movement”, becoming the benchmark for recycling glass containers, the fight against climate change and for caring for our coasts.
Ecovidrio got in contact with Mojácar Council to inform them that they have surpassed the challenge with the highest score of the whole campaign: a total of 1,920 points and with a more than 700-point difference in relation to the next placed.
Ecovidrio has established a specific scoring system to distinguish those most committed to recycling and sustainability with the Green Flag. Criteria like an increase in the volume of the selective collection of glass containers on the previous year, the percentage of the participating local hospitality sector and their collaboration on achieving the aims, and the commitment acquired by local authorities to promoting the campaign among the hospitality industry, as well as the maximum dissemination of the same among citizens and visitors.
A total of 69,321 kilos of glass was collected in Mojácar between July and August, which corresponds to 31% more than over the same period of the previous year. In July, 36,756 kg were recycled, and in August 32,656 kg.
Forty-one establishments in the locality have taken part in the Green Flag Movement and 16 vinyl buckets have been given out, as well as 10 more with the campaign image distributed around the most commercial streets.
According to the organisation, thanks to the Mojácar Council teamwork, citizens and hospitality business owners, Mojácar has taken an important step in the transition to a circular economy and in the struggle against climate change, becoming an example of the green recovery of the hospitality sector.
In the 2021 campaign, 125 local councils in up to five autonomous communities and more than 14,000 catering business establishments have aimed for one of these Green Flags. In Andalucía alone, 41 municipalities also strived for this award.
The official presentation of this recognition will be, with full honours, at a joint act with the rest of the winners on 14th October in Madrid.
The award will be presented to Mojácar by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Hugo Morán.
Mojácar celebrates World Tourism Day
.Mojácar has celebrated World Tourism Day with a free guided tour of the old town and its most emblematic places.
The initiative was organised by the locality’s Municipal Tourist Office, which every year celebrates this symbolic day with an activity aimed at the visitors to Mojácar who want to join in.
Accompanied by an expert from the Mojácar Local Council’s Tourism Department, the group of tourists were able to enjoy the explanations about the municipality and its history, giving shape and meaning to the enclaves which throughout history have made Mojácar what it is today.
The visit started at the Plaza Nueva viewpoint, where you can admire the Valley of the Pyramids, the mouth of the River Aguas and “Mojácar la Vieja”, the old site of the village, which is currently being excavated.
The route continued to another viewing point, that of the castle, from where it is possible to get a spectacular panoramic view of the Mediterranean and the entire Levante Almería coastline and as far as places in Murcia.
From there it was on to a tour of the old wall, the street where the soldiers keeping watch over the coast and keeping an eye out for Barbarian invasions stood guard, the city gate and the fortress church, among other points of interest.
The World Tourism Organisation proclaimed the 21st September 1979 World Tourism Day to commemorate the anniversary of the approval of its statutes. This declaration took place in Torremolinos, it being considered very appropriate because it coincides with the end of the high holiday season in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning in the southern half,
For 2021, the theme for this World Day has been “Tourism for Inclusive Growth.”
The tourism sector has grown a lot over the last few years, and because of this it is important to make the population aware of the need for sustainable tourism, which provides long-term benefits to countries, helping their development. The recent celebrations of World Tourism Day have focused precisely on sustainable tourism, with the slogan: “Travel, Enjoy, Respect.”
Mojácar Lighthouse inaugurates a new stage in the history of navigation aid signals in Almería
From a distance of 24 nautical miles you can now see the intermittent flashes from the brand-new Mojácar Lighthouse, which officially entered into service on the evening-night of 22nd September 2021, the time when simultaneously the Garrucha Lighthouse lantern was turned off after 140 years of service.
This date, as highlighted by the Mayor of Mojácar, Rosa María Cano, and the president of the Almería Port Authority (APA), Jesús Caicedo, will go down in the history of the province’s navigation aid signals, and of that of Mojácar municipality in particular.
This the Mojácar Mayor and the APA president affirmed, as did the province’s social and economic agents, who participated in the turning on of the new lighthouse’s lantern.
Rosa María Cano highlighted the importance for the municipality of this new location, which “puts Mojácar on the navigation maps of the whole world.”
The Mayor trusts it will be yet another attraction for attracting new tourists and visitors to the municipality at the same time as having been able to recover a space of singular beauty, the Cerro del Moro Manco, with extraordinary views over the Mojácar coastline and the Mediterranean.
Jesús Caicedo thanked Mojácar Council and State Ports for the support they have given right from the start for enabling the project to go ahead, and also thanked the companies Grupo Parra, Marquit and MSM Mediterráneo for the work they have carried so as to today make the lighthouse a reality. He also publicly recognised the work and efforts of the Port Authority Navigation Aids System team and of all the APA personnel.
The Mojácar Lighthouse stands on the highest point of the municipality, at level 150 on the northern side of the Cerro del Moro Manco hill in the Marina de la Torre residential area, on a 250sqm plot ceded by the Local Council. As well as the structure housing the beacons, the lighthouse project includes the operations hut, the remodelling of the access road and a viewing point and garden area, from where you can see a good part of the Levante region of Almería coast. The action, with an investment of 280,000 euros (VAT included), has been carried out by the APA, charged to the Inter-port Compensation Fund approved by State Ports.
Due to the need for ‘daytime marking’ – that is, that the lighthouse building has to be visible from the sea during the day – a compact volume has been designed to house the lighthouse lantern and the auxiliary units. The lighthouse lantern stands out at the highest point of the complex, the base of which houses the building’s auxiliary areas: office, toilet and battery room.
When it comes to its design, maximum integration into the surroundings has been sought. The lighthouse is a singular building, white, with a Mediterranean appearance, which follows the line of ‘Mojaquera’ architecture in the urban parts of the town. The lighthouse building, as well as the rest of the works, have been carried out by Grupo Transformaciones y Embalses Parra, the manager of which explained the main characteristics of the works.
The company MSM Mediterráneo Señales Marítimas has supplied the lighthouse equipment. It consists of a glazed lantern at a 180º angle with a hemispherical dome. Inside the lantern there is a modern long-range rotating MBR 900 beacon, which functions as the main beacon, with a two-position lamp changer, a back-up rotation system and its corresponding control panel. Likewise, a two-level, sectorised MBL500LD ‘flashing’ beacon model has been installed, which acts as an emergency beacon. This beacon also has its own control panel and a solar panel with a photovoltaic power system, generator set and several battery modules, which guarantees the functioning of the signal in the event there is a failure in the main equipment.
The Mojácar lighthouse range of action goes from Macenas beach to Águilas in Murcia Region, with an effective light intensity of more than 24 nautical miles.
The lighthouse inauguration was attended by a notable representation of the public administrations. Among other authorities, there was the Government Sub-Delegate, Manuel de la Fuente; the Junta de Andalucía Government delegate, María Isabel Sánchez, Health and Families delegate, Juan de la Cruz Belmonte, Development, and Infrastructure, Urban Planning, Culture and Historic Heritage Almería delegate, Eloísa Cabrera. The Levante region of Almería mayors, the Almería Chamber of Commerce President, Jerónimo Parra, and several representatives of regional businesses and entities, among other authorities, also took part in the event.
Thomas Neukirch exhibits his "BLACK BOX” in Mojácar until the end of September
The La Fuente Municipal Art Centre in Mojácar brings together until the end of September artist Thomas Neukirch’s exhibition of paintings under the title “Black Box”, in which he presents his latest works.
A luxurious exhibition which brings together canvases of great quality, highlighting the mastery of the artist and the nature of his work. It leaves no visitor indifferent and is well worth visiting. An exhibition at the level of the world’s best galleries.
Black Box is the kind of installation, which the artist himself describes as “an unprecedented mix of contemporary and modern art.” He is inspired by an aircraft’s black box which shows the zones of “a casual accident”, as he believes his own life to be: “an event he hasn’t chosen.” As part of this he is exhibiting four works titled “Future”, which represent our right to maintain an intimate and poetic space.
Beyond this, he is exhibiting the works with which, through picturesque tools, he investigates humanity’s big questions: Who am I, what is a good life, and how to avoid the accident of the sixth extermination of the human being and ecological collapse due to climate change.
Thomas Neukirch feels satisfied at having overcome this confrontation between the defenders of a conceptual or avant-garde art and the traditionalists, who think of these new tendencies as a fraud.
Neukirch was born in Germany, and following a stage of his life in Madrid, he moved to Mojácar, where he lives permanently. He trained as an artist in the Paris School of Fine Arts, where he has also exhibited on several occasions, as well as in Lyon, Madrid, Granada, Stuttgart, Cologne, Frankfurt, Vienna, Buenos Aires and in Mojácar.
The exhibition will be open to the public with free entry until 30th September, with the opening hours 10.30am to 1pm from Wednesday to Friday; Saturdays and Sundays until 2pm and from 6-9pm in the afternoon.
Osaïa Reding, just arrived victorious after winning the French kitesurfing championship
Osaïa Reding, Mojácar’s most international and prize-winning sportsperson, has just arrived victorious in the municipality after winning the French kitesurfing championship, freestyle category, valid for the category’s world championship.
There’s not time for much. She has already packed her bags on the way to Tarifa. The second and definitive competition for the world championship is being organised in this Cádiz town, and is where Osaïa will compete for first place to be, for the third consecutive time, world champion.
Saint Pierre la Mer, host of the French Championship and of the first qualifying round for the world championship, has also been the venue for many of her victories and titles. In this difficult 2021 for all sportspeople, she has again risen to the top in France again and to having many options for hanging yet another medal around her neck.
According to Osaïa, the wind conditions in France were good. Four intense days with the doubts of all the sportspeople about a year without the training they would have wanted due to Covid.
At 17, she already knows what it is to compete against the best kiteboarders on the planet. She started training when she was seven. She has been the youngest in nearly all her competitions. At nine she was already launching herself into the sea and wind, fighting, with guts, to get on practically all the podiums possible at her age: two world championships, one in France and one in Spain.
Sports Councillor, Francisco García Cerdá, wanted to wish Osaïa a lot of luck in Cádiz and convey all the encouragement and support of the Local Council for this new and difficult challenge.
Mojácar Council is one of her sponsors, as well as a great supporter of her brilliant sporting career. Francisco García also presented Osaïa with T-shirts with the Mojácar sport logo, which he hopes conveys the backing of her whole town.
From here on, Osaïa would like to train a lot in order to take part in the Spanish Cup, junior championship, next year. In two more she will already be participating in the adult category. But her greatest hopes she has pinned on 2024. Wearing the Spanish shirt in the Olympic Games. Getting into the Spanish team. Maturity, strength, perseverance and talent she has to fulfill her dream.
Residents of Marina de la Torre in Mojácar publicly thank the beach lifeguard for his efforts
With the tourist season about to come to an end, many summer holidaymakers are heading back home to return to their daily routines.
Residents of Marina de la Torre didn’t want to leave the municipality without expressing to Mojácar Council their gratitude to the lifeguard who has been keeping watch over their beaches all summer, Carlos Cedarri.
“Throughout the summer he has demonstrated his professionalism, worthy of the highest praise”, the residents said at the beginning of the letter presented to the Local Council, signed by many.
They go on to highlight “his friendliness his advice, especially to children and teenagers, helping the elderly and the not so old with any difficulty, actions which in some cases went beyond the responsibilities which go with his post.”
Carlos Cedarri has been dedicated to lifesaving for nearly 20 years and has more than 100 rescues to his credit. He loves his job, which means he gives his utmost in his daily work.
This is the first time he has worked in Mojácar. He has felt very comfortable and supported by bathers. He would not hesitate to return next season.
He has worked throughout Spain and in other parts of the world. In fact, his qualification is international and allows him to work anywhere, but he “has fallen in love with Mojácar.
“It has something special, and now with all the friends I’ve made, even more so.”
As a fan of the sea and of his work, before his day begins he goes along the beach area under his supervision, swimming, noting the changes which may have occurred and which represent a danger to bathers. Then the lifeguards’ dynamic routine begins: in the chair, without losing sight of the people in the sea, walking along the shore, especially in the most dangerous areas, always in direct contact with beachgoers.
They have had a number of rescues of bathers, the occasional kite-surfer in trouble, without major consequences in any case, but more than anything it has been prevention, explaining the regulations to bathers and why it is necessary to comply with them, as well as the possible risks from non-observance.
This work is carried out through the company Cooperación 2005 S.L., which has signed an agreement with Mojácar Council on watching over its beaches.
By virtue of this agreement, this summer the beaches of Mojácar have had 35 lifeguards, three skippers for the two available boats and two coordinators. They have provided jet skis, an ambulance, a 4x4 and other vehicles, which have been very useful throughout the summer and which have been in addition to the technical and human resources available to the Local Council.
A quiet summer, thanks to everyone’s excellent work, without any incidents worth mentioning and with no serious accidents.
University of Granada archaeologists present the results of the 2021 excavation campaign to Mojácar residents
MemoLab, the University of Granada’s biocultural archaeology laboratory, which is in charge of the Mojácar La Vieja restoration project, presented the conclusions reached from the 2021 excavation campaign to Mojácar residents.
Despite it initially being work of consolidation and protection of the discoveries made in previous campaigns, and its short duration (10 days), the 30 archaeologists who have worked on Mojácar La Vieja have, as well as this consolidation made new and interesting discoveries which reinforce, support and shed new light on the investigations carried out so far.
The presentation took place in the open air in the Plaza del Frontón due to the Covid-19 health measures.
Present were Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, the members of her government team and a large audience, who as at the previous events regarding Mojácar la Vieja did not want to miss the news which comes up every year and which has the affection and interest of all residents.
Emmanuel Agüero, Councillor for Tourism, an area which is driving this project, opened the presentation by emphasizing the excellent work and the making the most of this campaign, highlighting the importance of this project as a tourist attraction within the cultural sphere for Mojácar, and which joins other initiatives, like family tourism, sport and active tourism. A diversification which aims to increase the locality’s offer as a tourist destination.
Mojácar Local Council will carry out a General Research Plan, which will last for four years, to formalise the archaeological action and definitively highlight the importance of Mojácar la Vieja, and with which it could get the recognition, assistance and different subsidies of the institutions involved.
Memolab Director, José María Civantos, wanted to highlight his gratitude to Mojácar Council and the Fundación Valparaíso as the managers and sponsors of the project, as well for the participation and interest of all Mojácar residents, and the collaboration and support which all the collaborating archaeologists have received during this and the other campaigns carried out to date. He also highlighted its positive impact in the municipality, the region and at provincial level and its major impact in the media and at institutional level, such as the visit by the Deputy Regional Minister and the Delegate for Culture, who expressed their pleasant surprise at the major heritage potential of Mojácar la Vieja.
There are two zones on which the archaeologists have been working from the start: the upper part of the hill where the cistern is located, which everyone knew about. Since the first campaign it has been discovered there was a second wall with two missing towers, another cistern, located in the basement of one of them, as well as rooms for the safekeeping and storage of defence materials, including a prayer area. It was a place intended only for keeping watch.
A rubbish dump found at this site is a valuable source of information about the life and customs of its inhabitants, in this case soldiers responsible for guarding and defending the settlement. Remains of game, mainly rabbits and birds, have been found there.
In the lower part, which is more visible as it is on the slope, efforts have been focused on recovering the original entrance to Mojácar la Vieja: the entry ramp, the stairs leading to the main gate, the remains of the two towers which flanked and protected it, as well as another curved gateway, which made access difficult and which led to the town. A small part of the wall which protected it has also been excavated.
Inside the enclosure, several houses have been exposed, some with important remains like a very well-preserved fireplace and cooking area. Although affected by landslides on the hillside, the reason why the old town was abandoned, it is possible to pick out several homes, some decorative elements of the windows, as well as double arches, with the rose of life as a motif repeated in the elements found up until now. The Rose of Life is now a symbol of Mojácar la Vieja. A symbol of protection since ancient times, which appeared throughout the Mediterranean.
As a general summary, the theory of the major importance of Mojácar la Vieja and its strength has been consolidated, as the wall, solidly built, extended along the entire slope, with possibly more than 14 towers.
The study of the botanical and faunal remains has produced interesting conclusions. The grains found are mainly wheat and barley. In terms of legumes, there are a lot of lentils, and the fruits found are figs, grapes and acorns, which are no longer found in the area, and which indicates the possibility of climatic or trade differences.
In regard to fauna, chicken and eggshells stand out as the most common food. For game, rabbit and some partridges stand out. Remains of small and medium-sized fish have been found: trout and cuttlefish indicate fresh and saltwater fishing. It has also been possible to identify the remains of large tuna spines, which points to a well-organised fishing structure.
In regard to biological remains, there is a clear difference between the fortified enclosure above and the properties below. In the lower part it was seen that the civilian population, unlike the military, ate more domestic animals.
Along with the fieldwork, new technologies have been incorporated, such as the use of a drone for a digital replica of the dig site. Each land surface is decorated in a traditional way and with 3D models of each element, at different scales, including the hill itself in its entirety.
At the same time, with this virtual work the aim is to carry out a media and information campaign, producing replicas which people can look at and consult from home and obtain the information generated so that it is understood via a website. A site which could serve as a virtual museum.
This campaign has also been used, via geographic and GPS information systems, to take all the elements which show traces of where the wall ran and its towers, in general all the fortified compound, which delimited the inhabited space.
Fourteen towers have been found, although almost certainly more will appear, which points to a considerable enclosure in terms of extension and fortification.
In regard to ceramics, more than 10,000 fragments have been found dating from between the 12th and 13th centuries, from the Almohad period to the beginning of the Nasrid. From the drawings found and these remains, virtual models are being created, reconstructed, in 3D, which will also be able to seen in the future virtual museum, creating in parallel, reproductions of adapted samples which will be brought to the village so that blind people can touch the reproductions and find out what ceramics from the period were like.
The work doesn’t end with the days spent at the site. They are followed by many days of study and analysis in the laboratory to give shape and meaning to what has already been obtained, as well as to, on the basis of the data already confirmed, prepare the lines of action for the following campaigns, which all residents eagerly await.
Performing research workshop organised by the Fundación Valparaiso starts in Mojácar.
The Fundación Valparaíso, in collaboration with the Carlos III University Chair of Performing Arts, is staging the fourth edition of the Performing Arts Workshop, “Quality” for actors and directors.
On the 9th, 10th and 11th September, the Fundación Valparaíso facilities in Mojácar will be the setting for the workshop, which for this 2021 edition will be directed by Andrés Lima, National Theatre Award, five MX awards as director and founder of the Animalario Company. Andrés Lima will give the classes and will also guide the actors’ stage work.
Andrés Lima has a 35-year professional career dedicated to creating shows. His time at the London Royal Court Theatre, with a grant from the British Council, sparked his interested in creating a permanent research workshop.
With an important professional and personal background, the work will be developed based on what the director, Andrés Lima, calls “Quality”: a conjunction of the “essential” which the text suggests and the “`personal” which the actor suggests.
Lima will share with the participating actors and director listeners his acting directing techniques acquired through years of experience: “It’s a tool, not a method.”
The division of work each day will consist of warm-ups and games, the quality and an interpretation of texts chosen by the actors themselves.
The Fundación Valparaíso is a private, non-profit institution, established in March 1990 by Paul and Beatrice Beckett.
Its purpose is the development of artistic creation and research in the field of fine arts, literature and music, aims which it carries out fundamentally with the residence for artists, writers and researchers at the foundation’s facilities in Mojácar.
Among its many activities, it also provides financial support to any cultural activity or individuals dedicated to teaching and research in this field.
Worth highlighting is the convening of seminars, conference cycles, exhibitions and awards for the various artistic disciplines.
Rosa María Cano visits "Mojácar La Vieja" dig.
Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, joined by Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, and the Director of the Local Council’s Tourism Department, Carmen García Campoy, has paid a visit to “Mojácar la Vieja” and the works being carried out in the 2021 excavation campaign.
Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, joined by Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, and the Director of the Local Council’s Tourism Department, Carmen García Campoy, has paid a visit to “Mojácar la Vieja” and the works being carried out in the 2021 excavation campaign.
Accompanied by José María Civantos, coordinator of the Memolab biocultural archaeological laboratory, which is part of the University of Granada’s Medieval History Department, the Mojácar Mayor was able to see on the ground the great advances made so far.
Despite the 2021 campaign being much shorter than in previous years, there has been a great deal of progress: the theories which the archaeologists have been developing over the two years of study have been consolidated, and, most importantly for the moment, they are reinforcing and protecting the remains already uncovered in order to preserve them until next year when work is resumed.
During the visit Rosa María Cano had the opportunity to exchange views about future actions which will be carried out in the next few years and expressed her complete support, and that of Mojácar Council, for this project, as well as for the major importance of Mojácar la Vieja for understanding the people and the culture of the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries when the town was first established, until it moved to the location we know now. She also wanted to highlight its restoration as an important added value to the locality’s tourism offer, already one of the most important in the province.
Next Thursday 9th September, the results of the latest works and studies carried out up to date will be presented in the Plaza del Frontón at 9pm. Mojácar la Vieja is established as an important point for the urban, archaeological, social, farming and livestock study of the first Islamic settlements located in the Levante region of Almería.
At the same time, according to Jose María Civantos, the investigation strategy at Mojácar La Vieja is also aimed at highlighting its importance and so that people can visit it and understand what a Medieval era settlement like this is like and understand what the origins of Mojácar village are.
Master esparto weavers give a workshop in Mojácar to demonstrate this craft.
As part of the Mojácar Local Council-organised cultural activities related to the “Mojácar La Vieja” excavation campaign, the first meeting of the Esparto Grass Workshop took place in the locality’s Multi-Uses Centre was, which as for the last occasion in 2019, was greatly looked forward to.
Due to the high demand from students and the nice experience of the last workshop, Mojácar Council managed to bring together seven master esparto weavers from the local area to demonstrate and to teach this trade, now almost forgotten, to people with an interest in it.
The fact of having been able to gather in one place so many master esparto weavers, an activity which is hardly practiced anymore and the secrets of which remain only in the hands of our elderly, made it a unique treat.
María Carrillo, Bartolomé Flores, José Gallardo, Martín Flores Sardaña, Ramón Porreras, Juan Zamora and Paco Santiago were the master esparto weavers who shared their good work with a large group keen to take up the baton of this ancient activity.
Children, teenagers and adults of all ages closely followed the instructions in an afternoon packed with learning on how to work with esparto, but also, and again thanks to the elderly people, about the ways of life of not so very long ago, in which esparto weaving was one of the daily activities. Nor was it so long ago that it was one of the most important local industries in the region and in many Spanish towns.
The masters brought to the class the tools with which they worked the esparto, as well as some of the everyday items, such as baskets and espadrilles, and those used for working on the land: implements for horses, baskets for storing food or to transport small animals, etc.
Its connection to the Mojácar excavations is related to the work methodology of the University of Granada’s MemoLab bio-cultural archaeology laboratory.
MemoLab works in the area of investigation and dissemination within medieval archaeology, but providing a social perspective: combining archaeology and the environment. Specifically, the recognition of historical processes involving natural resources and on the strategies for exploiting them which have given rise to different landscapes and forms of cultural expression.
Knowledge of this heritage allows for increasing and passing on knowledge about it to the benefit of today’s society and the sustainability of rural areas.
This Esparto Weaving Workshop will continue next Tuesday 7th September at 6pm in the locality’s Multi-Uses Centre.
There is also another workshop planned, Ceramic Washing, which will be on Friday 3rd and Wednesday 8th, also at 6pm, in the Mojácar Multi-Uses Centre.
Participation success for the 10th Mojácar Town Paddle Tennis tournament.
Mojácar has hosted the 10th Mojácar Town Paddle Tennis Tournament, organised by the Local Council’s Sports Department, which as ever attracted great interest among fans of the sport.
With 50 participants, among them locals and people from different parts of the region, the 10th Mojácar Town 2021 Tournament saw the highest participation in the competition to date.
The La Mata Sport Centre courts were the venue for the different events, which were very hard-fought and with a high turnout from the public, who, following all the social distancing and face mask recommendations, cheered on their teams at all times.
In a very hard-fought competition, the winners in the men’s category A were the pair made up of Antonio Alarcón from Mojácar and Iván Segura. In the women’s category A, first place was for Pilar Belmonte and Elena Fernández.
In the men’s category B, Mario Belmonte and Miguel Ruiz from Mojácar took first position. The pair who came second, Carlos García Alix and Rosendo Alarcón, also from Mojácar, should be highlighted. They fought a close final, keeping the audience entertained. In the women’s B categories, Arancha de Pedro and Elena Becerra took first place.
Mojácar Council Sports Councillor, Francisco García Cerdá, was in charge of presenting the prizes, which were donated by Mojácar Council. The local authority was also in charge of providing the refreshments for the participants.
The good performances of local sportspeople, who even improved on last year’s excellent rankings, is worth noting.
Francisco García Cerdá expressed his gratitude to all the sportspeople for being there despite the inconveniences, both for players and members of the public, which following the health recommendations mean. He also highlighted the sportsmanship displayed throughout the competition, as well as the high level of play by all the sportspeople, encouraging them to carry on taking part in this now unmissable event for paddle tennis enthusiasts.
The Sports Councillor also wanted to highlight the work of the Municipal Paddle Tennis School, which over the years has been training and perfecting the game techniques of many local sportspeople.
The "Mojácar La Vieja 2021" excavation campaign gets underway.
The new Mojacar la Vieja (old Mojácar) excavation campaign is underway, which for yet another year is due to the Local Council and the Valparaíso Foundation, in the expert hands of the University of Granada and the MemoLab cultural archaeology laboratory.
This campaign will be shorter because it will run only until the 10th, and according to José María Civantos, professor at the University of Granada in the Department of Medieval History, Science and Historiographic Sciences, it is going to be more focused on the consolidation and restoration of the site to be able to protect and preserve it so that it is increasingly accessible and known by the public.
Yet again conditioned by the health crisis, with reduced travel and social distancing measures, this Mojácar La Vieja excavation campaign will have a group of 30 archaeologists: students and restorers, who hope to achieve the objectives and meet the expectations proposed for 2021, and have the same impact as previous campaigns, both in the locality, as well as in the region and province.
As in previous years, as well as being able to get up close to visit or collaborate on the excavation, cultural activities are planned, which will be carried out and programmed around the tasks of the archaeologists working on Mojácar La Vieja.
On Wednesday 1st and Tuesday 7th September, the Esparto Grass Workshop repeats its objectives from 6pm in the Multi-Uses Centre.
A ceramic washing workshop is planned for Friday 3rd and Wednesday 8th September, in which anyone interested in archaeology and its discoveries will be able to take part. It will be from 6pm in the Multi-Uses Centre.
It goes without saying there are guided visits, which will be on Saturday 4th September at 10am at the foot of the Mojácar La Vieja hill. On Sunday 5th the guided visits will be repeated in two turns: at 10am and at 7.30pm, again at the foot of the excavation.
Those interested in any of these activities should pre-register on memolab@ugr.es
On Thursday 9th there will be a presentation of the 2021 archaeological campaign results at 9pm in the Plaza del Frontón in Mojácar Pueblo.
Mass in Mojácar in honor of its patron Saint, San Agustín.
For the second year in a row, Mojácar has had to celebrate its festivities in honour of its patron saint San Agustín under strict health regulations, which have forced the suspension of many of the traditional activities of many years.
Nonetheless, the restrictions due to the Covid-19 crisis did allow Mojácar to honour its Patron Saint with a mass held in the Santa María parish Church and officiated by Parish Priest Miguel Esteban Jerez.
It was a doubly emotional religious celebration as this Holy Mass also served as a farewell to Miguel Esteban Jerez in his pastoral mission in Mojácar after many years of service to Mojácar’s faithful. From now on he is in charge of the parish of Aguadulce and the House of Spirituality.
Despite the restrictions, also adapted to the health restrictions, the open-air activities organised by the Culture and Festivities Department, have been taking place throughout August, especially in the week in which the patron saint festivities should have been celebrated.
The ribbon races, the sports activities, the water offering, the proclamation, the queens and dames of honour, dance, processions and “tardeo” (early evening tapas or drinks), the having fun with friends and family are left for next year, when undoubtedly it will be possible to bring back this such special event which Mojácar residents have been celebrating for as long as anyone can remember.
"Summer Mini - Igloo in Mojácar"competition
The “Summer Mini-Igloo in Mojácar” Competition, organised by Mojácar Council in collaboration with the company Ecovidrio, has reached the home stretch for anyone interested in getting a mini-igloo for recycling glass at home.
Up until 31st August, all those who are interested will have to email a photo in which they appear next to a glass recycling igloo to oficinaturismomojacar@gmail.com, giving their first name and surnames and a telephone contact number. In the case of under-18s, the photograph has to include a signed document with the name of the responsible person, ID and that they authorise Mojácar Council to publish the photograph sent in in the context of the “I want to take away a mini-igloo” competition. In the subject you must indicate “I want to take away a mini-igloo”.
Only one photo per person will be allowed.
All the photos received will be displayed on the Council Facebook page until 31st August, and the one with the most likes will be the winner, evaluating the most original. The “voting” will end at midnight on 31st August.
The winners are eligible for one of two glass mini-igloos.
The Local Council will contact the winners. The deadline for claiming the prize will be 1st September.
In the event of a tie in the number of “likes”, the one with the most shares of the post and the image will be looked at, and in the event of a tie in “likes” and the number of shares, there will be a tiebreaker, posting the tied photos again.
By taking part in the competition, it is understood that you give your consent to the Local Council to publish the images for the “SUMMER MINI-IGLOO IN MOJÁCAR” COMPETITION on municipal social media.
This fun competition is part of the different campaigns which the Local Authority, through its Environment Department and the department head Emmanuel Agüero, is running with the aim of putting Mojácar among the localities which are sustainable and rooted in respect for the environment.
Mojácar hosts open water swimming provincial circuit
The third race in the Open Water Swimming Provincial Circuit has been held in Mojácar.
The event was organized by Mojácar Council with the collaboration of the Almería Provincial Council and the coordination of the company AT-Sport Eventos.
The race took place on the Vista de los Ángeles beach with a total of 175 participants from different parts of Almería and other Andalucía provinces. This meant it was a success in terms of participation and a demonstration of the interest which this kind of event sparks among open water swimmers.
The swimming circuits were adapted to each category: the category for minors and adapted covered a distance of 200 metres; the junior category, 1,000 metres. The rest of the categories covered 2,000 metres, equivalent to two laps of the proposed circuit.
Following a digression due to the anti-Covid health measures, one of the sporting traditions which sparks most interest, both among professional sportspeople and amateurs, got back under way.
The consolidation of this circuit among adapted sport swimmers and their inclusion in a category on top of the existing ones is particularly noteworthy. It’s an interest which Mojácar Council and the Provincial Council have as a goal to equalise opportunities among Almerians, whatever their condition.
Sports Councillor, Francisco García Cerdá, and Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, were there for all the races. They also presented the prizes to the winners.
The Sports Councillor expressed his satisfaction at the smooth organisation of the sporting event, which took place without any kind of incident. He also wanted to highlight the importance of these initiatives in promoting the pairing of sport and tourism, Mojácar having the ideal setting for combining both activities, and in which the whole family can take part.
With the final qualifying event for this Open Water Swimming Provincial Circuit still to go, and which will take place in Almería, for the moment, Daniel Muñoz from the Almería Swimming Club in the Male Category and Laura López in the Women’s Category stand out as possible overall winners in this 2021 circuit.
Mojácar programmes concerts and sports activities up to the end of August
This Thursday 19th of August, Sara Jiménez & Pablo Giménez will be in Mojácar with their flamenco show “Variación a Tempo”, which will take place in Plaza Nueva at 10pm
This show was the winner of the Fernán Gómez Theatre Award, Villa Cultural Centre 2020 Dance and Flamenco Choreography Competition,
“Variación a Tempo”, according to its creators, is a reflection on the passage of time, with the idea of space as a force which creates and initiates everything. It is in empty space where movement becomes possible.
This exceptional, top quality flamenco show, will feature Pablo Giménez on guitar, performing his own compositions. The original idea, stage direction, choreography and stage design are by Sara Jimenez.
The August programme, planned by Mojácar Council’s Culture Department for up to the end of August, will include a jazz concert on Friday 20th at 10pm in the Plaza del Frontón by José Luis Jaén and Friends, who will take a journey through their familiar songs: jazz, bolero, son cubano and flamenco, which he embraces in his voice for an unforgettable night.
On Sunday 22nd of August at 10pm in the Plaza del Frontón, the music continues to take centre stage in Mojácar with a performance by “La gata Brass Band” with Beatbox to Brass, a group made up exclusively of wind and percussion instruments, which transports us to New Orleans.
Music keeps the rhythm going on Tuesday 24th with “Jazzmenco” at 10pm in Plaza Nueva, and on Wednesday 25th, children will also enjoy music with the performance of “Mulan la Princesa Guerrera” (Mulan the Warrior Princess) in Plaza Nueva at 9.30pm.
The rhythm continues in the locality on Friday 27th August with “Velada Rincón de Embrujo” (Evening corner of enchantment) exhibition of old photographs and musical performance in the Plaza del Frontón at 10pm. And bringing to an end this summer programme’s musical cycle, but not other performances, “Aromas del Sur” (Aromas of the South), with Diego Valdivia on piano accompanied by acoustic guitar, which will delight the audience who want to go along to Plaza Nueva on Saturday the 28th at 10pm.
Sport has a date of its own next Saturday 21st August with an open water swimming, included in the open water swimming provincial circuit, as well as on Monday 23rd, at 10pm in Plaza Nueva, with a presentation by the “Team Fernándes” School of Martial Arts.
"Mi Playa Bonica", Mojácar backs environmental education
Mojácar Council has joined the “Mi Playa Bonica” (My Pretty Beach) Project in collaboration with the University of Almería, through which actions will be carried out in the coastal eco-systems comprehensive management programme: investigation and decontamination of micro, meso and macro-residues. In short, conservation of protected natural spaces and environmental outreach.
For this purpose, next Saturday 14th, on Playa Venta del Bancal, from 3.30pm onwards, a fixed environmental outreach, information and awareness-raising point will be set up, as well as an explanation of this initiative.
A marquee will be the setting for the day’s dissemination material. Participants and anyone interested can view a small exhibition of marine waste found on the coastline. Alongside the samples of waste will be a small selection of images printed on photographic paper. High-impact images about waste in bodies of water and the consequences for the eco-system in general, and an exhibition of photographs of the main eco-systems and most representative species which this area is home to.
Volunteers will then decontaminate the Venta del Bancal beach of waste and micro-residues.
The methodology used to carry out the decontamination of the beach will consist of exchanging waste found for a children’s attraction or an eco-branded item.
Each adult or child will have to fill a container with waste from the beach or surrounding area. This container will be provided by environment technicians, as well as gloves and the instructions on what to do.
Once full of rubbish it will be returned to the technicians, who will hand over a ticket for use on a children’s attraction or to exchange in the eco-market found in the marquee. A special market, where the only currency will be the tickets, and where it will be possible to get game items, costume jewellery made from recycled products or items of natural cosmetics.
A day which combines environmental education, play and awareness-raising about the importance of conservation and caring for our natural spaces, in this case the beaches and the sea.
Premiering in Mojácar the Pasodoble which bears its name, a work by the composer Enrique Jiménez Galera
On the occasion of the concert offered by the Mojácar Municipal Music Band, and featuring in the summer cultural programme the local council planned for the summer, there was heard for the first time the chords of the “Mojácar” paso doble, a work by the Almerian composer Enrique Jiménez Galera, which he composed in honour of this locality.
As a start to the musical programme which the Mojácar Municipal Music Band offered spectators, to everyone’s surprise and not on the programme, the Director, Miguel Ángel Miranda, announced the premiere performance of the “Mojácar” paso doble, as well as the presence of the composer, who did not want to miss the first performance of his paso doble, which, what’s more, was held in the locality which had inspired him.
The premiere of the “Mojácar” paso doble was highly applauded at the end, being warmly received by the sizeable audience in the Plaza del Parterre where the concert was held in order to comply with the health measures imposed by the health crisis.
Mojácar Mayor Rosa María Cano and the members of her government team were there. Culture Councillor Raquel Belmonte presented the composer Enrique Jiménez Galera with a statuette with a commemorative plaque to show the appreciation of Mojácar village for the composition which bears the name of the municipality.
Enrique Jiménez Galera began his musical studies in the Olula del Río Conservatory. From a very young age it was clear to him that music was his world and he continued his studies in Granada, where he graduated in clarinet, studied teaching and perfected his musical conducting.
Combining teaching work with composing, he conducts cycles of songs for music bands, fandangos, and collecting the typical folklore of Almería province.
Within his extensive training and musical experience, he has accomplished two symphonies, a concert for clarinet and band, as well as processional marches, which he has presented to the Granada “Las Penas” association and the “Estudiantes” in Almería.
In a few emotional words following the presentation of the statuette by the Culture Councillor, Enrique Jiménez thanked the people of Mojácar for their warm reception and the local council for its support, both for him and for the world of music in these difficult times, and the Municipal Music Band Director for their enthusiasm and collaboration. He also highlighted the excellent performance of the members of the Municipal Band.
According to the composer, the “Mojácar” paso doble is simple, but full of feeling, and “although it is difficult to do justice to the beauty of Mojácar”, in the words of Enrique Jiménez Galera, he has been inspired by the good times he has spent in the locality and by the strength of the province’s musical heritage.
Mojácar 2021 full moon walk
Yet another year, Mojácar Council, through the Sports Department and the Almería Provincial Council, organised its traditional Full Moon Route, which goes along the La Mena-Macenas trail.
In the light of the full moon, to add more charm to what are in and of themselves unique Mojácar routes, a group of 46 “Moon Trail” walkers were able to enjoy this distinctive experience included in the Provincial Hiking Programme, which the Provincial Council’s Sports Department and the Mojácar local authority promote.
For several years these Moonlight trails have been becoming established as a must-do date for walkers and hiking enthusiasts. There was a very high response to the 2021 notification and there had to be two groups, each accompanied by their respective guides, and which successfully completed the entire route.
With a difficulty classification of “medium-low”, this 10-km track runs through strategic points in the area’s economic and social history.
The group of hikers, also accompanied by the Mojácar Council Sports Councillor, Francisco García Cerdá, and by members of Civil Protection, made stops at the most emblematic points for explanations about the location in question.
The Mena-Macenas Trail takes the visitor back to the mining past, starting off with the footprints left by the iron exploitations’ mule drivers and transporters, and continues with the Nasrid past and the defence of the Mediterranean coast. All surrounded by unique fauna and flora, such as the well-known “limonium estevei”, a native species to the area and in danger of extinction.
Mojácar Council has active three routes accessible to the walker: the Huertas-Mojácar trail along the bank of the River Aguas, the Marina de la Torre-Mojácar village and the Mena-Macenas.
Mojácar to compete for the Ecovidrio Green Flag this Summer
Mojácar Council has presented to the media the incorporation of the locality in the Ecovidrio Green Flags movement.
The press conference was presided over by the Tourism, Environment and Beaches Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, and the Tourism Board Director, Carmen García Campoy.
Emmanuel Agüero explained why the municipality has joined this initiative, promoted, not-for-profit, by Ecovidrio. To encourage and promote the recycling of glass are some of the many reasons why Mojácar wants to join an initiative which the local council, as a municipality, wants to very much take into account, given that it is always aiming to be, in all areas, as sustainable as possible.
The Tourism Councillor considers that the establishments, which are now in full swing, as well as residents and visitors can collaborate by continuing with what is now an everyday and simple act, but which has a major impact on sustainability.
The catering sector generates 52 per cent of single-use glass containers, hence it is a key sector for creating a real transition to a circular economy model.
With the aim of making the separation of glass containers easy for participating catering businesses, Ecovidrio will install new skips, and will hand over to the catering businesses, free of charge, buckets to facilitate the transport of glass packaging waste. With a team of people deployed throughout the area, the entity will visit the catering establishments to inform them about the campaign and promote participation. There will also be a daily check on how full skips are in order to adapt collection routes if necessary.
The Green Flags reward the catering sector’s effort and the local authority for its commitment to recycling glass containers and the fight against climate change.
A total of 103 of Mojácar’s restaurants, bars and beach bars have already joined this initiative, in which 41 Andalucía municipalities are taking part.
For Emmanuel Agüero this edition could be another incentive for establishing the locality firmly in the environmental plan and compete with municipalities like Marbella and Almuñécar, winners of the 2020 Green Flag, and to show that we can be among the municipalities which are most responsible and most aware about this global problem.
Mojácar Council programmes cultural activities for July.
Mojácar Council, through the Department of Culture, has organised an extensive cultural programme for July which is attracting high levels of public participation, although always respecting the limit on capacity due to the anti-Covid health measures.
At the midway point of July, tomorrow 15th, the Sofía Planas painting exhibition will be inaugurated at 12 midday. A multi-talented, creative and curious artist, who has on show at the Mojácar La Fuente Art Centre an interesting exhibition of different artistic techniques, which will be open to the public until the end of the month.
Local Council Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, defined the programme for this first stretch of summer as “for the family: children, parents and all types of audiences, who always find in Mojácar, as well as beach and sun, different kinds of leisure, including the interesting cultural and fun proposals organised by the local authority.”
For all kinds of audiences, coming to Mojácar is the El Mago Cobra magician, who is passionate not only about magic, but also about theatre, music and art. He presents his new “Magia Pirata” (Pirate Magic) show next Friday the 16th at 10pm in Plaza Nueva.
For Tuesday 20th July, this time in the Plaza del Frontón at 10pm, “Curra y Lola” are coming to the municipality with the “Historia de una Danza” (Story of a Dance) show.
Curra is a dance-lover who wants to share her favourite pastime with everyone. Lola is a flamenco doll which when activated only wants to dance. This staging received an award at the 2020 Dance Contest.
For the very youngest, the children’s musical “La Bella y la Bestia” (Beauty and the Beast) will take pace in Plaza Nueva at 9.30pm on Wednesday 21st July.
Music will continue filling the streets of Mojácar village with a concert on Friday 23rd July at 10pm in the Plaza del Frontón. “Amarraditos, canción de ida y vuelta” (“Hand in glove, song of back and forth) with Carmen Muyor and Quique Peña, will offer the public a memory of the best songs in the Latin American and Spanish tradition.
There’s be more music with the much-anticipated concert by the Mojácar Municipal Music Ban in Plaza del Frontón at 8.30pm on Thursday 29th July.
The musical cycle for this month closes with a flamenco fusion concert from “Mundo Divino” with their performance of “En el mismo reloj” (“On the same clock”). The show will take place in Plaza Nueva on Saturday 31st at 10pm.
Theatre lovers can continue enjoying this universal art with the work “Cuentos con pocas luces” “Tales with little light”, from the company “Títeres con Sombras” (Shadow Puppets), which will take place on Sunday 25th in Plaza Nueva at 10pm.
Finally, there is also cinema in July with the screening of “El Parque Mágico” (Wonder Park), Monday 26th in La Fuente (Public Fountain) at 10pm.
Yet another year, Alex and Marc Márquez spend a few days off in Mojácar.
Mojácar is the summer destination for many holidaymakers, who decide on this locality to enjoy its beaches and its leisure time offer.
A location which is undoubtedly a national and international tourism reference point, it is also the downtime spot for many famous people: sportsmen and women, artists and politicians, who choose Mojácar for their holidays.
In the case of the Márquez brothers: world motorcycle champions Marc and Alex, who for the last five years have taken a break from their hectic routines, temporarily putting competition and training to one side to have a few days off in search of a well-deserved rest.
Just like any other tourists, Alex and Marc Márquez, along with some of their friends from the competition and those they already have in Mojácar, have enjoyed the municipality’s beaches, its cuisine and its entertainment venues.
Motorcycle racer Marc Márquez, at 28 years old competes in the Moto GP category. He has won eight Motorcycle World Champion titles in three different categories:125cc, Moto2 and six times in MotoGP. At the present time he is the best rider in the history of motorcycling.
His brother, Alex Márquez, also currently races in the premier category of motorcycling, MotoGP, and has won two world titles.
Two international figures, who at the top of their profession, have for some time picked Mojácar to “recharge their batteries” ahead of the following season.
Manuel Martínez Hinojo exhibits in Mojácar
The painting exhibition which will be open to the public at the “La Fuente” Art Centre in Mojácar until the 15th July has been inaugurated.
On this occasion it is an exhibition of works by the artist Manuel Martínez Hinojo, who was joined at the inauguration by the Mojácar Town Hall Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte.
Manuel Martínez Hinojo is a native of Serón in Almería. Over the course of his long artistic carer he has taken part in various exhibitions, both collective and individual, throughout Almería province.
His way of expressing himself through painting has also been reflected in exhibitions outside the province, such as in Baza, Úbeda and different places in Andalucía.
In his participation in different painting competitions he has managed to obtain several awards during his career as a painter, notably the first prizes in the Dama de Baza Painting Competition, and that of the los Vélez and Huércal Overa areas, among others.
Hinojo, as he signs his paintings, has conveyed all his art and the feeling of his land through his paintings, capturing the light, the colour and the movement of his land in a very personal way and through such complicated techniques as watercolours.
The exhibition which is taking place in Mojácar will be made up of some works, the majority watercolours, although also on show will be some works in acrylic.
The chosen theme is nature: sunsets, the area’s country houses, beaches, local villages and some emblematic place of Mojácar. The exhibition is completed with some still lifes and portraits in which the painter also expresses his good work on the canvases.
The “La Fuente” Art Centre is open with free entry from Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm.
Mojácar celebrates the European Day of Music.
The Mojácar Municipal Music Band offered a concert at the Multi-uses Centre to mark the European Day of Music.
This special day was celebrated with a unique event, joining 37 other municipal bands in Almería province via streaming to perform the national anthem together. This initiative was possible thanks to the Almeria Provincial Council and the Andalucía Federation of Music Bands.
Making the most of the occasion, following the performance of the Spanish anthem the members of the Municipal Music Band swapped their official uniforms for tunics and djellabas to offer a short concert of Moors & Christians marches.
For the second consecutive year, the health crisis created by Covid-19 has meant that Mojácar has not been able to celebrate what is its most international fiesta and the one of greatest importance for local residents.
The Municipal Music Band wanted to offer a small nod to the nostalgia of all Mojácar locals at the time of year when they would already have enjoyed this special festivity, as they have done for more than 30 years.
The young musicians performed two Moors & Christians marches. A very short, but intense programme, which was very much appreciated by the members of the public attending.
The Mojácar Municipal Music Band will soon be back on stage thanks to the improvement of the health measures. They are now preparing their traditional summer concert, which Mojácar Council includes in its programme of summertime cultural activities. It will take place on 29th July at 8.30pm in Plaza del Frontón in the locality’s old town.
The municipal music band was born in 2000, coming out of the Municipal Music School. Two years later it became a reality following the hard work and enthusiasm of its 70 members, most of them children and teenagers, the determination of its director and the unconditional support of Mojácar Council.
Culture and Youth Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, has always accompanied the music band on its trips and for all its performances since its beginnings, although for now all its activities outside the municipality are temporarily suspended.
“It is very satisfying to see the progress of our young people and how they are advancing, both in terms of performance and technically”, affirmed Raquel Belmonte.
“Today they are among the province’s best music bands.”
The Junta de Andalucía Delegate presents Mojácar with its Blue Flags
The Junta de Andalucía Tourism Delegate in Almería, Vicente García Egea, travelled to Mojácar to officially present the locality with the Blue Flags awarded in 2021 by the European Foundation for Environmental Education.
He was received by Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, and Finance Councillor, Francisco García Cerdá.
The Tourism Delegate wanted to emphasize that Mojácar is one of the province’s most important brands as a tourist and beach destination: “it is a reference point in our province, all the more so taking into account the excellent work being carried out by Mojácar Council, as the six awards gained demonstrate.”
While handing over so many Blue Flags, Vicente García Egea underlined his congratulations to the governing team and the Mayor, “taking your work as another reference point in the importance which the Tourism Regional Ministry, headed by Juan Marín, attaches to the quality of Almería and Andalucía destinations.”
Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, thanked the delegate for his words and expressed her satisfaction at gaining these distinctions, “which correspond to the effort to have clean and well looked after beaches, waiting to receive everyone who comes to visit with the guarantee of finding the best services.”
Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, confirmed to the Junta de Andalucia Tourism Delegate his commitment to the quality of the municipality: “we have the maximum of awards for beach quality. Six Blue Flags obtained thanks to the tenacity of the whole governing team to maintain maximum quality in all aspects of the municipality, as well as the improvement, year after year, to our services.”
Mojácar retained the six Blue Flags obtained last year, making it one of the Almería municipalities with the most beaches which have achieved this distinction.
The Mojácar beaches of El Cantal, El Descargador, Lance Nuevo, Marina de la Torre, Piedra Villazar and Venta del Bancal have been awarded the Blue Flags, which are given out annually to the beaches and ports which meet the strictest criteria in terms of water quality, environmental management, safety and services, as well as information and environmental education.
Mojácar Council launches “Feel again” campaign to attract national tourism
The beaches, the village, the cultural and sports offer, along with the charm of the locality, stars of the promotional initiative..
While Mojácar is already being talked about as one of the most sought after destinations this summer, Mojácar council has launched the “Volver a sentir” (“Feel again”), campaign to reinforce the continuous promotion and mainly to attract national tourism. It’s an initiative which aims to recover the sensations which visitors to the locality experience.
The sea, the mountains and the uniqueness of its streets are some of the reasons behind a unique experience in an incomparable brand.
In short, the campaign shows the municipality’s potential and aims to boost visits during the holiday season.
The locality is therefore positioning itself as one of Spain’s best tourist destinations and it is approaching the summer promoting the most outstanding places.
Mojácar, which for yet another year has six Blue Flags for its beaches, has been a member of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain Association since 2013 and was the first Andalucia municipality to obtain the Family Tourism quality stamp in 2017.
Tourism councillor Emmanuel Agüero commented, “We have made a great effort with a decisive backing for promoting our municipality as a leading tourism destination and for revitalising a fundamental sector for the local economy.
“We want to highlight the importance of the infinite possibilities which Mojácar offers tourists, with a versatile and unique offer, and which has something for everyone”, he added.
The councillor pointed out that another objective is “to boost the creation of employment in catering and hospitality, as well as in tourist accommodation, as it is one of the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic.
“Tourism is crucial for generating wealth in our municipality, and we are going to continue working along these lines over the next few months”, he concluded.Multimedia campaign
The multimedia campaign therefore shows the destination’s most exceptional corners. The regular visitor will be able to recognise several of the municipality’s enclaves, to which they will want to return to “feel again” and to discover some new ones.
Those who don’t know Mojácar yet will undoubtedly feel attracted not only by the charm of its beaches, streets and viewpoints, but also by its establishments and the opportunities for leisure and for fun.
Both the coast and the beauty of Mojácar village are the settings chosen for this tourism campaign.
These locations represent a brushstroke of what residents and tourists can find in Mojácar, recognising it is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. History, culture, sun, beach, mountain, sport and cuisine come together in this paradise in Almería’s Levante region, 365 days a year.
In addition, the offline and online campaign will reach television screens through the sponsorship of the weather forecast on 7tv, Murcia regional television, and Castilla-La Mancha television.
The 20-second ads will also be shown on Movistar TV and Canal Sur Televisión with the aim of reaching the greatest number of tourists. The image of Mojácar will also be projected on the Madrid Metro with six, four-metre advertising billboards. What’s more, there are plans for a massive advertising campaign on the Facebook and Instagram social networks and on the Google search engine, with a total reach of millions of people.
The campaign has an extensive photographic report, pieces of quality cinematographic video and the participation of professional actors and local residents. They include young people and children, and some Dutch residents who have been settled in Mojácar for four decades, as an indication of the attractions which Mojácar offers in all its aspects and for everyone.
To achieve this, a team of professionals worked for several days in the locations which play a starring role in the ads and the images.
It should be pointed out that the campaign is going to be divided into different groups of interest, such as families, young people, seniors, golf and water sports with the aim of demonstrating a varied and quality offer.
The campaign will begin in the coming days via all the media. The hope is that it will have a major impact in terms of replays, reach and visits.
Mojácar celebrates San Isidro with a Flamenco Show
Mojácar will celebrate the San Isidro 2021 festival next Saturday 15th May, although due to the health restrictions the traditional “romería”, or religious pilgrimage, is cancelled.
For this year, Mojácar Council has planned a religious celebration which will take place in the Multipurpose Centre at 8.30pm.
At 9pm, also in the Multipurpose Centre, a flamenco show staged by Azahara Herrera will follow with a programme in honour of San Isidro, the patron saint of Mojácar, which has for decades recalled the locality’s agricultural roots and its traditional link to the rural world.
Azahara Herrera, flamenco dancer and choreographer, was born in Almería, although he has been based in Madrid since 2010.
He works professionally in the capital in the top flamenco venues and national theatres together with the major national artistic companies.
He studied at the Almería Professional Dance Conservatory and in Madrid he graduated from the “María de Ávila” Superior Dance Conservatory in the speciality of Spanish Dance and Flamenco Choreography and Performance.
In “El Ahora”, the show he is putting on in Mojácar, taking centre stage is traditional flamenco from a new perspective, at no point losing touch with its roots and artistic authenticity. It is accompanied by the flamenco singers Cristo Heredia and Antonio “El Genial”. The maestro José Bellido is on guitar.
The show is free, although Mojácar Council’s Festivities Department wants to emphasize that anyone interested in attending needs to make a reservation as due to the social distancing established by the health authorities capacity is limited and it is necessary to book a seat.
The San Isidro Fiestas go back as long as anyone can remember, when the “romería” was the main draw of the celebration. Then, there were horse-drawn carts and the children met at the fountain for a sweet “match”, which was settled by throwing meringues at each other.
The gathering has been kept up for years, but the missiles have been replaced by water balloons and the carts by beautifully adorned vehicles.
With minor modifications in keeping with new technology, Mojácar’s customs and traditions, chiselled over centuries, live on.
Last year it had to be cancelled and for this edition, families and friends will again be unable to keep the pilgrimage tradition. But the flamenco show planned by Mojácar council is of a quality that will leave no-one indifferent in the anticipation that next year it will, without doubt, be possible to get back to each and every one of the locality’s festival dates.
The Mojácar Lighthouse will be operational next Summer
The Mayor and the President of the Almería Port Authority visit the works of the new light signal.
The Mojácar lighthouse, which will replace the one in Garrucha, is expected to start emitting signals next summer. Rosa María Cano, mayor of the Almería Levante area locality, and Jesús Caicedo, president of the Almería Port Authority (APA), paid a visit to the new light signal works. The works are being carried out by Transformaciones y Embalses Parra, and according to the business group president, Jerónimo Parra, they are progressing well. Following the digging works and the adaptation of the access road, and the concreting of the foundations and the main contention wall, the structure of the building is currently being finalised, and in the next few days the dome on which the lamp will be installed will be put in place.
The Mojácar lighthouse is being built on the highest point of the municipality, 150 metres above sea level on the north side of the Cerro del Moro Manco hill on a 250 square metre plot given by the local authority. As well as the lighthouse, the project includes the construction of an operations hut and the acquisition of the equipment, and the adaption of the access road. In addition, the project includes the beautification of the location, with the creation of a viewpoint and landscaping the surroundings. The action, with an investment of 280,000 euros (including VAT), is being carried out by the APA through the Inter-port Compensation Fund, approved by State Ports.
Mojácar Mayor, Rosa María Cano, expressed her satisfaction at the relocation of the lighthouse to the locality, in a privileged location which will be improved with gardens and a viewpoint.
Jesús Caicedo thanked the Mayor for Mojácar local authority’s collaboration and highlighted the importance of the new lighthouse which “will improve the safety of navigation on Almería province’s Levante coast, and will contribute to spreading the name of Mojácar as the municipality will appear on all navigation charts.”
Once the new lighthouse starts to operate the Garrucha lighthouse will cease to function. The Garrucha lighthouse is a light signal which does not, due to its location in the actual town, surrounded by buildings, perform its function of helping maritime navigation in the best way. The area of action for the Mojácar lighthouse will extend from Playa Macenas to Águilas in Murcia Region.
For their visit to the works the Mayor and Jesús Caicedo were accompanied by the APA director, Juan Manuel Reyes; Planning director, Antonio Bayo; the head of the APA Projects and Works division, César Andújar; Alfonso Montilla, head of Marquit and project architect and works execution manager; Jesús Parra Pastor, head of Transformaciones y Embalses Parra; and by Antonio Zea and Mario Sanz, the APA Navigation Assistance System manager and technician respectively.
Due to the need for ‘dayboard’, that is, that the lighthouse has to be visible from the sea during the day as well, a compact volume has been designed which will house the lighthouse lantern and the auxiliary areas in such a way that the complex has greater structural presence. The lighthouse lantern will stand out in the highest part of the complex, the base of which will house the building’s ancilliary areas: office, toilet and battery room.
In regard to the design, the aim has been for maximum integration with the environment. The lighthouse will be a singular building, white, with a Mediterranean look, which is in line with the existing architecture, especially in Mojacar village centre. The area surrounding where the lighthouse is being constructed is mainly one of family homes of various styles and forms, but which seen as a whole, form a white mass of Mediterranean architecture with defined spaces on a white background.
Mojácar confirms its six Blue Flags for the 2021 tourist season.
Mojácar retains the six Blue Flags it gained last year, making it one of the Almería municipalities with the most beaches to have earned this distinction.
The Mojácar beaches of El Cantal, El Descargador, Lance Nuevo, Marina de la Torre, Piedra Villazar and Venta del Bancal - Ventanicas have been awarded with the Blue Flags which the European Foundation for Environmental Education gives out every year to the beaches and ports which meet the strictest criteria in terms of water quality, environmental management, safety and services, as well as environmental information and education.
The organisation also takes into consideration accessibility for people with reduced mobility, health and lifesaving services and maritime surveillance.
Mojácar has had Blue Flags since 1991, the year when Mojácar local council presented the El Descargardor beach as its only candidate, and which, following a rigorous inspection by the National Operators, gained its flag. Ever since the blue standards have always flown along Mojácar’s coast and other beaches have gained the award, the number going up until reaching the six obtained in recent years.
At the same time these beaches also have the SICTED – Covid 19 Prepared, “Tourism Quality Commitment”, quality distinction, which accredits and recognises compliance with the quality requirements established by the Secretary of State for Tourism, with the support of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, and which recognises tourist destinations’ efforts on and commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
The SICTED Quality Stamp is valid for two years, although this is subject to an annual follow-up evaluation which guarantees the application of the specifications established on its platform.
As a result of the world pandemic caused by the coronavirus, SICTED has added another distinction: “Covid-19 Prepared”, which identifies the beaches or establishments which have implemented rigorous measures to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection, and which has also been obtained by the six Mojácar beaches.
Mojácar has 17 kilometres of coastline, of which seven are the beach area. It boasts urban beaches with full services and so-called natural beaches, none of which are prohibited from use, and where bathers can enjoy bathing surrounded by nature and the locality’s magnificent landscapes.
There’s no doubt that Mojácar will start the 2021 tourist season with the recognition of the great efforts made throughout recent years. The local authority is, through the different councillorships involved, carrying out important work on the creation of new infrastructure, safety and well-being which reaffirms Mojácar as a quality destination.
Piano concert in Mojácar for the "Indalos de flores".
The piano students from the Mojácar Municipal Music School gave a concert with which they wanted to pay a small homage to the “Indalos de Flores”, which for the second year in a row had to be postponed due to the health restrictions.
The Plaza del Parterre, dominated by an indalo of flowers and the decorations typical of this festivity, was the setting for this musical show offered by eight of the music school’s young pianists.
From classical music like Handel’s Passacaglia to pop and music from well-known video games, and under the direction of their teacher Yolanda Parra, they filled the plaza and the streets of Mojácar with happy musical notes.
The Municipal Music School teaches, among others, this instrument, which is one of the most complete there is.
The municipal school’s piano department offers the students the opportunities and the levels they want to reach: whether they just want the pleasure of learning to play or as preparation for studying a degree in piano.
Traditionally they offer several concerts throughout the year, at which you can appreciate the students’ progress.
This year they wanted to coincide with the “Indalos de Flores” festivity, its celebration having been interrupted by Covid-19.
The “Indalos de Flores”, organised by the Mojácar Pueblo Traders Association in collaboration with the Mojácar local authority, has been successfully celebrated since 2016, with many taking part.
Last year it was social media which, through videos, displayed the distinctive indalos decorating homes, balconies and patios, recreating typical corners of Mojácar, thanks to Mojácar’s youngsters.
For the 2021 edition, again thanks to young people, the “Indalo de Flores” was full of musical notes, in anticipation of being able to get back to the celebration just as it has been done: a welcome to spring, full of flowers, open-air dancing and fun in all the corners and streets of Mojácar.
Family tourism with Marco Topo Mojácar offers an interactive game for everyone.
As a family tourism destination, and with the aim of covering all the needs and demands of this segment of the market, Mojácar offers its youngest visitors an interesting novelty which will be available in a few weeks’ time.
Mojácar will be the first municipality in Almería province to offer the charismatic game called “Marco Topo” to make tourism visits more attractive to families with children.
Marco Topo is an educational game of exploration designed so that families with children aged between five and 12 do self-guided tours of tourist destinations, natural resources and museums. This offer for family tourism is set up in more than 50 destinations and museums throughout the country.
The aim of this interesting initiative is to maintain the interest of the youngest in their cultural visits and make it possible for families to enjoy discovering historic-cultural heritage together.
The Marco Topo adventure is made up of a map of the town with a marked route, a sheet of stickers and a web app on which there are set out different challenges and questions which invite the exploration of Mojácar and the investigation of its cultural, historic and scenic wealth.
Mojácar has chosen ¨Marta Topo¨ as a character in the game. She’s an endearing Mojácar woman who will be the person responsible for guiding the vistors aged from 0 to 100 around Mojácar’s most emblematic corners.
To play Marco Topo you just need to pick up the free map of the adventure at the Mojácar Tourist Office and have a mobile phone with an internet connection. Once the family has the map, they introduce the adventure code (MTMOJACAR) on the Marco Topo website (www.marcotopo.com) and start to play.
The game consists of visiting the places indicated on the map, solving different challenges with the mobile phone and putting in place on the map the sticker corresponding to each test passed. On finishing the game, the participants receive as a prize a diploma, which is sent to the email with which they have registered.
As well as promoting family tourism, the game is also ideal for Mojácar families to rediscover the locality through playing. What’s more, Marco Topo is used for educational visits by school groups.
Near to Mojácar there are Marco Topo games in Lorca and Caravaca de la Cruz in Murcia, and Elche in Alicante. Other places in Andalucía which have the Marco Topo adventure are Úbeda and Baeza in Jaén; Ronda, Estepona, Nerja and Casarabonela in Málaga; Salobreña in Granada; Lucena, Priego de Córdoba, Iznájar, Rute and Cabra in Córdoba; San Roque in Cádiz; Utrera and Carmona in Sevilla.
In the rest of Spain you can find the game in Teruel, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Avilés, Lugo, Olite, Gernika, Zarautz, Castro Urdiales, Nájera, Burgos, León, Palencia, Icod de los Vinos and La Orotava (Tenerife).
Marco Topo is also an educational resource in museums like the Sorolla, the National Museum of Natural Sciences, the Madrid Railway Museum, the Burgos Museum of Human Evolution, the Pagos del Rey del Toro Wine Museum and the Castilla y León Ethnographic Museum.
Mojácar Council holds a beautiful balcony and facade competition to celebrate Andalucía Day.
Mojácar Council has announced a competition to celebrate Andalucía Day, called “Decora tu Fachada,” by challenging residents of the town to decorate their balconies and facades to mark this important day in the year on February 28th.
Using any of the typical Andalucían colours, themes and traditional motifs, those wishing to enter simply have to take a photo of their decorative efforts and send it by email to the Culture Department culturamojacar@gmail.com or, by WhatsApp to 677959093.
All the town’s residents are invited to participate and all entries will be later published on the Council’s social networks. The three best images will receive prize vouchers, that may be redeemed in local businesses or restaurants.
For Raquel Belmonte, the local Culture Councillor, the most important thing of all is to not forget the joy of this special day and, to see Mojácar beautifully decorated even though this year the celebrations must be very different due to the current pandemic.
Mojácar Council hopes that residents will help the town to shine colourfully in all its glory, especially as all the traditional events that mark this day such as the release of balloons, the giant paella, as well as the music concerts and dance displays cannot take place.
However, Mojácar Council will still solemnly raise the Andalucían flag, although sadly without the usual presence of the Town Band or the Rociero group, "Embrujo Mojaquero" who always sing the regional anthem.
Mojácar Council organizes a Carival Tik Tok competition.
Mojácar Council’s Culture Department has come up with another alternative idea to encourage the people of the town to celebrate Carnival time, as all the traditional events have had to be cancelled. A Carnival Tik Tok competition has been organised and although aimed at the youngsters, participation is open to all ages.
The Tik Tok entries need to be recordings of no more than 45 seconds, with a strong Carnival theme. The number of participants in each recording is open, but they must be living in the same household and be in disguise or be wearing carnival accessories. Anyone interested in participating should send their short video by WhatsApp to the Culture Department Tel: 677 95 90 93.
The aim of this initiative is to inspire the local youngsters to come up with some original Tik Tok imaging, a platform which is very well-known and popular with that age group for its ease of access and audio-visual creation.
The deadline for the clips is February 15th and, the three most original will obtain the prize of a voucher that may be used in any establishment in the "Mojácar Contigo" plan that promotes local businesses.
Mojácar’s Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, hopes that this competition, along with the Carnival painting challenge, will spark the imagination of the town’s young ones. She stressed the importance of ensuring that the joy of these events is not completely lost, due to the impossibility of social contact, but by presenting an opportunity for them to be "reinvented" and mark Carnival time in a different way.
A call for Mojácar´s youngsters to "Illustrate their Carnival".
Mojácar Council’s Culture Department has put together a fun competition, “Dibuja tu Carnaval,” asking the town’s children to make an illustration depicting their own local Carnival.
Anyone up to the age of twelve may enter, with a restriction of one piece of work only which must be A4 size, presented on card. The theme must relate directly to the Mojácar Carnival and there will be three prizes for the best works, based on originality and skill.
The prizes will be vouchers for school supplies along with diplomas and the works should be sent by February 11th to the Culture Department by email (culturamojácar@gmail.com).
The annual Mojácar Carnival is a great, longstanding tradition and the young and old always join in all the Council’s events, with a special emphasis on the little ones from the nursery and school who also have their own parades and parties. It is hoped that these children will maintain this quaint tradition in future years, as well as expand it with new events.
Mojácar’s Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, decided that despite Covid 19, the Carnival could not be completely forgotten about and has invited everyone to participate in her Department’s online activities so that the hopes for next year’s event are kept alive, along with those for all the town’s other many traditional annual activities.
Mojácar´s Valentine´s Day photo competition.
With Valentine's Day coming up on February 14th, Mojácar Council’s Culture Department has put together a romantic themed photography competition which is open to everyone, whether they are from the town or not.
The slogan, “Desde casa con amor, un San Valentín diferente,” sends out love from the home for a different Valentine's Day this year and Raquel Belmonte, who heads the Culture Department, hopes that the townspeople and friends of Mojácar will “celebrate the day of love and friendship with them.”
To enter, you simply have to send your chosen romantic photo to the email culturamojacar@gmail.com or to the WhatsApp number 677959093 and the deadline for admissions is February 11th at 12 p.m.
Although the theme is love, the photos may be with your family, children, grandparents, friends and pets as well as your partner and, the Council are giving away three prizes for the best images in the form of vouchers for any establishment in the Mojácar Contigo plan, which promotes local establishments.
Raquel Belmonte was keen to add that, although the current situation makes organizing the usual activities impossible, it is necessary to look for other ways for people to still mark special occasions and have fun in their homes. This is especially important for the days that would normally be fixed on the event calendar to enjoy with family and friends. So, to help not lose heart as we all wait for better times, the Culture Councillor would like to encourage everyone to have some fun and participate in this themed competition.
Mojácar hosts debut of the Valparaíso Big Band, the first spanish female jazz orchestra.
Mojácar’s Valparaíso Foundation recently held the first full assembly of the Valparaíso Big Band, following a five year collaboration project between Clasijazz and the two Foundations: Indaliana para la Música y las Artes and Valparaíso.
This new jazz band, made up exclusively of women, has 17 of today’s the top leading lights in Spanish jazz, including Rita Payés on trombone, Berlin’s Lucía Martinez, one of Europe’s best drummers and, Blanca Barranco on double bass. However, every single member of this first ever female Spanish Big Band is regarded as a genius in their own line of expertise.
The five days staying at the Valparaíso Residence were filled with intense creative rehearsal sessions, where they bonded together as a single band, recording a new album and video to add a valuable record of new Spanish jazz music to the collections held by both Foundations.
Pablo Mazuecos, the Director of Clasijazz and Beatrice Beckett, Valparaíso Founder, expressed the importance of this initiative in opening the way for other young jazz players, whilst encouraging them to forge their way in the professional world of music. The Band’s residential stay took place despite all the current difficulties and, as Mazueco said, "may the music never stop and let it continue in a safe way."
Their first concert and debut to the public was scheduled for last Sunday at Almería’s Maestro Padilla Auditorium, but this was not possible due to the latest sanitary measures due to Covid -19. However, they were able to stream it from the Valparaíso Foundation, giving jazz lovers the chance to see and hear their great sounds.
The repertoire included the absolute best compositions by top female jazz composers such as Toshico Akiyoshi and Miho Hazama (who are scheduled to come to Valparaíso when health measures permit), as well as other great names including Mary Lou Williams and Christine Jensen.
Mojácar continues its theatrical season with the Play "Plancton"
The “Ven al Teatro” season, encouraging everyone to go along to the theatre, returns to Mojácar on Friday, October 9th at 9 p.m. at the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples Multiples.
The play, "Plancton,” is in the hands of Hilo Rojo, an international theatre company currently based in Seville at the Centro de Investigación Teatral Atalaya-TNT.
This independent company cleverly formulates its shows with a multidisciplinary fusion of drama, music, song, and disguise. “Plancton” tells of a world suspended between reality and dreams and, reveals the thoughts of those who continuously go in search of their own personal and artistic fulfilment. It is an ode to the human mind and body which, often subconsciously, constantly wanders to places of desire.
Mojácar Council’s Culture Department, in conjunction with Almería Provincial Council, will continue this theatrical cycle throughout October, which includes visits from prominent companies showcasing their new works before touring the country’s venues. It is a chance for theatregoers to experience the latest trends to hit the stage and, Mojácar Council is keen to offer these performances at an inclusive price, adhering to all the current appropriate health and safety measures.
The local Culture Councillor Raquel Belmonte, was keen to encourage everyone to enjoy these autumn nights’ of entertainment, although it important to buy tickets in advance at the Pueblo Tourism Office or at the venue as seats are limited due to social distancing. As a reminder, also, the use of masks is mandatory and the audience, once seated, is requested to remain seated during the show.
Mojácar plays championship host once again for the Spanish Petanque triples round.
For the second week running, Mojácar attracted the best players from across the country to participate in the Triples round of the Spanish Petanque Championship, which will wind up its stay next weekend with the Doubles competition.
These three weeks will bring together more than thirty teams from the Autonomous Communities, with Andalucía and Catalonia being top representatives with five teams each, followed by the Balearic Islands, Madrid, Galicia and Valencia.
The tournament has seen an excellent standard of play so far from the participating teams and, these latest women's and men's finals were fiercely contested right up to the closing seconds.
The Catalan Federation CP Santa Coloma "A" Women’s Team, with players Alba Coll, María José Diaz and Laura Mora, took first prize with the Santa Coloma “B” team in second place, followed by Almuñecar CP Internacional who tied with La Salceda de Murcia.
In the Men's category, CP Salou, with players Santiago Chamizo, Ricardo González Martínez and Ricardo González Pérez, were victorious, with second position going to the Catalan Federation Montmeló Team, followed by a tie for third position between the Castellano-Leon Federation CP Amigos de Monterrubio and Catalan Federation CP Santa Eulalia.
Mojácar Sports Councillor, Ana García, was as always, present throughout to witness all the excitement from the players as well as the many spectators as the rounds were played out, before presenting the trophies to the winners.
With adherence to all the current necessary health and safety measures and rules of play, the Spanish Championship has so far been impeccably organized, matched by an extremely high level of sportsmanship displayed by all participants.
Mojácar celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Association of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain
Every year on October 1st, the places that are members of ‘The Most Beautiful Towns in Spain’ celebrate the Association’s foundation, which finds itself facing vastly different circumstances on reaching its tenth anniversary.
Mojácar marked the event with a reading given by the local Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, with a raising of the town flag along with that of the Association in the presence of the Government Team.
In his speech, there were words of encouragement and hope as the country finds in such a difficult and worrying situation, from both a health and economic perspective. However, this year, rural areas have gained importance, as many people have discovered excellent towns with many advantages to live, invest, work and especially to enjoy a quality visit in safety. Telecommunications is one the main challenges for the future, along with improved connections for the national and international workplace, all essential steppingstones for much needed sustainable and non-seasonal tourism.
Sr. Agüero went on to point out the importance and significance of being part of the Association and Mojácar’s constant commitment to promote the town. The impact of having their quality seal has proved invaluable and, there has been a marked increase in visitor number to the town since Mojácar joined the Association in 2013, along with that of The Most Beautiful Towns in the World.
This special annual day is a time renew to the fight to preserve the artistic and cultural heritage of these special places throughout the country and, acknowledge the important role they play in both sectors and to the tourism sector.
A new customized vehicle for Mojácar´s Local Police
Mojácar Council recently purchased a new, automatic, all-terrain patrol vehicle for their Local Police, specifically designed for the transport of detainees.
Mojácar Council recently purchased a new, automatic, all-terrain patrol vehicle for their Local Police, specifically designed for the transport of detainees.
With a dividing screen made of high-strength polycarbonate to resist strong impacts, the vehicle has full visibility of the detention area, which has its own lighting, electric fan ventilation, floor drainage and seats with electronic belts.
The new vehicle, is however, completely equipped to perform all service functions, with high intensity, low consumption, advanced optical lights, exterior lettering with special high visibility paint, fire extinguishers and a full first aid kit as well as a large kit of useful accessories.
With a cost of 39,000 Euros, it is already operating as part of the Local Police fleet, which has 6 cars, additional camouflage vehicles and a number of off-road and urban motorbikes. A drone has also been purchased to support control and security tasks.
The 26 Local Police Officers based in Mojácar do an excellent job throughout the year, with a wide range of responsibilities, in addition to ensuring the safety of residents and visitors.
They have taken on general traffic duties in the town, which can cover any road safety matter from breathalyser controls to taking statements and, following the campaigns led by the General Security Directorate.
Two other important ongoing projects for them are the monitoring of school absenteeism and the training courses in the fight against gender abuse. The latter earned them the Andalucían Government’s Menina Award for their pioneering work in the region, providing protection to victims suffering from this serious social problem.
María Luisa Pérez, Mojácar’s Security Councillor added that the purchase of this new vehicle is all part of a continuous updating plan, not just for the vehicle fleet, but also for the equipment used and, staff training courses.
Mojácar starts off the autumn theatre run with the play "El Mentiroso"
Although Mojácar traditionally dedicates the month of November to the theatre, this year, the local Council and Almería Provincial Council have brought their annual focus on performing arts forward to October.
The "Come to the Theatre" circuit begins on Friday October 2nd at 9 p.m. with "El Mentiroso", the funny comedy by Carlo Goldoni. It will be performed by the MDM Theatre Group, which was created in Buenos Aires by Daniel Vignolo and Mauricio Albera, who have cultivated their own style with live and interactive works, ranging from classical to contemporary.
The play is set in Venice, where funny, intertwined love affairs and entangled seduction attempts occur between the characters, who pretend to be what they are not to pursue their romances. Their lies and deceits then lead them into increasingly complicated situations.
The venue for the show is the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples and, tickets are on sale at the office there as well as at Mojácar Pueblo’s Tourist Office. Mojácar’s Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, advised prior purchase of tickets, as due to current safety restrictions, seats are extremely limited. She also pointed out that she and her department have taken all the necessary measures to comply with all security measures, without losing the opportunity to enjoy a good night at the theatre.
Mojácar Council, through its Culture Department, wish to support and promote events such as these, which are also all-important in these difficult times, especially at the inclusive price of 3 Euros for entrance.
Mojácar hosts XVI Spanish Petanque Championship.
The XVI Spanish Petanque Championship recently started off its Singles rounds in Mojácar, the first of the three heats that will continue in the town over the forthcoming weekends.
Carried out under strict Covid-19 security regulations set up jointly by the Spanish Petanque Federation, the Sports Council, and the Health Ministry, over ninety players from Federations all over Spain participated in the Men’s, Women’s, and Youth categories
This was the first important sporting event since the health crisis began and, the first organized by the Spanish Federation. The whole event turned out to be incredibly positive, both in the respect of the rules laid out and from a sporting point of view, with all competitors offering a high standard of play which ensured a top-quality show.
In the Men’s category, Josep Guasch Orozco from the Catalan Federation was the winner with Alejandro Cárdenas, from the Andalucían Federation, in second place. Carolina Pascual, also from the Andalucían Federation, took the Women’s title, with the Aragon Federation’s Trinidad Luquin, placed as runner up. Francisco Rodriguez, from the Balearic Federation, took first Youth position with his fellow Association member, Sergio Ruiz, as his runner up.
The awards ceremony was held at the Servigroup Hotel Marina Playa, which was also the championship venue, with trophies presented by Mojácar Council’s Sports Councillor, Ana García, along with the Spanish Federation President and Vice President Antonio Arcas and Luis Jimenez.
Ana García, who was there to see the rounds played out, pointed out the importance of continuing to hold these events on the sports calendar wherever possible, if safety and health regulations could be ensured. She also congratulated the participants on their high level of play and added how delighted Mojácar was to have the opportunity to host such an important sporting event.
The next match, also in Mojácar, will be from October 2nd to the 4th, with the launch of the Spanish Petanque Championship for Women’s and Men’s Triples.
Mojácar presents the show "Charlie", a tribute to the world´s greatest comic actor.
The show, “Charlie”, with the Fernando Hurtado Dance Company, will be staged at Mojácar’s Centro de Usos Múltiples on Friday, September 25th at 9 p.m.
The event is part of the Junta de Andalucía’s current Public Theatres cultural programme, to which Mojácar’s Department of Culture and its Head of Department, Raquel Belmonte, are affiliated.
This is the second production to take place at Mojácar within this "Enrédate" Andalucían initiative, a project that is aiming to meet the demands of the theatrical sector by supporting events on municipal stages. In addition, it is hoped that these shows will attract new audiences, as well as those that already have a great love of the theatre, as in the case of Mojácar.
Creator, Fernando Hurtado, is a dancer and choreographer, running his own company since 2000, which was the same year he won 3rd prize at the XIV 14th Madrid Choreography Contest. Born in Malaga, on graduation from the city’s School of Applied Arts, he immediately joined the nearby "La Central" School of Dance and Theatre. After later taking up a scholarship to study classical dance in France, he continued his training in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Frankfurt, and New York.
His creation, “Charlie”, is a tribute to the versatile artiste, Charles Chaplin, who is considered a worldwide icon of humour and silent cinema. Charlie, awarded the 2012 FETEN arts prize, looks back on his work and has been designed for all audiences to enjoy and appreciate.
Mojácar’s Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, stressed the importance of continuing to support culture and the world of entertainment, adding that all safety measures were in place for the show, which will have limited capacity and the mandatory wearing of masks.
Tickets are available for purchase at the town’s Pueblo Tourist Office, as well as the venue, the Centro de Usos Múltiples.
Mojácar's journey through the world of entertainment will continue on October 24th with the performance by “La Gata Brass Band”, which with their traditional sounds, will transport the audience to the streets of New Orleans.
Mojácar hosts XI summer paddle tennis tournament.
Mojácar Council’s Sports Department recently held their IX Summer Paddle Tennis Tournament that once again, attracted local players as well as those from other towns.
The La Mata Municipal Courts welcomed five female and fifteen male couples, along with a good turn out from supporters who encouraged them as they battled their way through the fiercely contested heats. Of course, the day required every respect to be given to social distancing and hygiene guidelines, including the use of masks.
It was an intense day with a supercharged atmosphere both on court and in the stands and the local Sports Councillor Council, Ana García, followed the entire competition, encouraging all the participants along. Afterwards she presented the prizes to the winners, which was in a cash form this year to avoid contact with the customary trophies. There was a good level of participation, too, from local athletes who took second place in both the male and female categories.
Ana was keen to thank all the athletes afterwards for attending, despite all the necessary inconveniences placed on both players and the public by keeping to anti-Covid-19 regulations. She went on to commend them for their exemplary and responsible behaviour throughout the entire competition, encouraging them to continue coming along to this annual tournament. Year upon year, it has proved to be an unmissable date on the summer sporting calendar, with increased participants and standards of play. She also took time to express appreciation for the efforts of the Municipal Paddle School, that over the years has been training and perfecting the skills of many local athletes.
Romantic night will be celebrated in Mojácar this year with a film of "The most beautiful kisses in Spain".
Mojácar, along with their fellow members of the Association of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain, will celebrate Romantic Night IV on September 19th albeit in a quite different way due to coronavirus restrictions. This year, the Most Beautiful Kisses in Spain will take centre stage, with a compilation of video clips made by anyone with a touch of romance in their heart who wishes to play a leading part.
The deadline is September 9th, films need to be 5 seconds maximum and in horizontal format. The scenes of kisses or gestures of love can be with partners, friends, pets or whoever you choose, in your selected setting. Clips should be sent to the email: tubeso@lanocheromántica.com.
A final video will include the best, most loving and affectionate entries sent to the Association. It will be accompanied by especially created music and, will all be very much in the style of the “Cinema Paradiso” movie that features a cinema screen projecting a collection of small emotive films.
The Most Beautiful Kiss cannot be celebrated jointly at midnight as in past years, but the final video will be broadcast at the same time on September 19th and can be viewed on the Association website or the individual members’ social networks.
This annual event is always important to hotels and restaurants in Mojácar and this year, the prestigious chef, Juan Pozuelo, is creating a special dessert for the occasion that will be revealed at a press conference. This dessert will add the sweet finale in the restaurants of the Association’s towns, including Mojácar.
Mojácar presents the concert "Mundo Divino" on the Saint´s Day of San Agustín
To celebrate the Day of San Agustin, the Patron Saint of Mojácar, Mojácar Council’s Culture Department has organised a performance of “Mundo Divino” on Friday August 28th, at 10 p.m. in the Plaza Nueva.
The concert is the creation of Maria del Tango and “EL Calimbero”, which has been over two years in the making at their base in Janda, Cádiz.
Most of the songs in the show are not yet published as they have been concentrating on presenting them to live to the public, with great success, for the last season.
Their music and lyrics, full of poetry, stand out for their originality and their extraordinary fusion of flamenco, Andalucían rock and mixed ‘roots’ influences.
“EL Calimbero” is a poet whose lyrics leave no-one indifferent and, together with the extraordinary voice of María del Tango, they know how to fill the stage with a magical and emotional atmosphere that captivates every audience.
This is a new musical journey for both artists who have already become a great talking point on social networks and in the music business.
At the end of last year, they released their first single, “Ya no se”, with great success, which helped them on their path into the very difficult world of music. This has also given them the chance to make themselves better known before recording their first album, which they began to perform last autumn.
For those wishing to attend the concert, Mojácar Council would like to remind everyone to wear their masks, remained seated during the performance and respect safe social distancing.
Greetings from the Mayor.
Dear Residents, Friends and Visitors,
As always, as the Saint’s Day of Mojácar’s own Patron, San Agustín is upon us, I would like to take the opportunity to write to you all. This comes with an invitation to join in the celebrations for this special occasion, which has always united everyone in our town with the many events that are usually held.
The Coronavirus, however, has temporarily altered our lives, affecting for example, our work, the schools, our elders but mainly the way we socialize and relate to our loved ones and those we live with. It also impacts on our deep-rooted displays of affection, which are an inherent part of our culture and concept of well-being.
This current reality has made its impact upon almost every month of this year so far and, has forced us all to make hard and difficult decisions. For many this has meant serious sacrifices and changes that, although even though temporary, we still find very significant.
As you are already aware, with my responsibility as Mayor, together with that of my Government team and the whole Council, we have been forced to cancel the traditional programme that annually celebrates our Patron Saint’s Fiesta days. Events that have been held without fail for many years, that have given us so many fond memories that we so diligently preserve in order to pass them to today’s children so that they inherit the same enthusiasm and respect that our own parents had.
The difficult decision to take a break from tradition, comes as a result of my duty as a guarantor of everyone’s safety. These cancellations, like so many others that have been necessary throughout his year’s festive calendar, will be understood by all Mojaqueros and visitors alike. I am immensely proud of the commitment and solidarity you have shown, along with the great efforts, responsibility and seriousness displayed in order to overcome this crisis.
The events may have been cancelled, but not the spirit that for generations has brought us all together for our Patron, San Agustín. Our sense of civic duty this year will call for us to socialize in a different way, without forgetting cordiality or our memories of friends and family who live away from us. We should not forget anything about the things that have always made these long-awaited days so special.
The Holy Mass will be held on Friday, August 28th, San Agustín’s name day, in the Santa María Parish Church at 7 p.m. with singing by the soprano Mercedes Campoy, accompanied by Esther Peñas on piano. The Church will, of course, be in line with all sanitary regulations and required social distancing and I encourage you to join in this religious ceremony that our Parish priest, Miguel Esteban and many townspeople have organized with so much love and affection. This will be followed. at 10 p.m. with a concert in the Plaza Nueva, which will also adhere to the same security measures.
Although difficult times are still ahead of us, we will overcome all obstacles, as we have the spirit of solidarity on hand to achieve whatever is possible and the necessary means to help those who need us most. We also have our townspeople’s respect and willingness to follow the health regulations, which now is the way that will help protect us until a future time when we will have overcome this crisis.
On behalf of myself, as Mayor of Mojácar, and on behalf of the whole Corporation on which I preside, I wish you a happy San Agustín Day.
Long live San Agustin !. Long live Mojácar!
Rosa Maria Cano
Mayor of Mojácar
Mojácar´s 7 beaches and tourism office receive the Andalucían safety seal.
The Junta de Andalucía’s Department of Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Administration have given the Andalucían Safety Seal to Mojácar beaches, as well as to the Municipal Tourism Office.
Following a request from the town’s mayor for approval, the award was presented to her on Saturday August 15th at Playa Lance Nuevo, by the regional delegate from Almería, Mr. José Luis Delgado Valdivia.
This formal declaration verifies the town’s compliance with the health and safety measures laid out in the tourism sector’s Practical Guide of Recommendations, which appear on the website for the Ministry of Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Administration. As part of this, the Council must undertake to maintain all standards throughout the validity of the award which lasts until June 9th next year.
All Mojácar’s urban beaches have been honoured with this latest Seal including: Playas de Marina de la Torre, Playa del Descargador Playa Piedra Villazar, Playa del Cantal, Playa Lance Nuevo, Playa Ventanicas and Playa Venta del Bancal. This recognition is in addition to the SICTED quality badges awarded by the Tourism General Secretariat and, the EEC Blue Flags already flying on these beaches.
These Safety Seals also distinguish a range of companies and services within the sector such as hotels, restaurants, camping and tourist information offices that comply with the Covid -19 security measures and guidelines from the World Health Organization. This peace of mind that is given to consumers through these awards is further strengthened by a rigorous ongoing checking process.
Since the Mojácar Tourism Office reopened to the public on June 15th, they have operated under the Covid 19 control standards, meeting the guidelines and measures for virus prevention, coordinated by the Secretary of State for Tourism, the Autonomous Communities and The Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP). These standards were drawn up by a committee made up from the ICTE (Institute of Tourism Quality) in collaboration with the Autonomous Communities, FEMP and Local Councils with agreement from The Spanish Association of Workplace Services (AESPLA), PRL Innovación and both CCOO and UGT unions.
Mojácar puts on an August programme with music, film and cultural activities.
Movie Tuesdays started last week with the family favourite “Aladdin” at La Fuente, which will be followed by "The Lion King" on August 18th at the Parque Comercial and “Dumbo” on Tuesday 25th at the Plaza Nueva. Both outdoor shows begin at 10 p.m.
On Sunday 16th, the “Circaalgia” circus and magic show with Dani Danielo will take to the Plaza Nueva stage at 10 p.m. A true magic artiste and member of the Spanish Society of Illusionism, Danielo has created a spectacular fusing music, magic and comedy that makes perfect family entertainment.
Music is next on the agenda on Thursday 20th, with a concert "Alive" featuring the singing, piano, and violin sounds of Mónica Rubio and Esther Peñas at 10 p.m. at the Plaza del Fronton. On Wednesday 26th at the same time and venue there will be the musical show “En clave de Soul”, performed by the new widely acclaimed duo, Juanma Linde and Luz Negrillo.
Those who play padel or simply enjoy spectating, will look forward to IX Mojácar Summer Padel Tournament on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd held at the La Mata municipal courts, for which registrations should be made as soon as possible.
The end of August brings the town’s celebrations in honour of San Agustín and on Friday 28th at 7 p.m. a Holy Mass will be held in the Santa María Church, followed by a concert performed by Mojácar Town Band’s brass quintet at 9 p.m. at the Plaza Nueva.
Mojácar Council would like to remind everyone wishing to attend the above events that it is mandatory to wear masks and remain seated throughout all the performances.
Mojácar sees an increase in domestic tourism during the summer season´s first fortnight.
Mojácar’s main summer season got off to a strong start, with a strict set of measures to ensure safety and cleanliness, as well as peace of mind for everyone throughout the town.
Although the Council are busy throughout the year trying to keep everywhere spick-and-span, there is always a special reinforced effort to prepare for this busy period, with local businesses also playing a huge part in guaranteeing the highest level of hygiene and security to help provide the perfect family holiday.
During the first fortnight of July, the local Tourism Office and information point on the beach dealt with over 1,700 enquiries. Spanish visitors came mainly from Madrid, Andalucia, Valencia, Catalonia, Castilla León, the Basque, Navarra, and Murcia, with an increase also in visitors from Aragon and Asturias. Tourists from elsewhere had travelled mainly from France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
A marked increase in telephone and email inquiries were noted, with rules and beaches security controls a priority. It seemed the main motivation for this year’s holiday is to spend a relaxing time on the beach in a peaceful, safe environment. The fact that there are no time limits on the beach has also been an attraction, as well as the rigorous cleaning and extensive services provided by beach assistants and lifeguards.
Many new Spanish and foreign visitors have been drawn by the safety campaigns that have pulled them away from some of the traditionally more crowded destinations. However, Mojácar always has its faithful visitors who come time and time again to enjoy the wide range of urban and natural beaches along its 17 kms of coastline, as well as all the endless leisure activities on offer. As part of the in-depth profiling carried out by the Tourism Office, analysis has also shown a decrease in clients that come with an itinerary of various places to visit, preferring to remain in Mojácar for the duration of their holiday.
More visitors appear to have selected a private apartment for their fortnight stay this year, although the 3 and 4 star hotels have had 80 - 85% occupancy at weekends, with quieter midweek take up and average stays of between 3 and 5 nights.
The town has around 7,500 regulated accommodation places with a further 5,398 in vacation apartments plus 6,500 holiday homes. Most reservations tend to be made on-line but there has been an increasing number of customers who have selected to book directly this year to ask personally about the capacity and all the control measures in place.
Mojácar’s restaurants have made every effort to comply with the safety regulations, giving visitors and locals alike the opportunity to enjoy the diverse gastronomy on the terraces in the old town or down by the sea. Both places also have a wide variety of interesting shops, that alone, attract people to Mojácar to browse and buy.
The Mojácar Tourism website has also seen increasing interest in the last month, with 6,200 enquirers made up from largely those of national origin (91%) with the remaining numbers coming mainly from the UK, France and Belgium. Of highest interest are the award winning, quality seal beaches and the anti-Covid measures currently in place. Of the social networks that are utilised to maximum potential, including Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, Facebook, as the first to be used, has 44,500 followers on their Turismo de Mojácar page. Also, their latest promotional video, “Por tu tranquilidad, elige Mojácar,” encouraging visitors to the town’s safe, peaceful destination recently reached 422,038 views.
Almería´s Tourism Delegate officially presents Mojácar´s Mayor with six Blue Flags.
José Luis Delgado, Almeria’s Tourism Delegate, recently presented six Blue Flags to Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano and her Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero LeClerc.
Accompanied by his Secretary General, Javier Zamora, Sr. Delgado congratulated the town for achieving these distinctions, acknowledging the great work that has been carried out throughout the year, with the six Blue Flags being “the fruits of the efforts made by the Town Council.” He also stressed that these important awards signified the commitment to beach quality, regarding the water, accessibility, life-saving and all the associated services that have improved day by day with forward planning and enthusiasm. In turn, he reiterated to the Mayor that he and his Ministry were at the town’s disposal for anything Mojácar may need throughout the year and, particularly during this season.
Both he and the Mayor stressed the importance of safety as a primary factor when choosing a holiday destination, especially now and, the Mayor highlighted the range of resources employed to ensure that Mojácar is one of the most requested destinations.
With the recent strict measures adopted by the Town Council, working with the support of local businesses, the town’s wide beaches, open spaces and low rise architecture attracts everyone looking for quality beaches and a variety of entertainment.
With all the necessary steps in place, visitors can now be assured that throughout their well-deserved break they will feel safe and secure and, very soon, the Council Team will officially raise the six Blue Flags awarded for this season by the European Environmental Education Foundation.
Mojácar´s summer is in full swing with new promotional campaigns and an increased interest as a holiday destination.
Mojácar has launched into the main tourist season, with a safe and quiet destination guaranteed.
The town, internationally famous as a beach resort in Almería and Andalucía, has many holiday makers looking towards it as a place to come to for its quality, environmental standards and safe conditions.
The Tourism and Beaches Department, the Tourist Office and the Mayor, Rosmari Cano, have worked hard together with great enthusiasm to bring about all these possibilities in the midst of all the many difficulties facing leisure activities at this current time.
Strict controls are in place, with reinforced disinfection by the beach staff, along with all the necessary machinery for beach cleaning. The lifeguard team, with the beach assistants are also supported by the Civil Protection and Local Police. The addition of new equipment for those with reduced mobility are just further parts of the all-round vacation plan, which has the close collaboration of local businesses, to offer an even more enticing Mojácar.
The Tourist Office has been carrying out a series of campaigns out to pull together information on everything the town has on offer this summer. “Por tu tranquilidad elige Mojácar” is the motto of the video and pictorial marketing campaign, which highlights the town’s peaceful safety, which has circulated the web and all social media throughout the world. Also, at Almería airport, a welcome is ready for visitors in the arrival hall with illuminated images of some of the province’s exciting highlights.
The Mojácar Tourist Offices have been open to the public since June 20th, although the staff never actually stopped working behind the scenes and, they have already dealt with 350 visitors, mostly Spanish. Telephone queries are increasing, with enquirers drawn by the town’s non-crowded nature and, keen to find out about current beach use and regulations, hiking trails and visits to the rest of the province.
A sister campaign, “Por tu tranquilidad, compra en Mojácar” is encouraging visitors to shop and spend in safety, with discounts available on the vast range of things to do, restaurants to visit and shops to browse in, all in a guaranteed environment.
A video has also circulated with famous regular visitors recommending the town, along with an important campaign to raise awareness on the safety measures not only on the beaches, but throughout the entire municipality, including the transport system. Basic reminders in Spanish and English on hygiene measures are being clearly displayed as one of the first and foremost measures in this new and necessary aspect of tourism.
Most of the hotels are now open and the beaches, clean and uncrowded, have more blue flags than ever this summer, where there has been no need to divide spaces or have time restrictions, making Mojácar one of this year’s most sought after destinations.
Mojácar´s summer school starts up with increased safety measures for a smaller intake of children.
Mojácar’s Summer School is now up and running, adapting its activities this year to the current necessary safety requirements and regulations during our extraordinary health situation.
Children who live in the town whose parents need help while they are working are eligible to attend From July 1st to August 27th. Local Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, along with the Mayor, Rosmari Cano, recognised the need for these classes to start up, even though it meant in a reduced way, in order to support families and the work-life balance for the people in the town, many of which have been going through difficult times.
In the current economic situation, in which keeping your employment has become more important than ever, the Council decided to maintain this summer service, even though it involves reinforced cleaning, disinfection and a host of safety measures for everyone.
The number of available places has decreased considerably compared to previous years, from around 150 to 200 children to 20, although many of the favourite facilities, such as the swimming pool are out of bounds with other games and activities subject to restrictive measures.
However, apart from trying to support working parents, the aims of the School remain the same, by offering the children a way to spend their free time over the summer holidays in enjoyable, educational activities that this year will focus even more on safety within new coexistence rules.
Raquel Belmonte added that “it is always exciting to see the children’s enthusiasm and energy undertaking new challenges, with this year’s added excitement of reuniting with schoolfriends they may not have seen for a long time. We also have the added responsibility of showing them that they have to interact in a safe, yet different way without, of course, making it less interesting or fun for everyone.”
Mojácar hosts Andalucían Government´s "safe beach plan" presentation.
The presentation of the Andalucían Government’s Safe Beach Plan was recently held in Mojácar, attended by the town’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano and, the Almerían Delegate for the Andalucían Government, Maribel Sánchez Torregrosa. Also present were other Councillors from the Levante’s coastal municipalities including the Mayor of Vera, José Carmelo Jorge Blanco, the Mayor of Pulpí, Juan Pedro García and the Deputy Mayor of Cuevas del Almanzora, Miriam Quintana Navarro.
Rosmari Cano opened the session by voicing her appreciation for the "efforts of the Andalucían Government" for its great support to Mojácar and the other coastal towns by initiating the beach project that began last week and, will continue throughout the high summer season.
In Mojácar alone, 80 assistants are already monitoring the beaches, who along with Lifeguards, Local Police, Beach Police, and cleaning staff, will be guaranteeing total cleanliness, as well as peace and safety for all.
She went on to give her thanks for the Government’s contribution of 2 4x4 trucks, a pickup and buggy, as well as additional essential rescue equipment. Through the Department of Beaches and Tourism, great efforts have been made by the Council team, resulting in the award of six blue beach flags and seven SICTED tourism quality seals, amongst other awards. Now, with this important support from the Andalucían Government, Mojácar is proving to be one of the most requested coastal destinations.
Maribel Sánchez Torregrosa went on to stress the importance of these measures taken by the Andalucían Government, by prioritising help to local Councils with both human and material resources so that the region with its 217 kilometres of coastline continues to be a safe and sought after destination.
She also highlighted the launch of the initiative ‘AIRE’, the plan for employment revitalization, promotion and recovery that is allocating over a million euros to benefit the unemployed in Almerían towns. Reference was also made to the Andalucían Government’s promotion to boost job creation, through work placements projects across 103 Almerían municipalities.
Mojácar´s eighty new beach assitants join the council´s special summer beach operation
Mojácar’s beach season is now officially open, with 80 new beach assistants joining up with the 24 lifeguards and two coordinators, the Local Police, as well as other associated staff. As part of the Council’s agreements with neighbouring towns, they are all part of a security system for the town's beaches this summer, guaranteeing everyone peace of mind without risk of infection.
The Health Delegate, Juan de la Cruz Belmonte, along with Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, welcomed the new beach assistants, who will be in employed until September. Their job will be to ensure that everyone is complying with the Andalucían Government’s Safe Beaches Regulations, as well as to support the work of the local Council in making Mojácar a safe and trustworthy destination.
Snr Belmonte congratulated the town for all the efforts being made to reactivate tourism, which is so crucial to the local and regional economy, as well as for achieving the high level of safety and quality that is a benchmark for the Mojácar and Almería brands. The Mayor additionally added her encouragement to the new assistants, stressing the task ahead of them as an important link in the chain of measures the Council have taken to reinforce the annual intense summer season preparations.
Mojácar, with its 17 km of coastline, is famous for its uncrowded beaches, relatively low population and, low-rise buildings that all contribute to the town’s relaxed atmosphere that attracts tourists. The Council have therefore not seen it necessary to restrict the hours to visit the beaches, or the length of stay.
New information panels have been places at the beach accesses that hold the Sicted and Blue Flag Quality Seals, along with shaded areas, amphibious chairs, and crutches available to improve the beach experience for those with reduced mobility.
The lifeguard service has jet skis, rescue boats, emergency vehicles and an ambulance at their disposal until mid-September, as well as full first aid kits and modules that will be disinfected each time they are used. There will also be a reinforcement of beach cleaning, with permanent staff at toilets and, all staff in contact with the public will follow a strict disinfection protocol as well as checking their body temperature with thermometers at the beginning of each shift. These thermometers will also be available to everyone, on request, at the beach modules.
The information panels will advise users on the current social distancing rules as well as the maximum beach capacity, with all the above mentioned staff on hand to provide guidance. Information will also be constantly updated on the town’s website, social networks, and mobile apps, so that everyone can access all the necessary advice to make their time in Mojácar calm, relaxed and safe.
Mojácar is one of the Almerían towns that has kept COVID 19 at bay, with only two positive cases registered, which were successfully controlled early on at the same private address. Since the State of Alarm began in March, the Council has intensified street disinfection, surveillance and citizen information, all things that will continue in the same manner throughout the summer.
Mojácar´s Beaches fly six Blue Flags and seven "Sicted" quality awards
Mojácar’s beaches are flying six blue flags this summer, the highest number awarded to the town in the last 15 years, which includes Playa Descargador, the very first one to receive the accolade in 1991.
The other five beaches are; Marina de la Torre, Piedra Villazar, El Cantal, Lance Nuevo and Venta del Bancal-Ventanicas, all raising their blue flags that are granted by the European Environmental Foundation to beaches and ports that meet a range of environmental conditions and facilities. The United Nations Agencies for the Environment and Tourism are also part of the vetting process, as well as various European and International bodies.
To gain this distinction, strict standards must be achieved with water quality, general facilities, and environmental issues, along with safety and rescue services and good accessibility for those with reduced mobility.
Added to this important endorsement is the SICTED distinction for Commitment to Quality Tourism, promoted by the Secretary of State for Tourism, which has additionally awarded the local beaches with seven “Tourist Quality Commitment” badges. This recognizes and accredits the work carried out in the town in meeting their set of rigorous requirements, as well as proving a commitment to tourism excellence.
These distinctions and recognitions confirm the efforts made by the town’s Department of Tourism to improve one of the town’s most important attractions. The economic and human investment put into Mojácar’s beaches has resulted in an increase in services, staff, and the quality of facilities, although this effort extends throughout the municipality, which has resulted in further SICTED awards.
The town’s Tourism Office has had their Tourist Quality Seal since 2105, thanks to constant updates and improvements. In addition, the Family Tourism Quality Seal has been renewed this year, an endorsement which was first given in 2017, with Mojácar being the first Andalucían destination to receive the recognition.
For a tranquil Break, choose Mojácar
Mojácar Council’s Tourism Department has launched a campaign targeted, in the first instance, at the domestic market with the slogan, “POR TU TRANQUILIDAD, ELIGE MOJÁCAR.” First broadcast through social networks as the town’s beaches reopened at the end of May, it received a great reaction, which a few days later transformed into a much larger drive throughout Spain, through online and offline media. Over two million hits are anticipated soon, which will undoubtedly increase with the additional concepts that are to be set in motion.
With a slogan that encourages visitors to choose Mojácar for a safe, peaceful, relaxed holiday, the campaign sets out to show what the town has to offer. As one of the most beautiful towns in Spain, it boasts an old town full of history, a huge variety of accommodation, gastronomy and shops, as well as all the leisure and sports activities on offer. Of course, for many, the beaches are the attraction, which will be kept even more safe and tranquil this year for obvious reasons. In Mojácar, everyone can enjoy peace of mind and, with its 17 km of coastline, the beaches are never overcrowded, even at the height of summer season.
From the moment that the state of alarm was declared, Mojácar has sent out an image of a controlled, coordinated, and safe town, which circulated on social networks and, is now being conveyed to potential clients from the national market. The campaign has been devised by a top agency, with an in depth knowledge of the destination. A one minute promotional video, along with a general poster have also been designed for the web and YouTube, as well as a range of digital communication materials and animated graphics that will appear on every type of social network as well as online and offline media.
According to the local Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, this campaign will be complemented by sending out regular images and messages from July, both to strengthen local trade and, keep everyone constantly up to date with the additional safety advice that is in place for this summer. As well digital communication, flyers and posters will be placed at strategic points, as well as on urban buses.
He added that as soon as international borders are officially opened, with dates set for flights into Almería as well as the neighbouring airports of Murcia, Malaga, and Alicante, a second phase of promotion will be launched, aimed at the international market.
Similarly, Mojácar’s Business Association, in coordination with the Council, will soon launch their own complementary campaign which will undoubtedly further spotlight an image of a complete, attractive, and diverse destination for visitors, full of options for this very unique summer.
Mojácar takes steps to ensure safe beaches
As Mojácar moved into phase II of de-escalation, the beaches finally reopened for swimming on May 25, although the official season does not start until June 12 when services such toilets, first aid and rescue services will be available.
New, improved quality 1.80m wide walkways have been installed at Marina de la Torre, El Palmeral and El Descargador, a renovation project the local Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, plans to extend to all town beaches in the coming seasons. Information panels by the beaches with the Blue Flag Award or Sicted Quality Seal are also being renewed.
The shaded areas provided especially for those with reduced mobility are being prepared for use, next to which there will be amphibious chairs and crutches to assist bathing, movement and hopefully improve the users’ all round beach experience.
Mojácar’s beaches will have 25 lifeguards backed up with jet skis, lifeboats, emergency vehicles and ambulances that will be on hand until mid-September, with the possibility of an expanded service next year as the current service contract is due to expire.
Due to the health emergency, the Council’s Beach Department will carry out several special contingency measures, including the reinforcement of beach cleaning, with expanded technical and human resources. There will be continual disinfection of all beach facilities, especially the safety and rescue units, bus stops and public toilets and showers (which will have hydroalcoholic gel dispensers installed).
All staff in contact with beachgoers will adhere to a strict cleaning and disinfection protocol, as well as their taking body temperature with electronic thermometers at the beginning of each shift, to spot any symptoms. These thermometers will also be available to anyone at the beach in the safety and rescue units.
Mojácar, with its 17 km of coastline, is well known for its characteristic uncrowded beaches and the low-rise nature of the coastline has always been a factor in making visitors feel chilled out and relaxed on its beaches. For this reason, the Council does not deem it necessary to restrict the beach hours or the length of stay.
At the different access points to the beach, there will be information posters reminding everyone about necessary social distancing measures in the current situation, as well as beach capacity. Subdividing or sectioning the sand between users will not be required either, as members of the Civil Protection and Local Police will be on hand to ensure safety and provide guidance.
All information will be available on the town website as well as its social networks and mobile apps, so that visitors and locals alike are able to receive all the up to date and essential information to ensure a relaxed and safe time in Mojácar.
Mojácar reopens Wednesday Market
Ensuring all buyers disinfected their hands and wearing masks
Mojácar’s weekly Wednesday market has returned to the Pueblo’s Plaza del Rey Alabez, with strict adherence to government guidelines and security measures, although for the time being only food products were on offer. Customers did their shopping responsibly in an orderly manner and, there was a steady stream of visitors throughout the morning, without any over-crowding.
The local Council had requested help from two members of the Civil Protection to hand out mandatory masks, as well as ensuring all buyers disinfected their hands with hydroalcoholic gel. Everyone was instructed to keep a safe distance and reminded not to touch products, as the stallholders packed all purchases in bags and the shoppers were guided by distancing barriers with clear entry and exit routes to avoid close contact. Although not all stalls were permitted, for example those selling clothing and accessories, there was no shortage of vegetables, savoury items, cheeses, sweets and roast chickens.
The local Citizen Security Councillor, María Luisa Pérez, worked alongside the Civil Protection all morning, providing information to residents, as well as complementing them on their exemplary behaviour which has kept the town safe. She also spoke to them about the reappearance of the other regular market stalls, which would return when the regulations allowed, and all safety measures were firmly in place.
María Luisa also had the chance to be interviewed for Andalucía Directo, whose Canal Sur TV team came along to Mojácar to see how the first day of the street market shaped up. It was just one more small, but important step towards a return to day to day normality for Mojácar, with total safety ensured as always for residents and visitors alike.
Mojácar´s Rey Alabez Pupils create their own Floral Indalos
The project readapted by their drawing teacher, Lucrecia Parra
Although Mojácar could not celebrate their annual Indalo de la Flores event in the town’s streets and squares, the pupils of the Rey Alabez School kept the tradition alive from their own homes by making their own symbolic Mojaquero floral creations, all put together on a video for everyone to see.
The project, which was already underway before the confinement began, was then readapted by their drawing teacher, Lucrecia Parra and, the results have been a wonderful show of imagination and art. Moreover, it was an important effort during these times by the youngsters and their families to keep this event on the Mojácar festive calendar.
140 pupils between 12 and 16 years old came up with a range of themed ideas, all made with recycled materials. This was not only because it was impossible to buy items at the minute, but it was also in line with the school's policy of instilling an educational based respect for the environment and resources. According to the teacher and coordinator, Lucrecia Parra, running this project during in the first weeks of confinement served to lift the spirits of the whole family in their long hours at home.
The pupils from the Rey Alavez and the Bartolomé Flores Schools have had to adapt to a new school routine incorporating distance education and, the new technologies have come into their own to make this possible. These methods and the town’s ‘home classrooms’ are keeping important teaching curriculum moving along, pointed out Francisco Baraza, the Director of Bartolomé Flores School.
Mojácar Council, with the assistance of their Local Police, Civil Protection and Education Councillor have been busy distributing necessary materials to the pupils so that they can keep on top of their school course work during a summer term that is likely to end within the home.
It has been a huge effort for teachers and the co-ordination of both schools and their Directors, representing new challenges and methodologies for the educational community, which includes 28 different nationalities with a variety of language skills.
Mojácar reopens their Paseo Marítimo in line with the latest leisure time rules
Advice on the authorized goverment measures were circulated by the Council through the social networks
The May holiday weekend and the great weather coincided with lockdown de-escalation steps in Mojácar, with the Council also reopening the promenade, although not the beaches.
Advice on the authorized government measures were circulated by the Council through the social networks managed by the local Tourism Office with the Councillor for Citizen Security, María Luisa Pérez, congratulating the people for their exemplary behaviour in following the recommendations and time schedules.
Mojácar’s 720 children aged up to 14 were the first group to enjoy their outdoor walks the previous week, followed a few days later by those groups over and under 70 years old who were allocated separate timeslots. Also for the first time, some sports were allowed again, although alone and not in groups.
The town’s Local Police and the Guardia Civil intensified control points to make checks on anyone coming in from other towns and provinces and Mojácar’s squad of 23 officers were fully active through the holiday weekend, employing their 4 vehicles and motorcycles.
Since the period of quarantine began, they have carried out nearly 700 actions, 1,528 vehicles were stopped and checked, along with 742 people and there have been 33 businesses inspected. 146 denuncias have been issued and 5 people are facing judicial action.
Mojácar Council is still carrying out the intensive disinfection around busy places such as banks, pharmacies, bus stops and supermarkets, with an emphasis on the Medical Centre. Trucks are also thoroughly cleaning the town’s streets along with the continued collaboration of the Levante Almería Firefighters Consortium whose vehicles are dispersing disinfectants in the fight against possible contagion.
Added to this is an ozone disinfection being used in the cleaning of schools and nurseries, as well as in the Parque Comercíal and all areas which see a greater concentration of people.
However, as well as all these valued workers, it is also down to the efforts of all the civic-minded residents of Mojácar that are making the town a safer place to be.
In a time of confinement or not, Mojácar is a town known for art and artists
Mojácar shares its images from inside and outside the home
In a time of confinement or not, Mojácar is a town known for art and artists and, with that in mind, the Council’s Culture, Tourism and Guadalinfo IT Departments have organized a project entitled “Mojácar tiene luz, dentro y fuera de casa, Mojácar es arte.” The idea is to put together an album made up from the images shared by residents, all captured through their windows, that have helped in some way to ease the time spent at home.
Anyone may send in drawings, watercolours, oil paintings or any other artistic expression, regardless of the artist’s age or skill and it is hoped that many more entries will be added to this special album that will serve as an artistic reminder of so many scenes and dreams as we hope for better days to come.
This is just one extra project to add to those that have already been set in action during this long quarantine by Mojácar’s Guadalinfo, who are working hard with Mojácar Council to support their residents online.
Guadalinfo’s facilitator, Miguel García Campoy, has been working continuously throughout every week by phone, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram etc. to share information and offer support on a variety of technological topics, to benefit everyone both culturally and socially.
This work, in coordination with the Mayor's Office and the Tourism and Culture Departments is much needed by the people of the town, especially when technology unites us more than ever in a time of imposed social distancing. Its importance in the homes of the Mojaqueros has been proven by the fact that in just 28 days there have been 17,000 interactions, no doubt a figure that will grow as new ideas, workshops and projects are being continually devised.
Mojácar makes "International book day" special.
Many Mojaqueros of all ages joined in the fun, sharing all manner of books
Each year, Mojácar Council’s Culture and Tourism Departments set a different challenge to mark International Book Day, with books hidden around the town for everyone to search for. Given the current confinement, they have instead organised something different, along with the local Guadalinfo Centre, asking residents to upload a photo of themselves with a favourite book or a videos of themselves reading out a paragraph.
Through Facebook and Instagram, many Mojaqueros of all ages joined in the fun, sharing all manner of books ranging from "Don Quixote" to "Gone with the Wind."
Mojácar is famous for talented and creative artists, as well as being the inspiration for numerous books, many by local writers. International Book Day was the perfect time for locals to select some of these to share, including "Mojaqueros de Hecho" by Francisco Haro Pérez", "La Guajira" by José María Montoya and "A Peculiar Reign in Spain" written by the recently deceased Ric Polanski. Also selected, about Mojácar’s landscapes and people, were those recently published through Mojácar Council’s tourism section, “Leyendas Mojaqueras” and “Diccionario Mojaquero.”
There was no shortage of younger authors chosen, such as Maite Castillo Camano, a writer from Alicante, whose novel "Búscala!” is set in Mojácar and, Luisa Piñero, whose thriller "Llegado el Caso" is about a Mojácar hotelier and his ups and downs on an international trip.
The teachers at the town’s Garabatos Nursery made a charming video for the children, reading stories and sending out greetings to their little ones. The Bartolomé Flores teachers had the same idea, playing out characters from stories or adventures, to encourage reading and the magic of literature to help get through these days. The pupils also took part in a fun video entitled “POSTULEO de Cuarentena del Bartolomé Flores”, highlighting the many ways and places to read and have fun reading. Snapshots, arranged by the teachers and students of each class, showed that even in this difficult time of confinement, they could all manage to put on their best smile.
The celebration of the Moors and Christians Festival have been suspended
Due to the current state of alarm and health alert.
The Mojácar Town Hall, with the support of the Al-Mosaquer Moors and Christians Association, due to the current state of alarm and
health alert has taken the hard decision and decided to suspend the celebration of the Moors and Christians Festival due to have been
celebrated on the 12 th , 13 th and 14 th of June 2020, agreeing to postpone it for an undetermined date (if possible in this year 2020),
provided that the circumstances arising from the pandemic will allow. Similarly, the suspension of all the activities prior to the Fiestas
thatthe Association had scheduled, such as:- IV Mojácar Moors and Christians Festival Poster Contest.
- I National Contest of Moors and Christian Processional Marches "Al-Mosaquer" 2020. (1 st of May Concert in Center of Multiple Uses)
- IV Edition of the Moors and Christians Annual Magazine.We are aware of the degree of uncertainty regarding the duration and consequences that this crisis will cause, and of the social impact that
this carries, especially from an emotional point of view, but this difficult decision is taken as an act and out of responsibility towards us all.Now the most important thing is to take care of everyone's health, follow the indications regarding prevention, and return to a completely
normal situation as soon as possible ...We all deserve and have the right to organize and enjoy our Moors and Christians Festival with all the guarantees, and that every “partier”
and visitor can enjoy and feel those unique and special days again ...
Mojácar Council steps up disinfection measures
Each morning, a tanker and truck from the fire station are disinfecting the old town and the beach area.
Two crews from the Levante Almeriense Fire Fighting and Rescue
Consortium are reinforcing Mojácar Council’s cleaning and disinfection
campaign, that has been in action since the state of alarm was declared due to
the COVID-19 crisis.
Each morning, a tanker and truck from the fire station are disinfecting
the old town and the beach area, with particular attention paid to the places
and surroundings that sees the greatest influx of people such as, bus stops,
banks, pharmacies and supermarkets.
The disinfectant used by the 7 Consortium firefighters is sodium
hypochlorite, with a total of 17,000 litres added to that being used by the
municipal cleaning service for their regularly street cleaning and disinfection
of the town’s streets.
There is also a truck, owned by the municipal cleaning service, with a
2,500 litre capacity and two operators with manual equipment that disinfects
the busiest points every 48 hours, as well another truck that gives the streets a
thorough daily clean.
These are all actions that Mojácar Council will maintain while the state
of alarm lasts, as it is seen as a vital sanitary measure to avoid the spread of
the COVID-19 virus.
This commendable work by the firefighters is being done voluntarily
outside their normal working hours, by combining shifts and breaks so as not
to leave their firefighting and rescue duties unattended. The sodium
hypochlorite that is being used is supplied by Mojácar Council, along with all
the necessary materials for the various actions that are currently in place..
Mojácar´s Easter, full of tradition and history.
Mojácar,like so many other Spanish towns, is experiencing the strangest Easter ever.
This time of year is always looked forward to for all the religious events, families getting together and the bustle of visitors. However, this year everyone will celebrate at home, without being able to attend the religious services that for decades have marked the Christian commemoration of the Passion of Christ.
In Mojácar there are no official diocese religious Brotherhoods, although there are the Nazarene and Virgen of the Sorrows members who constantly maintain the images and their ornate floats ready for the processions. The four processions that would normally pass through the streets of Mojácar at Easter are the Virgin of the Sorrows, the Nazarene, the Holy Burial and the Risen Christ.Mojácar has always held a strong Easter tradition since before the Spanish Civil War, with the entire town participating and attending the church with its spectacular wooden altarpiece, choir stall and wonderful carved images by Salcillo. Additionally, the passion of Christ was dramatized through processions and biblical representations with characters in beautiful robes.
The building of Mojácar’s Santa María Church was started by master builder, Sebastián Segura, in the late sixteenth century on the remains of an old mosque and, it also served as a refuge against the numerous pirate attacks from along the Barbary coast. It was the only one in the area to be burned down during the Civil War, destroying everything, including the religious images and civil documents. This grand Church and its old tower were, however, almost completely restored by the end of the 20th century, making it one of the few examples this type of architecture in the province. Following the conflicts, little by little, the traditions were revived, along with the newly carved image of the Virgin of the Sorrows, which was acquired in the 1940s from a Venetian School in the style of that time, although the figure’s Easter robes were evocative of the Virgin by Salcillo. The image of the Nazarene, also a magnificent carving, arrived by train to Zurgena and was then transported to Mojácar, to the admiration of everyone in the town.Between 1981 and 1982, the Church’s High Altar area was decorated with a beautifully executed painting by the German painter Michael Sucker, who lived in Mojácar for nine years. It is possibly the most original ecclesiastical decoration in Spain, one in which the artist successfully captured the atmosphere, light and the well-known Indalo of Mojácar. Presiding over the main altar is his figure of Jesus, dressed in white, with an arch like a rainbow simulating the silhouette of Mojácar’s Indalo symbol extending from his open palms.
During Holy Week, Mojácar’s streets are traditionally the scene of colourful processions as the elaborate trono floats, made especially for the narrow, winding streets of Mojácar, are carried through the town. With the aroma of incense, candles and flowers, the carved images are paraded, with the faithful followers behind, to the sounds of sacred music played by the Town Band.
A dramatic tradition that has seen a revival is the procession of El Encuentro, which features the images and floats of both the Virgen in her black cloak and her son, the Nazarene, who both leave the Church and take their different routes throughout the old town in silence, accompanied by the faithful in candlelight. The Plaza del Caño is the meeting point where the Virgin awaits, before those carrying the Nazarene dramatically make "three falls" to display devotion before this Mother.
Mojácar´s Rey Alabez students attend musical workshop
To celebrate International Women's Day, Mojácar’s Rey Alabez secondary school pupils recently attended a fascinating session entitled “La Mujer en el Flamenco” at the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples.
The different range of performances relived the role of women and their part in the evolution of the flamenco world, explained through music, song and dance. The story highlighted artists such as Lola Flores, La Niña de los Peines, one of the first leading female figures to make history in the flamenco world with her own company and individual style of singing and, Niña Pastori, a leading light in music and the folkloric copla style of singing.
It is thought that the festive Spanish art form of flamenco began in the home, the place where women played such an important role and, it was very common for them to start dancing or singing at impromptu gatherings. Since that time, women and flamenco have gone hand in hand, making history with their singing and dancing and bringing fame to those with outstanding talent.
The students learned about the different flamenco musical structures on the day, directed by singer, Rocío Zamora and dancer, Mayte Beltrán, with the school music teacher and session organiser, Esther Peñas, accompanying on piano.
Last year, the fourth year students were given a similar experience, which was so popular that it was decided to repeat the exercise for the whole school, which also turned out to be a huge success.
Mojácar´s Dames in Spain reach their 35th year working for the community.
Mojácar’s past week of events to mark International Women's Day included the annual local Dames in Spain lunch, which highlighted the important role that women play within the family, the workplace and the world in general. The meal was held at the Lúa Restaurant in Puerto Rey, with almost all the 60 members in attendance.
As every year, Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, was invited to the celebration along with María Luisa Pérez, the Councillor for Security and Citizenship. Their collaboration with the Dames in Spain has gone from strength to strength over the years, with the Mayor and her Government Team supporting these women’s efforts in helping a number of social causes, as well as many other non-profit associations that work for the common good.
For 35 years, the Dames in Spain, who are mainly British with a number of members of different nationalities, have raised funds for local, provincial Spanish and international organisations such as the Red Cross and Cancer Associations, those who like them fight and work for the good of the community, the environment or for animal welfare.
One of the Dames most anticipated annual events is the annual Christmas Carol Concert, where they raffle a multitude of gifts donated by business community, in addition to homemade tasty food products and whole range of other items, the sales of which benefits many grateful charitable institutions.
Top Almerian watercolourist show at Mojácar.
Mojácar’s La Fuente Art Gallery recently opened its doors to an exhibition of watercolour paintings by the prestigious ‘Agrupación Almeriense de Acuarelistas,’ which has some of the top artists in the province.
The official inauguration was attended by the local Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, who had the opportunity to chat to some of the artists about their paintings after a studious walk around this stunning exhibition.
Association President, María Mira, spoke about the group’s progress since they started off in 2008 and, the 40 members meet every Friday to work together on their watercolours at El Bajo de Santa Teresa, Almería.
Painting at first under the eye of Visconti, the well-known Almerían artist and also their President of Honour, the group has journeyed over the years through the wonderful world of watercolour, renowned for its luminous colours and soft shapes. The Association was fortunate to have Visconti’s expertise in guiding them along the way to capture the beauty of the province’s magical corners, until his 94th year.
There are 57 paintings in the exhibition by 22 artists, with the most charming parts of Mojácar strongly represented, as well other places around Almería and different parts of the world. It is the second time that the Association has exhibited at Mojácar’s La Fuente gallery and, their previous good experience was enhanced by the new lighting that has helped to further reinforce the beauty of the paintings displayed.
In addition to coming along to enjoy the show, visitors also have the chance to purchase the watercolours at a "reasonable price," said the President, although
the exhibition is very well worth a visit, be it to collect art or just simply admire it.
The free to enter exhibition at La Fuente Centro de Arte is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until 31st March.
Mojácar Council´s Women´s Day Trip to Úbeda and Baeza
With International Women's Day on March 8th in mind, Mojácar Council organized a trip to Jaén, taking in Úbeda and Baeza, for the annual weekend getaway which is always seen a as a great opportunity to take a break from the daily routine and have some fun.
The destination had been chosen by the women themselves, a World Heritage Site since 2003 and, a perfect destination that combines history, tradition, landscape and great regional food.
With their guide, they began in Úbeda, taking in the panoramic views of this 6,000 year old city with visits to the Plaza Vázquez de Molina, Palacio Déan Ortega, Capilla del Salvador and Basilica of Santa María de los Reales Alcáceres.The actual day of celebration was spent in Baeza, with a guided tour around the Renaissance buildings and the classrooms where the famous Spanish poet Antonio Machado taught his French and literature classes.
As always, the whole trip was a great success for the group of 40 women, aged between 30 and 80 years old, who all enjoyed being in each other’s company whilst touring the beautiful Jaén area. A big thank you went to local Councillors Ana García and María Luisa Pérez also, who accompanied on the trip. With lots of the weekend’s best moments and stories to share on their way home, there was also time to put forward some ideas for next year’s highly anticipated destination.
Mojácar holds the 3rd inter-school chess tournament.
The 3rd Inter-School Chess Tournament was recently has held in Mojacar, bringing together the town’s young primary and secondary schools players, along with their counterparts from Turre, Vera, Carboneras and Garrucha.
MOJÁCAR HOLDS 3RD INTER-SCHOOL CHESS TOURNAMENT
35 players from 20 different countries gathered at the Rey Alabez School to play in the tournament’s two leagues, with a splendid chess set as a prize for the winner of each, as well as an additional set offered as a raffle prize and, diplomas for all participants.
This year, the champions were Wentao from IES Mediterráneo and Diego from IES Rey Alabez, although everyone was a winner in the end at the fun morning of sporting efforts, followed by a lunch together with their instructors.
Over five years ago, ATAL, which develops classes of linguistic adaptation, started bringing together young chess players, with an emphasis on welcoming immigrant students and promoting intercultural education along with the teaching of Spanish language.
Ana Jiménez Lagos is an ATAL teacher at Mojácar Institute and, the ‘alma mater’ for the team of teachers that has been created across the region’s centres. She pointed out that the true objective of this tournament was the promotion of coexistence, integration and inclusion as, at the beginning of the course, many children have limited or no Spanish language skills Without friends and the means of communicating outside of their home environment and culture, integration is almost impossible for them at first.
All are welcomed with open arms, however, overcoming shyness, nerves or any other impairment in these chess classes where everyone is equal when playing this strategic game. It is also an ideal way for the local children to meet up with these new students and very soon, friendships are made, whilst advantageously developing mental skills that help with many school disciplines, especially mathematics.
The Chess Tournament brings the classes to an end and the start of poetry sessions with the study of the Alhambra which they will visit later on a guided tour. Ana Jiménez and her team are accomplishing a remarkable service to the communities, efforts which are well rewarded when these often vulnerable young people embark enthusiastically on a new adventure in life along with their new found classmates.
Archaeological Studies Scholarship Presented in Mojácar
Archaeological Studies Scholarship Presented in Mojácar
The second Valparaíso Foundation CH Study Scholarship was recently presented to student Noelia Aguado for her study and research of ceramic remains at the Mojácar La Vieja site, the old settlement of the town.
The award ceremony took place at the Foundation's Centre in Mojácar with local Tourism Councillor and project developer, Emmanuel Agüero, Project Director and professor of History and Medieval Archaeology at Granada University, José María Martín Civantos and his colleague Julio Román, a researcher in the Medieval History and Historiographic Technical Sciences Department. It is under these academics direction, that Noelia will continue her studies in Granada’s Medieval History Department.
The scholarship was awarded by the President of the Foundation, Beatrice Beckett, along with members of the Valparaíso Foundation, Chispa López Casas and Javier Almagro. The Foundation’s purpose is to support cultural creation and research and, through the CH Scholarships and collaboration agreements with Mojácar Council and the Granada University, Noelia has been awarded 3,600 Euros to assist her postgraduate studies.
The archaeological investigations have taken place over the last two years, due to Mojácar Council’s initiative, involving a research team with proven archaeological and research experience. Granada University’s MEMOLAB Biocultural Archaeology Laboratory has an expert excavation team with new information technology, teaching and analysis methods with an extensive international network to disseminate their findings.
Given the dimensions and potential of Mojácar la Vieja after the first two excavation campaigns, the meticulous investigation, dating and cataloguing of the ceramic materials found requires a postgraduate graduate student in the team of archaeologists under the direction of Dr. Julio Román, a role which is now in place.
On the day of the award, a guided visit was made to the site led by José María Martín Civantos, where he revealed the latest findings after the last months of work at the University. It was also an opportunity for the Valparaíso Foundation Board, the Council’s project promoter, Emmanuel Agüero and the University excavations directors to put together new work strategies for this year’s Mojácar la Vieja campaign as well as plans for the future in view of the great relevance of the remains found in the old Mojaquero settlement. The studies so far, with possible new discoveries to unearth, could be the key to understanding and completing the history of an important historical stage in the province of Almeria and throughout the peninsula.
Noelia Aguado receives Valparaíso Foundation Scholarship
Noelia Aguado, who was born and grew up in Mojácar is graduated in Art History.
Noelia Aguado, who was born and grew up in Mojácar, began her training as a tour guide, a profession that is very much in keeping with her hometown where tourism is a top priority.
Her interest in culture then led her to graduate in Art History, but she did not anticipate then that her future was going to link so much to the past and, be so firmly attached to the deep roots of her beloved Mojácar and the hill that she had looked over to many times from the Plaza Nueva as a child.
Two years ago, she found out about the excavations on that very hill, Mojácar la Vieja, where Mojácar Council with the collaboration of the Valparíso Foundation, were inviting archaeologists from Granada University to work on the first Mojaquero settlement.
The Memolab biocultural archaeology laboratory was charged with taking on this incredible project, which went on to involve archaeologists from around the world, as well as the people of the town, all collaborating and working on the excavation with the Granada University project directors, José María Civantos and Julio Román.
Although Noelia did not really know what to expect, by the time the first campaign ended in the summer of 2018, she knew that she had discovered much more than the remains and ruins of centuries old ceramics, walls, towers and houses…….she had found her true vocation.
She then began an Archaeology Masters in Granada and linked her final project to the works and excavation campaigns carried out to date on Mojácar la Vieja. The enthusiasm and dedication she showed resulted in the award of a CH Study Scholarship from the Valparaíso Foundation that will enable her to study, classify, catalogue then digitize the materials and information that has been discovered.
Noelia plans to continue studying Mojácar la Vieja in relation to other Almohad sites, looking at similarities and other influences, although she proudly declares that Mojácar has a personal focus for her attention. Now she is waiting impatiently for the third campaign to begin, with the scholarship in place to allow her to continue accessing her dream and continue working on a project she really loves.
Noelia added, “I am excited to see how Mojácar la Vieja has evolved in just two campaigns and in such a positive way”. It is something which she and her family feel very proud of and, she summed up her enthusiasm by saying, “Mojácar la Vieja is not just another site, it is very important for the future of Mojácar.”
Marisol Brunet exhibits her work at Mojácar´s Centro de Arte
Mojácar’s La Fuente art centre is hosting an exhibition by the artist Marisol Brunet until March 8th, featuring 53 eye-catching pencil and ink drawings.
Marisol has arranged her strikingly original pieces in a circle so that viewer is able to enjoy the works individually or as a whole and, in them she has incorporated all kinds of media and papers to capture her ideas. She cleverly superimposes transparent elements in black ink that give life, movement and purpose to each drawing, grabbing the attention of all those who are drawn towards her paintings.
Now living in the province for 13 years, she has a strong academic background that continues to flourish through all kinds of courses and experiences that open up new avenues of inspiration in her artistic creations to further enrich her work.
Currently, Marisol is pursuing an interest in cinematography with reflecting moving images using transparency and pencil overlay techniques, whilst making studies of movement by employing video-art.
It is a ‘not to be missed’ exhibition that leaves no one indifferent and is open to the public free of charge from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mojácar marks Día de Andalucía with a weekend of celebrations
There was a full weekend of celebrations in Mojácar to celebrate Día de Andalucia, with the traditional raising of the Andalucían flag at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento by the town’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, accompanied by her fellow Councillors and members of the public.
The Town Band gave a rendition of the Andalucían anthem as the flag rose, followed by a medley of Spanish music that soon had locals and visitors on their feet, for a dance to celebrate the day.
The Council’s programme of events continued with the release of green and white biodegradable balloons in the Plaza Nueva, followed later by the much anticipated giant paella, offered free to everyone coming along to the Plaza de Parterre.
As always, there was a concert later at the Centro de Usos Múltiples showcasing the skills of the local guitar students, directed by Pedro Clemente, along with the talents of the dancers from Gustavo Criado’s Dance School and Nicky Mainstone’s Prodanza School.
Earlier in the week, the Bartolomé Flores schoolchildren held their own little celebration by gathering for a typical Andalucían breakfast at break time. The very characteristic and nutritious snack, including bread with oil and tomato, was organised by Mojácar Council’s Education Department with several the parents on hand to help. The local Education Councillor, Ana Garcia, added that utilising products from the area as part of a Mediterranean diet is not only a return to healthy customs, but the perfect way to celebrate and value Andalucían culture, especially on this special day.
Mojácar ends Carnival time with the burial of the Sardine.
As every year, the traditional Burial of the Sardine on Ash Wednesday marked Mojácar’s end of Carnival time and the start of Lent.
After Holy Mass and the sacred imposition of ashes at the Santa María Church, the town’s residents gathered at the Centro de Usos Múltiples to accompany the deceased sardine on the road to its final destination at the Plaza Nueva.
The light-hearted funeral procession, attended by local officials, included much weeping and wailing, with the Town Band providing a musical medley along the way. No-one wanted to miss either, after such an outpouring of grief, the reviving treat of chocolate and churros, served to everyone courtesy of the local Council.
Mojácar’s Carnival weekend kicked off with a fun, multicoloured parade with the Bartolomé Flores schoolchildren dressed in historical costumes from over the centuries, with the staff attired in outfits from more modern times. They made their way from their classrooms to the Plaza del Frontón, accompanied by some of their favourite TV and movie characters.
The “Garabatos” nursery children also joined in the celebrations dressed as cute little polar bears and penguins with their staff dressing up as Eskimos. They followed this on their own float as special guests as part of the spectacular Saturday parade along the beach road, much to the delight of those gathered for the event.
Another group of special guests, after years of absence, was the local Third Age Pensionistas group, also on their own float, that made the journey which ended at the Parque Comercial. It is an event that every year sees more people joining in with extra stunning floats and costumes that pulls together the youngest to the most senior, along with dance schools and clubs.
After the parade, the choreography contest saw Garrucha’s "Reina Entre Volantes" taking first prize with the "Ilusión de Carnaval" troupe in second place, before the party continued later at the Carnival Dance to the sounds of Melodías.
Mojácar council continues with energy efficiency improvements across the town
Mojácar Council has given the go ahead to an agreement by which Almería’s Provincial Council will collaborate financially to the town’s plans to move towards a low-carbon economy, which falls within the 2014-2020 sustainable growth plan already in action.
The Council is working on different initiatives to modernize and renovate the town’s exterior lighting and last year the report was approved on the first energy efficiency project to be co-financed by 80% from FEDER European Union funds which offers grants for investments in public services that lower carbon dioxide emissions.
In 2019 a study to upgrade to 1,213 public lighting points was made, requiring an investment of around 1,200,000 Euros, which would generate a maintenance and energy saving of 81,200 Euros per year. The comprehensive reform plan included new high performance LED lighting, the replacement of damaged supports and posts, adapted lighting panels and, centralized remote management systems. The total project amount amounted to 1,186,910 Euros, with an annual energy saving of 60% and, a financial saving of more than 70,000 Euros.
This new agreement, co-financed by Almeria Council, represents a total of 918 lighting points and an investment of 656,631 Euros with a municipal contribution of 32,831 Euros, as the 20% municipal contribution is reduced to 5% by the Provincial assistance. As well as the saving on maintenance and energy bills, the changes will also improve visual quality and road safety. A energy saving of 100,000 Euros is estimated for this coming year, plus any maintenance and breakdown costs, as parts are guaranteed for 10 years.
The Government Team’s objective is to renovate 100% of the street lighting, said Mojácar’s Finance Councillor Francisco García Cerdá. At present, another report is being preparing on energy efficiency for 2021 which would deal with the remaining lighting throughout the town, which would require an investment of just over a million Euros and increase the annual saving to over 140,000 euros.
Mojácar´s Seniors appear on the "Juan Y Medio" tv programme.
Mojácar’s senior residents recently went off to Seville to take up their seats as the studio audience in the Canal Sur programme "La Tarde, Aquí y Ahora” which is presented by popular star Juan y Medio and is a light-hearted entertainment show with news, music and some senior match making.
The local senior Tercera Edad Association asked Ana García, their designated Councillor, some time ago to put forward a request to the show on their behalf, which she immediately did although it took some time with so many towns on the waiting list.
The invitations finally came, and Ana accompanied 46 seniors to the show’s studio to see the live programme being made with their favourite presenter Juan y Medio, who is actually from Almería and also knows Mojácar very well as a regular visitor to the town.
They group took with them 120 kilos of non-perishable food as a contribution to the food bank that the programme organizers collect for, which reached an amount of almost 4,500 kilos on the day with their donation. They also put together a range of local homemade specialities for the post show afternoon buffet, including a range of sweet biscuits, muffins and cakes with savoury cracklings, sausages and homemade breads. For all their gifts, they received the warm thanks of the whole production team.
Ana García, having organised the trip which allowed so many to see their wish come true, was delighted with the great welcome they had received by everyone at the studio in Seville, giving them all the chance to spend an unforgettable day, which was full of fun from start to finish.
Mojácar Council launches new promotional material ready for the 2020 tourist season.
Mojácar Council’s Tourism Department and Tourist Office have been busy putting together a range of new promotional material to help reinforce the work they already do to attract new visitors.
A new tourist brochure has been produced, with a complete set of practical information on the town, including street maps, that will be useful for visitors as well as locals. Two promotional videos featuring the popular events such as Romantic Night, Night of the Candles and the Moors and Christians Fiesta have also been launched.
The brochure, which came out in January, is in virtual or magazine format and, is seen as an important marketing tool to capture markets and individual customers at fairs and conferences, as well as being available to those visiting the town’s Tourist Offices. With the collaboration from the local and regional business community, there has also been a zero cost to the Council.
In collaboration with the MIC publishing house, the new quality 75 page guide with information in Spanish and English features over 80 fabulous photographs showing off Mojácar’s temptations as a tourist destination. The attractions, such as golf, snorkelling, hiking and cycling, family holidays, gastronomy, culture, history, the beautiful beaches and the historic Old Town are all included. There is also important information on the local services and shops with relevant street maps as well as the places not to miss and special times to visit to take in a big event such as Romantic Night, Night of the Candles or the Moors and Christians Fiesta. The publication has benefited from a commercial collaboration with hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourism agents based in Mojácar and across the Levante.
As a result of a collaboration for the second consecutive year with the private advertising company Guías y Mapas, a more concise 35 page Mojácar Practical Guide with photographs and information in Spanish, English, French and German has been produced. It features an extensive list of the various accommodation available along with useful contact details and street maps. It also has been supported by advertising from hotels, restaurants, estate agencies and other leisure based companies.
Both guides can be seen on the Mojácar website mojacar.es as well as the publishers’ websites. Thanks to this public-private collaboration, the Tourist Office has been given 8,000 free guides that are already being handed out as well as distributed virtually to enquirers through emails and web downloads.
Fernando Giménez, the Deputy President of Almería Provincial Council.
Fernando Gimenez, the Deputy President of Almeria Provincial Council.
Fernando Gimenez, the Deputy President of Almeria Provincial Council, recently visited Servigroup’s Hotel Marina Mar de Mojácar to see for himself the results of the investments that have been made aimed at attracting customers and events, especially those involving winter season sports.
On hand to discuss the upgrades and projects were local Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, Servigroup Area Director, Rafael Escudero and Deputy Hotel Director, Rosa Fernández.
During the day’s tour, he was keen to find more about what was actually being done in the province by both the business community and local authorities, saying “the Provincial Council and the Tourism Service must work together to make sure the Costa Almería brand is well known and that our destination becomes a greater force with even more visitors.”
The Hotel Marina Mar keeps open all year round, working with various sectors of the sports world including, cycling, motorcycling, athletics and paddle tennis.
Sporting enthusiasts gather here throughout the winter, brought together by the leading companies that organize national and international sporting events. Both amateurs and their supporters as well as professionals from European official teams use the Hotel for not only accommodation and events, but as a place to focus and train ahead upcoming competitions.
Marina Mar has been busy adapting its facilities to the needs of this type of client and now boasts the best facilities across the province for sporting visitors. There are designated outbuildings with workshops for motorcycles, cars and bicycles as well private recreation areas and meeting rooms to work on team strategies. After an intense day of competing or training the guests also have at their disposal outdoor and heated swimming pools, a gym, a spa that offers sports massages, along with a full catering service that is able to provide specific menus suitable for those in training.
During the visit, Rafael Escudero and Emmanuel Agüero updated Fernando Gimenez on this season’s projects, as well as the important achievements made over the last few years to combat seasonality. The Delegate was delighted to see the ‘superb’ facilities of the Hotel, praising the work done by Servigroup and Mojácar Council who “have known how to find what is within the province's resources, which are fundamentally natural, then combine them with professionalism and a good infrastructure for visitors, to make the perfect equation for successful tourism in Mojácar and, across the province.”
Mojácar on show at Fitur, the international tourism fair.
Mojácar is currently promoting the town on its stand at the Madrid annual FITUR International Tourism Fair, together with representatives from across the Almería province on the joint Andalucían marquee.
During the show, Mojácar Tourist Office staff will be on hand to provide all the information at this event, which is the most important of its kind on the national scene and acts as a global meeting point for tourism professionals around the world.
Mojácar’s Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, also has a full agenda of meetings lined up with a number of tour operators. For him, there is a particular focus on strengthening the UK market for both family as well as sports tourism, which offers golf, cycling and diving amongst others. The meetings will be aimed at renewing links as well as developing new avenues for tourism in the town, which has repeatedly gained quality awards and, the family tourism destination seal.
Using FITUR as a launching platform, Mojácar will present new videos on the stand of their annual Romantic Night and the Night of the Candles which will then form part of town’s promotion to be circulated throughout the media, social networks, the network of Spain’s Most Beautiful Villages, as well as Mojácar’s own pages and websites.
The videos aim to promote Mojácar’s whole image, its culture, events, entertainment and music, as well as it life and its people. It is a way of showing Mojácar’s streets and squares, its charming spots and corners and to entice new visitors when they get a glimpse of its colour and magic
Mojácar hotel sector representatives are also on hand at the fair to investigate future projects, make new links and campaign for tourism, which is so important as one of the leading industries in Spain today.
Andalucian Iaido japanese sword squad trains in Mojácar
Mojácar’s Municipal Sports Centre was the venue for the first training session of the Andalucían Iaido team recently, in preparation for the Spanish championships in April.
Iaido is a Japanese martial art involving the ability to quickly unsheathe and sheathe the Japanese katana curved sword, a skill once practiced by samurai. These techniques enable attack and defence at the same time, with a speed that sets out to leave their opponent with no time to react.
20 Kenshi swords people from the Andalucían team, including members of the National Iaido squad, came together under the organization of Javier Tirado, a European and Spanish Champion and Andalucían Director. Also, there to direct proceedings was collaborator, Karl Gibbons, a 5th Dan with international experience and as a former manager and coach, as well as collaborator and event organiser now that he spends his retirement time in Mojácar.
The local Councillors for Tourism and Sports, Emmanuel Agüero and Ana García, acted as hosts on the day and were keen to discuss with Javier and Karl future training in Mojácar, as well as support the Andalucían selection with its high number of Almerían participants. There is also all round support for the creation of a specialist training centre and school in the area for all nationalities to attend. Karl also announced that, next winter, several British Iaido squads are set to come to Mojácar for their winter training, which will have the presence of some 7th Dan masters.
Through its Tourism and Sports Departments, Mojácar Council is actively promoting a whole range of national and international sports activities, for which the town is an ideal training ground, as well as method of boosting winter tourism when the occupancy levels are lowest.
Both Javier and Karl thanked the Council for their interest and support in the Andalucían Team, which is a very important part of the Spanish National Team, as most members come from Almería.
The Iaido discipline is included in the Spanish Federation of Judo and Associated Sports and the Spanish National Iaido Team, despite its relative youth, has some outstanding swords people who have already had great success on the international scene.
The Three Kings visit Mojácar to personally present a gift to each and every child.
Once again, the Magi from the East paid an afternoon visit to Mojácar before setting about their later tasks, as they delivered gifts to all the local children of the town as well as the young visitors who did not want to miss out on the royal visit.
As the passed through the Old Town, Melchor, Gaspar and Balthasar were accompanied by a procession of pages, nymphs and dancers in wonderful blue costumes, who danced all the way down the hill to the Centro de Usos Múltiples, throwing almost 800 kilos of sweets and little toys to the excited little ones.
At the destination, Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, officially welcomed the Kings and led them to their three thrones on the stage where they handed a special gift to all the children registered in the town, up to eleven years of age.
One by one, their names were called out and, around 400 children met each King and received their gift, but they also ensured at the end, that no child, registered or not, left without a gift and a first surprise of this very magical night
Once their work is finished, their Majesties must return to their own lands, but they did not leave the children without promising to return at the same time next year as well as thank the town for the wonderful welcome they are always given in Mojácar.
Mojácar brings in the New Year with a grand open house party.
Mojácar welcomed the New Year in the Church Square in the Old Town, where more than six hundred locals and visitors gathered to join the party atmosphere.
As every year, the Council set up the event, with over 600 bags of grapes and glasses of champagne ready to toast 2020.
As the Santa María Church clock struck midnight, everyone joined in the tradition of eating the twelve grapes to the rhythm of the clock bells with colourful fireworks then lighting up Mojácar's sky, followed by music and dancing.Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano and members of her Government Team were on hand to distribute the grapes and champagne, with some extra surprises for this year including a fun photocall as a reminder of this night of San Silvestre, one of the most important dates on the calendar.
Without a doubt, the night of December 31st, is a most emblematic night that unites so many cultures, whatever their beliefs or customs and, one when we all come together to say goodbye to one year and welcome the next. Every year, more Mojácar residents from other countries come along and adopt the Spanish tradition of swallowing the lucky grapes, toast the New Year and have some fun together and the Mayor was especially pleased with how many more people had joined in, including all the visitors that had decided to spend New Year in the town.
For next year, additions are already being planned for the event so that taking the grapes in Mojácar becomes another important calendar attraction to add to the many that this town puts on throughout the year.
Mojácar´s flamenco spectacular showcases top stars from Jerez and Granada.
As part of the packed Christmas programme put together by Mojácar Council, and, as one of the last events before the traditional New Year bells by the Church, Saturday’s Flamenco Gala “Jerez y Granada al Baile” drew in a full house at the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples.
Every year, the show organisers present artists from across Andalucía, with the aim of showing the different aspects of this multifaceted, moving and exciting art form. The Flamenco Centres of Granada and Jerez de la Frontera both have the highest quality performers, although each with completely different styles and, the main dancers chosen for this occasion were Jairo Amaya and Carlos Castillo, both with extensive experience on Spanish and international stages.
Jairo Amaya is one of the most important young male artists in Jerez, with a great talent and personality. From childhood, he has studied with some of Jerez's leading teachers, developing his own formidable style through his strong work ethic and love of his craft. Granada based Carlos Castillo, embodies elegance, demonstrating a beautiful balance to his dance that is so mesmerising to watch.
Singing was in the hands of Antonio Heredia, a young man with a powerful melodic voice, which was highly appreciated by the audience. On accompaniment, was Manuel Fernández, a guitar virtuoso and regular TV performer, who combines the pure art sounds with his unique intuitive skill.
As an exciting addition to the advertised show, surprise guest star, Perico el Pañero appeared, which also brought a special touch to spectacular finale with the entire Gala cast. As the event drew to a close, the artists thanked all those who had come along to support and cheer them on, as well as Mojácar Council for their continued support in these flamenco projects.
A great succes for Mojácar´s first Christmas Market and skating rink
Sponsored by Mojácar Council and the beach front Parque Commercial shopping centre, the town’s first Christmas Market has been hailed a great success, with large numbers of locals and visitors enjoying this new initiative in the warm sunshine.
The Christmas Market had stalls selling all sorts of handicrafts, handmade products, and foodstuffs, many of which were ecological, alongside all the talented singers and entertainers ensuring everyone enjoyed this new experience.
There were also funny tattoo paintings on offer with, as the New Year draws near, fortune tellers and tarot readers for those wanting to find out what the future had in store for them. There were many items on display for those looking for a special souvenir also, with decorative items and personalized gift bags.
The parade of the Delfos, with its clever choreography, had everyone joining in with their entourage although the highlight was the skating rink, with a bouncy castle especially for the little ones.
Over the two days the Christmas market brought in a marked increase in the number of visitors to the shops and restaurants and, given this excellent result, there are plans by all involved to repeat as well as extend this great festive event.
A magical Mojácar Christmas evening full of music and dance with homemade treats and sweets.
As every year, as part of their festive programme, Mojácar Council reserves a very special time to celebrate some traditional Almerían Christmas cuisine and, there is nothing more typical than yule logs, turrón, rosquillas and mantecados with their delicious smells.
The tables in the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples were filled with all these homemade cakes and sweets, along with hot chocolate, giving everyone the chance to sample free of charge the age old local bakery techniques time that fill Mojaqueros homes over these weeks.
Most of the confectionary on offer had been made by the local ladies, with ingredients provided by the Council for these pastrycooks to put their love and skill into these Christmas flavours that have passed from generation to generation.
The event is an initiative that has been held for some years now, with a growing appreciation, ensuring the old recipes, some made with local seasonal products, are not forgotten along with the importance of gastronomy to the culture and roots of the region.
Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano and her Government Team were on hand to serve the products along with the stories behind the sweets for those who wanted to know more.
The Mayor highlighted the town’s old traditions and, even in times when the town had only modest resources, at Christmas the doors of all homes were always open to share some candy made by the grandmothers.
It was an evening when many people of all nationalities came together to experience some seasonal specialities, as well as compare cultural differences and similarities whilst enjoying the festive tasting. The gastronomic event included dance performances by Nicky Mainstone’s Prodanza and Natalia López’s Ultima Fusión, with singing by the well-loved “Embrujo Mojaquero” and “La Fuente” choirs.
Watercolours by Lourdes Martínez de Arbuto on show in Mojácar.
Mojácar’s Centro de Arte has opened its doors to a painting exhibition by the watercolourist Lourdes Martínez de Arbuto who is exhibiting for the first time in the town, showing landscape images depicting Almería, Northern Spain and Europe.
Passionate about art and artistic expression, she divides her creative time with her profession as a primary school teacher saying she has "a lifetime amongst children, in-between drawing and painting." Without limits of space and volume on an infinite canvas, she expresses herself in one of the most difficult painting techniques, watercolour, recreating shapes, dreams and illusions.
Lourdes has travelled from San Sebastián, where she lives and works, to present her paintings, a show in which one can appreciate her evolution as an artist and her mastery with pigments that play sensitively with colour and volume.
Although she lives a long way from Mojácar, she is a frequent visitor to the area, as she loves Almería’s light and “the contrast between the dark and rocky mountains and, the changing Mediterranean sea, so full of contrast.”
The inauguration was attended by the town’s Education Councillor, Ana García, who took time to enjoy the opening with the artist and discuss the inspiration of the paintings on show. Ana commented on the very high standard of the watercolours in the exhibition as well as the quality of the work that is being shown regularly at the La Fuente gallery, with a full calendar of committed artists for 2020.
The exhibition runs until January 6th, Tuesdays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Entrance is free of charge.
Mojácar´s run-up to Christmas is a weekend full of concerts, parties, sweet delights, with Santa Claus set to visit
With Christmas fast approaching, Mojácar Council has everything underway, with lots of new things planned for families getting together, the young ones on their school breaks. as well as the visitors coming to town.
There are more festive illuminations this year, all now using environmentally friendly low energy LED lights and over 200 decorations are shining brightly from the streetlights. Luminous Christmas trees adorn the roundabouts with five more traditional Christmas trees placed around the town and, the Parque Commercial has a bright reindeer sleigh to tempt the shoppers in. As well, no Christmas is complete without a colourful ponsietta and, more than 1,000 have also been strategically placed around the town.
Mojácar always keeps up the tradition of the Belén and there are three of these large nativity scenes in the town, with one of great artistic beauty at the Church and another at the Plaza del Parterre which has been made by pupils from the Rey Alavez School. The latter has cleverly combined the most emblematic places in the town with traditional nativity scenes figures. A third model has been set up at the Centro de Usos Múltiples, the scene for many of the events throughout Christmas, with all ages catered for.
Music as always, takes centre stage, with carols and numerous concerts including a performance by Mojácar’s Music School at the same venue. The children from Bartolomé Flores School will also be having their own little concert, singing traditional carols on Friday, December 20th at the sports centre. Later in day at 6 p.m. at the Centro de Usos Múltiples, there´s a chance to sample an array of typical homemade cakes and sweets with a Christmas programme of entertainment including dancing by Nicky Mainstone’s Prodanza and Natalia López's La Última Fusión, along with Mojácar’s Embrujo Rociero and La Fuente choirs.
For the children, one of the most eagerly anticipated events will be of course Santa's visit to the Parque Commercial on Saturday 21st at noon to collect up the children's letters and take a look at the exhibition of handmade Christmas cards made by the Rey Alavez schoolchildren.
All in all, it’s a packed weekend of entertainment, full of all the fun, excitement and magic that Christmas brings to everyone, especially the children.
Mojácar´s nativity scene recreates the town´s own emblematic places.
Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, along with her Councillors inaugurated the town’s nativity scene, which will be on view to the public at the Plaza del Parterre throughout the Christmas holidays.
The Parish Priest of the Santa María Church, Miguel José Esteban Jerez, blessed the ‘belen’ with the hope that all the families in the town will also carry on this age old tradition and display some nativity images in their own homes.
The town’s Rey Alabez School 1st to 4th year pupils were in charge of the whole creation, guided by their teacher, Lucrecia Parra. The success of the display they made for the Centro de Usos Multiples last year prompted the Council to ask them to make their official nativity scene for the town this year, which they have produced exclusively from recycled materials. The design includes reproductions of some of the emblematic places in the Pueblo, such as the Fuente, El Torreón and the Santa María Church. The resulting display is a beautiful, lovingly created piece of work, highly appreciated by the people in the town and, the grand opening was celebrated with everyone being treated to hot chocolate and typical Spanish Christmas cakes.
The Mojácar Council Christmas event programme continues on Saturday 14th with a carol concert at the Parque Comercial shopping centre at 11.00 a.m. with a special children's event from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
on Sunday December 15th at the Centro de Usos Multiples. The Three Kings Royal Mailman Jaimadel will be there with a medieval and SpongeBob bouncy castle, inflatable crazy balls and battle games. There will also be some fun craft sessions making festive decorations along with Christmas music to make a great party atmosphere and a ‘warm’ up to the forthcoming holiday that the children are more than ready to begin.
Mojácar hosts "Revenue management" tourism workshop.
Andalucía Lab recently held a ‘Revenue Management’ workshop in Mojácar, organized by the Junta de Andalucía, in collaboration with the local Council.
The day, held at the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples, was aimed at tourism sector professionals who work in hotels or are involved with tourism related projects. Led by expert Alberto Ramos, the workshop was attended by Mojácar’s Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Aguero Leclerc, along with business representatives from the town and across the region, students from Cuevas del Almanzora FP Turismo and, the President of Mojácar Pueblo’s Association of Merchants, Antonio Rodriguez.
The Revenue Management ethos focuses on selling to the right customer, at the right price and place in order to increase income in the hotel and tourist industry, using analysis tools and data to optimize sales and performance. These techniques have become the centre around which many businesses now revolve and, in recent years there has been a significant growth in the industry due to the use of new research tools that can capture greater target market information. By managing and analysing data, efficiency is increased by using this information when marketing, adapting products to demand and, finding the right customer at the right time, with the right price.
With a dynamic presentation, practical examples and a lot of interaction from attendees, the workshop was warmly received by those attending, who also appreciated the chance to take part in an event that did not entail travelling to the capital, which is not always possible for hoteliers.
The closing ceremony was attended by the of the Junta de Andalucía’s Almería Delegate for Tourism, José Luis Delgado Valdivia, who expressed his pleasure at how well the workshop had been received in Mojácar, a project that is set to be continued throughout the government term of office.
A full house for Mojácar´s Dames in Spain Christmas Charity fair and carol concert.
Christmas came early once again to Mojácar last week, when the town’s Dames in Spain association held their traditional Christmas carol concert and charity fair, packing the venue with standing room only..
The 3rd Age Salon at the Centro de Usos Múltiples was once again provided by Mojácar Council, which has become the stage for this popular event that brings together different cultures and nationalities, united by solidarity and Christmas traditions. Festive music, carols and stories, with a chance to meet up with friends on a day where the Dames and other organisations sell all kinds of goods in order to raise funds. Asprodalba and its Director, Ignacio Martín Cuadrado, was joined by some of his students on their stall selling crafts made by school. A team from MACS was also there, a well-known Association that carries out such commendable support work with those suffering from cancer as well as their families.
Of course, there is always the big raffle that everyone looks forward to, which had many fantastic prizes donated by local businesses. This year the star prize was a magnificent television, courtesy of this year’s event sponsor EuroWeekly News, who also work closely with the Dames in Spain on their charity projects.The Mojácar Town Band took to the stage with a medley of well-known Spanish and British carols followed later by a round of hits from the popular singers, Tony Justice and Lady Ellen.
Association President, Carol Threlfall, presented the event along with Mojácar Councilor María Luisa Pérez, giving thanks to the many people who had come along to give their support. The Dames also thanked Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, as well as María Luisa for coming along to the concert every year, as well as collaborating with their initiatives to promote the much appreciated work they do in the area.
Dames in Spain Mojácar, currently has over 60 members who are mostly British women living in the town and, for three decades they have dedicated their time to raise funds that are distributed amongst deserving charities and causes. Longstanding member, Ann Marshal added that, although the road that the Dames have travelled over the years has seen many changes, the spirit and enthusiasm remains the same as it did with the first founders.
Mojácar´s Christmas celebration with a Catholic and Anglican festival of the Nine Lessons.
One of the first events featured in the Mojácar Christmas programme is the one held by the two important churches that represent the religious life of the town.
The Festival of the Nine Lessons brings together Catholics and Anglicans, to focus on the words from Genesis, which are read in both languages, interspersed with traditional Christmas carols from both cultures and singing by the Embrujo Mojaquero Choir.
The celebration was officiated by the Santa María Catholic Church Priest, Miguel José Esteban Jerez, and the Reverend of San Pascual Anglican Church, Vincent Oram. Among those attending were Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosa María Cano, accompanied by her Councillors, María Luisa Pérez, Ana García, Raquel Belmonte, Agustín Montoya and Francisco García Cerdá.
The Anglican tradition of holding the Nine Lessons Festival during the advent season dates back to 1880, when the Archbishop of Canterbury designed the service for Christmas Eve in Cornwall, England. The readings begin with the Old Testament and end with the Gospel of Luke, following the story of man’s the fall and the promise of a new covenant with the birth of Jesus Christ.
To add to the evening event, the traditional Church nativity scene had been put together by Mojácar’s parishioners. This beautiful belén, as they are called here in Spain, features the work of the Murcian creator, Jesús Griñán, from the town of Puente Tocinos, renowned for this great minature modelling tradition. Although the central figures of the nativity scene have been in the Church for a long time, new depictions of Jesus’s life of have been acquired over time from the same sculptor, so it has now evolved into a display of great artistic and cultural value.
As every year, many of the Catholic and Anglican faithful came along from Mojácar’s many different nationalities to the Santa María Church, to jointly celebrate these advent dates as a prelude to some of their most important religious days of the year.
International Artist Thomas Neukirch exhibits again in Mojácar
A striking art exhibition by Thomas Neukirch, was recently inaugurated at Mojácar’s La Fuente Art Centre.
Thomas, who was born in Germany, spent time living and working as an artist in Mojácar, which was his first residence in Andalucía and, although he currently resides in Cariatriz he has maintained his artistic ties with Mojácar.
He originally studied Fine Arts at the Academie des Beaux Arts in Lyon and went on to teach at the Jean Bertholle Academy of Fine Arts in Paris, where he lived until 1996. From 1990 he exhibited on a regular basis in galleries across France, Spain, Germany and Argentina. A number of his works are on permanent show at the "Galerie Andreas Henn" in Stuttgart and in the "Galerie Peinture Fraîche" in Paris, as well as in public collections in Baden Württemberg, Germany and in Andalucía.
His latest exhibition includes seven large oil paintings, some of which have already been on show in Paris and Germany, which express mans’ anxiety and restlessness. As a contrast, there is also an outstanding collection of smaller works done in Chinese ink displayed originally on bamboo canes, which depict scenes of everyday life, busy or at leisure in moments of peace and quiet.
Mojácar Councillor, Ana García, was at the opening of the show to hear directly from the artist about the processes of his work, although it is far from the first time he has exhibited in Mojácar, with a large number of admirers always keen to view the latest creations he has brought to the town.
Thomas’s show, which is free of charge, can be seen from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until December 15.
Andalucía’s Health Directorate visits Mojácar
The Junta de Andalucía’s Health Director, Juan de la Cruz Belmonte, Sanitary Managing Director, José Miguel Medina, and Medical Director. Sergio Peláez, recently visited Mojácar’s two health centres which serve 6,000 plus residents.
Accompanied by Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano and the local Health Councillor, Ana García, the group reviewed the town’s most important objectives, including the Infrastructure Plan for 2020-2030, the necessary collaborations with local associations to develop a social health project, a new framework for health welfare, as well as staffing needs.
The surgery in the old town has around 1,000 patients with a doctor, a nurse and a council administrator whilst at the medical centre by the beach, there are three doctors (who are each responsible for 1,500, 1,400 and 1,700 patients), treatment rooms, a paediatric, three nurses, a clinic assistant and two council administrators. It also offers a 24-hour primary care emergency service. The out of hours service provided from 3 p.m. until 8 a.m. including weekends, has a duty team made up of a doctor, nurse, duty guard and ambulance personnel.
During the busy summer months between June to September there is a much higher demand for medical treatment and, to meet these needs, an additional morning surgery is set up with a doctor attending out-of-town patients, plus extra doctors and nurses in July and August. The need to strengthen Mojácar's medical team during the summer is a very high priority for the staff at both centres and next summer, the additional service will be extended from June to September.
Mojácar’s Mayor has plans, which she regards as a matter of urgency, to begin the necessary procedures for the construction of a new medical centre that will expand and complement the town’s healthcare provision, as well as improvements to both centres currently servicing the town.
"Mojácar la vieja" on show at Granada University´s Faculty of Philosophy and Arts.
Over 100 photographs capturing the archaeological works carried out in Mojácar over the last two summers are currently on exhibition at Granada University.
The 125 images were taken by Emilio Aramburu during the excavation campaigns on Mojácar la Vieja and, they are a vibrant representation of the human aspect of the archaeological procedures that are involved in such a project.
The exhibition was inaugurated on November 18th by José Antonio Pérez Tapias, Dean of the Granada University’s Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, along with the Director of Excavations, Dr. José María Civantos. It will be open until January 15th in the busy faculty refectory, which is in daily use by its 7,000 students and 300 professors.
The exhibition, where some of the excavation team are on hand to discuss their work, also features spectacular 3D photographs taken by the Mojácar based sculptor, Roberto Manzano.
The Mojácar la Vieja archaeological works are being promoted and financed by Mojácar Council in coordination with the Biocultural Laboratory of Archaeology at Granada University and with the collaboration of the Valparaíso Foundation.
In the two campaigns that have been carried out so far on this ancient settlement and fortress, more than two hundred students and professionals have taken part, together with volunteers from Mojácar and across the region.
Aramburu, armed with his camera, set out to focus on those that played a leading role as well as the many different characters involved as these archaeological works progressed, which required physical strength, combined with meticulous care and caution. After taking nearly 2,000 photographs, he then summarized his particular vision of events and Mojácar’s heritage with this personal selection of photographs.
Mojácar Council is both proud and pleased with the development of this ongoing initiative that is extending knowledge of the ancient settlement and, as a consequence, raising the town’s patrimonial value.
Mojácar holds successful VIII Half Marathon and 7km “Ciudad de Mojácar Race”
The VIII Half Marathon and 7km “Ciudad de Mojácar” race were held last weekend, organized by Mojácar Council’s Sports Department and Puerto Lumbreras’s Nogalte-Hogar Athletics Club.
It is a day that continually attracts more amateur and professional runners participants, with 620 runners taking part, 100 more than last year, all keen to compete the circuit prepared by the local Council that runs alongside the Paseo del Mediterráneo. A total of 21,097metres were covered by the half marathon runners on their three laps, with 7,097metres on the one lap 7km race. The virtually flat circuit also had skaters and joellete chair athletes joining in the on the scenic coastal route which started and finished by Mojácar’s Best Oasis Tropical Hotel, the official hotel of the race.
Prizes were given to the first three in the all ten male and female categories of the half marathon, with a trophy for the first 5 home runners, a commemorative trophy for the oldest athlete to cross the line as well as team trophies, with trophies also for each of the five categories in the 7km race.
Winners in the 7 km race were; Andrés Palma (EDM Huércal Overa, Sabina Rico (Nogalte- Hogar Puerto Lumbreras), EDM Huércal Overa (men's team) and RealRunning (women's team).
Half marathon winners were; Ennio Constantino (C.A. South East), Esther Galver (C.A. South East) and C.A. Southeast (men's team)
7 km Inline Skate winners were; Jorge Vitores (CPV Málaga) and Alicia García (Club Patinajenfila Cartagena CPC) with Fabio Manuel Martínez (C.D. Patín Speed Alborán), María García (CPV Málaga) and CPV Málaga (Team) leading the Half Marathon.
As for the home runners, first with an excellent time in the 21km was Ennio Constantino with Amalia González first woman in the 7km.
After the events, which went totally to plan without incident, the awards were presented at the Oasis Tropical by Ana García Fernández, Mojácar’s Sports Councillor.
“Mojácar Senior Theatre” launched by town ‘s red cross
November is a month traditionally dedicated to the theatre in Mojácar, a town whose love of drama goes back a long way. To add to this, the town’s Red Cross has launched a new project, “Teatro Sénior Mojácar” with the creation of a theatre group entirely for seniors. The initiative, which has been warmly received, will be under the direction of Red Cross volunteer, Antonio Casado, along with a member of the local Aquelarre Theatre Company. Rehearsals will be held on Wednesdays at the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples and appropriate sketches, that will give all the actors in the group the chance to participate, are currently being reviewed.
Mojácar’s Red Cross has carried out a range of very commendable work for a long time, offering help and support to any individual or group from all sectors of society. They wide spectrum of action includes; visiting patients, checking up on children or families at risk of exclusion as well as helping with clothing and providing meals.
However, the elderly are at the centre of their main concerns as a particularly vulnerable sector and, the volunteers set up programmes to prevent loneliness and isolation, whilst encouraging seniors to be active and feel useful.
Craft workshops, trips to places of interest such as the Geode at Pulpí or the Almeria Refuge Shelters, painting exhibitions, WhatsApp groups, cookery competitions, attending informative talks such as those given by the Police on safety or basic first aid tips are just some of the activities on offer. Their new project is to include more British senior residents, with their two bilingual members and, with 18 local volunteers on hand, they also provide support across Turre, Los Gallardos and Carboneras.
The Red Cross is the largest humanitarian organization in the world and of great importance in this Region. Locally, they finance their work through member contributions, donations, lottery tickets and the monies raised through Red Cross Flag Day which was recently held on October 1st in Mojácar’s Parque Comercial with local seniors and the President of the local Third Age Association assisting with the event’s fund raising.
Mojácar takes on the “Dona vida al planeta” Environmental Campaign
Mojácar has joined a regional “save the Planet” campaign that will run over the next two months, promoting the reuse and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment and, raising awareness on the its importance to society and the planet.
In Mojácar, two environmental specialists have been welcomed by the local Councillor responsible for such issues, Emmanuel Agüero, who will be around the town and the beach areas, handing out brochures and giving out general information to residents and visitors. Their aim is to impress on the public the advantages of correct waste management as well as the avoidance of accumulating old technological items in the home.
It is estimated that each year we all generate about 5 kilos of technological waste and in last year’s campaign, 42 million kilos were recovered, approximately 20 million more than in 2015, which the specialists consider a major change in awareness.
All appliances are manufactured with raw materials obtained from the environment, many of which are non-renewable, although through recycling, materials such as copper or aluminium can be reused for other new products. In this way the environmental damage made by its extraction could be avoided, since up to 90% of the parts can be reused.
One thing is for certain, there is a great need to continue to emphasize the importance of recycling and it is hoped that this campaign overall will reach around 60,000 people directly with possibly 600,000 more through the planned media actions.
The campaign is being promoted through the Junta de Andalucía’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, the Andalucían Federation of Municipalities and, the Producers Responsibility Collective Systems.
Mojaquero athlete Pedro Valdivia wins Bronze Medal in European Championship
The Mojaquero athlete, Pedro Valdivia, recently won a bronze medal at the XXI European Athletics Master 50 Championship in Venice, an event organized by the International Athletics Federation.
Pedro was part of the Spanish national athletics team, running the half marathon and, his third place brought this well-deserved medal to an athlete who has both lived and trained in Mojácar since 2006.
His forte is the marathon and half marathon which demand a whopping 42 or 21 kms and, he has travelled half the world to take part in the best events. For each competition, he puts in more than 1,000 kms in training, so if the all the distances he has ran during preparation and racing were added together, they could easily have taken him round the world. Also, it is certainly not the first time he has stepped up onto the podium and, his excellent record places him among the top athletes in his category.
This athlete can often be spotted along by Mojácar’s beach, as well as around the Sierra de Cabrera and other local roads and paths where he runs infinite kilometres, always fully focused. His training has to be adapted to the next challenge ahead, under the guidance of his coach and, Pedro is first to highlight Mojácar’s diversity for an athlete with its different types of terrain. It presents a magnificent outdoor circuit to many runners in a wonderful environment, suitable for any standard, from amateur to the professional elite.
Pedro was born in Almeria but has chosen Mojácar as a place to live that is also ideal for his sporting passion and, he always encourages everyone to discover the pleasure of running in the town.
Coming up on his agenda are the challenges of the Águilas half marathon followed by that of Mojácar, before preparing for his most important forthcoming event, the Seville Marathon.
Granada University archaeologists report on Mojácar La Vieja latest excavation
The preliminary results of this summer’s archaeological dig on Mojácar la Vieja were recently presented at the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples.
The campaign was conducted for a second year by the University of Granada’s Biocultural MEMOLab Laboratory and Medieval History Department, with the support of Mojácar Council and the Valparaíso Foundation.
Mojácar’s Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, opened the event with a welcome to the large audience that were keen to find out about the latest findings, along with the Mayor, Rosmari Cano and her Government Team, Valparaíso Foundation President, Beatrice Beckett and, Foundation Project Director, Teresa Santiago.
Emmanuel gave his thanks to the landowners around the excavation area for their collaboration, as well as to the people of Mojácar and the Council, along with the Valparaíso Foundation and the 100 plus archaeologists who were involved both on the site and with associated research.
Nine MEMOLab archaeologists have been drawing up their conclusions from the project so far from both a scientific and social point of view, explained its Director, José María Martín Civantos. As one of the first Islamic settlements in the area, it is of great importance to understand more about the people then in relation to the environment and, how Mojácar and its surroundings were then, both culturally and historically.
This summer’s campaign continued the work done during the previous year in investigating the wall, castle access and how the fortified upper sections functioned, with many new discoveries giving a better overall idea of life then.
The archaeologists present explained the different areas of study along with their final conclusions which have focused on the confirmation of the settlement’s creation in the 12th Century as a rural settlement that was taking on a more urban character by organizing the running and management of its territory.
There remains, however, the important question of how it was founded and where the people came from, either by the natural grouping of the nearby inhabitants or, by the Almoravid Dynasty building a castle to establish a more political, military settlement.Although two major phases of construction have been recognised, many modifications have been found with a series of structural changes. Abandonment took place during the second half of the 13th century, indicating a relatively short, but intense period of activity.
The settlement’s move to the town’s current site was undoubtedly in order to have better defences and views of the coast on a site that would be easier to wall, with people living on the inside. The findings last year also confirmed serious problems then with land stability and although constant reforms were made, the wall and its towers as well as houses continued to collapse.Next year, MEMOLab hopes to continue with the excavations, looking more into these origins and particularly the surrounding land in order to understand why the settlement was founded, what was there before and where the population came from, as well as the relationship between the Islamic powers and the rural communities in the area.
Looking ahead, there are new challenges given the importance of results and a medium-term research project will be presented to the Ministry of Culture on how and what form future investigations will take. The other challenge is the need, not only to advance the discoveries, but to consolidate and conserve what has already been found. According to Civantos, they already have a wealth of interesting scientific data which is in demand not only provincially, but throughout Spain. Also, the great call for information from around the world has been shown by the archaeologists from 22 countries that have taken part.
A strategy, parallel to the revelation of more secrets, is now needed to preserve and enhance Mojácar la Vieja and its heritage. There is a plan required to ensure that the excavations can be visited safely, without causing damage, as well as to create a museum and information centre in the town to display findings. Knowledge of the historical, cultural and social background of the town and its surrounding area is a valuable future project for not only Mojácar, but for the entire Region and Province.
Rosa Maria Cano reappointed as President of the Levante Firefighting Consortium
Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosa María Cano, has been unanimously reappointed as President of the Levante Firefighting and Rescue Consortium at their recent General Meeting, with Bédar’s Mayor, Ángel Collado, appointed as Vice President.
The Consortium has representatives from its 13 member municipalities which are; Antas, Bédar, Carboneras, Los Gallardos, Garrucha, Huercal-Overa, Mojácar, Sorbas, Turre, Cuevas del Almanzora, Pulpí, Taberno and Vera, along with a representative from Almeria’s Provincial Council.
Rosa María Cano has been President since 2015 and during that time, there have been great challenges for the Consortium’s 16 teams of firefighters dealing with emergencies in their own area along with those of Almanzora-Los Vélez. Also, in this period, the workforce has been expanded with 28 new teams and the purchase of 5 new fire engines and more related equipment to carry out their necessary work. The fire station at Huercal-Overa is now also open, along with the one in Albox.
The President gave her thanks for the renewal of her position in a service that is "fundamental both for the member towns and for those who serve in the Levante and the Almanzora areas." She also expressed gratitude for Almeria Provincial Council’s collaboration.
This new stage now brings fresh challenges to all involved, such as the incorporation of more teams, the reconstruction of Albox fire station that will include a firefighters’ training area, as well as additional work at Huercal-Overa fire station. However, Rosa María Cano gave her assurance that, together with the Vice President, Ángel Collado, they will continue to push for improvements for the Region and its teams.
The Levante Almeriense Consortium members have made significant changes since it was set up in 2007. Currently, 10 teams are on duty every day attending to all types of emergencies from the Huercal-Overa, Albox and Turre stations, although all teams can be mobilized at any time. The importance of their work is highlighted by the 431 call outs so far this year.
It is also important to mention the firefighters’ social contribution, such as their involvement with charities, open days for schools and paying visits to hospitals at Christmas to deliver toys to the children there.
Mojácar Council Holds Annual Lunch Party for their senior residents
One of the final events organised by Mojácar Council in honour of their Patron Saint, Virgen del Rosario, was the meal to celebrate the town’s senior residents.
This traditional lunch party has been held now for a number of years and 140 guests were treated to a lunchtime meal with dancing at The Puntazo Hotel, accompanied by the Mayor, Rosa María Cano, the 3rd Age Councillor, Ana García, and Citizen Security Councillor, María Luisa Pérez, along with the local Parish Priest, Miguel José Esteban Jerez.
It is a party that is given with a great deal of affection and, every effort is made to make it a full and fun day for everyone. Anyone who is 65 and registered on the Mojácar Padron can apply for a ticket and every year more people, including numerous nationalities, attend. The British community particularly takes part in many of the local Council activities organized, including Edna Thirlaway, one of Mojácar's most well-loved veterans, who at 94 years of age maintains her zest for Spanish life, still joining in with the Council’s senior exercise classes.
The lunch was followed by hours of dancing with live music, with the seniors showing off their fitness and enthusiasm for a party, regardless of age or nationality. The much anticipated raffle was also held, which many local businesses contributing prizes to add to the 3 large hams given by the Council as the most enviable gifts.
Ana García, stressed how important these happy events are in getting people together to enjoy each other’s company, complementing the Council’s other work to help and support the town’s seniors. The Mayor also added how the needs of this older sector of the town are a high priority for her Government Team, with every possible effort made to meet their needs and provide the best quality of life and self-sufficiency that today's society can offer.
Painting, Sculpture and Photography on Show at Mojácar´s "La Fuente" Gallery
Mojácar’s municipal art gallery recently inaugurated a new exhibition of painting, photography and sculpture by the artists Vara Tartalo and Pedro Barranco .
Vara, who studied drawing, painting and sculpture at Madrid’s Peña Art Academy has 35 paintings in the show. She has taken part in numerous individual and collective exhibitions, receiving many awards during her career.
She is inspired, she says, by her own free spirit, capturing nature intuitively as her brush stokes guide her shapes and colours onto her canvas, resulting in works that grab the attention yet are full of sensitivity.
Pedro Barranco, a retired engineer, resumed his love of art with tuition from his own brother, graduated in Fine Arts, then threw himself into sculpture and photography. Although he defines himself as an "enthusiastic amateur" the reality is that his work reveals both mastery and knowledge. His 19 wire sculptures and 24 photos are outstanding for their beauty and originality.
Mojácar’s Education Councillor, Ana García, was present at the opening, finding out about the exhibits from the artists themselves, joined by many others keen to see this contemporary art show. Ana, impressed with the quality of the whole exhibition, pointed out the number of artists that are still drawn to Mojácar, which has become an eternal inspiration for all manner of artists.
To view the exhibition, which has free entrance, it can be visited until October 31st, Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mojácar Council and the Valparaíso Foundation host international artists
Mojácar Council and the Valparaíso Foundation continue their work in promoting creativity and research in the field of fine arts by offering scholarships to artists from all over the world.
Mojácar Council and the Valparaíso Foundation continue their work in promoting creativity and research in the field of fine arts by offering scholarships to artists from all over the world.
During September, two of the seven creators who stayed at the Foundation were Enrique del Castillo and María Cervelló, who together developed a generator that produces white noise, in a design inspired by local architecture that could equally find its place as a decoration in the home, workplace or gallery. White noises are flat and constant sounds that have the capability of camouflaging other external noise and are known to benefit rest and relaxation assisting sleep, calming anxiety and even enhancing concentration.
Enrique del Castillo is a graphic artist who graduated in Fine Arts at Granada University and has a Masters in artistic productions and research from Barcelona University. He also studied for 10 years at Jaén’s Conservatory of Music before obtaining a degree in Barcelona, as well as a Masters in Sound Art from Valencia University.
Valencian born María Cervelló’s artistic studies and sound research is self-taught and, she is currently cultural manager at the Madame Min multidisciplinary space gallery that hosts the work of national and international artists. She is also part of the sound research collective “Alice y Bob” along with Enrique del Castillo.
Other artists who stayed in September included Kristoffer Kjaerskov, Sara Kramer, Rob Delamater and Juan Manuel Melero, who were all busy developing their own future projects in painting, photography and video.
This artistic activity continues at the Valparaíso Foundation and the new scholarship residents in town until October 16th include writers
María Cabrera González and Nuria Barrios, composer and musician Jens Viggo NieisenFjord, painter Rodriguez Gonzales and photographer Lisa Rosenmeier.
Mojácar holds a celebration for its Patron Saint la Virgen del Rosario
On Sunday October 6th, the festivities begin to honour Mojácar’s Patron Saint, La Virgen del Rosario, with the new idea of having a Midday Fair this year around the Fuente, livened up with music and dancing with the “Juaraginos” Charanga Band.
At 5 p.m. the coloured tapes will be gathered up for the traditional ribbon races at 5.30 p.m. which for this particular fiesta will include those participants who are either married, separated and divorced.
These horseback ribbon runs have been held in Mojácar since time immemorial and many Spanish towns have kept this fun tradition alive from old the jousts and fairs in the Middle Ages. To keep the custom going, Mojácar Council even offers free elementary riding lessons to those who are interested in taking part in events and local fiestas.
Monday the 7th is a local holiday in Mojácar and, there will be a Holy Mass in the Parish Church with singing by Alina and a piano.
accompaniment. This will be followed by a procession with the image of the Virgin carried through the streets of the Old Town accompanied by local officials and Church followed by the Town Band.
Later at 2 p.m. Mojácar Council have organized a well-deserved meal with music and dancing for its senior residents at the Hotel Puntazo. The weekend will wind up with a with a free film show for the children at 7.30 p.m. at the Centro de Usos Múltiples.
Mojácar celebrates the Day of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain
On October 1st the Association of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain annually celebrates its foundation in 2011. As usual, Mojácar, one of the original members, held its own commemorative event.
The day serves to serve to highlight the importance of the group’s relatively small towns, which have so much to contribute and, do not always receive the attention or assistance they deserve.
As part of this, Mojácar Council organized various events with gallery visits and guided tours through the historic Old Town, followed by an address by the Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, at noon. He then raised the Association’s official flag, which flies in the Town Hall Square next to the those of Andalucia and Spain. Also present were several of his fellow Councillors, Council employees, friends and visitors to the town.
In his speech, Emmanuel highlighted the immeasurable heritage that exists in small municipalities such as Mojácar, which still retain traditions, local gastronomy and their roots. He made a plea for public administrations to financially assist such areas, with tax breaks for companies and the self-employed as well as improved services, for example in the area of communications. Through this, further depopulation could be prevented along with a better future, especially for the young, who wish to continue to live, work and raise a family in their own towns and villages.
This Association, Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España, was set up to promote, disseminate and preserve cultural and rural heritage in geographical areas with small populations, often with a low level of industrialization. The brand image aims to aid and promote the recognition of quality tourist destinations, helped by the exchange of ideas and initiatives among its members.
The work carried out by the organization and its 79 towns throughout Spain, 14 of which are in Andalucia, has become of great touristic importance and, Mojácar participates fully in all new activities and collaborations.
There have been many benefits for the town, both in the increase and in the quality of services provided, according to Mojácar’s Tourism Department, leading to positive feedback and support from the local business community.
Mojácar Council reward the Town Band
Mojácar Council once again thanked their Town Band by means of the annual mini holiday, organised through the Culture Department in recognition for the hard work these young musicians do throughout the year.
From September 20th to the 23rd, Cartaya in Huelva was the main base for the group of 48 members, who were able to join the trip, although even before that their first stop was in Malaga to take in the famous Cirque de Soleil show.
Moving then into Portugal, they visited the stunning capital city of Faro, with a day with a day at the country’s largest theme park, Aquashow. They then had a chance to show off their skills and energy on a full range of multi-adventure activities such as climbing, zip lines, kayaks, surfing, biking and obstacle circuits. On the journey home, a stop was made at the spectacular Rio Tinto Mining Park, that included a scenic ride on early twentieth locomotives that pulled the wagons along the route.
Mojácar’s Education Councillor, Ana García, along with the Band’s Director and one of their teachers accompanied the group throughout. It was, according to Ana, a more than justified treat, as a thank you for their conscientious musical studies and their participation in over 30 performances during the year at fiestas, concerts and special events. As always, regardless of the age difference between these 10 to 30 year olds, there was a wonderful atmosphere of fun and friendship throughout the whole excursion.
The Valparaíso Foundation announces Paul Beckett poetry prize.
The Valparaíso Foundation has announced the 21st "Paul Beckett" poetry award with a prize of 4,000 Euros for either an original, unpublished book or collection of poems..
The subject is open, with a minimum of 500 verses and a maximum of 700, with a closing date of December 20th, after which the judging will be carried out by leading people from the literary world.
The winning work will be edited for the specially created “Beatrice” collection within one year and after that time, the author will be free to publish their work, with an acknowledgment to the distinction given. The winner will be announced in February and the results circulated by the Foundation and, through the media.
The works must be submitted under a pseudonym indicating “Para el premio de Poesía Paul Beckett” accompanied by the author’s personal data in a separate sealed envelope, delivered to the Valparaíso Foundation in Madrid at Calle Miguel Ángel 1.
The Valparaíso Foundation is a private non-profit institution, which was created in 1990 by Paul and Beatrice Beckett in Mojácar, with the aim of promoting creativity and research in fine arts, literature and music. Some outstanding work is carried out at the Foundation in Mojácar where residential scholarships are offered to selected artists, writers and researchers, with the collaboration of the local Council through its Culture Department.
As well as the Paul Beckett literary awards, the Foundation also provides financial support to any cultural activity or individuals dedicated to teaching and research in this field, as well as to conferences, exhibitions and awards within a wide range of artistic disciplines. The Foundation also collaborates with Mojácar Council on the excavation work being done at “Mojácar la Vieja” by Granada University, a project of great cultural and touristic importance to both the town and the province.
Mojácar Holds Events to celebrate World Tourism Day and the most beautiful towns in Spain
Mojácar celebrated World Tourism Day on September 27th by giving free guided visits to the historic Old Town, which will continue October until 1st. This special day is focused on to raising international awareness about the social, cultural and economic value of tourism, with the aim of achieving sustainable development.
The local Council’s Tourist Office staff guided visitors around the most emblematic spots in the town on the day before touring the permanent Moors and Christians exhibition in the Castillo Art Gallery which includes parade costumes, posters and many photos which reveal the evolution of the event since it began in 1988.
The visit continued to the Mirador del Castillo, with its spectacular views over the Mediterranean, the City Gate and Wall, the Church and Town Hall Square before visiting the collective art exhibition at the “Fuente de Mojácar” gallery showing works from the Municipal archive along with sculpture and photography.
These visits are linked to the day that celebrates the Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Spain, which Mojácar has been part of since its foundation in 2011.
Their Association aims to promote and preserve places of cultural interest and rural heritage and, on October 1st their official flag will be raised, at noon in the Town Hall Square with the local Councillors in attendance, with a speech by the Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc.
During the next few days, Mojácar’s visitors can take part in these events in the town and learn more about its history and traditions, whilst enjoying some local hospitality.
Mojácar hosts Modern Art Collective with paintings, photography and sculpture on show
On September 29th, one of the most interesting exhibitions held so far at Mojácar’s "La Fuente" Art Gallery will end, after a successful
collective show of painting, sculpture and photography. Works from the town archives by leading artists who took part in a series of art courses organized by the local Council in the 1990s have been included. These were sponsored at the time by the Andalucían Government, the Almerían Institute of Studies and various local companies, along with the collaboration of the Arteleku Circle of Fine Arts and the Provincial Council of Navarra.These Mojácar Art Courses were. at the time. under the Presidency of Antonio Bonet Correa, Professor at Madrid’s Complutense University and President of the San Fernando Royal Academy of Arts. Collaborators such as Alfonso Albacete, Lucio Muños, Amalia Avia, and Juan Manuel Bonet also took part in the project. Each of the scholarship artists donated one piece of work to Mojácar Council, which today forms an important pictorial collection of modern art by those artists who have worked in or passed through the town.
Also included in the show is a painting donated by the well-known Murcian artist, Alfonso Albacete, as well as outstanding pieces of sculpture and photography, with Rod Westwood and Emilio Aramburu presenting some magnificent photographs taken this year. Emilio has also presented a selection of photos taken during the recent Mojácar la Vieja archaeological campaign, which forms a valuable testimony to the work being carried out on the excavation. The sculpture on display is also noteworthy, in an exhibition that forms a valuable testimony to some great expressive artists, each with their own style.
The Municipal Art Centre “Fuente de Mojácar” is open to the public, with free entrance, Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mojácar reports an excellent summer season with almost 100% occupation
The Directors of Mojácar’s hotel chains unanimously reported a very successful summer, at a recent meeting with Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, which was also attended by the new Director of the Marina de la Torre Golf Course. Following on from last year’s exceptionally busy high season, these increased numbers have seen Mojácar fare extremely well compared to other destinations, bringing economic stability despite the global tourism recession forecasts at the start of the year.
Quality hotels, with all the sport and leisure options, as well as the entertainment put on by the local Council, gave a high level of customer satisfaction. Without doubt, the dynamic local, provincial and regional promotional campaigns, including that done by Mojácar’s individual companies, have attracted national and international visitors to the town, with many hotels still busy welcoming holidaymakers until the end of October. There are many reservations placed already for next year, with also a high level of interest for the autumn and spring. One large British tour operator, with whom the town and province has an ongoing promotional agreement, doubled its customers from all over the United Kingdom this year.
Average occupation during August was touching 100%, although July was not far behind with just over 90%. Additionally, the hotels were very happy with the profile of their visitors this summer, particularly as it came predominantly from the family market.
The local Tourist Office dealt personally with over 8,000 enquiries and more than 6,000 by telephone, internet etc. which was an increase of 1,409 over last year. The Mojácar website also received around 28,000 visits in August, with a dramatic increase in the number of visitor reviews on Google, proving that the town is reaching far and wide on social networks.
Emmanuel Agüero also spoke at the hoteliers meeting about the significant investment that is to be made before Holy Week, for example, on walkways, new rescue and lifeguard units and beach accessibility. This summer season alone, Mojácar Council allocated 65,000 Euros towards beach improvements with the renovation of eleven showers, the installation of increased shaded areas, defibrillators, walkway manufacturing equipment and two amphibious chairs. There were also a series of ecological and environmental awareness workshops held as well as the Junior Lifeguard sessions given by Mojácar beach safety teams.
Additionally, local businesses have congratulated the Council on the cleanliness of the Old Town, which receives thousands of visitors daily, as well as for the many organised events which brought in many visitors through well circulated promotion. However, now the busy months have come to an end, both the Council and the businesses are determined to continue their work in attracting visitors throughout the year.
Mojácar’s Marina de la Torre Golf Course has recently been acquired by a leading French company that owns 60 courses in France along with their other recently acquired three courses in Murcia, plus 2 in Seville and Huelva. They have plans to remodel the Mojácar course, with the customer profile of the adjacent hotels in mind to attract more clients in the off season. Director, Kirck, is extremely excited about the project and will be part of the AndalucÍan Tourism stand at one of the most important golf fairs, which this year is to be held in Morocco. There are already several groups, from countries such as Sweden, coming during the autumn and winter to enjoy golfing breaks in the town. Sports tourism is of great importance in the low season, with many events such as the Andalucían Gran Fondo Costa de Almería Cycle Race, which will be held once again in Mojácar.
Memory workshops and other activities for Mojácar´s Seniors
Mojácar Council, in conjunction with Almeria Provincial Council and the Community Social Services, is running an Active Aging programme for residents who are aged 60 and above.
One project running for a number of years in the town is the Memory Workshop, which aims to promote active living in later years by improving quality of life through mental stimulation and social interaction.
Ana García, Mojácar’s Third Age Councillor, attended the first session and stressed how important it was for the older generation to take advantage of her department’s free classes and workshops (all held at Centro de Usos Múltiples) which also include basic IT training and senior exercise sessions.
The Memory Workshops are held throughout the year in two terms, with a break during the summer and the current second session for this year will conclude at the end of November. Teacher, Claudia Balázc, a specialist psychologist from Social Services, concentrates on cognitive processes, memory techniques, concentration, language and mental agility with her group.
Ana García highlighted the town’s concern for the town’s seniors, a sector of the population which is on the increase. For this reason, the Council have set out to offer different initiatives that focus on improving quality of life and promote greater autonomy to give day to day self-sufficiency.
As part of the Council’s programme there are also Adult Education and Craft Classes, some of which are targeted particularly at those who may have had little opportunity to study in their youth. There are also organised trips to enjoy some quality leisure time in groups, with a designated Senior Centre which acts as a meeting point for regular dances, functions and a range of other recreational activities.
Félix Clemente presents works by Mojacarte art group at Mojácar´s Centro de Usos Múltiples.
Mojácar’s Centro de Usos Múltiples is currently hosting an art show featuring the work of the Mojacarte art group, which is tutored at the Centro by Feliz Clemente Gerez, the well-known painter.
Paintings by some of his outstanding students are included, all revealing a high artistic level, although all works bear the unmistakable artistic stamp of their inspirational guide.
Showing a collection of very varied themes and styles are students; Julia Poves, Mariat Bernabé, Michele Koster, Cecilia Briones, Marcela González, Ros Asua, Francisca Cervantes and Conchi G. Creus.
Ana García, Mojácar’s Education Councillor, had the chance at the inauguration to find out more about the evolvement of the paintings from the artists themselves as well as their tutor. She expressed how delighted she was to have work of such quality on show at the Centro and, show support through both the Culture and Education Departments in supporting the arts and artists. She also touched on the special enduring feeling in Mojácar that draws and plays host to all artistic expressions, welcoming them into the town’s day to day life.
Feliz Clemente Gerez, from Garrucha, has achieved an extensive pictorial portfolio over the years, often featuring traditional scenes, Mojácar’s landscapes, scenes of Garrucha and the environment he observes around him, always with his individual perception of light that makes his work so recognisable. He is also probably the most international painter in the Region, exhibiting in countries around the world such as Tokyo; Geneva (for the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Organization), New York, Rome and Madrid, to name but a few.
The show will be open until September 30, from Monday to Friday, from 7 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. with free admission.
Over 400 students start their studies at Mojácar´s Bartolomé Flores School.
Bartolomé Flores School opened its doors this week to over 400 pupils, all ready for the new academic year ahead.
There were the usual nerves at seeing friends and teachers, with the occasional tear shed, but all nevertheless appeared full of excitement with their backpacks full of new books.
Around 50 more students have enrolled this year, with further additions expected, but it is the inclusion of 28 nationalities which is rather unusual, pulling in children from different continents, religions and cultures. Some begin with no or limited Spanish, which presents an extra (but not insurmountable) challenge to teachers and fellow students.
This is all helped by the ATAL, an early language adaptation programme, which ensures new pupils are given extra help, in co-ordination with the PROA project, which offers support and guidance to all students, whatever their nationality.
Some new educational regulations are being incorporated, such as 1 hour classes, with more English, Physical Education and Religion on the timetable.
Centre Director, Francisco Baraza, has the task of coordinating the 28 teachers, who work across the range of compulsory subjects. The usual complimentary workshops will be organised once timetables are finalized, but they are expected to get off to a start in October. However, the school transport system and dining room are already fully functional.
The students have returned to a renovated school, after a round of painting, plumbing and electrical upgrades, with refurbishments to doors, windows and roofs. In the outside zone, work has been done on pipes to improve the drainage of rain water and the 180 M2 recreation area has had a layer of reinforced concrete, all carried out by Mojácar Council’s Department of Works, so everything is ready and safe for the youngsters to start their studies.
Mojácar Council has invested around 36,000 Euros in order to complete this full annual review, which has also been carried out at their Infant School.
Mojácar’s Infants start their school year
As the holidays come to an end, school starts once again and, in Mojácar the little ones were the first to return as the “Garabato” School opened its doors on September 2nd to 53 children. Although the School takes in little ones from four months to three years, the smaller babies of working parents are often taken in.
The local Council’s Department of Works has been busy carrying out its annual upgrades and repairs, which include a new playground floor made with a rubber especially for preschool activities, with new swings and games. The 250 M2 floor’s fun, colourful design aims to boost curiosity and encourages movement on a comfortable surface that is easy to maintain, without the use of toxic cleaning products.
In order to get everywhere looking in great condition as well as safe, there has also been extensive interior and exterior painting carried out, with the toilets, dining room and kitchen freshened, along with garden areas tidied.
Children of all nationalities are placed into fun ‘animal’ age groups they can identify and relate to, with babies joining as turtles, who then progress to kangaroos or koalas before becoming lions or parrots.
There are 8 teachers specially trained in early childhood education, with two cleaners, a cook and assistant. The dedicated kitchen prepares fresh food every day with different menus according to age, all designed by nutritionists and approved by the Ministry of Health. All children also receive a Junta de Andalucía grant which varies according to their set economic criteria. Although this is the biggest intake period, there is now also the possibility of new children joining throughout the year, as there is a new enrolment period every two months.
Young mojaquera sportswoman Osaïa Reding wins French KiteSurf Championship.
Osaïa Reding, the international young Mojaquera, recently became French Junior KiteSurf Champion at Leucate in the 15 to 20 Year Old Freestyle category, following a year of triumphs that has also included a World Championship.
As always, Osaïa was the youngest contestant, but this was obviously no set back as she was a significant 10 points ahead of the runner-up, in what were very challenging sea conditions. The sports press already refer to Osaïa as "The KiteSurf Princess", one who will soon become a Queen, without question. Her qualities are endless, with her serious approach to training, perseverance and passion for her sport. She now has almost all the gold and silver medals from around the world that a rider can dream of and, which easily amount to more than her young years.
In between competitions, she keeps up her training schedule at Mojácar, where she lives with her father, also her coach, who has also been a Spanish KiteSurf Champion runner-up. The school he runs, "Camino del Sol", is situated on the beach in front of the Hotel Indalo, where he teaches other athletes and followers of this high energy sport.
When the conditions in Mojácar are not at their optimum, Osaïa looks for the right wind conditions and waves at other beaches. She has a trip to Mozambique planned for this season, followed by training in France in March with the coach of the national team, Nicolás Delmas, before heading off to Dahkla, in Morocco.
There are no boundaries to Osaïa’s dedicated preparation and, she has already participated in the promotional advertising for the 2024 Olympics, together with the greats of the sports world. This is the only title that she is missing and, even though the Olympics are focused on the Race Category rather that her Freestyle speciality, she is not deterred to practice for it in the interim years.
Mojácar Council, one of Osaïa’s sponsors, is always keen to spotlight this young athlete’s outstanding progress and professionalism and for the whole town, it is always a proud moment when she climbs the Kitesurf podiums around the world with her board which bears the Mojácar coat of arms.
Anushree Krementz art show “10 Years in Mojácar”
The artist Anushree Krementz is currently exhibiting a retrospective of some of her best works from the last decade at the town’s ‘La Fuente’ Centro de Arte, entitled “10 Years in Mojácar.”
The 49 pieces selected by Anushree include a variety of styles in oils, mixed media and the ancient encaustic technique dating back to the first century, which all reveal the evolution of this artist’s journey in painting through the years.
Anushree was born in Munich, although grew up in a small town near the Alps and, her passion to create led her to study design and follow a career devoted to the arts. Her travels through India influenced her perceptions of life and the world and, according to her, "it was there, as a result of all the experiences lived, where the concept of my work was forged."
Open, with an enquiring mind to all artistic forms, she also discovered a passion for music and composition combining powerful acoustics and scores and, the sounds and light of the world as well as the silences of the spirit are all fused together in the outstanding works on show. However, ever since her first exhibition in Salzburg, there have been many individual and collective exhibitions gaining great accolades and success.
Anushree was joined at the inauguration by the town’s Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, who had a chance to hear the stories behind the creation of the works in this impressive show. Raquel also stressed the importance of this well known artist, who has become a reference point to this type of cultural event in the town.
Mojácar’s ‘La Fuente’ Centro de Arte is open to the public, with free entrance from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and “10 Years in Mojácar” can be seen until September 13th.
Mojácar´s sporting summer.
Mojácar is not only about the beach and chilling out, with a continuous programme of sporting events throughout the year put together by the local Council’s Sports Department. The events include something for everyone, regardless of age and ability and, in August alone, around one thousand people took part in the various competitions on offer.
Three events took place prior to the Patron Saint Fiesta, which included the IV Villa de Mojácar Golf Tournament, which had a great turnout of locals and visitors at the stunning Marina de la Torre course. The Beach Tennis Championship and the Andalucían Federation Petanque Competition, both organised in coordination with Almeria and Mojácar Councils, saw the best teams in the region taking part, with Mojácar being the venue for the Tennis awards ceremony on the final day.
Over the San Agustín holidays, the popular 35th annual nine km race, organised by the local Council with C.A. Nogalte, brought together over two hundred runners spread over all categories and ages. With a start and finish line at the Plaza Nueva in the Old Town, participants came from all over Almería and other provinces, with Ennio Constantino, Nicolás Escarabajal and Alejandro Rodriguez placed on the podium.
The traditional clay pigeon shoot, which for years has had the best shots in the area taking part, was held this year at the Vera range, with an extremely close competition that had six tied on 47 points, forcing a deciding shoot out.
The paddle tennis match at the La Mata municipal courts was even more popular this year, with 22 registered couples. Francisco Cazorla with Esteban López and Elena Fernández with Pilar Belmonte were the victorious couples with Franchi and Antonio Alarcón and María Alarcón and María Luisa Zea coming out as best ranked local players.
The youngsters always look forward to the fun, online games competition that had to be divided into two groups due to increased numbers, resulting in a double tie for first and second place. The Pista Americana appeared on the agenda for the first time, where pairs of youngsters came up against some complicated, strategic challenges to put their fitness levels to the test.
Football was not left out, with the 35th traditional Ciudad de Mojácar match, this year held against Garrucha Sports Club, followed by the annual Miguel Egea Memorial that pits the local veterans against their younger rivals.
Ana García, Mojácar Sports Councillor, said she was delighted with the results of these action packed days and thanked all the participants as well as the collaborating organisers for keeping Mojácar in tip top form throughout the summer.
An all round success for Mojácar’s Patron Saint Fiesta
Mojácar’s San Agustín Fiesta proved to be a great success once again, especially for the hotels and businesses, after drawing in thousands of visitors as well as locals to the five full days of events. The extensive programme put together by the Council’s Festivities Department was a hit with all ages, with crowds turning out in large numbers to join in all the events.
The daily midday fair, a meeting point of everyone, set the tone to get everyone in the mood for the fun that lay ahead until dawn,
with tasty tapas, music and dancing to get the party atmosphere off to an early start.
There were plenty of sporting and indoor items on the agenda, too, with the eagerly friendly football match between Mojácar and Garrucha, as well as the classic encounter of great rivalry between the town’s young and older players. There was also the traditional San Agustín race, as well as online games and an Americana assault course for the youngsters.
The more traditional Fiesta events grow more and more popular every year with an increased number of children and young people taking part, following on from past generations and ensuring their continuity. The horseback ribbon races, for example, have a history that goes back over two hundred years.
The symbolic carrying of water and floral offerings from the Fuente to the Santa María Parish Church also attracts an increased number of participants every year, all dressed in multi-coloured flamenco outfits or typical Mojácar costumes, carrying the famous water jugs which local women once carried to their homes.
On the last day of the Fiesta, a Holy Mass was held to honour San Agustín, with singing by the Los Gallardos choir, Coro Rociero, followed by a procession through the streets of Mojácar’s Old Town with the faithful following the Saint’s figure accompanied by the Town Band.
Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, expressed her pleasure at the success of the Fiesta which had attracted so many visitors, as well as the chance it had given local people to get together with family and friends and enjoy some fun after a long, busy summer.
The end of August and the Fiesta concludes an incredibly busy time that has seen thousands of visitors pass through Mojácar, who have joined in with the whole town to make this summer’s events so enjoyable. Mojácar is always a sure hit for leisure time, fun, culture or sports and has a complete package of things for everyone to enjoy and, although the busiest part of the year is coming to a close the predicted visitor figures for September are also looking good.
Mojácar holds the traditional carrying of water and floral offerings in honour of San Agustín.
Mojácar’s Fiesta continued yesterday with the traditional carrying of water and floral offerings in honour of the town’s Patron Saint, San Agustín, with all those taking part gathering at the Fuente to begin the ascent to the Santa María Parish Church in the historic Old Town, accompanied by the Municipal Band.
Mojácar’s Fiesta continued yesterday with the traditional carrying of water and floral offerings in honour of the town’s Patron Saint, San Agustín, with all those taking part gathering at the Fuente to begin the ascent to the Santa María Parish Church in the historic Old Town, accompanied by the Municipal Band.
This event is one of the most anticipated in the whole fiesta by both locals and visitors who come to see those dressed in typical Mojácar or flamenco outfits. They make this colourful pilgrimage with their traditional water jugs and hundreds of flowers to place at the Saint’s feet on a route that is the same one that goes back to times immemorial, as the women of Mojácar once walked to their homes with water jugs on their head or waist.
This custom is re-enacted at Fiesta time to thank their Patron Saint for the blessing of water and the fountain of Mojácar which has never lost its flow throughout the centuries, giving life to the people of the town.
Ready to greet them at the door of the beautiful 16th-century fortress church, which is built on an old Mojácar Arab mosque, is the Parish priest, José Esteban Jerez, in preparation for his blessing of the offerings.
Now in the final day, Mojácar’s San Agustín fiesta has now held most of its important events, such as horseback ribbon races that have been performed in the town for over 200 years, where the local ladies hang ribbons for riders to pick them as they gallop by. The ever popular last open air dance with music by Norte and Melodías was only interrupted by fireworks at 2 a.m. filling Mojácar's sky with colour and light. Today, Wednesday 28th, the holidays draw to an end with the Holy Mass in honour of their Patron at noon followed by the traditional procession of the Saint’s image carried on the men’s shoulders through the streets of the Old Town, accompanied by the Town Band.
However, there is still the midday fair to enjoy in the Plaza Nueva, with entertainment, good food with music and dancing. This is followed at 6.30 p.m. by the children's bicycle ribbon race, a much appreciated activity for the young ones who will carry the traditions of this town, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain, into the future.
Music, fun and lots more at Mojácar’s San Agustín Fiesta.
The weekend saw the start of Mojácar’s San Agustín Fiesta which goes on until Wednesday, August 28th, filling ‘one of the most beautiful towns in Spain’ with colour, traditions and fun.
At noon on Saturday, after the traditional clay pigeon shooting contest, firecrackers marked the start of this year’s festivities with the opening of the midday fair where the tasty food, tapas and music always brings together family and friends as well as visitors every afternoon to the Plaza Nueva in the Old Town.
The important opening speech was delivered by Miguel Ángel Miranda, the much loved and respected Director of Mojácar Town Band.
He recalled the beginnings of the Band, 20 years ago, with all the hope for the future, which came not without some hurdles, but that over the years have brought together so many teachers, students and parents. He also stressed the importance of keeping up traditions and looking to our roots for the strength and drive to go towards the future.
Miguel, from Almeria, began his musical studies with the trumpet and he completed his higher studies in Granada, specializing in percussion. In 2000 he began teaching just four students how to play Brass instruments, which has now risen to around forty, indicating how his work with the young Mojaqueros has grown.
On Sunday, the traditional horseback ribbon race was held in the afternoon around the Fuente, accompanied by the Town Band, with the young riders trying to grab the ribbons hung up by the ladies. This year, all the young women in this event, as well as all others, have the same prominence, including the Fiesta Queen and her Dames of Honour, so that they all equally represent Mojaquera women in what is one of the most important events of the year.
Later that evening, the XXXVII Senior Football Tournament took place at with “Ciudad de Mojácar” with the annual fun, friendly match against P.D. Garrucha. Then, as every night at 11.00 p.m. the music started up with dancing until the early hours for everyone.
On Tuesday 27th, the ascent with the water jars with floral offerings for the Patron Saint, San Agustín takes place from the Fuente at 7.30 p.m. making its way to the Parish Church. This is one of the oldest traditions in the Fiesta that every year brings together more people of the town as well as visitors, as locals of all ages dress up in typical Mojácar costumes or flamenco outfits in a procession bursting with colour, accompanied by the Town Band.
The official acts of the Fiesta draw to a close on Wednesday 28th at noon with a Mass in honour of San Agustín followed by a procession, at 1.00 p.m. through the streets of the Old Town. The midday fair will continue throughout the afternoon, followed by entertainment for the children at 6.30 p.m. with their very own ribbon race.
For more details on the programme of events, follow Facebook’s ‘Mojacar Informa’ and ‘Turismo de Mojacar’ or call into the Pueblo or Beach Tourist Office.
International Artist Myriam Vela Blanca on show in Mojácar
On Friday, August 16th, Mojácar’s ¨La Fuente¨ Art Gallery will open its doors to another exhibition by Myriam Vela Blanca that will be on show to the public until the end of the month. Myriam is always welcome in Mojácar, the town of so many artists and, this summer she is presenting a new collection full of her usual light and sensitivity.
The show has two sections, the first including her renowned works in wood inspired by magic of Cabo de Gata Park’s natural landscape and its delicate, virtually extinct endemic flowers. These works also include the techniques of watercolour and photography, giving life and a touch of her own personality to each piece.
The second section, "Smile with the Alborán Sea" is a new collection which opens up the secret marine world to the onlooker, revealing elegant posidonias, fish and a whole submerged universe as perceived by one of Almería’s finest artists of the moment, who has included natural materials to add originality and form.
Myriam Vela Blanca, who lives in Cabo de Gata, works non-stop and is constantly juggling a number of European projects, always with a strong voice on the danger of plastics to the environment. Together with artists from all over the world she is part of Rodalquilarte group, which exhibited for the fourth time this year. Also, in “Arte para colgarte”, she has designed a collection of necklaces and medallions that capture her art in small pieces to complement any piece of clothing and, take her work from the gallery into everyday life.
The Almerían artist has, through her business training, collaborated with leading companies all over the world, but three years ago she returned here for a holiday and decided not to leave. Although still working in that profession, art and the inspiration from her wonderful surroundings have turned her life around and have additionally brought pleasure to many with her creations.
The exhibition of Myriam Jiménez will be inaugurated on August 16th at 8.00 p.m. attended by Raquel Belmonte, Mojácar’s Culture Councillor, along with other Council members, the artist’s friends and family and the public. ¨La Fuente¨ Art Gallery is open on Tuesday to Sundays from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. with free admission.
Andalucían Government´s agriculture Minister and provincial director visit Mojácar.
The Andalucían Government’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, Carmen Crespo, along with Almería’s Provincial Director Aránzazu Marín, recently visited the Mojácar wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with the town’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano and the Councillor attached to her Office, Francisco García.
The visit was part of the planned expansion of the town’s (WWTP) with “fundamental infrastructure,” according to the Minister, which sealed the commitment to a project that should have started in 2007. The new Andalucían Government placed this among its top investment priorities in order to guarantee the sanitation of the municipalities throughout Almeria’s Levante.
The Ministry emphasized the relevance of these improvements to the entire region, which is predicted to have an estimated population of 53,800 inhabitants by 2036, rendering the 25 year old purification systems obsolete.
“Mojácar’s treatment plant of is one of the most important in all of Almería and what the Andalucían Government are doing now is to relaunch its expansion with the implementation of the process that will allow us to start the project as soon as possible,” said Carmen Crespo, adding that the provisional approval is already signed and will be available as public information soon. She continued by saying that "there is nothing more ecological than purifying our wastewater" and stressed the Ministry’s commitment to water efficiency costs with a sound investment plan to promote an Andalucían Water Pact “that formalizes the future of the region’s water resources into a State Policy.” She went on to stress that "we are going to carry out the largest investment into these treatments in the whole Andalucían Government’s history."
The Mojácar part of the project was declared of Autonomous Interest in 2010 and will cost the regional government close to 13 million Euros, with the entire plan eventually ensuring the proper treatment of wastewater across Almeria, especially important in the densely populated summer months.
Local players come to the Fore at the IV golf Villa de Mojácar-Bridgestone
The annual ‘IV Torneo de Golf Villa de Mojácar’ was recently held at the Marina Golf Course at Marina de la Torre, with over sixty
local and holidaying players enjoying a full day of competitive sport.
This summer tournament is organised by Mojácar Council’s Sports Department, along with Bridgestone and Marina Golf Mojácar, with the action taking place on this spectacularly situated course with its Mediterranean views, designed by Ramón Espinosa.
It was a Stableford competition, the most common in club tournaments, as it allows a freer game in which the golfer can "pick up” their ball when all their available strokes for the hole have been taken. Top in the first category, for those with handicaps between 0 and 19 came Ignacio Domingo Real from Madrid, with 38 points, followed by Jerónimo Gomato Martínez, with 37 points. The second category, for those with handicaps from 19 to 36, was commanded by local players with Francisco Sorroche García in first position with 46 points, followed by Juan Pedro Frenández Flores with 41 points. The scratch prize went to Esteban Pacios Herradón and, as usual there were prizes for the longest drive and the ball nearest to the pin.
Local Sports Councillor, Ana García, presented the trophies, along with the Marina Golf. Director, Kirk Lovell, at the Hotel Marina Mar where cocktails were served to all participants. Ana thanked all the players for taking part in the fourth Mojácar Tournament, which has become a fixed date on golfers’ calendars, as well as inviting them all to come back next summer to see the new features on offer.
The day of tough competition ended in great spirits, with Ana drawing the ever popular prize raffle, providing a bit of fun to round up an intense day of play.
Art group "Amigos de la pintura" exhibits work in Mojácar.
Until August 15th, the painting exhibition by Garrucha’s Amigos de la Pintura will be on show at the Municipal Art Centre, "La Fuente de Mojácar.
Organised by founder, Graciana Peralta, twelve members of the group are showing their work, as part of the continuous programme of art exhibitions staged throughout the year by the local Council through its Culture Department.
Graciana Peralta, who has lived in Spain for more than fifteen years, encourages her members to work in the manner and technique of their choice, creating a free and varied range of styles within the group.
The results on show are an impressive example of this philosophy, with an exhibition full of colour and creativity, including portraits, nature and landscapes. Just visiting the show can give the visitor the wide range of artistic possibilities and in Graciana’s mind, everyone can paint, "it just needs the wish to try and, enthusiasm."
The Art Centre "La Fuente de Mojácar" is located above the emblematic fountain in the Pueblo and, is open to the public with free entrance from Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mojácar prepares for the possible nesting of loggerhead turtles on its beaches.
The Caretta Project recently came to Mojácar, whose beaches could become a nesting place for these gentle sea turtles. The Project is a division of the Serbal Association and Almeria Biodiversity involved in study and recovery work, with the aim to raising awareness and ensuring safe nests along Almería’s coast.
The loggerhead (caretta) turtle is a threatened species and although it has had its home throughout the Mediterranean in the past, was not on our beaches for over 150 years. Through DNA, these amazing creatures retain in their genetic memory the place where their ancestors were born and their return is excellent environmental news for the province’s coast.
In order to raise awareness of the importance of the return of these turtles and the need for their careful respect, the Caretta Project held a session recently on the town’s Provençal beach, which although was largely aimed at children, everyone was keen to find out more. This educational, fun workshop included information on conservation and protection with all participants receiving a notebook that included advice on what to do in the case of a sighting. There were also role play games with the children acting as mother turtle and newborns along with the different predators that lie in wait as they make their way to the sea.
In this SERBAL protection initiative, which attempts to quickly observe a turtle’s presence and nest, everyone connected in some way with the beaches has been involved, be they lifeguards, maintenance and cleaning staff, restaurateurs and tourism companies. Also included, is also an important team of local environmental volunteers who are on guard for dealing with first attention and taking the necessary safety steps.
According to experts, these animals had their last nests in North Africa and, are moving to the Spanish coast due to climate change, in the search of cooler waters.
In recent years, nesting events have been recorded in Almeria at Vera and Pulpí and, as the females tend to lay their eggs in their birthplace, the Serbal project is extended along the Almerían coast, with Mojácar regarded as a very possible nesting site.
Mojácar council to transfer land to the ports authority for a maritime lighthouse.
Mojácar Council will assign a piece of land to the Almeria’s Port Authority (APA) for the construction of a maritime signal lighthouse. The site chosen is on the highest point of the Cerro del Moro Manco’s northern slope, above the Marina de la Torre urbanization.
It will be built on a plot of 221,144 square metres, 150 metres above sea level and the APA will undertake the project through funds approved by the State Ports, with a planned budget of around 300,000 Euros. The APA is also drafting the execution of the project, which in addition to the lighthouse and tower, includes an operation zone with all its necessary equipment as well as building a good access road.
Mojácar’s mayor, Rosmari Cano, along with APA President, Jesús Caicedo, recently visited the site, having held a prior meeting at the Town Hall to formalize the transfer agreement. Also present at the meeting and visit were, APA Director, Juan Manuel Reyes, APA Head of Projects and Works, César Andújar and Mojácar Council’s technical architect, Rodrigo López.
Rosmari Cano stated how pleased she was with the town’s contribution of this optimal location as well working together with the Port Authority. Jesús Caicedo went on to thank the Mayor and the Council for their collaboration to get this important project off the ground, one that will improve the maritime signal system on the province’s Levante coast. He also stressed that the lighthouse will further spread the name and image of Mojácar saying, "once it is in operation, Mójacar, which is already well known, will be more so, as its name will appear on all the world’s nautical charts."
El Ayuntamiento de Mojácar cederá un solar a la Autoridad Portuaria para instalar un faro marítimo.
El Ayuntamiento de Mojácar cederá un solar a la Autoridad Portuaria de Almería (APA) para la instalación de un faro de señales marítimas. La nueva señal luminosa se levantará en el punto más alto del municipio, en la ladera norte del Cerro del Moro Manco, sobre la urbanización Marina de la Torre. La parcela, de 221.144 metros cuadrados, está en la cota 150.
El nuevo faro es un proyecto que acometerá la APA con cargo al Fondo de Compensación Interportuaria aprobado por Puertos del Estado, con un presupuesto previsto que ronda los 300.000 euros. Tras la selección del emplazamiento, la APA está redactando el proyecto de ejecución, que además de la construcción del faro y de la torre, incluye la caseta de operaciones, el equipamiento, y el acondicionamiento del camino de acceso.
La alcaldesa de Mojácar, Rosa María Cano, y Jesús Caicedo, presidente de la APA –que han visitado el paraje donde se construirá la nueva señal luminosa–, han mantenido una reunión en el Ayuntamiento mojaquero en la que han perfilado el acuerdo de cesión del suelo. En la reunión y en la visita posterior han participado también el director de la APA, Juan Manuel Reyes; el jefe de división de Proyectos y Obras de la APA, César Andújar; y el arquitecto técnico del Ayuntamiento de Mojácar, Rodrigo López.
Rosa María Cano ha mostrado su satisfacción por la nueva ubicación del Faro y la intención de colaborar con la autoridad portuaria con la aportación de un espacio situado en un lugar óptimo para su instalación.
Por su parte, Jesús Caicedo ha agradecido a la alcaldesa y al Ayuntamiento su colaboración para poder acometer un proyecto que mejorará el sistema de señales marítimas en el litoral del Levante de la provincia. Asimismo, el presidente de la APA ha destacado que el faro contribuirá a difundir aún más el nombre y la imagen del municipio de Mojácar. “Y es que, una vez que esté en funcionamiento, Mójacar –ya de por sí muy conocida–, lo será mucho más, puesto que su nombre que aparecerá en todas las cartas náuticas del mundo”.
Patron Saint fiesta in Mojácar’s Hamlet of Sopalmo
The little Mojaquera hamlet of Sopalmo begins its traditional Cristo Rey Patron Saint Fiesta on Friday, August 9th, with a full weekend of events and parties.
The fun will begin with the horseback ribbon race at 8 p.m. on Friday, when the couples take the lead with an old medieval style tournament. The horse riders try to snatch the ribbons that the ladies have hung, almost impossibly high, with Mojácar’s Band ready with a tune to honour every winner along to the exited applause of the crowd.
An outdoor dance follows with music by Rafael Rueda at 10 p.m.
with more dancing on Saturday, August 10th, at 11 p.m. with the Bulevar Quartet. It’s essential not to miss in between, however, the lunchtime tapas and local cuisine on offer.
Paloma Martín Martín, a lawyer from Mojácar, will be making this year's opening speech at midnight on Saturday, before the Fiesta Queen and her Dames of Honour are crowned and take up their roles representing the young people of Sopalmo. On Sunday, the last Fiesta day, a Holy Mass in honour of Cristo Rey will take place in the local chapel at 7 p.m. before the it’s youngsters’ own cycle ribbon race at 8 p.m. followed by more music at 11 p.m. by Rafael Rueda, closing the weekend.
It is an event that everyone in Sopalmo takes part in, decorating the streets and houses with flowers and festive decorations, as well as turning out in traditional Andalucían costume. There has been a huge effort by the people of Sopalmo to revive these traditions and events that have brought so many generations together to enjoy a time of fun and relaxation over the years. The young people are now actively joining in, helping to make it a wonderful event for locals and visitors, as well as providing something different to do during Mojácar’s busy summer schedule.
“Junior Lifeguards” on Mojácar’s beaches
To ensure beach safety on Mojácar’s beautiful award winning Blue Flag beaches that also come with their SICTED quality guarantee, the local Council have again contracted the services of Ebone throughout the high tourist season, in order to keep a careful watch on everyone at the beach and in the water.
There are 25 lifeguards on duty organised by two managers and two coordinators with a zodiac, two jet skis and an ambulance at their disposal. Additionally, there are amphibious chairs for the use of those with disabilities and, a designated lifeguard who can accompany anyone requesting the service safely in and out of the water.
Spread over seven of the town´s beaches, the rescue units, equipped with defibrillators, oxygen, spinal boards and first aid kits, give all the necessary support for these professionals to carry out their work. However, above all, it is vitally important that beach goers pay attention to the instructions given by the lifeguards and, respect the green (safe), yellow(caution) and red (danger – no swimming) flags flying daily.
Of all the services Ebone provide, the “Socorristas Junior” or “Junior Lifeguards” events draw most attention. They take place every Saturday for the youngsters on the town’s different beaches in the high season, although everyone is actively encouraged to join in. The sessions aim to provide a fun, educational opportunity for children to see at first hand the lifeguard’s work as well as instilling the dangers incurred when failing to observe beach rules. It is a great opportunity for them to learn to how perform basic resuscitation, make an emergency 112 call and carry out the Heimlich manoeuvre as well as see all the life-saving equipment put into action in cases of accident and rescue on the beach and in the water.
Rescue drills are also carried out on the beaches, assisted by willing ´victims’, in order to raise awareness of the importance of the first action taken in the case of an accident, while serving as a re-enforcement to the first responders on the protocols to follow in an emergency.
The next “Socorristas Junior” will take place on Saturday at 12.30 p.m. on the beach by the Pueblo Indalo, but in the meantime, everyone can feel safer knowing that these lifeguard professionals are standing by on Mojácar’s beaches, making sure everyone has a well-deserved, safe time in the sun.
Mojácar kicks off its August Programme with two big events
Now at the height of the tourist season, Mojácar Council’s Department of Culture has launched their August event programme, which has something for everyone be it theatre, cinema, music, dance or children’s entertainment.
Two top events are on the agenda for this weekend, with the “Maxacra Oriental Fest 2019” project starting at 10 p.m. on Friday August 2nd at the Plaza del Frontón. The organisers are returning once again this year with added enthusiasm to share their skills in the ancient art of oriental dance, which is open to professionals and amateurs and, the magical Moorish corners of Mojácar Pueblo is an ideal setting to start their weekend of workshops.
Saturday August 3rd will see the Philharmonic Orchestra of Cologne perform at 9.30 p.m. at the Centro de Usos Múltiples, with the sounds of Vivaldi, Paganini, Telemann and Tchaikovsky. The Orchestra was founded and is based in Cologne, Germany which is recognized internationally for its music university and the standard of its orchestras as well as its long traditional history in music. With their regular tours, special attention is given to the pieces to be included as well as the selection of musicians and, as each member performs as a soloist the talent on show is exceptional.
On Sunday 4th at 10 p.m. at the Plaza del Fronton the young ones have a chance to enjoy the animated film “Luis y los Alienígenas”, a fun story about an 11-year-old boy who befriends three aliens whose spacecraft falls on his house. They have another treat the next day on Monday 5th at 10 p.m. at the same venue with Yera Theatre’s “Las Menimas”, a brand new musical performance with giant puppets. Although it is a very visual show, the plot line is based on the concept of dance and music as a universal language.
Music comes to the fore on the 6th and 7th at the Plaza Nueva
with music by the group "Los Kaliqueños" followed by the children's musical "Hunchback of Notre Dame." On Thursday 8th the youngsters can get rid of some energy with the various inflatables set up from 7 p.m. at the Plaza del Fronton, with a chance too, to meet some of their favourite TV & film stars.
Events will then continue throughout the month of August culminating with the San Augustín Fiesta. Prior to that however will be the traditional Sopalmo festivities on the 10th and 11th in honour of Cristo Rey which will see all the old traditions of this pretty hamlet coming alive with ribbon races and dancing, as well as the chance to taste some of the best local cuisine.
Mojácar hosts 2019 Sea Swimming Competition
The second test of the Provincial Cross Swim Competition was recently held in Mojácar, organised by local Council’s Sports Department, through Almeria Council’s Inter-Municipal Sports Cooperation Programme.
Around 150 swimmers joined the event, the highest number to date, divided into the different categories for; Children, Juniors, Seniors, Master 1 and Master 2. Children were set a distance of between 250 and 500 metres, Juniors 1000 metres and the adult participants, 2000 metres. The Andalucían Swimming Federation were responsible for determining all the regulations and the necessary requirements for the event, including circuit marking, distance setting and judging.
Everyone reached their finish line without incident, including all the youngsters who took part, which this year totalled more than 30. Mojácar’s Sports Councillor, Ana García, followed the action throughout and was charged with the task of presenting the trophies to the winners of each category, as well as a medal for each participant provided by the Council. She added how popular this type of event has become, especially as it is suitable for everyone who loves this sport, be they federated swimmers or simply keen amateurs.
The local Council also provided all the refreshments on the day and to ensure safety, an ambulance with life support was on standby, as well as the Local Police and Civil Protection. Lifeguards were also watching on, with two rescue zodiac boats at their disposal and, canoes also went alongside the swimmers on their route.
The last two tests will be held on August 3rd in Garrucha and in Balanegra on the 24th, with Daniel Muñoz Segura from Aguadulce’s Galosport Sports Club and the Almería’s Bahía de Nación Swimming Club team currently in the lead.
Great success for Mojácar’s Candlelit Night and hotel occupancy throughout the summer season.
Taking place at the height of the tourist season, Mojácar’s eighth Noche de las Velas was an even greater success this year and according to estimates from the organisers, the Local Police and the bus company shuttling everyone to and from the pueblo, around 14,000 came along.
Each year sees improvements for both locals and visitors to enjoy, bringing a well-deserved fame to an event that is now a highlight in the summer calendar, when 6,000 candles light up the quaint streets and corners of the beautiful historic Old Town.
Live music on the squares and unique street entertainment with the chance to enjoy gazing into the Mediterranean skies are another part of the attraction that draws thousands of people, who can also enjoy some good food or a drink at one of the attractive bars and restaurants before strolling around the numerous interesting shops.
This huge amount of people brings a significant boost to the business economy, not only on the night, but over the weekend that followed as many visitors stayed to discover more about the uniqueness of Mojácar Pueblo, as well taking some time to make some purchases. According to Antonio Rodriguez, President of Mojácar Pueblo’s Business Association, The Night of the Candles has a very positive impact for them all, with hotels being very nearly full and restaurants and bars packed until the early hours.
The number of tourists coming to Mojácar, however, is increasing every year and not only for special events, fiestas or the high summer, as this June saw an increase of 10% compared to the previous year. For certain, the effect of this growth has been experienced by the Tourist Office in the Old Town, with 20,143 visitors since January plus an additional 5,350 for July, counted three days before the close of the month.
During the first half of July, hotel occupancy was averaging above 90%, in contrast to some other destinations where operators have been forced to offer discounts for the high season. Many of the town’s hotels have a high online rating and a large number have been given the SICTED quality award, offering a level of quality through their continuous improvements that makes Mojácar with its numerous attractions, an ideal tourist destination.
Culture director visits Mojácar la Vieja excavations.
Regional Director for Historical and Cultural Heritage, Eloísa Cabrera, recently paid a visit to Mojácar to see the work being carried out by the Granada University archaeologists at the Mojácar la Vieja excavations.
Accompanying her at the site were Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, local Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, Excavations Director, Jose María Martin Civantos and the historian, Juan Grima.
Martín Civantos had the chance to explain to the group the new discoveries made so far in this second campaign and how these new excavations are showing the importance of the settlement in the area during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, until its abandonment when the population moved to the site of today’s Mojácar.
As the work progresses, the archaeologists’ theories from in the first campaign regarding what brought about the transfer of a substantial population with well-organized defences, are being confirmed. On one hand, there was the threat of the Christian Reconquest in the area, with an ineffective control due to their lack of complete vision of the maritime zone and any invasion. Secondly, discoveries in recent works have shown up some geological weaknesses that could have presented problems with the solidity of their constructions.
What is proven, however, is the importance of Mojacar la Vieja, due to its strong wall with 14 towers and a double fortification, the second of which was built in the highest part, corresponding to an area of military defence.
The Cultural Director was very impressed by the findings to date of this second excavation campaign, promoted by the Mojácar City Council, as well the potential this site presents as it is in a very good state of conservation. It could well be a key to understanding an important phase in the Region’s history, revealing and making sense of the area’s culture and customs as well as the shape and form of the land. She was also interested in future plans, with a view to a possible collaboration through her department and the Junta de Andalucía.
Memolab, a biocultural archaeology laboratory based at Granada University is accredited with some excellent work on the excavations, along with its research and dissemination of information, which has been boosted by the cooperation and interest of the people of Mojácar. Mojácar la Vieja is a project of the future that is already of significant cultural and touristic interest and whose name is gathering importance on international forums.
Andalucian Tourism Director in Mojácar to outline grants available to Town Councils and businesses
The Junta de Andalucía’s Tourism Director, José Luis Delgado Valdivia, recently presented at Mojácar the grants and assistance now on offer to businesses and local administrations, whilst establishing a more direct first contact between his Department and Town Councils, aimed at improving communications for the benefit of the sector.
The meeting was attended by representatives from towns across the area, hosted by Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, along with local Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero and Carmen García Campoy, Mojácar’s Tourism Manager.
Also present to outline the subsidies and application methods, was Antonio López, Head of Tourism Quality Programmes at the Junta de Andalucía.
Four types of aid will be available to municipalities, companies and tourism entrepreneurs, two specifically aimed at local councils and the other two at the private sector. All are designed to strengthen competitiveness in the sector by ensuring the highest quality, building up the province’s image as well as its range of attractions.
For the next four years, efforts will also be put into strengthening inland municipalities and their cultural offer, as well as supporting projects aimed at accessing funds that help develop resources through their cultural value and combat the problem of seasonality. Equally, the Junta de Andalucía has as its objective the enhancement of natural heritage and biodiversity as potential resources to grow within the tourism sector.
Almeria’s Tourism Department will run new technology courses throughout the province that will complement the aid available to towns. According to José Luis Delgado, quality will be assessed and guaranteed through the standards body SICTED, with a focus on accessibility and projects that generate employment. There is no limit to the number of applications that can be made, and monies will come from European funds to an amount of 1,122,500 Euros, until 2020.
Mojácar’s unmissable Candlelit Night “Noche de las Velas”
On Thursday July 25th, Mojácar celebrates for the eighth year, its “Night of Candles”, when the atmosphere of the Old Town is made even more magical by the light of 6,000 white candles. It is unique celebration for everyone to join in and enjoy and over the years has become what is now one of the most important summer events in the province of Almeria.
Live music adds to the charm of Mojácar’s candlelit streets, which will be playing on the main squares as well as at the entrance of the Old Town at the cave of Mariquita la Posá where there will be a piano performance by Rosario Almansa. In the Plaza del Fronton, Shirin’s Oriental Dance can be seen under the Arabic-inspired arches whilst the Plaza del Caño will host Juanma Linde’s intimate saxophone music featuring well known melodies. On the Plaza del Parterre, you can listen to Monica Rubio & Friends with singing backed by violin and percussion. For something a little different, livening up the streets will be a Batucada procession, with its fast African influenced Brazilian music that always entertains everyone with their latest sounds.
You can also take time to gaze out into the dark Mojácar skies at many quieter spots surrounded only by candlelight and, telescopes will be placed at the Mirador del Castillo with specialists on hand to answer any questions on the stars, planets and constellations.
In all, there is a whole range of things to do and see on a night that is quite different to any other and, just as with all of Mojácar’s celebrations, the streets are transformed into the perfect atmospheric setting for the occasion.
The Town Council, Police and Tourist Office are all reminding everyone that on the evening, access to the Old Town from the Fuente area will be closed to traffic from 7 p.m. There will be a reinforced local bus service to assist travel to Old Town from 7 p.m. with different routes, stopping all along the beach road with additional stops from the Commercial Park and the petrol station. Buses will be operational until 4 a.m. and you can buy tickets in advance from the different sales kiosks that will be set up at the busiest locations.
Mojácar´s award winning beaches
Two Blue Flags can currently be seen flying along Mojácar’s seafront, awards that have been handed out by the European Foundation for Environmental Education since 1987, but only once their rigid strict set of rules for beach conditions have been met.
As well as these flags, positioned at Venta del Bancal and Marina de la Torre, the town also boasts 7 beaches that have been granted Spain’s Tourism SICTED Quality Award.
The Mayor, Rosmari Cano, was at the official flag raising ceremony, along with members of her Government Team, the lifeguards and, directors of some of the main hotels.
Mojácar has 17 kilometres of magnificent coastline and in addition to the better known beaches, there are some beautiful protected small beaches away from the town such as Sombrerico and Granatilla, which do not have services but do offer the tranquil charm of a more natural setting. The larger beaches, on the other hand, have both the Local Police and a lifeguard service on hand during the summer season to deal with any emergencies, first aid as well as general enquiries.
Each day, the lifeguards are responsible for displaying the coloured flags that indicate the current sea safety level and, they have the manpower and specialized equipment in place to deal with rescue situations. Facilities at their disposal include defibrillators, oxygen, amphibious bathing chairs for those with disabilities and a range of medical equipment, along with an ambulance service nearby. In addition, they have all-terrain vehicles, sea motors and zodiac boats to use in any emergencies.
The weekends will see the popular "Junior Rescuer" programme offered again, with the lifeguards organizing some fun, but very educational rescue information and drills for children and their parents, as well as teaching how to perform some basic resuscitation techniques.
With everything in place to guarantee a great time at the beach, there are also a host of other things to fill in leisure time in Mojácar, including the wide range of sports and entertainment on offer or by simply taking in the local culture and traditions.
Top Brand Sur F-One try out their latest gear on Mojácar beach.
Osaïa Reding, the junior Double World Kitesurf Champion, is spending her well-deserved summer break at home in Mojácar, making the most of her time at the beach to put in some training without the pressure of competitions.
At the aptly named surf school, "Camino del Sol", kite surfing and all the other skills performed on the waves can be seen this weekend by sports fans, along with Osaïa and the company F-One Surf which sponsors her sports equipment.
Throughout Saturday and Sunday, they will be performing at the beach by the Hotel Indalo, where the chiringuito and the school her father runs along with one of her coaches are located. Surfers, professional and amateur, will have the unique opportunity to try out the very latest top quality products, as well as a chance to all get together and swap notes at the beach.
The weather is just right for these lovers of the waves and, both the school and the products will open and available all day for anyone keen to find out more, with Osaïa showing off her skills testing the new developments as well as signing autographs.
This year, our international Mojaquera achieved her second world Freestyle title, even though at 15, she was competing out of her own ‘under 16 junior’ category and was up against 19 year-old athletes. Despite also having the setback of medical leave of a month and a half during the championship period, there is no denying the talent of this youngster with successes such as Champion of Spain and Europe and Double World Champion under her belt, as well as more medals than she can possibly count.
Osaïa’s rest period will not last long however, as she will be off to France in August to take on some new tricks for the Freestyle Kitesurf Championship there. Everyone wishes her the best of luck, even though with all her talents, she really doesn’t need it.
For now, however, we can have the pleasure of seeing her in action on Mojácar’s waves, especially this weekend at "Camino del Sol" with all the very latest advancements in sports gear on show.
Antonia García Amat opens "Agarha" art show in Mojácar.
Mojácar’s ‘La Fuente’ Art Gallery has opened its doors to an exhibition of digital graphic work entitled "Agartha" by Antonia García Amat, an interior designer and artist.
Mojácar’s ‘La Fuente’ Art Gallery has opened its doors to an exhibition of digital graphic work entitled "Agartha" by Antonia García Amat, an interior designer and artist. On show until July 28th, the show is part of the local Council’s cultural programme and, includes 29 of her selected works made during the last two years using digital printed technology.
Antonia García Amat, an architect with a catalogue of related work experience, has also delved into other activities, although they always link to art and design.
The colours of her images literally flood the gallery in a very modern style, where the onlooker can quickly see that this creative artist is skilled in instilling life and light into interiors and forms of decoration.
Each of her works deserve a careful appraisal and, they invite the viewer to study these seemingly pictorial puzzles she has designed through her observations. The harmony of her works combined with the digital enhancements form a visual effect she describes "confortvisual", creating a centre of attention which draws in the viewer's gaze through the intense use of colour, light and shade.
Mojácar’s Municipal Art Gallery, ‘La Fuente’, is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with afternoons by appointment, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free.
Mojácar Council launches Summer Events Programme
Mojácar Council has put together a packed summer events programme that includes something for everyone to enjoy, although particular attention has been paid to make sure there’s plenty to keep the young ones fully entertained.
Things have already kicked off with last week´s revived Cuartillas fiesta and a theatrical event organized by Mojácar’s Red Cross. This weekend, on Friday 12th there will be an oriental themed parade at 9.30 p.m. from the Plaza del Fronton, which will wind its way through the little streets of the Old Town. The following day, on Saturday at 9.30 p.m. there will be some street theatre in the Plaza del Frontón, with a performance of the play "Estrella Fugaz."
Music and dance then come to the fore on the Sunday at the Plaza Nueva at 10.30 p.m. with the pop, rock & roll group "Perros Beta" with "The Fat Lizard Band" getting everyone back on their feet again on Wednesday 17th at 10.30 p.m. on the same stage.
The popular Anabel Veloso returns this year with her flamenco spectacular at the Plaza Nueva on Friday 19th at 10 p.m. followed by a performance by students from Conchi López’s Garrucha Dance School on Friday 26th, at 10 p.m. at the same venue. Mojácar’s own Town Band will also have a chance to show off their skills in a concert at the Plaza del Parterre, on Wednesday the 31st at 9 p.m.
Events planned especially for the youngsters start with an opportunity to meet many of their best loved TV and movie stars at the Plaza del Frontón on Mondays 15th and the 22nd from 7 p.m. with the added attraction of inflatables and fun games. The following Monday, on the 29th, some favourites such as Demolition Ball, bouncy castles and fun road safety circuits will be set up from 7 p.m. at the Plaza Nueva.
Further things to keep them happy will be the musical “Villanos” on Thursday 18th at 9.30 p.m. and a puppet show "Indalo" on Saturday 20th, both starting at the Plaza Nueva at 9.30 p.m. The movie "Hotel Transilvania3" will then be screened at 10 p.m. on Sunday 21st at the Plaza del Frontón with the parade, "Unicorns" on Tuesday 23rd at 9.30 p.m. starting from the same venue.
Magic is in the air with a show by Cobra Magician on Sunday 28th at the Plaza Nueva at 10 p.m. and another event for all ages, “Circo en la Cuerda Floja” will take place on Tuesday 30th at the Plaza del Frontón at 10 p.m. with a show of amazing circus trapeze skills.Of course, the event that has pulled in one of the biggest summer crowds is The Night of the Candles on July 25th, the most magical night in of the year when the light from 1000’s of candles illuminate Mojácar’s Old Town, with telescopes placed to view the stars and live music in the squares to make sure this evening is extra special.
Mojácar´s "Botaniq Hotel" voted Spain´s Best Boutique Hotel
Mojácar´s Botaniq Hotel has received the Best Boutique Hotel in Spain award at the eighth ‘VD Viajes’ Travel Tourism Awards, organised by the prestigious La Razón newspaper.
Roberto Brasero acted as Master of ceremonies with La Razón’s director, Francisco Marhuenda, charged with presenting the prizes at the event which was held at the publication’s Madrid Head Office.
This is now an increasingly important and prestigious annual occasion that recognizes the efforts and dedication made by different national and international entities, private companies and public institutions that all strive to achieve tourism excellence.After giving some words of welcome to those present, Francisco Marhuenda continued with the awards, each marked by the recipient’s enterprise and innovation. As an accolade for Mojácar, La Razón and the organization were unanimous in naming the town’s Botaniq Hotel the best Boutique Hotel in Spain for its outstanding work in the tourism sector.
Located in Rio Abajo, this elegant 14-room hotel which is surrounded by palm trees, faces out over the Mediterranean with its white sandy beach. Despite being set in such a tranquil, natural setting surrounded by flora and fauna, it is only a stone’s throw away from the Marina Golf Club and Mojácar’s Old Town as well as having easy access by being only 16 km from the A7 motorway.
The hotel also boasts an excellent restaurant and offers free sailboat tours to discover nearby coastal caves. With Thai massage, acupuncture, pilates, yoga and meditation also on offer, it offers a little touch of paradise in a Mojácar that aims to offer everything the visitor could possible wish for.
Mojácar´s Cuartillas Fiesta welcomes new image of the Patron Saint
The little Mojaquera area of Cuartillas begins its fiesta this weekend, which is once again held annually in honour of its Patron Saint, San Antonio.
It´s a celebration that is always welcomed with particular fondness, due to the efforts that are being made by the locals and their Association to bring back some old traditional ways of life.
This year will include having an image of San Antonio blessed, which has been made recently by an Alicante-born artist, as the original was taken to Barcelona by a family that found it in the old ruined hermitage. Part of the service will include a blessing on the hundreds of bread roll ´panecillos´ made by the residents, which will later be shared out amongst everyone, just as in bygone days.
It is thanks to the fund-raising efforts of the Cuartillas Neighbourhood Association and above all their enthusiasm that the new image of the Saint has been made possible and, this small statue will act as a point of worship as well as a focus for future fiestas
The actual party gets into swing on Friday 5th at 11 p.m. with a band to start the dancing off. New for this year, on Saturday at 10 a.m. will be a fun clay pigeon shooting competition, followed by a classic car show at noon and a giant paella. There will also be a feria del medio dia later with lots of typical food on offer.
The Mass will be at 7.30 p.m, performed by Mojácar’s Parish Priest, which takes on a special significance this year with the blessing of the new image of San Antonio to mark the event.
The important opening speeches take place on the Friday at 10 p.m. led by journalist and writer Manuel León, who is also Editor-in-Chief at the La Voz de Almería. He is the author of many stories about this part of the countryside and its people who are remembered with affection and simplicity in his narratives and, this is a role he is more than happy to take on with his family ties to Cuartillas.
In recognition of these efforts to maintain this revival of the Cuartillas of yesteryear, a tribute is always made by one of the most senior residents, recalling the history of the village families and their often arduous life as it was in rural Spain at that time.
Although Cuartillas is set on bringing back the old fiestas, the fun planned for the new events is for all ages and every year sees more local participation along with those keen to return to their roots. The Association is delighted, too, to see more young people getting involved and new generations picking up the baton for this annual celebration,
Phase two of ‘Mojácar La Vieja’ excavation begins.
The 2nd excavation phase of the old settlement of Mojácar known as "Mojácar La Vieja" has started once again in the town, led by MemoLab, Granada University’s Biocultural Archaeology Laboratory.
The official presentation of this summer´s project, which has the collaboration of the local Council and the Valparaíso Foundation, was made by; Emmanuel Agüero, local Councillor for Tourism, José María Civantos, Director of Archaeology, along with Lara Delgado, also from MemoLab.
Emmanuel Agüero firstly expressed the level of interest that the people of Mojácar had shown in last year´s excavation in both archaeological and cultural terms, which is also of great importance to the whole province. He went on to speak about this year’s increased financial input from the Council, in order to involve a larger number of archaeologists and, the application for funding for 2020 from the Junta de Andalucía. In addition, private companies are being approached for support, so that this historical and cultural investigation may be continued.
Also present at the official presentation were Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, other members of the Council as well as Valparaiso Foundation Director, Beatrice Beckett.
José María Civantos gave an overview of the work planned for July, which will be a continuation of that carried out in 2018 in the area of the wall and the upper zone where the main water deposit, military structure, small hermitage and other quarters are located.
In the wall area, they will face an accessibility challenge as the customary path to the area does not correspond to the original one, shown up by the discoveries made by the wall’s tower entrance. One of the tasks on the site this time will be the excavation of a house discovered last year that is in a good state of conservation and, its restoration may well serve to gain a better understanding of life in Mojácar at that time.
In the upper part, the objective is to finish the dig on the military guard structure and its old entry, as it could lead to further information regarding any defence or armed activities.
The tie-in free cultural programme taking place at the same time was then highlighted by Lara Delgado, which will feature workshops especially for the children as well as classes on esparto crafts, past costumes and even how to carry the old water jugs on the head. You can also learn how to be an archaeologist for the day and take part in the excavations guided visits. Also on offer are, archaeological pottery workshops and a participative session of map making relating this year to Mojácar’s historical system of irrigation.
As an indication of the importance and great interest that Mojácar La Vieja has created in the archaeology world, this second phase received 362 applications from archaeologists of 24 different nationalities around the world. Forty archaeologists from 9 countries were finally selected from Italy, Portugal, France, Armenia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Sri Lanka, Argentina and Mexico.
News has certainly travelled across international borders since the project was initiated, with Granada University receiving continuous requests for more information and updates on all the discoveries and findings that are being identified on this fascinating ancient settlement.
Mojácar Council organises a group walk through La Mena-Macenas
Once again, Mojácar Council, in co-ordination with Almería Provincial Council, organised an annual summer walk along the path of La Mena. As part of the regional ‘Rutas y Senderos 2019’ programme, it was a chance for locals as well as visitors to enjoy a fun activity all together.
Led by two official guides and backed by members of the Civil Protection, 50 people took part in the "easy/medium" 10km Mena-Macenas coastal route which takes in some stunning sea views along the way.
It also passes through some strategic points that reveal the area´s economic and social history going back to the mining past, with signs of the tracks left by the muleteers and iron transporters, as well as indications of the Muslim age and the Mediterranean coast defences. All this area, too, is surrounded by unique fauna and flora such as the "limonium estevei", an endemic species to the area which is in danger of extinction.
Taking part also, were the town´s Sports and Citizen Security Councillors, Ana Garcia and María Luisa Pérez, with everyone making regular stops along the way to hear information about the most emblematic points from the guides and, enjoy some pit stop refreshments provided by the Council.
Ana García was keen to mention how popular this event has become and, is now one the most popular in the annual sports programme put together by the Council or in its collaboration with the Provincial Council.
Mojácar’s Rutas y Senderos 2019 event was in even greater demand that last year´s Full Moon Walk, showing the interest in this type of inclusive sport, one that can be enjoyed at home or away with friends and all the family. It is an activity that is on the rise in many parts of the country which in addition contributes to promotion of tourism and hospitality.
Mojácar has a range of walks including the Las Huertas path, with interesting historical spots along the way and its beautiful views of the ancient old town of “Mojacar la Vieja. Alternatively, the Marina de la Torre to Mojácar Pueblo route connects the modern hotel zone and golf area to the Old Town, passing the mouth of the river Aguas, where you can watch out for a variety of waterfowl and amphibians.
Mojácar´s "Romantic Night" photo wins award.
A photo of Mojácar by local resident, Alexis Molinier, has been chosen as one of the top three snaps taken on ‘Romantic Night’, along with those picked out from Tejeda in Gran Canaria and Chinchón near Madrid.
All three places are part of the network of 53 municipalities that make up the Association of The Most Beautiful Towns in Spain and, the Photography Contest organized through Instagram set out to capture the heart and soul of this special date in the calendar.
The three shots can be seen on Instagram entitled ‘Pueblos Más Bonitos de España’ and the winners all received the `Guide to the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain’ as well as an official T-shirt that had been especially designed for the event.
‘Romantic Night’ is a time to revere love in all its forms for everyone, all staged in Spain’s prettiest and most cultural spots. Each year now, on June 22nd, many of these towns (including those members across Europe) hold their own events with a range of activities that celebrate the start of summer.
This second event brought together over one million people across Spain, Belgium, Italy and France and Mojácar’s night was a huge success with the Old Town’s streets decked in balloons and hearts and a choice of romantic music in the various squares. It was an opportunity for both locals and visitors to enjoy the party atmosphere and join together for ‘The Most Beautiful Kiss’ at midnight. It was also a chance, once again, to showcase Mojácar’s skill at playing host to some of the best events in the province.
The World's most beautiful kiss flies into the Mojácar sky.
Mojácar celebrated its third successful Romantic Night, attracting more people than to ever one of the newest and most unusual parties on the town´s calendar.
The Council´s organization all went to plan, with over 2,000 balloons transforming the Old Town and its special enchanting corners which have been immortalized by the thousands of photos over the years. On the night, several Photo-Calls were set up in the best spots, to encourage those strolling around to take the best snap on the best stage.
For this evening of love, live music invited everyone to get up and dance in the various village squares, with mime artists gently encouraging the shy ones to join in and soak up the mood.
On this all-important night, romantic love took centre stage, but it also reached out to everyone including friends, family and even pets. It was a time to have a little fun and forget about work and the daily routine on one of the first summer nights. In fact, Mojácar´s Romantic Night had already had its designed effect last year on one couple at least, with a proposal and a wedding.
The Plaza Nueva, which was turned into a huge dance floor with romantic music and heart-shaped balloons, was the setting for the "Most Beautiful Kiss" at midnight. At that point, to the sound of the town´s Santa Maria Church bells, locals and visitors joined together for a great kiss as fireworks soared into the sky.
It was a truly magical night for many others too, as 53 other fellow municipalities from the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain took part, as well as around 400 more across France, Italy and Belgium. This ´beautiful´ initiative, with its positive message of peace and love, prompted Mojácar to show the biggest heart, with the most beautiful kiss of all.
Mojácar gets ready for "Romantic night" with the most beautiful kiss at midnight.
Mojácar is busy preparing for its most romantic night of the year, which will take place in the historic old town on Saturday 22nd June.
Already, love is in the air with balloons and hearts filling the buses to the surprise of the passengers and, even the weekly market has joined in to boost the event by decorating the stalls in line with the theme.
Mojácar Council is organizing Romantic Night for the third successive year and, is one of the 53 municipalities of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain taking part in this unique celebration.
However, Italy, France and Belgium are participating too, bringing together more than over 400 European towns for the midnight highlight of the Most Beautiful Kiss. At that point, Mojácar, calls everyone to unite in love, remembering that this encompasses love of all kinds, be it simply affection or friendship.
The town’s streets will be decorated with more than 2,000 balloons and hearts, including a beautiful welcoming arch with live piano music at the Marquita la Posá cave. This is the setting of the old Mojácar legend surrounding a beautiful damsel who entered a loveless marriage in order to save the town.
Music as always will play a big part on the night to entertain those taking a stroll around, with live concerts including jazz and boleros in the Plazas Parterre and Fronton. Mime artists will wander the streets with fun displays of love to amuse both young and old, with the addition of plenty of free balloons for the children.
The romantic atmosphere will also be on show in the shops, bars and restaurants, all decorated to entice everyone to make a purchase or try one of the specially designed romantic menus in the town´s wonderful setting.
The Plaza Nueva will be the place to be at midnight as the bells of the Santa María Church Parish chime, when everyone in Mojácar along with thousands across Europe, will kiss in unison on this unforgettable night under the stars. The firework display will then mark the start of more music and dancing on the Plaza Nueva´s huge dance floor which has, without doubt, one of the most spectacular views of the region.
Mojácar´s Moors and Christians Parade goes out live on American TV’S ABC News
Mojácar´s Moors and Christians Fiesta has once again drawn to a close for another year, following a well organized event that certainly pulled in the crowds.
In fact, the number of visitors keeps growing every year, all with the intent of enjoying a weekend full of non-stop things to see and do.
Of course, the highlight is Sunday evening´s Grand Parade, which pulls in thousands of visitors, as well as locals, who want to see one of the most spectacular shows in the Almerian province.
The Fiesta has also attracted the interest of the world´s media, with the spectacular costumes, music and gunpowder reaching TVs in far flung places, resulting in the Grand Parade being seen by more people than ever.
For the first time, American viewers could watch the show live on their largest TV network, ABC News, on its “Good Morning America” show. This television and radio company belongs to The Walt Disney Company and ABC News is part of the American Broadcasting Company, which shares much of its programming with the UK´s BBC News, Orbit News in Europe and Oriente Medio. This new broadcasting link was made through America´s prestigious information agency, Associated Press, which is based in New York.
Mojácar´s Moors and Christians Fiesta is now considered a greater international platform every year with increasing visitors from different countries, as well as a growing interest from the world's media.
Now, with everything seemingly over, Mojácar´s Moors and Christians Association along with the local Council will be thinking up some new themes and ideas for this annual highlight in order to ensure everyone enjoys the event more and more every year.
Mojácar´s moors and christians fiesta begins.
Yesterday, Friday 8th June, Mojácar’s eagerly anticipated Moors and Christians Fiesta gets underway, with non-stop action throughout the weekend that fills the town with sound and colour. It draws to a close on Sunday with the stunning Grand Parade full of pomp and ceremony, that includes all the different groups of Moorish Kábilas and Christian Cuarteles in their stunning costumes, along with their accompanying riders and music bands.
Yesterday morning, the children from Bartolomé Flores School made their own mini procession, in costume, up to the town’s Plaza Nueva where they gave opening speeches to announce the start of the Fiesta. Leading up to today’s parade, the youngsters have had a full week of fiesta related educational workshops designed to give an understanding of the event´s origins and its historical relevance. In the sessions, they made shields, masks, and medieval clothing as well as getting together in groups for some fun playacting all with the aim of their encouraging their interest and participation in future years.
Also, from midday on Friday, the medieval market opens in the Plaza Nueva, where there are all sorts of artisan products on offer by the stall holders all dressed in their period outfits that should transport everyone back to the Middle Ages.
The Fiesta starts officially, however, at 9.30 p.m. when the Christians and Trabuqueros with their noisy blunderbusses gather at La Fuente to re-enact the historic event of 531 years ago when the Catholic Kings entered Mojácar and the keys of the town were handed over by the Moorish King.
From here at 10.30p.m, the troops, presided over by their respective captains make their way up the hill to the Plaza Nueva to the sound of the town band and loud gunfire. Everyone then assembles for the official Fiesta opening speeches, delivered by both the adult and children’s ambassadors. After that, it´s time for the various Kábilas and Barracks organised by Mojácar´s seven different groups to open up for a party that keeps going until dawn!
On the Saturday, there will be a new addition for the Fiesta, with a medieval camp set up on El Nuevo Lance beach in front of the Pueblo Indalo, organized by Mojácar Council and the Al-Mosaquer Moors and Christians Association. Later, at 6 p.m. on the same beach, there will be a medieval tournament where Moorish and Christian riders try to win the most scarves worn by the ladies of both sides. Afterwards, the troops in full costume will march along the Promenade from the Ankara Chiringuito to the Red Cross, accompanied by a fire and dance spectacular.
If you plan on coming along to the Fiesta, it is recommended to use the local public transport system, which has extended hours and number of buses as well as special faster routes. The town´s taxi service is also being reinforced over the weekend.
Mojácar Council presents Medals to all their Sports School Students.
Mojácar´s football ground was recently the venue for the end of year closing event held by the town´s Sports School.
As every year, all the students from the numerous classes on offer gathered with friends and family to receive their individual sports medal of merit which are presented annually by Mojácar’s Councillors in recognition of their efforts and enthusiasm,
During this academic year, Mojácar`s Sports School has enrolled 350 students, divided between the disciplines of football (most numerous with 148 youngsters of all levels), rhythmic gymnastics, pre-sports games for the little ones, karate, padel and senior exercise classes.
The karate students particularly deserve a special mention, as they recently all took their places on the winners´ podium in Almería. Also, due to the hard work of the rhythmic gymnastics students this year, they are now set to compete with other teams in the area.
For these sports lovers of all ages, this open air gathering formally brings the classes to an end for another year, with a chance to swap experiences and ideas as well as hear about new courses in the pipeline. Also, not to be missed, was a performance of a modern routine by the senior gym class ladies, which as usual received resounding applause. To add some excitement to the event for the little ones, inflatables and fun games had been organised to keep them entertained and occupied.
Mojácar’s Councillor for Sports, Ana García, said how encouraged she was by the all the students´ progress as well as the sportsmanship shown by everyone, including the teachers who had also generated a great atmosphere within the groups. She also stressed how important sport and exercise is in promoting a healthy lifestyle at any age and, the positive influence it has on young people in instilling values of teamwork and commitment whilst still having fun.
The number of registered students has grown for each new course and Anna hopes that this trend will continue in the forthcoming academic year. She plans to add some new sports disciplines to the programme to give the town an even wider choice, which she hopes will have a good response from Mojaqueros.
For the time being, although everyone is now set to enjoy the summer and a well-deserved break, the students are still looking forward to getting back together for their next round of courses in the Autumn.
Take a Cultural stroll through Mojácar Pueblo
With the whole of Mojácar gearing up for the fast approaching annual Moors and Christians Fiesta, the local Council’s Tourism Office are offering free visits around the town, which take in the most emblematic points of old Mojácar.
On Mondays to Fridays, at 11.30 a.m. anyone keen to see and learn more about more the origins of the town will be guided by a member of their staff to points of interest including; the Puerta de la Ciudad, Mirador del Castillo, Plaza Nueva and Plaza del Parterre as well as the Parish Church.
These tours have been running since May 14th and take in a visit to the exhibition “Encuentro Entre Culturas” at the Mirador del Castillo Centro de Arte. This colourful exhibition was put together last year especially for the 30th anniversary of Mojácar´s Moors and Christians Fiesta and includes a wide selection of photos, posters and costumes used by the different participating groups of kábilas and cuarteles.
There are 17 women’s, men’s and children’s costumes on display to see up close and admire, which reveal the gradual evolution that has taken place over the years. There are also over 100 high quality photos of the parades and its characters since it all began in 1988, including the winning images of the 1st and 2nd Moors and Christians Photography Competitions held in 2017 and 2018. A special section has also been made to exhibit the posters that have been designed every year to promote the Fiesta.
"Encuentro de Culturas" is in short, a walk down memory lane, showing the efforts and enthusiasm the entire town puts in to enjoying their most important annual event which, has achieved the great merit of being officially recognized as of Touristic Interest in Andalucía.
If you are interested in joining the tour, contact Mojácar Tourism Office with your preferred day and the number of peple in your group on 950 61 50 25 or 902 57 51 30 or E-mail: turismo@mojacar.es/ info@mojacar.es
Mojácar´s Moors and Christians present their 2019 Brochure and Programme
Mojácar’s Moors and Christians Association, Al-Mosaquer, recently presented their glossy "Moros y Cristianos" brochure which includes the official programme and poster for this year´s fiesta. It is the third edition of this publication, which also pulls together photographs, related articles and inaugural speeches, as well as other events that will take place in the town over the action-packed weekend from June 14th to 16th.
The presentation took place in Mojácar’s Plenary Hall, with the local Councillor for Tourism, Emmanuel Agüero, Al-Mosaquer President, Diego Morales García, Association Treasurer, Juan Pedro Montoya and, Councillor Ana García.
Emmanuel Agüero stressed how important this eagerly anticipated event was, not only to the people of the town, but for tourism in general. He also added that it has been broadened year after year to incorporate activities and new ideas that take it way beyond a usual fiesta, all designed to enrich and complement the event with a broader historical and cultural significance.
The fiesta has the full support of Mojácar Council and, Emmanuel Agüero also announced that a medieval camp would be set up to recreate the typical everyday life of the era, aimed to entertain as well as provide historical knowledge. The idea sprang from the discoveries made last year through the excavations on Mojácar la Vieja and, the interest the townspeople have expressed in finding out more about their roots. This concept will be an addition to the Moros y Cristianos Museum that was created last year and, the educational workshops organized for the Bartolomé Flores school pupils.
The President, Diego Morales, announced some other new events for this year, including a concert on Saturday, June 1st, at Mojácar’s Centro de Usos Múltiples featuring popular Moors and Christians marches. Also, the photographic contest has been extended to five categories, each with a prize of €200, although there is no restriction on the number of images that can be entered before the September 15th deadline.
2,500 copies of "Mojácar Moros y Cristianos" have been printed, which are now being handed out, free of charge. This year´s edition, said the Association, has a much greater content as well as more pages, with even more images of the fiesta characters and highlights. It also includes an article covering the Mojácar La Vieja excavation findings written by the archaeologists involved on the first campaign, an insight to some of the origins of Mojácar and the people´s way of life all those centuries ago.
Mojácar prepares for "Indalos de las Flores" 2019.
Mojácar is busy preparing for its now traditional Indalos de Flores weekend that will see the Pueblo filled with the scent of flowers, along with music and good wine. It is an event for everyone to share, locals and visitors alike and, one of the first to open up the town´s summer season.
Now in its fifth year, the different Plazas will each have their own Indalo figure, almost two metres tall, which are set to be brought to life with some of the 4,000 flowers that will also be handed out to the people strolling around the town and to local businesses to decorate their premises.
It is not just an event for Mojácar residents, as baskets of flowers will be available from the assisting Mojáqueros for anyone who would like to add their own "flower" to an Indalo to have a hand in creating each area’s original design.
Today, Friday, preparations are due to begin very early in the morning to complete the floral decorations. Then at 7 p.m in the Plaza del Frontón, the group Efecto Sur will liven things up with an outdoor concert, which will also celebrate the 25th birthday of one of the most emblematic establishments in the Pueblo.
The Indalo de las Flores is organized by Mojácar Pueblo´s Association of Merchants, but everyone in the town has a chance to get involved and join in this festivity which celebrates springtime.
As well as abundant flowers and music, the sight of those dressed in typical local and Andalucían costumes will add to the party atmosphere.
The Association hopes that many people will come along and participate in the wave of colour and, with each business making its own suggestions, the weekend´s music and activities offer something for everyone. So, don´t miss out on the opportunity to enjoy this spectacular celebratory weekend, in the very unique setting of Mojácar
Mojácar´s Mayor talks on Spectrum Radio´s "Almería Today" with her Tourism Councillor
Mojácar´s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, along with her Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, were recently interviewed by Richard Shanley on his "Almería Today" show, a regular morning slot on the town’s Spectrum Radio.
The regular appearances on this popular station by members of the Mayor's team aim to keep residents informed about the town and, on this occasion the interview focused on some of the latest developments. Richard was particularly interested to hear from them about any direct impact on Mojácar the newly formed Junta de Andalucía administration would have, as they are now of the same political party.
Both reported that, thanks to this change within the Andalucian Government, they were able to revive a number of important local projects that have been at a standstill. This new Government has confirmed agreements concerning the Senior Residence, which is planned to be ready in October, along with the completion of the last mandatory reports to begin the works on Mojácar`s relief road.
With regard to recently approved General Plan for Urban Development, the Mayor talked about the building of a new health centre with essential specialist facilities that residents currently have to travel elsewhere to access. The Plan also includes a designated bus station to improve the town´s communication systems.
With regard to sports, both were keen to mention the recently opened installations, such as the outdoor skate and workout parks, along with other future plans in this area for both the old town and the beach area.
Easter starts off Mojácar´s busy tourist season.
Mojácar has kicked off this year’s high season with a busy Easter, despite some inclement weather, with visitors staying on average four nights, mainly over the bank holiday weekend.
The hotels registering the higher occupancy were the four star, front line establishments, that successfully hung up the ‘fully booked’ signs, along with some of the quaint hotels in Mojácar’s Old Town.
Mojácar can accommodate over 15,000 people in registered tourist establishments spread over its 37 hotels and hostals of different categories, 9 apartment complexes, 870 registered private rentals, 4 rural guest houses and 4 camping parks. Also there were many additional people that were holidaying in their own apartments and second homes throughout the town.
The Tourism Office dealt personally with 2,342 people just over the Easter weekend, although since March there has been a significant rise in enquiries by telephone, email and through social networks. This period also saw higher traffic on Mojácar's tourism website, which was visited 10,454 times in March and 20,000 times from the start of April to the Easter weekend.
Facebook is the town´s most used social network for information and its ‘Mojácar Turismo’ page has 44,000 loyal followers looking at their daily posts, especially busy at certain times of the year when there are special events.
Mojácar Council´s Tourism Department also manages Twitter and Instagram accounts, whilst the ‘Mojácar Informa’ Facebook page posts the Council's cultural events as well as official information. There is also the ‘Mojácar Ofertas´ page which publicises offers from the town´s hotels and commercial establishments.
As Mojácar is part of the network of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages and Towns in Spain’, there is the opportunity to share information through their website and dissemination systems, helping Mojácar to be one of the most sought after destinations in Almería.
Visitors came to Mojácar from all over the world during the Easter period along with many Spanish travellers, with the majority of those coming from the Madrid and Valencia regions. International tourists were definitely on the increase and, in numerical order, they came from the UK, France, USA, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Argentina, Holland, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, Colombia and Finland.
Mojácar organises a fun search to celebrate World Book Day.
To celebrate World Book Day, Mojácar Council's Tourism Department organised the "Search For Your Book" game, for the second year running, to which everyone was invited.
10 strategically hidden vouchers had been dotted around some of the most emblematic spots in the town, which when found, could be exchanged at the Tourist Office for a book of their choice from a selection put together by the office staff.
The first voucher was quickly found at 10 a.m. by a visitor from Segovia, who picked out the “Guide to the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain” followed by a San Sebastian couple who chose the “Patrimonial Guide to the Levante Almeriense.”
A young Alicante girl later found her voucher on the entrance sign to the Tourism Office, which had until then gone unnoticed by dozens of tourists. This young reader, with her grandmother and mother, left happily with a copy of “Las Leyendas Mojaqueras.”
Celebrating World Book Day in this way is a great way to look around the town and take in its views whilst having some fun and the ten books found will no doubt be a special reminder of visits made to the town. With the bookshelves of destinations such as Segovia, San Sebastian and Alicante in Spain, as well as much further afield to Russia and Poland, it is a reminder that for literature, there is no distance or frontiers.
The photographic exhibition "Al Mojácar" captures the people of the town.
The "Al_Mojácar" photography exhibition was recently inaugurated at Mojácar´s La Fuente Centro de Arte, showing a selection of Miguel García Campoy´s project which has involved in photographing the town´s residents.
50 of the 200 photographs he has compiled to date are on show, all in black and white because as Miguel says, “it makes everyone equal and brings them to the same level.” The images show some of the well known characters that can be found every day walking around Mojácar, including generations looking at camera together, girls in dancing costumes or playing with soap bubbles, bandits, Moors and musicians. It presents a whole universe full of life that for now, are watching from the other side of the camera lens.
Al_Mojácar is part of Alnomalia and the Contemporary Art Aid Biennial, which aims to promote the plastic arts and is a project organised by Almería´s Provincial Council, with in this case, the support of Mojácar Council.
Miguel´s aim was to give photography prominence in making solid images as nowadays, with the ease in which they can be taken, they often pass into the background or are soon erased. To achieve this authenticity, his photographs for Al_Mojácar are traditional, "without any tricks" and, have been taken quickly to give spontaneity and capture a true expression.
The inauguration was attended by Raquel Belmonte, Mojácar´s Councillor for Culture, María Luisa Pérez, the Councillor to the Mayor's Office, as well as representatives from Almería Provincial Council´s Culture Department.
The exhibition will be open to the public until April 29th, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, although Miguel is continuing with his project to photograph the town´s residents. At the Centro de Usos Múltiples on Thursday afternoons (or by appointment at other times) people of the town can help him expand this digital archive that will remain in the hands of the Council permanently as a visual memorial.
Mojácar adds a new ´calistreetnia’ Street Workout Park to its sports facilities.
Mojácar´s Sports Department has recently opened up a Calistreetnia Park, designed to complement its other sports facilities for young athletes.
Located by the Playa del Descargador, the 102 m2 park has been constructed on a concrete base, with impact absorption flooring made up of two layers of recycled rubber.
The new Street Workout Park includes 9 upright posts and two sets of parallel bars, one of which is inclined, to allow for maximum versatility when selecting suitable exercises. It is also situated near the recently opened Skateboard Park, proving to be in high demand by the young and, not so young athletes.
Ana García, Mojácar´s Sports Councillor, is delighted with the completion of these two latest projects, which are part of a sporting offer throughout the town and, for which there are further projects planned.
Calistreetnia Parks are gaining popularity day by day with their fixed physical training equipment to enjoy open air Street Workouts that encourage good sporting habits as well as positive and healthy values among young athletes.
Mojácar council opens public skate park.
Mojácar Council recently completed a new 600 m2 Skate Park next to the town´s football ground, with popular challenging features that are well-known by enthusiasts including a mini-ramp, a wave, funboxes, pyramids, slides and an ollie-box.
The actual skating area is 235 m2 and is made from grey quartz on a concrete base with the sliding surfaces formed by high density HPI sheets. The whole facility has marked skate lines with illumination and is safely enclosed. The Park has good access, with other sports facilities nearby, so is an ideal place for young people to meet up and practice this popular sport.
The actual skateboard originated in Malibu, in the USA in the 60´s and soon became a very popular sporting pastime among young people, one which is today practised all over the world as well as forming focal points for youngsters to socialize.
The winning tender for the recent works was 140,561 Euros and, the whole project was drawn up by Almería Provincial Council´s team of technical architects to comply with all the necessary technical and administrative regulations.
Ana García, Mojácar´s Councillor for Sports, said how pleased she, along with her Department and Government Team were with the results of the completed project, which has been on the drawing board for some time. The Park is one of the Council´s projects to offer the youngest and, most energetic sector of the community the town, a choice of sports and leisure activities.
Mojácar celebrates easter with a concert of sacred music.
For the second year running, the Mojácar Band and the town´s "Embrujo Mojaquero" Rociero Choir gave a Concert of Sacred Music, one of the first events put together by the local Council to celebrate the ´Semana Santa´ Holy Easter Week.
A full audience of 300 people took their seats in the Centro de Usos Múltiples to enjoy this performance featuring two of Mojácar’s most loved musical groups, which has now become an eagerly anticipated event for the townspeople and performers alike.
With the Sacred Music as star of the show, it was the flamenco ´saetas´ and traditional melodies such as "Costalero", "Cádiz Cofrade" and "Encarnación Coronada" that drew the greatest applause from the audience.
Also, for the first time this year, a small donation was requested, which raised 700 Euros that will be given to Mojácar's Santa María Parish Church.
Mojácar athlete, Mario Vizcaíno, takes 3rd Third Place in Madrid marathon.
Mario Vizcaíno, the Mojaquero athlete, recently took part in the Madrid Marathon, coming 3rd in his own Promesa (Young Adult) category and, 97th in the overall classification which included over 25,000 runners.
At only twenty, Mario is showing great promise, dividing his studies with sport and, after obtaining a Sports Degree in Almería, he is now in Córdoba continuing his education in Administration and Management.
He participated at Madrid without a team or coach, armed with the sports knowledge gained from his studies and a mere ten months of preparation, which makes his result even more praiseworthy.
After his meteoric ascent as a runner, he has now joined Córdoba’s Surco Aventura Lucena Club, with the coaching and support that will undoubtedly bring this local athlete further success.
His future plans include taking on a 42 km full marathon in a couple of years but in the meantime, he will continue with his disciplined training and preparation to face the Andalucían 10 km Championship in Salobreña in May, whilst considering other prestigious international races.
He will also be on the starting line for Mojácar´s own marathon held during the town's San Agustín fiesta, which will give his local supporters the opportunity to see the champion in action.
A born sportsman, Mario Vizcaíno also showed great promise at football from an early age, reaching the national youth category playing with the Almería, Los Molinos and Club Natación teams.
Mojácar begins Holy Week with the Procession of the Donkey on Palm Sunday.
Holy week started in Mojácar on Palm Sunday with the traditional Procession of the Donkey, with numerous people of the town, as well as visitors, joining in the live representation of Jesus entering Nazareth, before the events of the ´Passion, Death and Resurrection´ as written in the gospels.
At 11 a.m. the group made its way up the hill from the Fuente to the Santa María Parish Church, accompanied by the Municipal Band, which was followed by the blessing of the Palms and Olives and Holy Mass.
On Monday 15th at 9 p.m. there will be a concert of Sacred Music performed by the Municipal Band at the Church, accompanied by the local Rociero Choir “Embrujo Mojaquero.”
The following day, on Tuesday, the Stations of the Cross depart the Church at 8 p.m. and is carried through the streets of Mojácar Pueblo on the shoulders of the women bearers.
At 7.30 p.m. on Holy Thursday, there is another Holy Mass to celebrate the Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet, followed by the procession from the Church at 10.30 p.m. which takes the Nazarene and the Virgin of Sorrows through the streets.
The beautiful ornate thrones (tronos) with their sculpted images (pasos) have had to be adapted to suit the special characteristics of the locality and the narrow, winding streets which make their passage especially spectacular. There are places where the accuracy of the bearers is critical as there are often only a few centimetres to spare between the tronos and the houses and, at the Town Wall Gate the bearers are required to be almost on their knees to allow the pasos to squeeze through the gap.
The Holy Burial procession takes place on Good Friday at 12.30 p.m. followed by the Holy Offices at 7.30 p.m.
then the procession of the Holy Burial at 10.30 p.m. Both processions depart from the Church for their journey with the Municipal Band through the streets of the town.
Mojácar Holy Week religious events come to an end on Easter Sunday at noon after Mass, with the final procession, that of the Risen Christ making its emotional last passage through the town.
Mojácar Music School students perform Piano Concert
Piano students from Mojácar’s Music School recently gave a concert in the town’s Church to mark the start of the programme of activities planned by the local Council for Holy Week.
Ten young pianists, from 8 to 15 years old, performed a medley of well-known pieces ranging from Brahms' Cradle Song to soundtracks from famous films such as Titanic and Forest Gump.
For the last two years, these students have performed twice annually, to celebrate the day of Santa Cecilia, the patron saint of music, as well as at Easter time. Both events have become very popular and, eagerly awaited by Mojácar’s residents, who appreciate good music of all kinds.
Concert direction was in the hands of the students’ piano teacher, Yolanda Parra Niederhauser, who also performed "Corazón de Niño" by Raúl di Blasio. Over the last 14 years, Yolanda has taught the preliminary music classes to the youngest pupils between 3 and 7 years of age, as well as being the piano teacher at the Municipal Music School.
35 students are currently attending the School’s piano classes and the standard they can reach by practising one of the most complete musical instruments is endless. It could simply be for pleasure or, to go on to higher studies with a thoughts of a career and, at present, a number of students are preparing for Intermediate exams that will be sat at the Cuevas del Almanzora Conservatory.
Although all music and piano classes at the Municipal School officially begin at the start of the school year, anyone can join at any time.
No matter the level of skill or age, it is never too late to enter the world of music, which is known to improve the all round well-being and potential of both children and adults.
Mojácar celebrates its traditional Día de la Vieja.
Mojácar celebrates its traditional Día de la Vieja.
Mojácar recently enjoyed its age-old ‘Día de la Vieja’ party, which is always held after Carnival time, on the nearest Thursday to the midpoint of Lent.
It consists of a day full of food and drinks in the town’s countryside, all shared with family and friends, with the idea of bidding farewell to the winter and welcoming springtime.
Everyone´s picnic contains a ‘Vieja’ which resembles an old woman and, is a small doll with a cloth head that is stuffed with hidden sweeties then placed on a wooden cross. Following an ancient tradition after the meal, the children impatiently wait for the time when they are finally allowed to break their ‘Vieja’ and find all the goodies.
Traditionally, it is also the day to eat the "Hornazo" (an elongated, sweet, braided bread enclosing a hard-boiled egg), although the party day is generally characterized by the abundance of all kinds of sweet and savoury foods that change with the times and people’s tastes.
The day of “La Vieja” is the only fiesta that is not represented by a Saint, but by a pagan figure, although it still has some Christian roots and, the date of celebration is engrained into the Christian calendar. Whatever its origin, the truth is that it has been celebrated ‘since forever’ and it is a custom that keeps going, generation after generation and, a time to look forward to some excitement and fun, especially for the little ones.
It is believed that the figure of the ‘Vieja’ personifies Doña Cuaresma who battles with Don Carnal at Carnival time and this special day is seen as some well deserved fun in the period of religious devotion and sobriety.
The Al Mojácar photography projetc captures the spirit of the town´s residents.
The Al Mojácar photography projetc captures the spirit of the town´s residents.
The Al_Mojácar Fotografía project has been created by Mojácar photographer, Miguel García Campoy, with the aim of capturing images of the town’s residents to build up a pictorial memory catalogue for current and future generations.
To bring his idea to fruition, Miguel has asked residents that were born in Mojácar, as well as those who have chosen to live in the town, to collaborate by posing for an individual or group photograph at the Centro de Usos Multiples in the Pueblo. He will be there with his camera ready on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. or from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. or at other times by arrangement.
It is free to participate and those sitting can come dressed however they wish but in a way that is personal to them and, he is hoping to photograph as many Mojaqueros as possible to create a visual testimony of those living in the town that will be kept in the Town Hall as a time capsule.
For years, Miguel's camera has snapped Mojácar and its people and, his archives are full of the town’s fiestas as well as simple moments in which local characters are reflected by a greeting, a smile, or a gesture. These images depict some of the everyday life in Mojácar that can often go unnoticed, but which reveals a lot about the town and its people when contemplated in a photograph.
The project has the support of both Mojácar and Almería Provincial Councils and is part of the Alnomalía Contemporary Art Aid Biennial, which aims to promote development in the plastic arts.
The images will form an exhibition at the ‘La Fuente’ Art Centre in the Pueblo, which will be inaugurated on April 17th and will remain open until the April 29th.
Miguel García Campoy is an artist dedicated to photography and his unmistakable talent can be seen under the brand ‘Jarabe de Luz’ (which can be seen on Facebook along with his contact details). He has participated in numerous workshops held by some of the top photographers and collaborates regularly with the media in the province.
Baja Almanzora Rally closes with awards ceremony in Mojácar.
The finish of 14th Baja Almanzora Rally Race, an event which kicks off the Spanish TT Championship, was followed by the presentation of prizes in Mojácar.
The weekend’s excitement had turned up a few surprises, which included the favourites not gaining their anticipated first position, with top places going to the Pita & Herrero duo in their Ford Ranger, Delgado & Pujol in their Buggy and González & Hernández in the Car Category.
The closing function took place at Mojácar Servigroup Hotel Marina Playa, which had hosted the teams and their followers, as well as being the headquarters for race logistics and organization.
Presenting the prizes were; Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, the President of the Andalucían Federation of Motorsports, Manuel Alonso, President of the Andinas Racing Organizing Committee, Emilio Viudez, along with representatives from the Spanish Federation of Motorsports. Also helping in the task were Mojácar’s Councillors for both Tourism and Sports, Emmanuel Agüero and Ana García, as well as Garrucha’s Sports Councillor.
Earlier that day, the last race of the weekend took place with a 168 km route, with a single timed sector. The provisional leaders in the general classification were dealt a blow when their vehicle broke down. The Dakar team, Hinojo and his co-driver Saiz, then broke the suspension of their buggy, putting them out of the race close to the end. Also, the Macías & Conde pair suffered the same fate shortly after the first round, when they too had to withdraw due to transmission breakdown.
The next race in the series will be the 4th Mar de Olivos TT Rally in Jaén on May 18 and 19, but for now, the roar of these powerful engines has faded away in Mojácar. However, a brand new, 24-hour race has been announced for the town in December, keeping Mojácar on the national and international sports forum. Also, it importantly reinforces the efforts the Council and local businesses are making to bring visitors to the town out of season and add even more dates onto the already busy entertainment and events calendar.
Spanish Championship´s 14th Baja Almanzora Rally has official presentation in Mojácar.
Mojácar recently held an official presentation for this weekend’s 14th Baja Almanzora Rally that kicks off the Spanish Championship, running through Mojácar, Garrucha, Vera and Cuevas del Almanzora.
At the presentation representing Mojácar Council were the Mayor, Rosmari Cano, with Ana García and Emmanuel Agüero, her Councillors for Sports and Tourism, respectively. Also there from the organization team were; Antonio Segura, President of the Escudería Andina Racing, Emilio Viudez, Committee Chairman, Manuel Vidal, Race Organiser and, Ricardo Escudero, from Mojácar’s Servigroup hotel chain.
The Mayor expressed her delight that Mojácar had been chosen for starting point of this competition, which is of great importance to this particular sport, as well as to tourism in the area. It will be a chance for the many participants and its followers to spend some time in the town at a period before the busy tourist season begins, helping the fight against seasonality.
Antonio Segura then took the opportunity to thank Mojácar Council, as well as Servigroup for all their assistance with the accommodation and facilities that had been arranged for everyone involved. He also pointed out that the race is equal to the well-known Paris-Dakar competition, with many of the regular participants now eager to start testing their recent team improvements.
This Spanish Championship is made up of six events, this one being first in the region, with a competition route of 450 kms, involving the maximum number of 75 drivers who come from all over the world to be on the start line.
It is estimated that 500 members of the organization will attend, along with many spectators. An estimated one and a half million euros is expected to be added to the local economy on accommodation, meals, fuel and additional items that are typically required during an event involving such a large number of people.
Everyone present stressed the status of this upcoming event where the world’s best rally drivers can be seen in action and, they are hoping for crowds to turn out to enjoy the weekend. They do, however, also wish to remind anyone out walking or living in the race areas to pay particular attention to any warning signs, as the circuit can be potentially very dangerous due to the speeds involved.
Antonio Segura and Emmanuel Agüero also took the opportunity to give out some advance news in the presentation about a unique, brand new 24 hour all-terrain endurance test in Mojácar scheduled for December, similar to the Le Mans 24 hour race but for off road vehicles.
Further information about the timetables, circuits and the organisation can be found at www,campeonatott.es/2019 or Facebook campeonato de espana de rallyes todo terreno.
Jesús del Nero Wins 2019 La Mojaquera Xtreme
The 8th La Mojaquera/Sierra Cabrera Xtreme cycling race was held last weekend in Mojácar and, was the first round of Almería’s Provincial 2019 BTT Marathon Circuit, which is part of the overall Ranking Andaluz.
400 racers set off at 8 a.m. in a high early morning temperature of 14ºc to start the hardest and most demanding test of the mountain bike circuit. The winding ‘snake’ of multicoloured riders headed towards the challenging Sierra de Cabrera, which participants described as being a part of the circuit full of thrills and danger for those with nerve to enjoy it.
The Director of MojácarBike CCD Club, Gerardo Martínez Cabello, quoted their motto "there is no pain", but in truth the day demanded an extra effort as the temperatures rose to 25ºc by 2 p.m.
Jesús del Nero, from the Primaflor Mondraker Raci Club was first to cross the finish line after completing the 75 kms in 3 hours and 35 minutes, averaging 20 km per hour. Julieta Escudero, from Club AlboxBike, won the women's category, with a time of five hours and an average hourly speed of 15 km.
Despite the arduous nature of the route, the race passed without incident, although the refreshment points and the extra water supplies were welcomed with greater frequency by the cyclists, due to the extreme heat on the day.
Mojácar Council, who had organized the event together with MojácarBike Club, sent along their Sport’s Councillor, Ana García, who saw at first hand the efforts of the athletes whilst helping out at the refreshment stations. Just as in the previous races, all the participants expressed how pleased they were the day’s overall event as well as the new features that had been incorporated, with the La Mena coastal path being particularly praised for its spectacular beauty.
Mojácar opens Almería provincial circuit once again with La Mojaquera bike race.
On March 17th, Mojácar will kick off the Provincial Circuit 2019 season with the VIII MTB Sierra Cabrera Xtreme/La Mojaquera, an event which always pulls in the top national mountain bike riders.
It has become one of the, popular, classic races in the sport, as a test of high endurance which takes them through some fabulous scenery and countryside.
Race organizers, MojácarBike CCD, with the collaboration of the Mojácar Council have planned a number of new features and improvements this year, although it will still run along the slopes of Sierra Cabrera.
For the first time, it will start and the finish in Mojácar Pueblo and, the Plaza Rey Alabez will be where the 400 racers will gather at 8 a.m. for both the non-competitive "short circuit" of 43 Kms and the "long circuit" of just over 75 Kms. Another new feature is the inclusion on the route of Los Miradores track, to set a further challenge with its spectacular views alongside the Mediterranean.
There are 540 participants registered, but only the maximum number of 400 can take their place at the start, in compliance with race regulations. Riders will be coming in from all over Spain, with a large number from the Alicante area, which has a strong cycling tradition. Among them will be the 2014 Spanish Champion, Juan Pedro Trujillo, with his team, current La Mojaquera champion, Victor Manuel Fernández Grande, as well as a host of well known male and female stars from the cycling world such as Manuel Beltrán, Jesus of Nero and David Arroyo.
To ensure the whole thing runs smoothly, there will be over 100 volunteers, both Guardia Civil and Local Police, Civil Protection and medical teams. They will ensure the participants’ safety throughout the circuits as well as man refreshment and water supply points placed at strategic points along the route. Further route details and more information can be found at www.lamojaquera.com.
Mojácar´s Dames in Spain celebrate International Women´s Day.
Mojácar’s Dames in Spain Association recently celebrated International Women's Day with a lunch at the town’s Hotel Continental.
Mojácar’s Dames in Spain Association recently celebrated International Women's Day with a lunch at the town’s Hotel Continental.
President, Myra Holmes, began by thanking the Mayor, Rosmari Cano and Councillor María Luisa Pérez for joining the members on this special day, as well as speaking briefly about the role of women in society.
Dames in Spain was formed over thirty years ago and is made up of more than sixty women, mainly British, who live in and around Mojácar. Throughout the year, they organise a whole host of activities to raise funds for charities in the region such as the Red Cross, associations fighting Cancer and Alzheimer's and, other nongovernmental organisations including those protecting animals and nature.
Mojácar Council collaborates with Dames in Spain on their fund raising activities whenever possible and, they also have the support of local business people and individuals who help with their initiatives by donating goods that are later raffled or auctioned at events, just as the one that took place at the end of the meal on the day.
Last year, Dames in Spain made donations to MACS (the Association that assists cancer patients), the carer support group Stepping Stones and Equinac, another non-profit organization that protects and rescues marine fauna such as turtles and aquatic mammals.
Mojácar Council Organises Seville weekend
International Women's Day was the cue for Mojácar Council to organise a weekend trip to the Andalucían capital, Seville, from the 8th to the 10th March. 52 local residents quickly signed up to take part in the packed programme, which took in the most emblematic places of this magical city.
With a guide on hand, they toured the; Plaza de España, Parque María Luisa, Cathedral, Giralda, Torre del Oro, Archivo de Indias and Royal Tobacco Factory, as well as other ‘must see´ spots around the capital.
Also included, was a tour revealing the art of flamenco, its history and evolution. There is evidence of this when passing along the streets and squares of Seville, with visible traces of all the different cultures that have passed through Andalucía which have shaped flamenco as we know it today. This was rounded off with a visit to a live flamenco show, performed in its purist state in a typical Andalucían patio, with a chance for everyone afterwards to learn and practice a few dance steps for themselves.
It has become traditional over recent years to make these eagerly anticipated breaks, designed to celebrate International Women's Day with a chance for these Mojaqueras to take a break from their day to day routine and have a great time together on a well organised trip.
Accompanied by Councillors Ana García and María Luisa Pérez, who made sure they didn't miss out on any of the activities, the whole jaunt as always was a great all round experience for the whole group, which ranged in age from 16 to 83 years old.
The return journey was full of talk about their latest adventures as well as some time spent picking their 2020 destination, with Úbeda and Baeza coming out top choice for next year’s celebratory route.
Mojácar Hosts 2nd Schools’ ‘Intercentre’ Chess Tournament
Mojácar’s Rey Alabez Secondary School hosted, once again, the second ‘Intercentre’ Chess Tournament that brought schoolchildren from the region together for an intensive day of chess.
32 pupils from schools in Mojácar, Garrucha and Turre had gained places in the final, although next year they will be also have their counterparts from Vera and La Mojonera joining in to compete.
This year, a team of Garrucha players were victorious, after an exciting final with some players from the same town.
The tournament was organized by the ATAL School of Language Adaptation, in collaboration with the schools involved and, just as last year, the popularity of the event left many players in reserve. According to the organisers, Mojácar stands out from the others, with almost half of its pupils using their leisure time to advance their chess skills.
The high level of play shown by these youngsters was impressive, along with their enthusiasm and determined approach. The players from the different centres were matched in a draw for the competition, which saw an increased number of schools as well as players taking part. The real success of the day, however, was the integration of Spanish children with those from a range of different countries and, more than 25 nationalities had been keen to have a place in the final.
Ana Jiménez, an ATAL teacher in Mojácar, has dedicated her career to the integration and well-being of young people and, is the promoter of this initiative which forges together her love of chess and children. It has proved to be a very valuable tool in combining skills with intellectual and emotional development, which are particularly important to children arriving from other countries, who may arrive without friends or language abilities. Ana Jimenez is fully aware that for these youngsters "to make friends", having left behind their culture and some family can be so difficult. Yet, it is essential part of fully integrating into school and social day to day life.
Mojácar Council approves Medals and Distinctions for Local Police Force
Mojácar Council recently held an extraordinary plenary meeting, in which unanimous approval was given for a series of regulated awards and distinctions of merit to be bestowed on their Police Force.
The Local Police service offers a direct response to the people in the town with a round the clock public service. As an important armed unit, it has a broad and complex range of functions and, these awards are an institutional recognition of officers’ work as well as any exceptional or outstanding actions.
The range of honorary distinctions included those for Individual Public Recognition, as well as variety of Medals given for Merit, Distinguished Services, Long Service to Mojácar and one to the Force as a whole. All are to be granted following plenary session agreement and the proposal through the Mayor's Office, following a report by the Chief of Police with the approval of the Area Delegate Councillor for Citizen Security.
Other items on the day’s agenda included the approval of the previous year’s financial budget surplus implementation, to be used for financially sustainable investments, costing 1,414,633 Euros. The remainder will be allocated, in accordance with the Budgetary Stability and Financial Sustainability Law, to reduce the remaining debt.
The designated surplus will be used for a number of works, to schools as well as improvements to lighting, paving and tarmacking around the town. Two new Police vehicles will also be purchased, along with 8 modules for beach areas and, there will be the construction of a picnic area on the ‘Mena’ walking route.
Secretary of State for Tourism Awards five beaches in Mojácar
Mojácar Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, was recently given the pleasant task of receiving the Spanish Tourism Quality (‘SICTED’) award, created by the Secretary of State for Tourism, for five of the town’s beaches.
The beaches of Venta el Bancal, Ventanicas, Piedra Villazar, Descargador and Marina de la Torre were selected for this ‘Tourist Quality Commitment’ honour, which recognizes and accredits the work done in order to meet their rigorous set of requirements.
This prestigious acknowledgement, from the Secretary of State for Tourism, is in addition to the ‘Blue Flag’ awards that are granted annually by the European Foundation for Environmental Education, which fly on Mojácar’s beaches every summer.
This stamp confirms the efforts made over the years by the Tourism Department to present one of the town’s most important attractions at its optimum. It also gives credit to the economic and human investment put into Mojácar’s beaches, which have resulted in increased services, personnel and quality facilities.
These efforts are not, however, confined to the beach, but extend to all the services on offer in Mojácar, so this is not the first SICTED distinction received. The town´s Tourism Office has had the SICTED quality award every year since 2105 and was the first Tourism Office in Andalucía to have the Seal of Family Tourism, granted by the Spanish Federation for Families, along with the ‘Q’ certificate for Quality Tourism.
Mojácar Bowls Club wins their 5th Anniversary Tournament
Mojácar Bowls Club recently celebrated its anniversary with a day long tournament which saw them, as hosts of the event, competing with teams from Zurjena, Cabrera, Los Gallardos and Almería.
In front of a crowd of spectators, the 75 players competed in what turned out to be a very close competition, ending up with Mojácar and Cabrera (the 2018 champion) going head to head for first place. It all ended with an exciting tiebreaker, with Mojácar being declared event winners, gaining one of the highest positions achieved in the last eleven leagues.
Ana García and Emmanuel Agüero, Mojácar’s Councillors for Sports and Tourism respectively, were there to join in the anniversary celebrations, along with the Directors of the Servigroup Marina Mar and Marina Playa Hotels.
The Mojácar Bowls Club facilities were inaugurated in 2014 by Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano and, belong to the Hotel Servigroup Marina Playa. There is an outdoor artificial turf pitch of 25 square metres with six rinks for up to 48 players, complimented by a clubhouse, terrace bar, ball carts and markers, offices, toilets and refreshment machines.
Verna Bimpson is the president of Mojácar Bowls Club, which carries on the sport’s great tradition in the town, seeing its membership grow to around 70 bowlers currently.
In the sport of bowls is extremely popular in the United Kingdom, as well as Australia and New Zealand
Hundreds of locals and visitors celebrate Andalucía day in Mojácar.
Mojácar commemorated the Andalucían Community’s special day with a programme of activities held in different locations around the town, all organised by the local Council.
At noon on the dot, the Andalucían flag was raised by the Mayor, Rosmari Cano, who was joined by her team of Councillors. This traditional act took place in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, to the sound of the Andalucían anthem played by the Municipal Band. The crowd that gathered were then entertained with more music from the Band, which encouraged some spontaneous dancing to the pasodobles and other favourite melodies.
This was then followed by the release of 500 green and white biodegradable balloons in the Plaza Nueva, filling the sky with the colours of the regional flag.
The next eagerly anticipated event was at 2 p.m. with the Plaza del Parterre being the venue to sample the giant paella the Town Council provides free of charge to all the locals and visitors keen to join in with the February 28th party. More than 800 people gathered, on what was an exceptionally beautiful day, to share this outsize speciality and enjoy a merry, celebratory lunch.
The day came to close later in the afternoon at the Centro de Usos Múltiples, with performances by the various Municipal Schools of Dance and Music that once again displayed the great progress being made by these young Mojaqueros.
Mojácar´s youngsters lead the way for Carnival.
Mojácar´s youngsters lead the way for Carnival.
Mojácar´s Carnival 2019 has already kicked off, with the pupils from Bartolomé Flores School taking part in a fun parade along the town´s streets, from their classroom to the Plaza del Fronton.
Joined by some famous children’s TV figures, who handed out sweets and games, each class this year was dressed in a typical costume of a country of their own choice, with their teachers joining in the fun in their specially designed outfits. Highlighting the cultural diversity of the School, which has students from 26 different nationalities, the outfits included; Statues of Liberty, Mariachis, Musketeers, Cowboys and Arabs in a universal display of cultures.
This first day of the Carnival dedicated to the children will carry on with a costume competition on Friday, March 1st, at 6 pm at the Centro de Usos Múltiples, with entertainment, games and a disco to guarantee plenty of music to dance to. As usual, there will be a stream of presents, prizes and surprises in store for this future generation that is the pool of new followers that will ensure Mojácar Carnival’s success continues for everyone, whatever their age.
As small as the children are at the "Garabatos" nursery, they also held their very own Carnival which included some "little superheroes", princesses and a team of visiting TV characters.
On Saturday night, it´s time for the older ones to take over, with a Carnival dance at 11.00 pm at the Centro de Usos Múltiples, when all the groups in their innovative costumes start to arrive, followed later by the prize giving.
Finally, on Sunday, the action takes to the street once again, with the Grand Carnival Parade that sets off at 5.00 pm. from the Río Aguas roundabout. As well as all the local groups taking part in the contest, there will be many invited guest groups from Palomares, Villaricos, Vera and Garrucha. Cheered on by the people of the town as well as visitors, the parade will go along the Paseo Marítimo to the Parque Comercial where there will be a choreography contest to bring the party to a close for another year.
Mojácar schoolchildren celebrate Andalucía Day.
Mojácar’s Bartolomé Flores pupils had a chance to enjoy an early Andalucía Day celebration, with a party held during their morning break, which included a very typical regional breakfast.
Over 350 children joined in, dressed in characteristic Andalucían attire, complimented by neckerchiefs, hats, caps and flowers, bringing their playground alive with colour
The School, along with the local Council, laid on a “desayuno andaluz” made up of bread with natural tomato and olive oil. The town´s Catering College was charged with preparing 30 kilos of tomatoes and the parents lent a hand by cutting and toasting 450 breadsticks to serve with tomato and virgen oil to all the tables they had helped set up around the playground.
Raquel Belmonte, Mojácar’s Culture Councillor was there also to assist the parents and staff in this traditional annual event. She added that that it is such a wonderful way to celebrate this special day, by encouraging the youngsters to keep up their folkloric traditions, of which gastronomy using the area’s produce is an essential part.
Typical Andalucían food and the Mediterranean diet in general is not only healthy, it is also one more aspect of the Andalucía’s regional culture that is so important to instil into the young ones.
Andalucía Day is usually marked in Mojácar’s educational centres on the day prior to February 28, but this year, with other activities such as Carnival taking place it was held a little earlier.
The town’s nursery, “Garabatos” was not left out though and, the town’s little ones also held their own celebration, where, age permitting, they tucked in to a good traditional breakfast with their staff and teachers.
Mojácar receives "Top destination" award at Fitur.
On the first day of the FITUR International Tourism Fair at Madrid, the Mojácar desk found itself extremely busy with the massive amount of people who came to see them on the Almería stand, all keen to look at the publicity and information that had been put together for this important tourism event.
Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, Mojácar’s Tourism Councillor, along with the Tourism Office staff and some of the town’s business people are at the Fair to meet the public and tour operators, with a tight schedule to keep to until the event closes on Sunday 27th January.
As part of the opening day, Mojácar was honoured to receive the “Destino Más Top” award, organized by Cadena TV, which puts out 76 channels throughout Spain. It was handed to the Tourism Councillor, who was especially appreciative and honoured to collect this award, as it is given to the best destination as voted by the viewers.
There will also be the presentation of the SICTED tourist quality award, which is granted by the Secretary of State for Tourism. For Mojácar, it is another renewal, as they achieved this standard some years ago, but are always revalidated successively.
The Mojácar team have taken an immense amount of material to FITUR to hand out to the public and the tourism companies. These include updated brochures along with maps and guides of the town with information on the unmissable spots to visit. They are also armed with copies of their "Mojácar Viva" and "Mojácar Unforgettable Memories" publicity, as well as the gift memorabilia people love to pick up such as Indalos, pens, diaries and notebooks.
Located on the stand of Almería's Provincial Tourism Service, Mojácar experiences an increased show of interest every year. There is no doubt that besides being officially one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, it is also now one of the best known.
The experienced staff team at the Municipal Tourist Office have the task of creating all the promotional materials about Mojácar, which guarantees a complete package of detailed information on everything that is on offer for visitors to the town.
Mojácar takes part in Belgium´s International Cycling Fair
Mojácar’s Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, recently attended the 2019 Velofollies International Cycling Fair, held from January 18th to 20th in the Belgian town of Kortrijk.
Velofollies is the most important cycling fair in Europe, covering the largest and most varied selection of cycling products and offers on the market. At the show there’s always the chance to view and test mountain, urban, racing and electric bikes, complemented by a whole range of accessories and clothing. Visitors have the opportunity to receive advice from the professionals on hand, as well as find out about excursions, trips and sporting events for amateurs as well as professionals.
Emmanuel met with a number of different tour operators specializing in sports travel at the Fair who are interested in Mojácar as a destination and, took advantage of his stay to promote the ‘Gran Fondo Costa de Almería’ event, for which the town has become a reference point in the cycling world.
For the 2019 race, which is the second year for this international gathering, Mojácar Council will again collaborate with the Servigroup Hotel Marina Playa, Kortweg Cycling Travel, Almería Provincial Council and the Velofutur logistics company. It will take place on May 4th, with cyclists coming from all over Europe, mainly from Belgium, Holland and the U.K. as well as numerous Spanish racers, who will face the long and medium distance of 185 km and 125 km respectively.
Consolidating and increasing this type of sports tourism and off season activities, by bringing a greater influx of visitors to the area to break seasonality, has been the key objective that Emmanuel carried through to this prestigious Fair.
In recent years, the presence of cyclists on Mojácar’s roads during the winter months has become a daily sight. This is seen as very important to a wide range of possibilities that are increasingly taking shape, thanks according to the Tourism Councillor, the joint work of his Council and all those involved in the local tourism sector.
The British Consul and Mojácar´s Mayor hold meeting with British Residents
Charmaine Arbouin, Andalucía’s British Consul, held a meeting in Mojácar for the town’s British residents, with the aim of addressing and clarifying concerns in relation to their legal situation when (and if) the United Kingdom exits the European Union.
She was accompanied by Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, Lucas Mayo, the Councillor charged with assisting Foreigners and Richard Hill, representing the Brexpats in Spain Association.
The Mayor stressed the importance of the decisions and agreements that are being negotiated between the UK and the European Union, as well as any bilateral agreements with Spain, as they affect all residents of Mojácar in some way, regardless of nationality. She stated that Mojácar’s non-Spanish residents represent almost half of the town’s census and, the British population makes up 80% of that figure.
Charmaine Arbouin went on to emphasize the need for those living in Spain to legalize their situation and be properly registered in their municipalities, regardless of the final outcome of their government’s ongoing political negotiations.
Those present voiced their concerns about the consequences of Brexit and the overhanging uncertainty people have over the legal situation they could find themselves in, living outside their own country.
In his capacity as Councillor, Lucas Mayo is in regular contact with Mojácar's British residents and has noted that the most frequent issues raised are focused on health care, pensions, free movement between both countries and, the periods of time they could legally reside in their homes in Spain.
To divide the queries, three consultation tables were set up at the meeting to allow those attending to ask questions of a fiscal nature, health and residence procedures, each with a Consulate specialist on hand.
Without knowing a definitive position from the British Government or its consequences, many British residents continue to be concerned about how Brexit will affect their daily life in Spain, as well as their participation where they live or work in municipal decisions and voting.
Watercolours on show at Mojácar´s "La Fuente" Art Gallery
The Almería ‘Asociación de Acuarelistas’ are currently exhibiting a selection of their watercolours throughout January at Mojácar’s La Fuente Art Gallery, with more than 32 works by ten of the group’s artists on show.
The painting technique of watercolour is the star, a style which is difficult, yet at the same time versatile and, one which offers the painter a great deal of expression.
Picturesque places around Almería and Mojácar, still life and portraits all take their place, with the light and the province’s unique atmosphere emphasised by these talented water-colourists.Teresa Nájera, one of the Association’s painter members, has returned to the town to exhibit, after having made a very successful solo show in this same hall in December. Teresa divides her time and painting between her native Logroño and Mojácar and, her decorative training has led to her now dedicating herself completely to this great art passion.
Although skilled in all techniques, watercolour is her preferred medium, working alongside great world class artists such as Álvaro Castagnet and Manuel Jiménez, amongst others.
The Almería ‘Asociación de Acuarelistas’ is a cultural, non-profit making group which was founded on March 28th. 2008, with the main aim of promoting and exhibiting watercolour painting, especially within this region.
The group organise numerous projects throughout the year including exhibitions, courses, illustration of publications, painting awards and many other initiatives that make it one of the most active associations in the province. They have a strong membership, which include the renowned Almerían painter, Julio Visconti, who is an honorary member and ‘alma mater’ of the group.
Mojácar’s Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, was at the exhibition’s inauguration and was delighted with the high level of artists and their work on display. The show at the Centro de Arte ‘La Fuente’ has free entrance and is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout January.
"Los Monólogos" return to Mojácar for Christmas.
As part of the festive programme organized by Mojácar Council, the well-known humorists Alvarito, Pepe Céspedes, Kikín Fernández, Marco and Paco Calavera "returned for Christmas", providing an evening full of fun to an audience of over 260 people.
With their hilarious wit, these artists include everyone and anything in their monologues that make up this special show put together by Kuver Producciones.
Paco Calavera, from Almería, is a comedian, actor, scriptwriter and director, presenting humour that is surreal, rowdy, politically incorrect and forceful. He was a leading light in Paramount Comedy, a star of the last season of the series "Museo Coconut" on the NEOX channel and has appeared several times on Canal Plus’s "Ilustres Ignorantes."
Pepe Céspedes is another comedian and actor from Almería and a principal monologist of Paramount Comedy, who is the most in demand on the national scene. Along with Paco Calavera, Kikín Fernández, Nadia Torrijos and Alvarito he has starred in theatrical shows such as "Aquí Sufriendo", "Veranico Azul" or "Los vigilantes de la Plancha".
The show’s success in Mojácar added the finishing touch to the Christmas programme for the adults, in anticipation of the Three Kings procession and the delivery of gifts by their Majesties to all the children in the town. To bring the events to a close on Sunday, January 6, the Mass of Kings was held at the Santa María Church, complemented by singing from Mojácar’s "Embrujo Mojaquero" choir.
Levante Firefighters visit the children in Huercal Overa Hospital
As every year, a team from the Almería Levante Fire Consortium paid a visit to Huercal-Overa’s Inmaculada Hospital to visit the children who have been admitted over Christmas, a time which means so much to young ones.
During their visit, they handed out gifts, games, as well as kind words, giving the children a fun morning which put a smile on their faces.
Dressed in uniform, surprising the little ones, the children took delight in seeing the team up close and being able to ask lots of questions about their work. The visit to the rooms and wards gave everyone a chance to temporarily forget about their worries, whilst spending some time being entertained along with their families and visitors.
Afterwards, the firefighters thanked the Huercal-Overa health staff for all their help and collaboration to make their visit to the young people possible, who had all been admitted at this particularly difficult time for any child .
The initiative highlighted the firefighters’ commitment to solidarity and help, in addition to the extremely important work that they carry out throughout the year. The Levante Almeriense Consortium also work constantly with different non-governmental and charitable associations in the area, with the aim of to maintaining a close relationship with the people of the region.
The recent addition of new members reinforces the Fire Department to enable them to better carry out the immense task they are charged with, in order to protect everyone’s welfare and safety.
The Three Kings visit Mojácar to hand out gifts to all the Town´s children
Their Majesties, the Magi, once again kept their promise to stop by Mojácar from the East to give gifts to all the local children.
After an official welcome from Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano and her Government Team, the Kings travelled on their carriage from the Plaza Nueva to the Centro de Usos Múltiples, where they handed out the first delivery of toys to Mojácar’s children, with high hopes of more to arrive later at home.
The three wise men were accompanied by a collection of famous characters, as as well as elves, pages and some life size Christmas decorations that had burst into life for the occasion.
All shared the important task of handing out 500 Kilos of sweets, 250 toy animals, 100 small gifts, confetti, streamers and balloons whilst greeting the crowd of children and adults, all gathered on this very special day full of hopes, smiles and happiness, especially for the little ones.
Once at their destination, they distributed gifts to around 700 children born and registered in Mojácar between 2007 and 2018, presents especially chosen by their Majesties to suit each child.
The Magi called out the children, one by one in alphabetical order, starting with the youngest ones. No child, however, left without a gift, as Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar always ask at the end if there is anyone that has not been named, so they could also receive a present.With so many toys to hand out, their Majesties relied on the added help of the Mayor and her Councillors, who wanted to ensure that the Magi of the East would not run out of time to later get around all the homes in the town.
Mojácar rings in the New Year with a traditional multicultural Fiesta
Mojácar bade farewell to 2018 and welcomed in the New Year at the Plaza del Frontón with the customary twelve grapes, an event attended by a large crowd of townspeople who gather every year in the Old Town.
This year, over 500 people quickly ate their traditional good luck grapes, taken one at a time to the midnight bells of the Santa María Church, with the wish to fill all homes with happiness in 2019.
Mojácar Council’s Festivities Department organized the party for this special occasion, as it does every year, with complimentary grapes and cava for everyone handed out by the Mayor, Rosmari Cano and her Government team. With family, friends and colleagues, she joined in with the swallowing of the grapes, as she always does, to welcome in the New Year with the people of the town.
Every December 31st sees a greater attendance, swelled by the many townsfolk of other nationalities and, although mainly British, French and German, there were Mojácar residents also representing many other countries.
This unique Spanish tradition of eating twelve grapes as the clock chimes at midnight is an immensely popular and almost unmissable event that is enjoyed on the magical night of San Silvestre. The fireworks, set off from the Church’s bell tower, lit up the Mojácar sky with colour to the sound in the square of the residents toasting the occasion and wishing each other all the best for 2019, a year that by then had already begun its journey.
Mojácar council aproves 2019 budget.
Mojácar Council recently approved its municipal budget of just over 11 Million Euros which is around 75,000 Euros less than the previous year.
Mojácar Council recently approved its municipal budget of just over 11 Million Euros which is around 75,000 Euros less than the previous year.
Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, pointed out that the balance between expenditure and income expected for 2019 has has been set out with attention to the needs of the town and the requests made throughout the year to the municipal offices as well as to her personally.
She described the budget as realistic, with the income from 2018 taken into account in order to prepare the new statement of expenditure. The Mayor also reported that the Council has a healthy financial position and of the loans from the banks in 2009 and 2012, which together amounted to more than 4 Million Euros, they currently owe just over one Million Euros. It is also anticipated that by March 2019, this amount will be reduced even more. Financial expenses in the budget for 2019 have been reduced by 41% compared to last year, which has been possible thanks to the debt reduction and correspondingly less interest to pay.
With regard to expenses, the largest item relates to staff, with a cost of over four and a half Million, which has increased due to revised salaries and new job positions in the Local Police. 53% of the revenue relates to urban IBI and the tax on the increase in the value of urban land represents almost 10% of the budget, with the vehicle tax 4.08%.
Investments account for almost 2 Million Euros, with 44 planned areas of work, including the renovation and installation public lighting, asphalting and road repairs, metal and steel items and, the improvement of the roads are all included on the list of most important projects. Upgrading services on the beach and parks as well as the continuity of the Mojácar la Vieja archaeological works, among others, are also envisaged.
Many of these investments are of a yearly nature and financed entirely with the town’s own resources and any other works carried out in the year to come will be financed through grants, without cost to the municipality.
The Senior Citizens’ Residence is one of the most important investments due to its great need and the Mayor reiterated the fact that 25% of Mojácar’s population is over 65 years old with a large number of those being between 80 and 100 years old and without any family help. For the building of the Residence, which is already underway, it is planned that in 2019 an amount of over one Million Euros will be contributed.
Finally, according to the auditors report included in the first item on the agenda, the estimates presented comply with budgetary stability in their implementation.
Mojácar´s Musicl School students perform a special Christmas Concert.
The students of Mojácar’s Music School recently gave a Christmas concert as part of the town’s programme of festive events.
The guitar group, along with the preliminary students, School choir and the ‘mini’ Municipal Band, performed a selection of pieces they have been studying, not forgetting to include the popular songs and Christmas carols that the public always love to hear. Also, some of the students’ parents played for the first time along with their children, having joined them on their musical learning adventure.
Mojácar´s Music School was founded 25 years ago with only 20 students and, currently has almost 200 students and Band members aged between 3 and 70 years old, although countless more have passed through its classrooms since it all began. There are four teachers at the School, offering classes at elementary and intermediate level for any instrument, be it string, wind or percussion, as well as preparation for the entrance exam to Almería's Conservatory of Music. Most members of the Municipal Music Band have trained at Mojácar’s School, which also runs a range of dance classes.
Raquel Belmonte, Mojácar’s Councillor for Young people, attended the traditional Christmas concert with the Education Councillor, Ana Garcia and, expressed her delighted at the students’ progress adding "the School and its teachers, are prepared for every type of students at all levels." There are specific study plans starting with beginners classes for those of three to five years old. At six, the children can select their chosen instrument, leading to preparatory classes at age seven when they can select from a variety of subjects to study.
Anyone who is interested in learning, whatever their age, has the opportunity to attend Mojácar’s Municipal Music School and easily access the wonderful world of music in a fun and entertaining way.
Mojácar schoolchildren run "kilometres of solidarity" in aid of Save the Children.
Christmas, as everyone knows, is a time of magic and dreams, particularly for children. The presents, holidays, games and getting together with the family, with the hope of catching a glimpse of Santa Claus or the Three Kings make it all extra special for them.
However, not all children have the same luck at Christmas, as well as at other times of the year. So, with this in mind and in an age when the need to support others is much more present in our lives, the schoolchildren at Mojácar’s Bartolomé Flores School joined the "Kilometres of Solidarity" project set up by Save the Children.
360 children volunteered to take part in this mini marathon through the town’s streets, a race which had no winners or losers, all of them contributing one euro to this charity that works so hard for children’s rights.
Save the Children suggested the project to the AMPA Parents’ Association and the School Management, an idea immediately taken on by them, as well as the enthusiastic youngsters who were keen to collaborate and join this initiative to help less fortunate children.
AMPA, along with Save the Children organised the event which is part of the “Escuela, Espacio de Paz” Project developed jointly by the Parents’ Association, Bartolomé Flores School and Mojácar Council.
AMPA members handed out of bibs and information leaflets, taking on the role as "volunteer staff" to make sure that everything went off smoothly, as well as contributing to the donations collected by the young athletes to make it even more "supportive."
Routes and schedules were designed according to the ages of the junior runners who ranged from 3 to 12 years old, who were more than ready afterwards for a well-deserved rest with refreshments in the school courtyard, courtesy of AMPA and the Council.
"Kilometres of Solidarity" is more than just a race, as it is an educational Project showing commitment, in this case from Mojácar’s youngest citizens and the local educational community, to achieve a more just world, especially for its little ones.
Alumnos de la escuela municipal de música ofrecen una audición especial de Navidad.
La Escuela Municipal de Música de Mojácar y dentro del programa navideño de 2019, ofreció un concierto de Navidad en el que participaron todos los alumnos.
El grupo de guitarra, los alumnos de iniciación, el coro de la escuela y la mini Banda Municipal de Música, entre otros, ofrecieron a los asistentes una selección de piezas musicales con las que están trabajando en su aprendizaje musical. Tampoco faltaron villancicos y temas populares que siempre son muy aplaudidos por el público.
Es de destacar, este año, la presencia de algunos padres de los alumnos que han interpretado, por primera vez, algunas piezas musicales junto a sus hijos. Padres que también se han sumado a la aventura de la música en esta Escuela Municipal.
La Escuela Municipal de Música de Mojacar, en funcionamiento desde hace más de 25 años, con tan sólo 20 alumnos, Hoy cuenta con mas de doscientos , entre los estudiantes de la escuela y los componentes de la Banda Municipal, con edades comprendidas entre los 3 y los 70 años de edad, aunque por sus aulas ya han pasado innumerables estudiantes.
Dispone de cuatro profesores encargados de las enseñanzas, tanto de las clases de música en su grado elemental y medio, como de la preparación a las pruebas de acceso al Conservatorio de Música de Almería o la práctica de cualquier instrumento, ya sea de cuerda, viento o percusión. La mayoría de los integrantes de la Banda Municipal de Música se han formado en esta escuela que también dispone de clases de danza.
Raquel Belmonte, Concejal de Infancia y Juventud del Ayuntamiento de Mojácar, quien asistió a esta ya tradicional audición navideña acompañada de Ana García, Concejal de Educación, mostró su satisfacción por los progresos de los alumnos y de la Escuela Municipal de Música: “la Escuela y el profesorado, están preparados para todo tipo de alumnos y de nivel”.
Hay unas pautas estudiadas y preparadas para cada ciclo. Desde los tres años hasta los cinco, se puede asistir a clases de iniciación a la música y movimiento. A partir de los seis, se realiza una iniciación al instrumento elegido, pasando, a partir de los siete años, al preparatorio y de ahí, al resto de las materias que quieran elegir.
Es importante resaltar que cualquier persona interesada, sea de la edad que sea, tiene la oportunidad de participar en la Escuela Municipal de Música de Mojácar y tener acceso al mundo de la música, sin esfuerzo y de una forma divertida y amena.
Mojácar holds tasting of homemade Christmas treats
For the fourth year running, Mojácar Council held its tasting of homemade sweets and treats, which has become an integral part of their Christmas programme of events.
Good gastronomy plays a very relevant role in both a person’s well-being and leisure and, over the Christmas holidays, kitchens take centre stage and become the focus of life when family and friends gather and indulge in some of their favourite old-fashioned recipes.
Its a time when diets are thrown out of the window and we all give ourselves free rein to have whatever we fancy, with sweets playing a big part in the irresistible food temptations that represent Christmas.
The menus on offer vary from home to home, often following particular family traditions, but the common thread that runs through them all and the parties is the selection of sweet treats that are often only eaten at this special time of year.
So as to not lose these food flavours that have been enjoyed for generations, Mojácar Council took the initiative four years ago, to ask the townspeople to get to work in their kitchens and show off their skills, so that everyone could enjoy these sweets made in the traditional way, which everyone knows are way superior to those that are mass produced.
This annual event, held at the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples, has been steadily growing in popularity in the number of eager confectioners taking part as well as the locals who cannot wait to enjoy the 200 kilos of sweet treats made by over 20 local cooks.
Accompanied by 120 litres of hot chocolate and some homemade almond cordials, the typical specialities of the area included; mantecados, anise roscos, tortas, turrones, bombones, tartas, brownies and bizcochos along with a selection of those from other traditions, all perfect for those with a very sweet tooth.
Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, was there with her fellow councillors to join in this now traditional tasting which helps preserve local customs. The Councillor for Culture and Festivities, Raquel Belmonte, expressed her delight at how popular the initiative has become, which this year saw over three hundred people thoroughly enjoying the sugary delights that had been prepared for them, especially with a cup of warming hot chocolate.
Carol singalong in the sun with Mojácar´s Anglican Church.
On Saturday 15th December, 27 members of Mojácar's Anglican Church led a morning Christmas Carol singalong at the town’s Parque Comercial shopping centre.
The beautiful warm, sunny weather drew in a large crowd for the event, with all seats and tables taken in the packed square. The members handed out song sheets for everyone to join in the fun and the singing went on for nearly an hour, with time for some special requests from the audience, including ‘Silent Night’ ‘Good King Wenceslas’ and ‘We Three Kings' before rounding off with the very festive 'We wish you a Merry Christmas' and 'Jingle Bells'.
The Vicar, Vincent Oram was there in full voice along with Church wardens, Pam Carter and Janet Smith. The collection raised over 130 Euros for their four 'Church Missions' projects which include; DEBRA in Spain, for children suffering from skin diseases, Heshima in Tanzania, which provides Textile training for local Maasai ladies, Syrian Families in Need and Study Buddies in Thailand, which offers education to children.
Mojácar Council put together a packed Programme for Christmas.
Mojácar’s Christmas Programme is already in full flow with events and activities that have been organized by the Council’s Celebrations Department, along with many local companies.
The Christmas lights dotted around the town are already shining brightly, using over 4,000 LED bulbs (renewed recently for energy efficiency), with 300 images placed on the street-lights.
11 roundabouts have been decorated and, there are 10 welcoming arches lit up on the approach to the Pueblo. Everyone should see the Christmas trees at the Plaza de la Fuente, as well as at the Plaza del Fronton, which is where the traditional nativity scene is on display. Along with the 8 metre fir tree at the Parque Commercial, with its decorations representing all the countries that celebrate Christmas, Santa Claus should easily find his way to Mojácar when he is ready to deliver his gifts.
One of the things especially for the children will be at the Centro de Usos Múltiples on Thursday, December 13th at 6 p.m. when the Royal Mailbox will be set up to collect the letters written to Their Majesties from the East, along with Christmas decoration workshops and other fun activities for the youngsters.
On Friday the 21st, children from the Bartolomé Flores School will take part in a carol concert at 10 a.m. at the Sports Pavilion and on Saturday 22nd, at 9 p.m. the Municipal Music Band will be performing a Christmas concert featuring famous music from the cinema at the Centro de Usos Múltiples. On Wednesday 26th, a film for young ones “Se armó el belén” will be screened at 6 p.m. at the same venue.
A Christmas full of music, dance, carols and games are spread throughout the school holidays and no one has to remind the children that Their Majesties the Magi, will travel from the East to Mojácar to distribute gifts to all the children in the town.
For the adults, the weekend begins with a carol concert led by the Anglican Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday 15th at the Parque Commercial, followed on the night by the play “Un cadáver a los postres”, performed by the theatre group Aquelarre.
No-one, whatever their age, wants to miss the eagerly anticipated sampling of Christmas cakes and sweets with hot chocolate at the Centro de Usos Múltiples at 7 p.m. on the following day, with the tasting rounded off by a Christmas concert featuring Mojácar’s dance schools and choirs.
There are so many things to do and see, including theatre, concerts, movies and monologues, in addition to the traditional Midnight Mass and good luck grapes that are quickly swallowed to the sound of the midnight bells of the Santa María Church. There really is a multitude of reasons why you should stay in, or come to Mojácar!
Professional Cycling Team, Novo Nordisk, train in Mojácar
The sight of cycling teams training on Mojácar’s roads and pedalling along the Paseo Marítimo is almost an everyday occurrence for everyone driving or walking around the town. With Winter, the beach umbrellas and swimsuits give way to these groups in their multicoloured kits, at a time of year when the traffic is much lighter.
It has been the turn of the professional cycling team, Novo Nordisk, to not only brighten up the place, but bring a new element to the sport as they are the first world team of athletes with type 1 diabetes and are true advocates for the fight against this illness.
Novo Nordisk was founded in the United States by the pharmaceutical company of the same name, although its 16 elite racers include around 12 different nationalities, enjoying success at the most prestigious international events and regularly stepping up onto the podium.
The team was created with the mission to inspire, educate and give a driving force to those affected by showing that diabetes does not crush talent or the desire to do what you want to do as well as competing at the highest level.
This year, Mojácar has been chosen as the place for all the cyclists to assemble for their first training of the 2019 season. David Lozano, a professional rider, has been part of the team since it was set up in 2013 and has a long record of both personal and Novo Nordisk victories.
David has spent a week in Mojácar with the team, checking out equipment and getting the team ready. He has been amazed by Mojácar and hopes to be able to repeat the experience in the future, but for the time being, competitions begin in February and go on until October with a total of 85 races taking place around the world.
First will be the Rwanda Tour, where David was champion earlier this year. For him, his illness only means an extra level of control above that made by any athlete. He admits to it taking a "slightly harder" effort, but is keen to stress on the other hand, the effect sports have in dramatically improving diabetes.
Both racers and the Novo Nordisk staff have been staying at the town’s Servigroup Hotel Marina Playa which has all the specialized facilities to meet the demands of professional cycling teams as well as other high-level sportsmen and women that visit during the cooler months.
The writer Gabriel Muleiro presents his work at Mojácar´s public library.
The writer Gabriel Muleiro presents his work at Mojácar´s public library.
Mojácar Council and the Valparaíso Foundation are continuing with their mission to bring artists from all over the world for a two week stay in the town’s Foundation facilities, where they have the chance to carry out their own projects and show their art and talents to local residents.
The last recipients for 2018 staying before the Christmas break included the writer, Janne Hejgaard and visual artist, Birgitte Thorlacius, both of Danish origin. Also in the residential group was the writer and analyst Gabriel Alberto Muleiro, who gave a hint of his wide background in journalism and writing by reading a sampling of his works at Mojácar Library.
Spanish, but born in Mexico, Gabriel grew up under the influence of a Galician grandfather who, in a different accent, told tales and described other landscapes to him, that were so unlike the world he knew. He describes himself as a "third generation of Galicians who have lived outside Spain" as he feels the complexity of life between the two cultures.
His readings at the Library, some examples written "between the Valparaíso Foundation’s infinite windows", reflected on the incongruity of the human being and his efforts to conquer the universe when he is not able to control the earth. Gabriel went on to say “the more you advance as a species, the more you seek knowledge and progress, the more you forget man.”
Gabriel Alberto Muleiro received the prestigious 2017 Foreign Excellence Scholarship offered by the General Secretary of Emigration, which the Galician Government awards to their university students who have completed an outstanding body of work in their Master's studies.
He is also the General Director of Belerofonte magazine, President of the Association of Itinerant Minds and a collaborator on Galician printed and digital newspapers, as well as being the recipient of top journalistic awards in Mexico.
New members are welcomed into The East Almerían Fire Service Consortium
26 new members of the East Almerían Firefighting Consortium were recently inaugurated at Mojácar’s Centro de Usos Múltiples, which saw them officially becoming a part of the 16 forces that made up the Service.
The formal ceremony was attended by Mojácar’s Mayor and Consortium President, Rosmari Cano, Almería’s Provincial Council Vice President, Javier Aureliano García, as well as other Mayors, Councillors from all over East Almería and, the head of Turre Fire Station, Francisco Flores.
Rosmari Cano welcomed those present and gave her congratulations to the new members, whilst also thanking their fellow workers for the eleven years of the integrated Fire Brigade Service to which they all belong. She gave her acknowledgement to the commitment and dedication implicit in their work, with words of thanks as well to the families for their understanding and support. She went on to express gratitude to Almería’s Provincial Government for their efforts to provide the finances to support, maintain and improve the Service in 48 municipalities in the province.
The Provincial Vice President spoke about his Government’s initiative, being the only one in Andalucía to provide this free service to all municipalities with less than 20,000 inhabitants. In the last seven years, they have also created new stations and invested more than twenty million Euros in the Service across the province, with imminent plans to create a further 16 posts.
The 26 new firefighters that have been incorporated into the Consortium have had to pass stringent admission tests as well as undergo training practice for three months at the Public Safety School and the Turre Fire Station. They will join the Service at Turre and will soon also be part of the new Huercal-Overa Fire Station that will open its doors in the Spring.
Mojácar´s “Aquelarre” Theatre Group close season.
Mojácar’s own acting group, "Aquelarre", has been charged with closing this year’s month-long theatre season, which has been organized by Mojácar Council and Almería's Provincial Council with the aim of bringing this art form to towns across the region.
"Aquelarre" have chosen a play by the writer Neil Simón, “Un cadáver a Los Postres” to premiere to its Mojácar audience, bringing the highly anticipated series of theatrical events to a perfect end. The plot of the play is set over a dinner, where the world’s best detectives are invited and then told that a murder will take place when the desserts are served.
The "Aquelarre" group follows Mojácar’s theatrical tradition which goes back many years ago to a time when the town had the first theatre in Almería province. It is currently made up of 60 amateur actors and, is a full-fledged company with set and costume designers, make-up artists, lighting specialists and so on, all people from Mojácar working under the direction of Joaquín Sáez and Eliseo Martínez.
Despite having been formed a short time ago, the group have already performed six different plays throughout the province, including "Indalo", an original work by one of the directors, Joaquín Sáez.
A non-profit organisation, all box office proceeds are ploughed into the purchase of necessary items for the running of the group , although they do have additional support and collaboration from Mojácar Council. Their performance on December 15th is part of Mojácar’s Christmas programme, but they also have a wide agenda of projects in mind, including a new play and short film, “El Cuadro”.
They also hang onto a dream which is an important part of their motivation and driving force and, that is to reopen the doors of a theatre in Mojácar and replicate the old, much loved Mojaquero theatre "Aquelarre", built almost a century ago and whose name this new theatrical grouping have adopted.
Thankfully, photographs of the old theatre and shows still exist, revealing a love of drama full of nostalgic memories. So many townspeople acted or helped in different ways with the sets, costumes and preparations as almost everyone wanted to join in at a time when there was little entertainment offered in the smaller municipalities.
Mojácar´s Catholic and Anglican Churches join together for the Nine Lessons and Christmas Carols.
Both Mojácar’s Catholic and Anglican Churches recently held their traditional Festival of the Nine Lessons, as one of the first of many events planned for the Christmas period.
The annual joint event between faiths brings together the communities, which includes the readings from Genesis in Spanish and English, along with traditional carols from both cultures with the participation of Mojácar’s Escálamo and Rociero Embrujo Mojaquero Choirs.
The celebration was officiated by the Catholic Priest of the Santa María Parish Church, Miguel José Esteban Jerez, along with Reverend Vincent Oram from the San Pascual Anglican Church.
Also present at the service were; Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, María Luisa Pérez, Councillor to the Mayor's Office, Raquel Belmonte, Councillor for Culture and Ana García, Councillor for Education.The old Anglican Advent tradition of The Nine Lessons and Christmas Carols dates way back to 1880, when Edward White Benson, Archbishop of Canterbury, created the pre-Christmas event in Cornwall which then went on to be a popular event throughout the world. The Nine Lessons begin with Genesis and end with the Gospel of Luke, following the story of man’s fall, the promise of a new covenant and the coming of a Messiah culminating in the birth of Jesus Christ.
Today, the readings of the Nine Lessons, interspersed with traditional carols and choral music, have become an Advent tradition in services around the world, just as it is in Mojácar. At the end of the event, both priests closed their readings with the prologue of Saint John, delivered in Spanish and English.
As every year, Mojácar’s Santa María Church drew a large multinational congregation of Catholics and Anglicans, all coming together to celebrate this festive time and the lead up to some of the most meaningful days of the year.
Dames in Spain hold their Traditional Christmas Fair and Carol Concert
Mojácar got its Christmas calendar officially underway with the annual Dames in Spain Christmas Fair and Carol Concert held at the town’s Centro de Usos Multiples. It is a very traditional event that brings the local international community together, with a morning filled with the most popular carols and seasonal stories that can be heard all over the United Kingdom at this time of year.
It also provides the perfect setting to hold a charity fair, including a raffle where the prizes are gifts given generously by local establishments, with greater numbers collaborating with their support each year.
Mojácar’s Town Band, opened up the event with a selection of old and new typical Spanish carols. Carol Threlfall, speaking on behalf of The Dames in Spain, thanked everyone for coming along to support what is, one of their biggest fund raising events of the year to help various charities.
This year, donations were given to MACS, the Association that helps cancer patients and families, the carers’ support group, Stepping Stones and Equinac, another non-profit organisation that attends to marine creatures, mainly turtles, whales and dolphins.
The Dames President also thanked Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmarí Cano and María Luisa Pérez, the Councillor assigned to the Mayor's Office, who also helped out with translations when the donations were presented.
Mojácar Council works together with Mojácar’s Dames in Spain on many of the charitable activities they are involved in, which highlights the efforts made by the members from all institutions to collaborate and work together for the welfare of the area.
There are more than sixty, mostly British, women in Mojácar’s Dames in Spain Association, who for three decades have devoted a great deal of their time and efforts to organizing activities throughout the year with the aim of donating the proceeds to deserving causes.
Mojácar Seniors´ day trip around Cabo de Gata
Mojácar Council’s Third Age Department recently organized an excursion to the Cabo de Gata area for the town’s seniors. The day out was part of a full programme of activities throughout the year that the Council puts together for the older residents of the town that includes amongst others; courses, workshops, talks and exercise classes, all with the aim of improving their quality of life and self-sufficiency.
Along with Third Age Councillor, Ana García, around 50 people from various nationalities visited the Cabo de Gata Lighthouse, the Sirens Reef, the Botanical Gardens at Rodalquilar, Albardinar and the Mirador at La Isleta. The guided tour of these very unique and staggeringly beautiful places ended with a lunch at the seaside town of San José.
Ana García stressed the importance that this type of activity makes to the older generation saying, "along with the care of the mind and body, we must also pay attention to the spirit and arouse their desire to live to see and do new things." She also highlighted her own rewarding personal experience in spending a day with with the group of seniors "from who you can learn so many things as well as catch some of their happiness."
The whole excursion went off perfectly and was a huge success, with the added bonus of splendid weather. With a bus provided by Mojácar Council, the day trippers are keen to have a repeat outing and are already asking about the next date and destination. Mojácar Council has already organized two other trips this year, events that the Mojácar elders are always keen to be a part of, proving that they like to keep themselves on top form together.
Mojácar youngsters learn about Social Network risks
The 3rd year students from Mojácar’s Rey Alabez Secondary School recently attended an educational talk given by Almería’s Youth Judge, Rafael Soriano Gruzmán, with the theme "The Mobile, a Weapon of War in the Hands of Minors."
The session aimed to explain to the group of young people, aged between 14 and 15, the potential dangers of social networks which are are so popular with them, as well as the risks posed to their safety when not used properly. To prohibit its use is not a solution but, it is however necessary to teach them how to surf the internet responsibly and protect themselves against cyber bullying, whilst guarding their privacy.
Representatives from Mojácar’s Local Police were also on hand at the talk, along with Almería Council’s Levante South Director of Social Services and Mojácar’s Councillors for Education and Youth, Ana García and Raquel Belmonte.
Around 70 students listened carefully to the information and guidance given by the Judge and, the numerous questions that followed showed the many concerns that young people have surrounding the Internet and social networks which play such a huge part in their daily social life and communication with each other.
Mojácar's Rey Alabez Secondary School, just like the Bartolomé Flores School for the younger children, has 24% of their pupils from other countries, spread across 22 different nationalities. Internet use and social networks are the common denominators amongst them, although every effort is made to offer alternative leisure and integration activities such as sports or, environmental awareness through workshops like the eco-garden and recycling projects. Also, there are cultural events that unite them all together such as the cinema and chess workshops, all forming key elements to ensure the integration of young foreigners that complement language communication classes and the school library facilities on offer.
Mojácar’s Music School Students give a concert in Honour of Santa Cecilia
To commemorate the Day of Santa Cecilia, the Patron Saint of Music, the Mojácar Music School performed a piano concert at the town’s ‘La Fuente’ Centro de Arte, under the direction of their teacher, Yolanda Parra Niederhauser.
With the Vera Photo Club’s current exhibition as a backdrop, the young pianists played a range of pieces they had chosen themselves for the programme from the great composers of all time, including Beethoven, Verdi and Pachelbel.
The traditional Santa Cecilia concert is just one of the various public performances throughout the year that the students of both piano and other instruments have as part of their educational curriculum, which are always extremely popular with everyone.
Mojácar’s Municipal Music School was set up in 1991, primarily with only piano teaching for 20 students with two pianos. This number of pianists has now grown to 40, who are part of approximately 120 students who attend classes in piano, guitar, wind and percussion. This large group of musicians of all ages bear witness to the fact that learning has no limits and, it is never too late to start enjoying music and practicing a favourite instrument.
Many of the students come up through the School to take their place in Mojácar’s Town Band, which has a reputation as being one of the best in the province. As well as all the musical conventions and competitions they take part in with other municipal bands all over Spain, they also perform at most of the local official ceremonies, fiestas and functions.
On December 22nd, The School of Music will give a concert entitled "Music from the Cinema" in Mojácar’s Centro de Usos Múltiples, but for those interested in an earlier event, the Town Band will open the annual Dames in Spain Christmas carol concert at the same venue on December 1st.
Fun role play games for Mojácar youngsters.
Mojácar’s Youth Department, in co-ordination with Almeria Provincial Council, organized a day of fun role-playing games for the town’s the young people, under the banner “Rol en tu Pueblo 2018.”
Raquel Belmonte, the local Youth Councillor, included this event as part of the year’s activities especially programmed for the younger members of the community. She went on to say that "the youth of the 21st century requires educational challenges and, we must build up their resources when faced with a world of digital culture, so that they are able to use all the tools available to them in a positive and productive way."
The interest that all the new technologies have for young people has been shown by the success of all the courses and workshops on related topics that have been planned in the town. “Rol en tu Pueblo” is the name given to this alternative regional leisure programme which has a dual purpose. On one hand it brings board games and role-playing games to young people, whilst additionally showing them healthy, sound ways to enjoy themselves in their free time.
Participants between the age of 14 and 30 joined in the workshop held in Mojácar, which included role playing, board games and strategic video games, which were supervised throughout by a team of tutors who explained the dynamics of the games so that they could fully learn about them whilst having lots of fun together.
Role-playing games are interpretative activities, in which the participants take on the part of a fictional character then develop their own story for it, all with the aim of developing imagination, ingenuity and improvisation.
Mojácar's Tourism Councillor attends Tourism, Innovation and Environment Conference at the Senate.
Mojácar’s Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Tourism, Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, recently attended the 2nd Conference of The Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Spain, which took place at the Palacio del Senado in Madrid.
With the theme "Tourism, Innovation and Environment in Rural Spain", the representatives from the municipalities that make up the network met for the second consecutive year. With a tight agenda to follow, the conference was inaugurated by the Senate’s President, Pío García Escudero and the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto Illera.
There were several important issues of interest to all the participating municipalities, such as the conservation of historical centres and associated problems such as cabling and the restoration of facades, as well as the future of their sustainable tourism as they attempt to combine social and cultural authenticity with new market trends.
The financing of municipalities, new initiatives to combat depopulation in Spain and national digital establishment (especially in small places), were summed up from the discussion forums by the ex-minister of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda, Álvaro Nadal and Professor Tomás de la Quadra Salcedo.
Emmanuel Agüero stressed the need for greater support from institutions to help with the steep challenges facing the smaller municipalities in relation to infrastructure, financing and telecommunications. He highlighted, however, the Association’s role and efforts in dramatically boosting the Network’s localities, which now has Queen Emerita as its President of Honour.
As with last year, the Senate Conference was a great success, in organization as well as being an important meeting point to focus on the situation of small Spanish municipalities, so that their difficulties might be brought to the attention of the authorities for assistance.
Next on the agenda for the Association of the Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Spain, is its national assembly in La Alberca and Candelario that is due to be held on the first weekend in December.
The Theatre comes to Mojácar’s School
Mojácar’s Bartolomé Flores primary schoolchildren were treated to a morning of theatre presented by youngsters of the same age group from Pulpí School.
Two plays were on the programme, first being “La Princesa Que No Sabía Estornudar”, a tale about problems that arise in the palace when they try to cure the Princess with help from an assortment of wise men, fairies and doctors. This was followed by "Chez le Docteur", which was acted in French (set at a suitably easy level), with the story set in a doctor's waiting room.
Almost 300 children gathered in the town’s Edificio de Usos Múltiples, watching and listening attentively to the presentation given by their counterparts from Pulpí, an event which is part of the Culture Programme designed by Almería's Provincial Council in co-ordination with Mojácar Council.
Raquel Belmonte, the local Councillor for Culture, highlighted the importance of these activities that, "encourage reading and an interest in the theatre which has a great tradition in Mojácar, from the youngest through to the oldest."
Mojácar was the first town, almost a century ago, in the Almería province to have its own theatre, which was named "Aquelarre" and was owned by the former mayor of Mojácar, Diego Carrillo. They put on well-known plays that all the townspeople took part in and today there is an important theatrical group in the locality which has retained the old name of "Aquelarre", the little theatre that played to so many full houses.
This initiative to bring an element of theatre to the classroom is a very important educational tool to assist children’s learning as it improves language, understanding and, especially expression. Mojácar’s Culture Department participates and collaborates in a number of the programmed activities planned by the Provincial Council’s Culture Department, giving priority to the initiatives aimed at the youngest in the town.
Universal Wonderful Street Academy holds Annual Solidarity Lunch
The Universal Wonderful Street Academy, a non-governmental organisation that works to offer schooling and a future to the children of Ghana, organized its seventh annual solidarity meal in Mojácar on Sunday 18th November, with the aim in order of raising funds for its school in Accra.
This nonprofit institution, which was created by the singer Louis Wonder in 2012 and has been helping children who are orphaned or from families that do not have sufficient means to send them to school.
Instead of being on the streets, the children and young people are provided with free education and health care, as well as a daily meal. Currently, the Wonderful Street Academy helps more than one hundred children from 6 to 16 years old in the Bokum neighborhood, offering them hope and a future.
In order to support the Academy and raise funds, a headquarters was set up in Mojácar, the only one in Spain, which is non-bureaucratic therefore utilizes all the resources collected for the children and the school. The annual lunch event, held at Mojácar’s Marina Playa Hotel was just one of the various activities that are planned in Mojácar throughout the year.
Beatriz García, who is head of the Universal Wonderful Street Academy in Mojácar, has been organizing solidarity projects in the town for many years and is constantly seeking new ways to raise money to provide education for the most disadvantaged children in Ghana. Her enthusiasm is an example of solidarity in her crusade to help the little ones in a country that has one of the world’s highest levels of poverty.
The Mojácar H.Q is now joined by an additional one in Germany that has started contributing to the cause. In addition to participating in solidarity events, those interested in sponsoring a child or becoming members can do so through their representative in Mojácar, who gratefully welcomes all forms of help.
Six hundred compete in Mojácar´s 7km and half marathon events.
Six hundred compete in Mojácar´s 7km and half marathon events.
Mojácar recently held its VI 7Km and Half Marathon, organized by the local Council and Nogalte de Huercal-Overa, which this year included the two new categories for entrants with rollerblades and the Joilette adapted wheelchair.
The event was a massive success with almost 600 competitors from all over Spain, including a high British representation as well as marked increase in local participants, totalling a much higher figure than last year’s 400 entrants. The addition of the two new categories proved popular with 140 skaters from Madrid, Toledo, Valencia and Andalucía talking their place on the starting lines.
With some high speeds taking place, the Local Police cleared the way first for highly colourful skaters who completed the course in excellent times. Alicia García Estevez was first to complete the 7Km race with a time of 16 minutes and 15 seconds with Edgar Saulinskas coming first in the Half Marathon with a time 39 minutes and 57 seconds. Afterwards, all the skaters were keen to complement the both the local Council’s and Club Nogalte’s great organization as well as the suitability of the circuit, with the intention of returning in 2019.
In the Joilette 7Km section, the winner was Ángel Murcia García, from P.L. Lorca, with an amazing time of 40 minutes. Pedro Antonio Lopez de Haro, from C.A. Nogalte was the winner of the VI Half Marathon, making the 21Kms in time of 1h.11m.41s, followed by Juan José Foulquie Padilla. The best in the Local classification was Pedro Jesus Valdivia López, followed by Ozanne Colin. As for Clubs joint category, C.A. Sur Este was in first position, followed by Club A.D. Eliocroca.
In the 7Km race, Roberto Castellón Ortiz from C.D. Tader Molina, obtained the first position in a time of 23m.35s, followed by Luis Miguel Torroglosa González from C.A. Puertas Lorca. Best out of the town’s local group of runners were; Mario Vizcaíno Garcia, Laszlo Somogyi and Amalia González García.
Mojácar’s Sports Councillor, Ana García, was there throughout all the races to check in person that the whole event went off smoothly and to keep a check on participating numbers. Afterwards she presented the prizes at the awards ceremony, giving thanks to all the athletes, as well as the families and friends who had travelled to Mojácar and to C.A. Nogalte de Huercal-Overa and its Director Juanfra Carrillo.
All in all, it was day that passed without incident in any of the categories and was enjoyed fully by all the participants, who had the extra benefit of some fabulous weather.
Maximo Valverde presents his drama " Mi querida Maribel"
As part of Mojacar´s Theatre season
Mojácar, a town with a love of theatre, traditionally dedicates November as the month to put on a series of different performances each Friday night, the latest offering being “Mi querida Maribel” which was written, starred and directed by the well-known film, theatre and television actor, Máximo Valverde.
An eagerly awaited show, which played to full capacity, “Mi querida Maribel” is the true story of love and heartbreak that Maximo Valverde and Isabel Pantoja kept alive more than 40 years ago, when the singer was only 17 years old and beginning her artistic career in Seville.
Eva Santamaría, a leading actress and singer who has spent 12 years touring the Spain’s theatres with Máximo, steps into the shoes of the young Isabel, with the actor playing himself in the performance.
This very romantic play, includes musical numbers, poetry and humour, delighted the audience on the night. Máximo, who plays his own role as the boyfriend, is said to have wanted to be a bullfighter before an actor. However, it is not the first time he has been to Mojácar or stepped onto the stage at the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples, as theatre fans have in the past had the chance to see both him and Eva perform the play "Con ganas de reir", also in front of a full house.
This coming Friday, November 16, the curtain will rise to "La Enferma por Amor" by the Italian author, Carlo Goldoni, presented by the Argentinian MDM Producciones. Like all the shows in the series, it will take place at the Centro de Usos Múltiples at 8.30 p.m. with tickets available at the Tourist Office or on the door before the performance.
Vera Photo Club opens its annual exhibiton at Mojácar´s "La Fuente" art centre.
Vera Photo Club opens its annual exhibiton at Mojácar´s "La Fuente" art centre.
Vera Photo Club inaugurated its annual show at the weekend at Mojácar’s Municipal "La Fuente" Art Centre with an impressive crowd of friends, artists, townspeople, visitors and club members present, all eager to attend this traditional yearly event that has become known for the consistent quality and originality of the works, as well as its professional presentation.
This year, 20 members displayed a 100 photographs covering various forms such as; portraiture, landscape, wildlife, mural art, nude and abstract. A prize was awarded to Scottish Howard Dickson who lives in Zurgena, for his "dark space" which was judged best photograph, with the prize for the best set of photographs going to Marie Savels, a Bédar resident from Belgium.
Also at the exhibition, there is a chance to see a projection of more than 600 photographs showcasing the best results from the members’ monthly challenges on a variety of different topics, giving an insight to the progress they have made in the exciting world of imagery.
Vera Photo Club is the largest and most important forum of its type in the province, pulling together more than 70 lovers of photography, be they professionals, amateurs or beginners, who live in the Levante and North of Almería. It includes a wide collection of nationalities, such as Spanish, Norwegian, Belgian and Dutch, with a high British representation.
Rod Westwood, a professional photographer from the fashion world, is the group’s President and one of its founders, who always has his camera at the ready to capture his personal vision through his lens.
As in previous years, Mojácar Council has put their Art Gallery at la Fuente at the Club’s disposal, where they have staged this must-see exhibition full of quality images and diversity. It will remain open to the public free of charge until November 30, from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The return of Mojácar´s "Paseo del arte" show.
Mojácar’s Promenade will once transform itself into an open-air gallery with a sea view, as the "Paseo del Arte" initiative returns with more than 150 works on show by numerous artists keen to be part of this great event.
"El Paseo del Arte" began this spring with the help of local artists, residents and regular visitors of Mojácar who, with the collaboration of the local Council, decided to keep up the artistic trail set up by so many great artists who have chosen the town as a reference point for their work.
However, in addition to it being a splendidly located exhibition where passers-by can admire and purchase the artists’ work, "El Paseo del Arte" brings both art and solidarity together, since 20% of the proceeds are given to humanitarian causes.
After the summer break, the show’s starts again on Saturday 3 November with some new initiatives and a tribute to Elaine Brown, the founder of the local association MACS, that has helped cancer sufferers and their families with all kinds of support since it began. Elaine, as many people know, also suffered with this terrible disease and sadly passed away recently despite her long and brave fight, setting an example for everyone with her commitment and generosity.
All the artists involved have agreed that the money raised in this relaunch will be used for a bench with a plaque of honour in her name on Mojácar’s Paseo Marítimo which will be placed in the exhibition area.
Once again there will be the fun "people’s painting", in which all passers-by can join in by adding a touch of their handiwork to a painting set up by the organizers until it is completed. Afterwards, the final piece will be auctioned on Facebook, with the proceeds going to charity.
The event will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the Mojácar Seafront in front of the Pueblo Indalo and on Sunday, at the same time, at the nearby Hotel Puntazo situated on the Mojácar beach road.
Mojácar's Valparaiso Foundation opens 20th "Paul Beckett" Poetry Competition
Mojácar’s Valparaíso Foundation has set the date for entries for the 20th "Paul Beckett" Poetry Prize, that will be awarded to a book or collection of poems selected by a prestigious jury.
The works put forward may be of a free theme and form, but must be original and unpublished, written in Castilian Spanish and presented in duplicate. The prize on offer is 4,000 Euros and, the jury will be made up of prominent writers with an academic chairperson who will together make a final decision.
The deadline is 14 December and entries must be sent to the Valparaíso Foundation clearly marked "Para el Premio Poesía Paul Beckett." A separate sealed envelope (attached to the work) must include the writer’s full name and address along with a brief bibliography. The winning work will be published in the "Beatrice" collection, created for this purpose and, the result will be made public in February 2019.
The Valparaíso Foundation is a private, non-profitable institution for the promotion and research in the field of fine arts, literature and music, founded by the Danish couple, Paul and Beatrice Beckett, who came to live in Mojácar in 1972. They bought and restored the old olive oil mill at the foot of Mojácar la Vieja that is still today a residence for artists, writers and researchers, who each spend two weeks working there thanks to the scholarships and support given by the Foundation and Mojácar Council.
The Valparaíso Foundation carries out many other activities within the world of culture, in addition to the residences and this poetry prize, holding a prestigious position within literature, photography, theatre and the Proyecto Luna youth programme.
Halloween or Jaliween? Mojácar schoolchildren hold their own spooky party.
On 31 October, Mojácar’s Centro de Usos Múltiples was the scary scene for the eagerly anticipated Halloween party especially for the young ones of the town, which is organized every year by the Bartolomé Flores School AMPA "El Jalí" Association in collaboration with the local Council.
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More than 400 spooky decorations were dotted around the building, including a giant, menacing spider hanging from the ceiling as well as an abandoned village on the stage, all setting the scene for a very spine-chilling Halloween.
The event has also been given its own special local name, "Jaliween", that students, parents and teachers came up with as an amusing take on its organizing Association, "El Jalí".
For the frightfully fun party, eight areas were set up with different games with a craft table for creating and painting all kinds of monsters. Most in demand, however, was the "Tunnel of Terror", which everyone couldn’t wait to go through, despite the unknown frights to come.
New for this year’s event were competitions for decorated pumpkins and costumes, with a special section for those costumes made with recycled materials.
The essential "Jaliween" buffet was full of home-made products made by the parents, which brought a temporary stop to the afternoon’s terrifying activities, with a chance to recharge batteries to continue with the party.
Each year sees a higher attendance from the schoolchildren and also from the parents who are keen to dress up and join the party, with a number of families coming along as a group disguised as their favourite monster.
As usual, the whole thing went off perfectly thanks to good planning, with 25 volunteers taking charge of the games. From a event that started off in a very small way with the past AMPA Association (which had members from other countries who traditionally celebrated Halloween), it has become one of the most important and highly attended events on the Mojácar school calendar, according to Débora del Moral, President of the AMPA, "El Jalís".
"Mucho por vivir" solidarity walk in Mojácar.
Around two hundred people joined the “Mucho por Vivir” solidarity walk last weekend in Mojácar which was organized by the Spanish Cancer Association AECC), the Local Mojácar AECC Branch and, Garrucha Volunteer Service, all in collaboration with Mojácar Council.
Around two hundred people joined the “Mucho por Vivir” solidarity walk last weekend in Mojácar which was organized by the Spanish Cancer Association AECC), the Local Mojácar AECC Branch and, Garrucha Volunteer Service, all in collaboration with Mojácar Council.
As an event to mark World Breast Cancer Day, the Plaza Nueva in Mojácar old town was the starting point, with the walkers then forming a descending pink wave in the significantly coloured tee shirts handed out by the organizers. The Hotel Puntazo on the beach road was the destination, where they had a chance to catch their breath and take some well deserved refreshments.
People of all ages and many whole families joined in, even bringing along their pets in the fun procession, which this year saw a marked increase of British participants as well as those of other nationalities.
Mojácar Councillors, María Luisa Pérez, and Raquel Belmonte, took part with the townspeople, stressing the need to carry out vital advance checks to detect this terrible disease. Raquel Belmonte added, "it is important that we all collaborate, especially against breast cancer that affects 27,000 women each year in Spain and is the most frequent form of the disease among women."
This was the 8th year that “Mucho por Vivir” has been planned by the Mojácar Branch along with the local Council, with the aim of raising funds for the Spanish Association’s continued research and fight against cancer.
Year after year, this annual gathering touches the hearts of local people, with increased numbers of walkers as well as those willing to assist with the other activities that have the same purpose in mind.
Mojácar’s AECC Branch is one of 65 that the Spanish Association Against Cancer has in Almería Province and, always counting on the collaboration and support of Mojácar Council, it is already organizing its next event, “Un niño, mil ilusiones” that will be on December 8th in the Municipal Centro de Usos Múltiples.
At all events, the Organization emphatically emphasizes the importance, both for men and women, of regular medical checks to help prevention, as it is the most important weapon in the fight against cancer.
Mojácar Council organises a trip to Archena Spa.
Mojácar Council recently organized a trip to the Spa in Murcia, the Balneario de Archena, so that their residents could take the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing, healthy day.
Over 40 Spanish and British people, accompanied by Sports Councillor Ana Garcia, spent a day in the circuits and thermal pools at the complex which extends to 200,000 m2. The waters there are highly appreciated for their medicinal properties and, the Spa is probably one of the oldest and most historic in our peninsula.
Mojácar is signed up to an agreement between Almería's Provincial Council and the Balneario de Archena that involves being included in the Promotion of Spa Thermal Circuits programme, allowing residents to benefit from reduced admission and lunch prices. Mojácar Council, on their part, provided free transport to and from the Spa.
It is not the first time that the Sports Department has offered a healthy day out, as for the last three years, Ana García has organized the trip so that all Mojácar’s residents can enjoy the well-being effects of thermal waters and a day of relaxation with friends and neighbours.
Previous years have been spent at the Roman baths at Zújar, but
whatever the destination, it is an initiative that is always looked forward to and always attracts many participants of all ages and nationalities living in the town.
Mojácar launches its autumn theatre season.
Mojácar Council’s Department of Culture has launched this Autumn's annual theatre season that is set to take place every Friday until December 15 at the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples.
Going under the slogan "Come to the Theatre", the series kicked off with the comedy, "La Puebla de las Mujéres", by the Hermanos Álvarez Quintero, drawing in a good audience of local residents as well as people from other towns The play was staged by Garrucha’s veteran acting group "Nacidas del Mar", all aged between 60 and 80, who acted out the daily life and happenings of a group of gossiping local people from a small Andalucían town.
Raquel Belmonte, Mojácar’s Councillor for Culture was keen to point out the town’s great theatrical tradition saying, "Mojácar founded the province’s first theatre in which the whole town participated. The love for acting has never been lost and, today we have new generations of young people who have formed their own theatre group, Aquelarre, performing as well as writing their own works."
The next show will be on Friday, November 2, with “Ninet y un señor de Murcia”, a classic by Miguel Mihura, performed by the group "La Cometa" from the Compañía Estable de Teatro de Almería.
Máximo Valverde will then appear in Mojácar for the staging of his own "Mi Querida Maribel", sharing the bill with the singer and actress Eva Santamaría, who will be performing songs as well as taking on the roles of the different characters.
This will be followed by "La Enferma por Amor" by Carlo Goldoni and “Divorciadas, Evangélicas y Vegetarianas” by Gustavo Ott.
The season will end on December 15th with the local theatre group “Agrupación Teatral Aquelarre”, who will take to the stage with two works, "Laura" and, “Un Cadáver a los Postres” by Neil Simon.
All performances will take place in the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples and tickets can be purchased on the door or in advance.
More than a million view Mojácar beach videos on Facebook.
Mojácar Councils’ Tourism Department has recently released some feedback on their successful promotional campaign that focused on the town’s beaches, running from June until the middle of October.
The campaign was made up of 4 high quality videos that were set along different areas of the beach which appeared on all the social networks. Although their popularity was expected to be high, the actual results have exceeded all expectations.
The diversity of the town’s beaches along its 17km coastline was was the overall feature of the short videos, showing off the stunning landscape, coastal views and facilities that await visitors. The beach areas, including those awarded with Blue Flag or SICTED quality seals, along the with Mojácar’s magical coves, have generated thousands of comments and discussions between social network users.
The first video, Playas Vírgenes published on 27 June, featured Mojácar’s natural virgin beaches and was viewed by 259,180 people with 100,655 shares.
Mojácar Sur, showing the southern zone, was launched on July 12, showing the beach route along Venta del Bancal, Las Ventanicas, Cueva del Lobo and Lance Nuevo,which was viewed 164,526 times with 79,206 shares.
The third video showing the central coastal area between the Pueblo Indalo and Parador Hotels, Mojácar Centro, was released on July 30, spotlighting El Cantal, Vista de los Angeles and Piedra Villazar beaches, which attracted 281,277 likes and 98,112 shares.
The final video of the campaign, Mojácar Norte, made its appearance on August 14, showing the northern strip beaches Playa del Descargador, La Rumina, El Palmeral and Marina de la Torre, which pulled in 349,055 views and 104,000 shares. As well as these high figures for views and shares, the set of videos also prompted 58,240 Facebook comments.
Mojácar Council, through its Tourism Department, entrusted Taller e Marketing Filming to take charge of the campaign production and according to the Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, the shelf life of the videos is anything but over. Soon and for coming months, they are set for a rerun, as Mojácar’s coast is great to enjoy at any time of the year with the town’s wonderful weather.
Mojácar hosts Spanish Basketball Championship for those with learning disabilities.
Mojácar recently played host to the ‘FEDDI 2018’ Spanish Basketball Championship, especially designed for people with learning disabilities, which attracted 26 teams from 9 different autonomous communities.
The event was organized by the Spanish Sports Federation for People with Intellectual Disabilities, FEDDI, in collaboration with both Mojácar and Garrucha Councils, the Carriles Foundation, Almería Provincial Council, the Sports Council, the ONCE Foundation, Liga 4Sports and the Spanish Paralympic Committee, as well as several national companies.
Just under 300 male and female participants, spread across six categories, battled their way through the contest, following all the Spanish Basketball as well as FEDDI regulations. With a Championship at stake in each category, the finals were very tight, with the Almería women’s team, Los Carriles, making a great position as Spanish runner-up.
Presentations were made at the closing ceremony by the respective Sports Councillors for Mojácar and Garrucha, Ana Garcia and Juan Pedro Molina with Championship medals presented to all the players who came in the first three in each category, as well as team trophies and mementos for all participants.
The level of participation amongst the young people from the region was very impressive, packing out the local sports pavilion throughout the games and enthusiastically supporting every ball in the basket, opponent or not, with resounding applause and encouragement.
Needless to say, the FEDDI Sports Spanish Federation and team representatives were very keen to show their appreciation for all the work and superb organization done for the event by Mojácar and Garrucha Councils and Los Carriles Foundation in assisting the players and families who attended the games.
Mojácar Council, as first time hosts of this important national event provided all medical logistics with essential stand by staff and full ambulance support, in addition to very welcome refreshments.
Granada University present their preliminary findings on Mojácar, La Vieja.
Although it is only a short while since the first phase of the excavation work on the Mojácar la Vieja settlement ended, the technical team from Granada University’s Biocultural Archaeology Laboratory in the Medieval History Department have already produced the first data and findings that they were keen to share with the people of the town as well as at a national and international level.
Although it is only a short while since the first phase of the excavation work on the Mojácar la Vieja settlement ended, the technical team from Granada University’s Biocultural Archaeology Laboratory in the Medieval History Department have already produced the first data and findings that they were keen to share with the people of the town as well as at a national and international level.
Those interested in the project gathered at the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples last week with the Mayor, Rosmarí Cano, the Councillor for Tourism, Emmanuel Agüero, members of the local Government team, Beatriz Becket and Teresa Santiago from the Valparaíso Foundation Board, as well as the specialist archaeologists who took part in this first excavation.
The Project Director, José María Martín Civantos, began by saying how important the project is for the municipality as part of its cultural, social and touristic development, although it is additionally of high relevance to national and international forums. He praised the Council's plan to open up its cultural heritage in this way, whilst promoting tourism and economic development and creating an extra identity for Mojácar.
He stressed the importance of preserving the landscape shaped from prehistoric times by man as a fundamental element of the cultural environment, since it has the answers to many archaeological and historical questions.
As for the actual excavations, the findings found so far date back to the 12th and 13th century, although these are from the work done on the first strata that would have relevance to the settlement’s later years.
In addition to adapting the access path, the team worked on the highest area by the cistern, which was already known about and, at half way up the slope, where there an access gate-tower and old wall are located.
The ancient cistern, the largest preserved example from the Kingdom of Granada and throughout Spain, is 18 metres long, 4.5 metres wide and 2.3 metres deep. This could have held 172,000 litres of water and, possibly more. Another cistern has been discovered in the same area, which was constructed at a later date and attached to the first, on which a defensive tower was erected. Other discoveries include a mosque, an ammunition store with stone balls, which confirms the presence of a catapult mechanism and other defences. The remains of what would have been a forge have also been found, which was later a kitchen, which confirms the presence of weapons and troops.
At another location in the middle area, the entrance gate to Mojácar la Vieja was found, an example of a door-tower commonly used at the time, which established the access route to the populated centre at that time.
The wall characteristics reveal repair at several points, although it is unknown if these were due to structural failure or the Christian attacks that were taking place in the area at the time during the reconquest of Muslim occupied lands.
Although it has not been possible yet to demarcate the entire wall, it is known that there were at least 13 towers, maybe more, spaced around the perimeter. Also, remains of houses with easily recognizable rooms have been found attached to the wall with items such as a bread oven, a latrine in perfect condition and decorative remnants.
According to the MemoLab team, there are now doubts about the date of the settlement’s origin, although dates are being estimated at around the 8th Century, with the greater concentration of inhabitants in the 12th Century when it takes on the character of a town with the mosque and more evidence of production. There are still obviously many questions to answer that will be highly useful to discover more about life on Mojácar la Vieja as well as for the study of the Middle Ages in Spain and Andalucían society.
What does seem clear, however, is the gradual, programmed abandonment in the middle of the 13th century from Mojácar la Vieja to the new site that we know today, which offered a better strategic situation and fortification.
Archaeologists consider that the settlement of Mojácar la Vieja is in a good state of conservation, with "enormous patrimonial potential", offering a key to explain life at that time and understand the history of the years that were of such importance to the entire Mediterranean region.
The presentation concluded with thanks from Emmanuel Agüero and the team of Granada University archaeologists to the Valparaíso Foundation for their collaboration and support, as well as to the company Patrimonio Inteligente. Also thanked were the volunteer archaeologists that came from all over Spain, Brazil and Italy to collaborate in the work. Finally, the 470 townspeople and visitors who took part in the guided visits were thanked for their interest, as well as those who participated in field tasks and workshops, many of whom additionally spontaneously turned up at the site eager to see the progress being made.
Mojácar council begins work on La Avenida Paris and other projects before the end of the year.
Along with the commencement of building the new Seniors Residence, Mojácar Council is set to start a number of works, including along La Avenida Paris, in front of what is to be the town’s future Town Hall.
The widening and reinforcement of this section, an area which currently has no pavement on the approach to the right, is a necessary step towards completing the works on the new Town Hall building while improving safety for pedestrians and road traffic.
The project was drafted by Almería's Provincial Council and put out to tender with a budget of 180,000 Euros. Albaida Infraestructuras, S.A. won with a bid of 148,629 Euros, saving 31,370 Euros. The financing, included in the 2015-2019 Provincial Plans, will be met by Almería’s Provincial Council who will pay 99,000 Euros with a contribution of 49,629 Euros from the local Council.
This part of the project is expected to take three months and, although the street will remain open to road traffic, the Council has recommended school and nursery parents as well as users of the municipal sports centre to use the road that goes from La Fuente to the cemetery roundabout in order to avoid traffic congestion.
Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosa María Cano, has also announced that other works will be put out to tender before the end of the year, some of which will be due to be completed before that date. Others will remain pending for next year while the relevant administrative procedures are concluded.
LED street lamps are due to be installed around the Parque Comercial, El Faz and Marina de la Torre, costing 73,519 Euros. One of the most pressing tasks, however, is at Mojácar’s cemetery with the construction of 84 new niches, 36 columbariums and an area especially for families who will be able to place a memorial plaque after scattering the ashes of their loved ones. Additionally, roof repairs are to be carried out, along with maintenance and general improvements that are traditionally carried out at this time of year ready for the commemoration of All Saints Day.
A Council Plenary session also approved the purchase of an electric vehicle to replace the one that currently carries out cleaning work in the old town, with the aim of reducing the current disturbance and noise pollution to residents.
In the beach area, zebra crossings will be repainted, as well as work done to road signs. The existing pedestrian protection railing from the beach to the Pueblo will have the remaining 80 metres installed by the Curva Pereta, with a budget of 6,500 Euros.
Mojácar set to attend southern regional Conference of "The Most Beautiful towns and villages in Spain".
This Saturday, Mojácar’s Councillor for Tourism, Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, along with Tourism Department Director, Carmen García Campoy, will attend the Southern Assembly of ‘The Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Spain’ in Zuheros, Córdoba.
Taking place at noon at the Casa de la Cultura de Zuheros, the agenda topics will cover their larger World Association meeting in France, the Senate’s second meeting on November 15, as well as the election of the new Southern Region President and Secretary for the next two years.
After the success of the Association’s first Spanish Senate Conference last year, the November meeting will focus on tourism, innovation and environmental issues in rural Spain. Additionally, the attendance of Reina Emerita, Doña Sofia of Greece has been confirmed.
Following discussions at the conferences, meetings have been held throughout 2018 with electric and telecommunications companies as well as Public Administrations, reaching agreements that will be fruitful to municipalities, especially the smallest in the Association.
Organized by the Association to coincide with the annual Southern Assembly, the second Ethnographic Festival of the Most Beautiful Towns and Villages will also be held in Zuheros, in which the 12 Andalucían municipalities that make up this Assembly together with that of Tejeda in the Canary Islands, will offer a free tasting of each locality’s typical artisan products along with traditional dances, workshops and a historical re-enaction of the Grazalema bandoleros.
The last meeting of the Southern Assembly was held last October and, in December, Mojácar played host to the National Assembly, which was attended by Mayors and representatives from all its municipalities.
Mojácar holds its first gastronomic day.
A first Gastronomic Day was recently held in Mojácar at the Botaniq Hotel’s Xmile Restaurant, which is on the beach at Rio Abajo.
Renowned local restaurateurs such as Juan Moreno and Antonio Carmona joined in the initiative with the professionals from Xmile’s kitchen to prepare an extensive tasting menu that showed off different specialities designed by each chef.
The day turned out to be a great success, with over 100 diners eager to reserve table for the event so that they could enjoy the dishes prepared in Xmile’s kitchen, in the unique setting of the Botaniq Hotel gardens with its Mediterranean backdrop.
Mojácar has a number of excellent restaurants of a high gastronomic level and Xmile, under the direction of Isabel Flores and Fernando Abad, is one of them, offering an original Mediterranean cuisine produced in impeccable facilities.
The complex is the epitome of peace and serenity, complemented by perfect rooms, the beach, sea, wonderful plants and flowers, with a surprise around every corner.
The whole event reaffirms the great gastronomic skills of the region, such as at Juan Moreno and Terraza Carmona, as well as bringing them all together to work hand in hand with the chefs in Mojácar.
It is an example of the good work and the high culinary level that exists in Almería province and, the Eastern Almería area.
Promotional initiatives such as these are always well received and, a reminder that Mojácar is a reference point on the map to enjoy a great eating experience.
Mojácar hosts national veterans mountain Sport Federation 45th get together.
Last weekend, Mojácar turned into the HQ for the National Veteran Mountaineers 45th gathering, with around 600 members descending on the town from all over Spain.
This massive annual meeting is organized by the Spanish Federation of Mountain Sports and Climbing, FEDME, along with the Andalucían Mountaineering Federation, FAM.
The event was put together by its committee of Veterans together with the Club Excursionista Montenegro, in collaboration with Almería’s Provincial Council and the local Councils of Mojácar, Bédar, Cuevas del Almanzora, Pulpí, Sorbas and Níjar.
Among the activities programmed by the organization at different locations for these over 40 year old affiliated mountaineers, the Mena de Mojácar route attracted the highest number of participants out of all the suggested activities. Over 200 people, accompanied by the local Councillor for Sports, Ana García, walked along the path that makes up one of the most popular trails in Mojácar.
The Sendero de la Mena passes through an old section between Mojácar and Carboneras, in front of the hills that make up the Sierra Cabrera as they reach down to the Mediterranean.
Along the way, the group had the chance to find out about the actual route, which combines spectacular views with evidence of old mining days at various points, giving a sample of the local touristic sights and cultural heritage on offer.
To make sure the day went as smoothly as possible, Mojácar Council arranged for several Civil Protection members to accompany the walkers throughout the journey, as well as providing refreshments.
Although the reunion was officially set at three days, many of the participants extended their visit in Mojácar in order to fully take in the town´s many attractions.
Works begin on Mojácar´s New Senior Residence and Day Centre
The Mayor stressed the importance of this much needed facility .
Almería’s Provincial Council President, Gabriel Amat, accompanied by Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, along with her government team, visited the site where work will begin this week on a Senior Residence and Day Centre in the town’s beach area.
The Mayor stressed the importance of this much needed facility, especially given Mojácar’s population characteristics, which not only follow the trend nationally with an ageing population but, has around 30% of its residents over 65 years of age. She also added that many of the town’s elderly residents, including numerous nationalities, are alone, without family and, in a situation of dependency who now in the future could have a place in this Residence. Gabriel Amat, in turn, congratulated the Mayor for her efforts in acquiring more, as well as better quality services for the town.
The local Council owns the actual plot on which the Residence will be built, which is 9,919 square metres and 300 metres from the beach. The first plans will take up 2,884 square metres, leaving space available for future extensions and a green zone.
The whole investment amounts to 2,587,025 euros, of which Almería's Provincial Council will contribute 1,078,000 Euros from Provincial Funds, with Mojácar Council contributing 1,046,238 Euros. The works have been awarded to the company Albaida Infraestructuras, with a saving of 462,787 euros from the initial budget.
With an estimated build time of 14 months,
the Residence will have space for 60 people in its 27 double and 6 single rooms, with the capacity for 172 general users, which will create more than 40 jobs.
The first findings of the 2018 "Mojácar la vieja" archaeological projet.
On Friday, October 19th, at 7 p.m. at Mojácar’s Centro de Usos Múltiples, this summer’s archaeological campaign ‘Mojácar la Vieja’ will be back on top of the town’s cultural agenda with a free, public talk and exhibition.
The event will offer everyone a chance to find out about the preliminary results that have come out of the project’s excavation work done on, what is, Mojácar’s original settlement.
The Biocultural Archaeology Laboratory team from Granada University’s Medieval History Department, who were in charge of the excavation, are set to return to give feedback on their first impressions and findings now that they have had time to carry out a more detailed analysis of the work they carried out in July.
Around 60 archaeologists from all over Spain collaborated on the first phase of what is to be an ongoing project, with many local people joining in with organised events as well as some of the tasks that involved recovering access and revealing historical information at the site.
At the event, those interested will get the opportunity also to view two photography exhibitions, with Emilio Aramburu’s stunning shots taken throughout the excavations, which be shown alongside Roberto Manzano’s 3D photographs of the first discoveries from ‘Mojácar la Vieja.’
Mojácar’s Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, will be present at the presentation along with the President of the Valparaíso Foundation, Beatriz Beckett and, the Project Director, Teresa Santiago.
Both Mojácar Council and the Valparaíso Foundation have been the driving force behind the whole project, which ranks as one of the most important ventures in the town, for tourism as well as local history and culture.
To add a finishing touch to the event, there will be flamenco music along with the chance to sample some of Mojácar’s own artisan products.
Mojácar´s Parador celebrates the 90th birthday of the Parador chain
Mojácar´s Parador is offering free accommodation vouchers to all children born on October 9th, the day when Spain’s Parador chain turns 90 years of age .
With the campaign "Mother, I invite you to the Parador", the hotel company is commemorating the day in which King Alfonso XIII inaugurated the first establishment of the chain in Gredos, Ávila, in 1928.
On Tuesday, the Director of Mojácar’s own Parador Hotel, Tana Blázquez Cubero, will visit the Inmaculada Hospital in Huercal Overa to present bed and breakfast vouchers to all happy new parents, although the gift is extended to all children born in the province when their parents register the arrival of the new member of the family on the Parador website.Currently, there are 97 establishments in Spain and since October 2015, they are also located in Portugal. They are of valuable historical and artistic heritage, as many contribute to the maintenance and restoration of historic buildings, as well as helping to promote local economies.
The Parador name and standard has been and is, a benchmark for the brand ‘Spain’ and in Mojácar, the Parador is unique to the province that offers an important tourist offer of added value to the area.
This family campaign is a charming way to celebrate such an important birthday and, there is no doubt that Mojácar will welcome the new small citizens of Almería with open arms so that parents and children can take a break and enjoy Mojácar Parador’s excellent facilities as well as everything on offer in the town.
Mojácar´s El Cabo Norte Restaurant receives a "Plato de Oro" National Gastronomy award.
Restaurant El Cabo Norte, located on the Mojácar seafront, has been honoured with a “Plato de Oro” National Gastronomy Award by Radio Turismo. .
María Moreno Galdón, whose whole life revolves around the running the restaurant, excitedly received the news, although with a degree of surprise adding, she felt "so happy for my team as well as for the gastronomy in the area that is in need of recognition."
Radio Turismo, with the official support of the Ministry of Tourism,
set up these awards as a way of recognizing the work of gastronomy professionals. Since it was initiated in 1985, great restaurants like Adriá, Arola, and Arzak, amongst others, have been recipients of a “Plato de Oro”. They constantly seek out top professionals, chefs and restaurants who strive for excellence in gastronomy, without needing to be in the top end guides, but whose optimal work and customer service make them deserving winners.
María Moreno has been cooking for thirty years and, the last sixteen have been in Mojácar, with El Cabo Norte celebrating its third anniversary this summer. Gaining success by her efforts, hard work and sheer determination, she is self-taught although would love to take time out to take a specialized course, if only her hectic work schedule would allow it.
At times she feels misses the support of the classroom, however Maria has honed her craft by "eating and trying", as she says and whatever free she has time she is always visiting other restaurants on the lookout for “what’s cooking” everywhere she goes.
This research combined with endless samples and experiments in the kitchen, a natural talent and enthusiasm for her work, make her a more than worthy winner of the National Gastronomy Award. The menu at El Cabo Norte is made up of original dishes designed in their own kitchen and from the initial idea of a dish until it is served the customer, can take six to eight months of intense development.
Using her team as first tasters, followed by a second round of trying out the creations on friends and trusted customers, every new recipe is a long process of experimentation, just like an alchemist, before it makes an appearance on the menu. For María, her work is never ending, as every year she completely renews the menu, describing her cuisine as Mediterranean and always the very best ingredients. In her expert hands, she cooks up a range of delicious dishes that always impress her customers, whatever their palate, who come from far and wide to savour the food, of which the slow cooked white sea bass is a favourite.
The award is also good news for the region and, for Mojácar, highlighting an additional attraction and "unforgettable memory" in a great way, with the wonderful food, friendly service and hospitality of María Moreno and her team at El Cabo Norte.
Mojácar makes Fiesta Preparations to honour their Patron Saint,Virgen del Rosario.
Fiesta preparations are well underway in Mojácar to honour their Patron, Saint Virgen del Rosario.
The event will take place on the 6th, 7th and 8th of October, with the official programme getting off to a start on Saturday at 6 p.m. with the Indalo Dance Show, which is free to the public and will be held on the Plaza Nueva in the Pueblo. The song and dance show, which is suitable for all ages, is being put on by the French Dance Association, CDA 31, with 50 dancers, singers plus their light and sound team taking part.
As is customary on the actual Patron Saint’s Day, there will be a Holy Mass at 11.30 a.m. on the Sunday in Mojácar’s Santa María Parish Church, officiated by the priest, Miguel Esteban Jerez, with a performance by the soprano Svetlana Alina Polushina and pianist, Esther Peña. Afterwards, the image of the Virgen del Rosario will be carried around the Pueblo streets followed by various officials and numerous local people who always follow the procession along with the town’s Band.
Sunday afternoon is a highlight for many, with the traditional ribbon horseback runs for any couples who wish to participate, whatever their status, keeping alive this centuries old Mojaquera tradition. The event always provides plenty of fun for those competing as well as for the many spectators, with the Band stepping in again to entertain. It all takes place at La Fuente in the Pueblo at 5.30 p.m. with participants gathering to get prepared with their ribbons and horses at their posts at 5 p.m.
Monday October 8th is the day for the seniors of the town, when the local Council will hold a special tribute for them with a party at 2 p.m. at the Marina Playa Hotel. (Tickets are essential for this).
The final Patron Saint Fiesta event is a treat especially for the youngsters, with a showing of the funny movie “Cigüeñas” at 7 p.m. at the Centro de Usos Múltiples. Admission is free, which includes some ‘movie essential’ popcorn for all the children.
Mojácar hosts annual Convention for CDA31 Dance Association.
The Dance Association, CDA31, have chosen Mojácar as the venue for one of their annual conventions, with the town’s Hotel Indalo acting as the gathering point.
Almost 500 people, including dancers, friends and organizers, will spend 10 days in the town, with a wide programme of activities including dancing and singing courses and workshops. There will be time set aside for some excursions around the area and, as a special event, they will make a public performance in Mojácar’s Plaza Nueva on Saturday October 6th, as part of the Virgen del Rosario Fiesta.
CDA31 started up in France in 2002 and, already has more than three thousand members, all united by their passion to dance, regardless of skill level or age, as a love of music and movement is the only requirement to join in.
The members hold five conventions each year, the majority of which are held in Spain. It’s not the first time they have been in Mojácar, but it will be the first time they will perform before a Mojaquero public.
At the Fiesta performance there will be twelve dancers showing different types of dance routines with four troupes performing their own choreographies and four singers making appearances throughout the show.
On a more local level, the Garrucha Dance School, which as a result of these conventions has joined the CDA31 Association, will be part of the dance entertainment for the Mojácar show.
Association members and organizers taking part in the convention are, CDA31 President, Guy Trouval, along with Directors, Jérôme Torres and Michelle Royon, who will all be part of the team of 14 teachers, along with the 5 DJ's who are in charge of the music.
On this special programme will be the all time favourite dances, such as the tango, waltz and cha-cha-cha, along with newer styles such as country, bachata and salsa. All of them and more will be on show at Mojácar’s Plaza Nueva on October 6th at 6 p.m. for a free, unmissable show to get the Fiesta off to a great start.
Mojácar hosts KTM Adventure bike meeting.
For the fifth time, KTM Spain Adventurers gathered together in Mojácar, bringing together three hundred motorcycle lovers to the town for this annual event, including riders, friends and organizers.
Mojácar was chosen, once again, as the setting by the well-known Austrian brand KTM Adventure, for the starting point and finishing line that took in a journey of almost 500 kilometres.
The designated route takes in numerous trails through the Sierra Cabrera that are a great draw for devotees of this type of discipline.
The special mountain relief gives the participants a chance to take in a variety of different landscapes which change along the way from coastal stretches to those that are typically Andalucían, before passing vegetation that could pass for African. All of them, in their own way, add to the fun and enjoyment of the riders’ experience.
It’s a route that has been specially designed by the company to test the versatility of the KTM Adventure models to the maximum, especially through the different optional off road sections along the way.
The event brings in more followers and visitors each year, with the town’s Hotel Marina Mar Servigroup acting as the focal point as the official registration centre and accommodation venue.
The test also starts off Mojácar’s autumn and winter season for sports tourism, which has become a popular and valuable option for the town’s entrepreneurs and Council to promote in an effort to bring in visitors during the off peak period.
In collaboration with Mojácar Council, the Servigroup hotels also work hard to attract cyclists and others from the world of motorcycling as well as different groups of sports enthusiasts. The Hotel Marina Mar has developed the facilities, to act as a great venue to host important cycling events, presentations of new models and offer a training base for the official cycling teams from many European countries.
Mojácar celebrates "The day of the most beautiful towns and villages in Spain".
Mojácar, celebrated this special day along with all of the 68 municipalities that make up the network of Spain’s Most Beautiful Towns and Villages.
The anniversary commemorates the founding its Association and, the Mayor of Mojácar, Rosmari Cano, together with the Councillors who make up her government team, raised the official flag that flies in the Town Hall Square.
Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, the local Tourism Councillor, thanked those who had gathered to see the event and spoke about the importance of conserving Mojácar’s artistic and cultural heritage as well as making the most of its old traditions.
Carmen García Campoy, Mojácar Tourism Office Director, led guided visits throughout the morning around the most emblematic places in the historic centre, including a visit to the permanent Moors and Christians Fiesta Exhibition on show at the Castillo, which includes a collection of photos, posters, costumes and memorabilia from the popular annual event.
Eugenia Kravchenko, from the DayTours Almería agency, who often collaborates with the Council on tourism projects, took charge of the English-speaking group in their tour of the town.
After the visit, all participants were presented with an official book of the Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Spain as a reminder of Mojácar. The Association aims, through the pages of the guide, to encourage people to visit, get to know and enjoy the 68 locations that make up today’s network. Amongst them are places where the people know how to preserve their ancestral traditions and culture, opening the door to travellers who decide to visit and discover them. There’s often a chance for them to chat to some locals, too, the best way to find out about their rich natural heritage, just like in Mojácar.
Young Mojaquera, Osaïa Reding, takes fifth place in the World Kitesurfing Championship
Osaïa Reding, the most international of Mojácar’s young athletes, has once again excited the sport of Kitesurfing by gaining fifth place in the world championship, which is especially impressive as she is now competing with the top stars in the adult category at only 14 years of age.
Organized by the Global Kite Association Air Games, she has worked through four tough tests in France, the Dominican Republic, Germany and Spain to be placed in this impressive position, competing with riders of all nationalities and as the youngest in the competition.
The GKA is directed towards the discipline called "big air", in which the athletes’ jumps and manoeuvres carried out in strong winds, always striving for more height, are the winning skills.
Osaia is well versed in stepping onto the podium, boasting an enviable sporting curriculum. Last year she was world champion in her category and in 2016 she was champion here in Spain and a runner-up in Europe. Recently, she was proclaimed Junior Champion of France and is always among the best everywhere she competes.In her hectic schedule there are also two freestyle rounds in the World Kiteboarding Championship, held in Morocco and Brazil.
She will then spend the winter with her family in Brazil and Colombia, training with the world’s best.
The 2019 season will begin in Argentina in March, then it will be onto France, Spain, Portugal, Hawaii, the United States, the Dominican Republic, Germany and Ireland.With these great sporting displays, even at such a young age, she also keeps up good grades with her online studies in a special designed programme for young athletes. No wonder she is hailed as one of the best stars in the world of Kitesurfing and nothing can put the brakes on her career that has brought so many major titles that her competitors aspire towards.
One of her sponsors, Mojácar Council, keenly follows Osaïa’s progress and, Deputy Mayor, Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, is well aware of how seriously she trains with a tenacity and will to keep improving.She can often be seen during the summer, on the beach by the Hotel Indalo, where her parents’ have a surf school.
However, wherever she goes off to attend international championships, Osaïa has the shield and name of Mojácar proudly emblazoned on her board and, there could be no better representative for the town’s younger generation.
Internacional Tourism Day in Mojácar.
Mojácar played its part on International Tourism Day by offering free guided tours, showing off the most emblematic places in the town, which is one of the recognized ‘Most Beautiful Villages and Towns in Spain’.
Over 40 people, divided into Spanish and English speaking groups, had the chance to discover some of the sights and local history as described by Mojácar Council’s Tourism Department Director, Carmen García Campoy, along with an official guide from the Council’s collaborator, Daytours Spain.
The enjoyable morning tour started from the Plaza Nueva, giving the groups time to hear about the cultural excavation project that has started on "Mojácar la Vieja", the ancient settlement of Mojácar which dates from the 8th century, as well as enjoying the spectacular views of the entire Valley of the Pyramids.
The route then took in a wander through the maze of streets in the historic centre, the old city wall and gate, whilst learning about some of the stories (some facts, some legends), including the often talked about Mojaquero origin of Walt Disney, along with some amusing anecdotes about the famous past Mayor, Jacinto.
After reaching the old Castillo de Mojácar and its old aljibe cistern, it was time to admire the "Moors and Christians Fiesta" permanent exhibition which has on show photographs, posters, costumes and artifacts from probably the biggest annual events in the town, in which thousands of locals and visitors take part by participating or spectating.
At the end of the visit, as a memento from the Tourist Office and on behalf of the Council, all were presented a small "pin" in the shape of an Indalo to remind them of their visit, with the wish that the symbol’s legend would bring them good luck and bring them back soon to this beautiful Almerían town.
Mojácar town band take a trip to Toledo, Madrid and Archena.
Mojácar’s Culture Department recently organized the annual trip for the members of the Municipal Band as a show of thanks for all the work that the young musicians do throughout the year.
The four days were action packed for the 43 musicians who were able to go, with visits to Toledo, Madrid and the Spa at Archena. Some of the highlights included the Arab baths at Caballet and Cenizal, El Salvador and the historic city of Toledo’s Roman baths and Jewish quarter, all of which had the accompaniment of an official guide to ensure they had lots of information about the places visited.
After touring Toledo, they attended the theatre, before setting off to stay the night in Madrid, followed by another a guided tour before they were lucky enough to see the well-known musical “Billy Elliot”. Then, the final stop was at the Archena Spa, with time to chill out in the pools after their hectic programme of activities.
For Raquel Belmonte, Mojácar’s Culture Councillor, the trip is more than justified because in addition to all their hard work in their musical studies, the Municipal Band members entertain people with more 30 performances each year in fiestas, concerts and musical conventions.
According to Raquel, their participation and contribution to all these events is something the "Town Council is extremely pleased with and proud of." She, along with two teachers from the Music School accompanied the young musicians (from 10 to 30 years old) on the trip, which as always, had everyone in a relaxed and fun mood, all enjoying each other’s company regardless of age.
A new year for Mojácar´s photography courses and workshops.
Mojácar Council’s Culture Department, in co-ordination with the town’s Artistic Cultural Association, ACAM Arco de Luciana, have started a new series of photography courses and workshops designed to offer interested students an extensive programme of subjects.
Those keen to develop their skills may enrol for a complete course, starting from scratch, held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m. in the town’s Edificio de Usos Múltiples at the Fuente. However, there is the opportunity to join in the workshops at any time for those who, for whatever reason, are unable to attend the whole course.
Also planned, are three month long modules featuring popular topics for the young ones especially, including mobile phone photography this term, then an introduction to Photoshop from January 15th to February 15th, followed by learning how to use your own camera, from February 15th until March 15th. The whole programme will go on until May with the possibility of Saturday field trips to try new techniques outside the classroom, if the students would like to.
All workshops and courses aim to allow the student to learn the fundamentals of the topics presented and, provide sufficient technical skills to express their photographic creativity.
For those who already have certain level of technical knowledge, an advanced creative photography workshop has been put together for October, where the student can move towards mastering their images and further personalize their work.
Programme teacher will be Miguel García Campoy, a creative professional photographer who works for the prestigious brand Jarabe de Luz, in addition to working on various provincial media collaborations.
Mojácar ends its second literary and cultural conference with and "Indalo de las Letras" presentation.
Mojácar’s Second Literary and Cultural Conference has drawn to a successful close for another year.
Organized by ACLA, the Levante Almeriense Cultural Association, with the sponsorship of Mojácar Council, the National Parador and businesspeople in the province, the town became the gathering point for the most important Andalucían literature companies as well as media directors and journalists.
The weekend of intense debates were open to the public, allowing different viewpoints from the speakers and attendees, focusing this year on Europe and the dissemination of Spanish cultural works in a European context.
As the discussions ended, the ‘Indalo de las Letras 2018’ was presented to Manuel Ángel Váquez Medel by last year’s recipient and ACLA President, Antonio Sánchez Trigueros, Francisco López Barrios, Conference President and Director, and ACLA Secretary, Javier Loustau.
The arts honour, which was given "for the excellence of his academic and creative work", was received in a moving ceremony in the presence of all the speakers and Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano. Vázquel Medel has had a brilliant and intensive professional career dedicated to the arts. He is a Professor at Seville University and former President of the RTVA Audiovisual Council, a literary critic and current coordinator of the University Reading Network at Seville.
Founded in 2017 in Mojácar, ACLA is a non-profitable cultural association whose aim is to boost the cultural activities that take place in the Eastern Almería. After the success and level of interest in the two conferences to date, attracting prestigious speakers, the event is now firmly consolidated into the arts world and ACLA is already putting together topics of interest for future meetings as well as planning other activities in the area within the world of culture.
Mojácar hosts Second Literary and Cultural Event
Mojácar’s Second Literary and Cultural Conference, which will take place this weekend at the town’s National Parador Hotel, was presented earlier this week to Almería’s media at the city’s Hotel Catedral.
Conference President, Francisco López Barrios, along with leading speaker, Alfonso Berlanga, outlined the programme, its objectives and the participants that would be attending this important cultural event.
The Cultural Association of Levante Almeriense, ACLA, who have organized the weekend’s activities, will be keeping up the same high standard of speakers as in the first year, this year fixing its attentions on Europe and the dissemination of Spanish cultural works in the European context. Throughout the weekend, the programme events and discussion groups will be open to public participation with the chance to ask questions.
Starting today, there will be an official visit to Mojácar Town Hall. Mojácar Council is a sponsor of the Conference along with the National Parador and leading Almerían business people.
The town’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, will be there to welcome the participants, among which are prominent personalities from Andalucía and the province, including the former European Parliament Communications Director, prominent writers, and the well-known diplomat and writer, Inocencio Arias.Others confirming their presence at the official opening are Antonio José Lucas, General Director of Culture and Book Innovation as well as Antonio Sánchez Trigueros, Granada University Professor, ACLA advisory member for this Conference and this year’s Indalo de Las Letras.
The first working sessions will be at 5.30 p.m. today in the Parador’s conference room. José Antonio Santano will be act as moderator and the presentations will be by Manuel Gahete, President of the Spain Writers Association, Charo Fernández Cotta, the Andalucían Government’s Head of Press and, Luis Salvador, spokesman for the Granada Congress.
"Entre dos ..... y Almería", a new exhibition at Mojácar´s art gallery.
Mojácar’s Municipal Art Gallery, “La Fuente” has opened the exhibition “Entre dos… y Almería”, showcasing recent works from two Almerían painters, Diego Fábrega and Cristóbal Fernández, who display their inspiration for the area’s incredible light and unmistakable landscapes.
Diego Fabrega was born in 1957 in Taberno, Almería, studying at Albox and, from an early age he felt drawn towards art and poetry.
He has edited poetry books such as “Lento el Arado”, “Los Exilios”, “Dios Menor”, “Fe de Vida”, as well as other publications such as “Guía Fácil, Edible Setas Comestibles de Almería”. He is a collaborator with the History and Ethnography “Velezana Magazine” and takes part in various Almerían collective poetry works, as well as exhibiting his photography and painting in the region.
Cristóbal Fernández, also from Almeria, boasts an extensive career as a versatile painter, sculptor and designer, exhibiting widely in Spain as well as internationally. A member of the 80s Sevillano Group, his work has moved from abstract expressionism and evolved towards a conceptual, gestural style of painting in which the ‘action’ of its production is of key importance. His own way of thinking, passions and lifestyle are always expressed in his diverse art whether it be on a canvas, in steel or in stone. This interesting collective exhibition can be seen, free of charge, at the Centro de Art "La Fuente" until September 30th. Opening hours are, Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Mojácar hosts literary and cultural conference.
Mojácar's Parador Hotel will be the venue for the second Literary and Cultural Conference on September 21 and 22, organized by the Cultural Association of Levante Almeriense, ACLA, with the collaboration of Mojácar Council and the province’s leading businessmen.
ACLA, a leading body with regard to political, economic and social news on all European Community countries, will be addressing issues this year such as the role of culture in Europe’s development, Spain's cultural contribution and the construction of a cultural shared space in the European Union and, particularly the topic ‘Is there a differentiated Spanish culture within the European context’?
The conference will feature some outstanding speakers, such as the writer and diplomat, Inocencio Arias, Juana Laousse, the former Director of Communication for the European Parliament, Manuel Ángel Vázquez Medel, Professor at Seville University and past President of the RTVA Audiovisual Council, Juan Cruz Ruiz, journalist and writer, as well as a number of prestigious Andalucían media directors.
Antonio Sánchez Trigueros, Granada University Professor and 2017 Conference President of Honour, along with Francisco Morales Lomas, Alfonso Berlanga and Manuel Gahete, will all participate in the meetings as well as act as advisors, together with the writer, journalist and President of ACLA, conference organizer Francisco López Barrios.
Founded in 2017 in Mojácar, ACLA is a non-profit making cultural association whose purpose is to boost the cultural activities that take place in Eastern Almería, with round table discussions that are open to the public.
The Association was launched in September last year with the First Conference of Andalucían Writers and Editors, which was attended by luminaries from the publishing world. Those present included the President of the Andalucían Publishers Association, representatives from the Andalucían Critics and Writers Association and the Collegiate Association of Spanish Writers, publishers such as Planeta, Dauro and Atlántico, various National and Andalucían Poetry and Critics Award winners along with numerous writers at the highest level in Spanish literature.
Mojácar in top sporting form over the summer
Throughout August and over fiesta time, Mojácar’s Sports Department put on a programme of events for everyone of all ages and abilities, with 600 people signing up to compete.
Some have been fixed in the calendar for years, such as the XXXVI “Ciudad de Mojácar” Senior Football tournament, with the host team facing Cuevas this year. Also of long standing, was the XXXIV Mojácar Marathon which attracted 300 runners of all ages and, the XXV Petanque Championship, with 20 couples playing at the town’s wonderful beachside pitch.
The IV Miguel Egea Memorial "Pedruscos and Chinorros" football match, for the local seniors is always a popular challenge, with each team making a customary signing up at the last minute of a guest player as a ‘secret weapon’.
The Clay Pigeon Shoot is another classic event at fiesta time with over 70 men and women taking part in a great match despite the wind deciding to complicate matters. The III Villa de Mojácar Golf Tournament was held at the Marina de la Torre course, with lots of participants and, a high percentage of non Spanish residents. Finally, a sport growing in popularity locally is Padel and, this year’s VII Summer Tournament drew in increased amount of participants and spectators.
Ana García, Mojácar’s Sports Councillor was delighted with the popularity and success of the events and the increased numbers of visitors who had joined the locals in the challenges. Next on her agenda will be the opening the many classes in the town’s Sports School, which every year extends its programme and for both children and adults.
Mojácar´s San Agustín Fiesta ends on a high note.
Mojácar’s Fiesta in honour of the town’s Patron Saint, has come to an end for another year, having attracted a record number of people joining in, all enjoying the exceptionally well organised programme of events.
On Tuesday 28th, the last day, the mass in honour of the Patron Saint was held in the Santa María Parish Church, officiated by the priest, Miguel José Esteban Jerez, which was then followed by the spectacular traditional procession through the narrow village streets of Mojácar with the image of San Agustín held high on the shoulders of the bearers, bringing this year’s official acts to a close. Also in the procession, were the Fiesta Queen and Dames of Honour, Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano and her governing team of councillors, followed by the Municipal Band as well as many townspeople and visitors who were keen to join in.
After four action packed days of celebrations, the local Council along with the Merchants’ Association and town’s residents expressed how pleased they were with everything on offer over the whole event. The feria de medio dia (midday fair), set up in the Plaza Nueva, saw a record number of visitors, all making the most of the great atmosphere, music and tasty food which carried them throughout the afternoon until the dancing started up again on the night.
Also, the more traditional events such as the ribbon races, the carrying of the floral offerings to San Agustín from the Fuente to the Church and the Mass in honour of the Patron Saint, registered a much greater participation this year.
Sporting challenges also played a big part over the four days, with the now traditional children's and adult marathons, in which nearly 300 runners of all ages took part. Football was also a popular feature with a friendly match between the Mojácar and Cuevas del Almanzora, making it no less than the XXXVI Senior Soccer Tournament.
New technologies found their place, too, with an online games championship full of contestants fully charged to show off their skills to gain pole positions. As well as the other activities organised especially for the youngsters, the whole fiesta and its programmed activities attracted many more young people and children in general this year.
It was certainly a fiesta with a nod to the traditional and the new, with this year’s opening speech given by Eliseo Martínez García, teacher and theatre group director at Mojácar’s Secondary School.
Music and dance are the big traditional attractions at this type of fiesta and, as every year, there was a chance for those with enough energy to join in the fun each afternoon until dawn.
Mojácar´s traditional San Agustín fiesta begins.
Saturday 25th August heralds the start of Mojácar´s annual summer fiesta in honour of the town’s Patron, Saint Agustín which will go on until the Saint’s official Day on Tuesday.
Firecrackers will officially open the event at 12 noon, followed by the opening of the midday fair at 2 p.m. In and around Mojácar Pueblo’s Plaza Nueva, you can sample local cuisine, do some shopping and wander round the medieval market, before the group "Los Supersónicos" get ready to entertain everyone at 4 p.m.
The Children's Marathon is at 6 p.m. at the same venue, followed by the adults Ciudad de Mojácar race at 8 p.m. More than two hundred runners are already registered, but there´s still a chance to sign up at the last minute, from 7 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. at the Plaza Nueva.
After the prize giving, the music and dancing starts at 11 p.m. to the sounds of popular groups "Melodías" and "El Norte". At midnight, the San Agustín Fiesta ‘Pregón’ speech will be made by Eliseo Martínez García, teacher of Social Sciences and Philosophy since 2006 at Mojácar’s IES Rey Alabaez School and since 2008 Institute Secretary as well as Theatre Group Director.
After words of welcome to both townspeople and visitors from Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, the Fiesta Queen and her Dames of Honour (selected by representatives of various associations in the town) will be presented. María Pérez Prior will be crowned Fiesta Queen at 12.30 a.m. along with Carla Dellana Bartolomé and María Luisa Haro Torres as her Dames of Honour, all charged with representing young Mojaqueras throughout the 2018 celebrations.
On Sunday, after firecrackers at noon and the midday fair with musical entertainment at 2 p.m. the horseback runs with all its old medieval jousting traditions start at 5.30 p.m. with over 20 riders trying to win the embroidered ribbons.
A senior, friendly football match will take place at the Campo de Futbol at 8 p.m. with more outdoor music later at 11 p.m. at the Plaza Nueva.
Monday and Tuesday are also full of events and entertainment. For a full programme, visit mojacar.es or Facebook Mojacar Informa or Turismo de Mojacar.
Cristo Rey fiesta at Mojácar´s hamlet, Sopalmo.
Sopalmo, a part of the municipality of Mojácar, is eagerly preparing for its Cristo Rey Patron Saint Fiesta this weekend, from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th August.
Reviving old traditions, whilst also gathering more interest from the younger generations, it´s a time when Sopalmo dresses up and everyone, including residents and visitors, gets together to have a great time.
Everything gets going on Friday at 8 p.m. with the married couples’ ribbon races, a tradition dating back to medieval times, when more than 20 horseback riders battle to win the decorated ribbons that their partners have placed in rings. Each victor is always greeted with applause by spectators on both sides of the street, as the band plays a tune in their honour. Then, at 10 p.m. Sopalmo´s outdoor party takes over, with dancing and entertainment until dawn.
At midnight on Saturday, the Fiesta speech will be made by Juan Pablo Muñoz, followed by the election of the Fiesta Queen and the Dames of Honour. Isabel Montoya García, who was crowned Queen in 2017, along with her Dames, Ana Artero, Andrea García and Rocío García, will then hand their duties over to the newly crowned representatives for 2018.
Holy Mass will be held on Sunday at 7 p.m. in the town’s chapel, followed by the children`s ribbon races and, outdoor musical entertainment by Rafael Rueda at 8 p.m.
José Antonio Fernández, Sopalmo´s district Mayor, is delighted with the programme that has been put together for 2018 and has extended an open invitation to all Mojácar’s residents and visitors to come along and enjoy their special event. He stressed the importance of the residents’ participation and particularly the young people, whom he said will guarantee the future of these festivities for generations to come.
Sopalmo, a place that keeps its charming characteristics intact, is a place to visit at any time of the year, but is at its best when all dressed up for Fiesta time.
Mojácar la Vieja site is visited by Almería´s culture director and head of museums.
Almería´s Culture, Tourism and Sports Director from the Junta de Andalucía, Alfredo Valdivia Ayala, together with Ángela Suarez, Department Head of Museums and Culture, visited the excavations that the University of Granada and the Biocultural Archaeology Laboratories have been busy working on at Mojácar la Vieja.
Mojácar´s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, along with Emmanuel Agüero, the Councillor for Tourism, joined them to visit the ancient site to talk about the importance of the findings made by the archaeologists in ‘Old Mojácar’, as well as the magnitude of the discoveries and their relevance to the cultural legacy of Almería´s Levante area.
They all had the chance to tour La Vieja with research leader, Granada University Professor José María Martin Chivancos, who outlined the progress that has been made from the studies carried out during July, along with the initial conclusions. They also had the opportunity to discuss
future projects that will allow further recovery works in the area.
Although the research team will now need to carry out further analysis on the remains they have found in order to make their final conclusions, it is clear that Mojácar was one of the first Islamic settlements in Almería´s Levante. Its political and defensive importance from the 8th Century (when it is estimated that the settlement was founded), is indisputable, until the 13th Century when the move was made to the new site of the present Mojácar Pueblo that we all know.
Although the archaeologists have only been able to work at a certain level during their short stay, they have been able to confirm the existence of important economic activity revealed by highly significant day to day working objects relating to that time, along with a strong defences and evidence of a high concentration of inhabitants.
Mojácar´s Candlelit night pulls in the crodws.
Mojácar´s seventh Candlelit Night was, once again, an amazing success with crowds eager to attend what has become a highlight on the town´s calendar.
Under a full moon shining spectacularly in the Mojaquero sky, thousands of candles lit up the old town’s streets, facades, railings and balconies. Of these, 1,500 were positioned in sandbags, 3,500 were suspended and an additional 1,500 were given to local establishments by the Council to decorate their premises.
Although it is impossible to say how many people came along to this special night, an indication of its success was shown by the twenty buses charged with shuttling everyone from the beach area to the old town which were full from 7 p.m. when the reinforced timetable got underway.
The special transport plan that was put into place for the night by the Council and the transport company worked well, aided by the kiosks set up at strategic points for advance ticket purchase.
Visitors started to arrive earlier than in previous years and the town started to liven up as soon as the extra buses started to land and the traffic restrictions planned by the Local Police and the Council went into operation.
The town´s shops and restaurants were all bustling, with one restaurant feeding 720 diners on the night, making the event a resounding success, much to the delight of Mojácar Pueblo´s Merchants Association and the Council.
There is no doubt that this night in Mojácar is a unique event when the whole town gets involved in showing off the old town and its magical atmosphere at its best.
With street, shop and house lighting switched off, a piano concert began the evening in flickering white candlelight, whilst at the foot of the Mariquita Posá Cave, live music gave visitors a hint of what was about to be revealed, with live music and dancing as entertainment on various squares.
The 16th century Santa María Parish Church stayed open until the early hours with its beautiful interior decorated also with candles, creating an atmosphere of peace and reflection.
The telescopes set up at the Mirador del Castillo were a very popular feature, offering stargazers a chance to look out into the Mojaquero sky, ruled over by a spectacular moon casting its paths of light on the Mediterranean.
Mojácar Council asks the regional Government to kickstart their catering school expansion.
Mojácar Council held an ordinary plenary session which included the request to the Junta de Andalucía to set in motion the expansion of its Hotel and Catering School, which is of great traditional importance in the town.
A few years ago, before the aluminosis problems at the School´s former premises, it was decided to move the classrooms to the Rey Alavez School. Although the educational modules could be achieved, the School was left without some necessary areas for its optimal functioning, such as a more suitably sized kitchen, changing rooms and services. The Council then proposed to solve this, by giving an adjoining plot for building these facilities.
Works began in August 2013 and in September 2014, the Council approved the transfer to the Regional Government´s Ministry of Education. In this plenary session Mojácar Council presented the request for the Ministry of Education. to put the works to equip the new student rooms into operation.
Outside the agenda of the day, the Mayor, Rosmari Cano, asked for another item to be included, with reference to the request for an objection placed by the representatives of the Maui Beach establishment.
The objection in question is based on articles 23 and 24 of Law 40/2015 within the public sector law, requesting that the Mayor of Mojácar refrains from intervening in any procedure in which the establishment´s representatives are signatories.
With the plenary session having the authority to decide on the challenge, but within a period of fifteen days, it was therefore treated as a matter of urgency. In the legal report, there was no proven reason found to request the objection and, on voting, the request by the representatives of the aforementioned premises was rejected, followed by any other business of the day.
Mojácar steps up transport for Candlelit Night
Mojácar Council´s transport department has a special plan for its´Noche de las Velas´, which will start at 7 p.m. on July 26th and go through until 4 a.m. in order to ease access to the Pueblo on what is perhaps the busiest night of the year.
More than 20 buses will serve the route along Mojácar Playa to the Pueblo, with various co-ordinated lines going up and down, as well as shuttles to and from the Parque Comercial, all designed to speed up travel.
To facilitate quicker bus ticket purchase, different kiosks will be set up at the busiest points along the route including: the Hotel Indalo, the Hotel Pueblo Indalo, the Parque Comercial (by the biosaludable outdoor gym), the Petrol Station, the Avenida Encamp and at Marina de la Torre.
These extra measures have been put in place to give greater flexibility to the public transport service and reduce the travelling and waiting time for everyone going up and down to the Pueblo. To further assist, the ticket sales kiosks will be kept informed about the most suitable route and lines, so that users can be given clear information about which bus to take. Additionally, the taxi service will be reinforced that night, which can be easily contacted by ringing the Tele Taxi number: 950 888 111.
Also, given the immense popularity of this event the decision has been taken to ease the public transport service by prohibiting the access of private vehicles to the Pueblo from 7 p.m. which will affect the Avenida Encamp, Avenida Paris, Calle Glorieta as well as the Old Town, a similar strategy to the one in place for the Moors and Christians parade.
Mojácar´s Candlelit Night is a ´must do´ summer event at the Costa de Almería when the town is lit by candles, with telescopes to observe the stars, oriental dancing and many surprises when darkness falls to make it the most magical and unforgettable night of the year.
Mojácar´s Beach Safety Campaings
With Mojácar´s beaches now busy and tourist accommodation full, there has been a reinforcement of municipal services to ensure the summer passes peacefully and safely.
Mojácar Council has 25 lifeguards watching over the beaches through the day, with two jet skis, a zodiac, an ambulance and a support vehicle at their disposal. Additionally, there are amphibious chairs for those with disabilities and, a designated lifeguard who can accompany anyone requesting the service safely in and out of the water.
Spread over seven of the town´s beaches, the rescue units, equipped with defibrillators, oxygen, spinal boards and first aid kits, give all the necessary support for these professionals to carry out their work.
However, it is vitally important that beach goers pay attention to instructions given by the lifeguards and, respect the green, yellow and red flags flying daily.
The company Ebone, which is contracted by Mojácar Council to ensure beach safety, also provides courses for youngsters throughout the summer called ´Socorristas Junior´ providing a fun, educational opportunity for children to see at first hand the lifeguard’s work. As well as instilling the dangers of not observing beach rules, they learn to how call 112, perform basic resuscitation do and the Heimlich manoeuvre. They also get a chance to see all the life-saving equipment put into action in cases of accident and rescue on the beach and in the water.
At El Lance beach, over 70 children and adults turned up for the last course who showed great interest in everything the lifeguards said and demonstrated. At noon on Saturday 28 July, the next course will be held on the beach at Marina de la Torre, when everyone is welcome to attend.
Rescue drills are also carried out with willing ´victims´, along with an ambulance and the Local Police, when the effectiveness of the services is reinforced and checked, whilst also showing those on the beach the practices and techniques that are followed in the case of emergency. One such simulation took place at the Venta del Bancal beach with another one planned for next week with a focus on this time in the case of toxic spills.
For the time being however, the season has been calm and, with the exception of a small intervention, the work of the rescue professionals on Mojácar´s beaches has been blessed with a safe and peaceful atmosphere.
Mojácar gets ready for its annual Candlelit Night
Next Thursday, 26th July 2018, Mojácar will once again hold its ´Noche de las Velas´, an event nobody wants to miss, when Mojácar shines under the stars illuminated totally by candlelight.
At dusk, the lighting in the town, including many local businesses, will be switched off to give way to the flickering light of white candles that will flood the historic old town´s streets, windows and facades.
To stroll through the streets of one of the most beautiful towns in Spain in this beautiful lighting is not only a treat to the eyes, but also, it´s a great chance to enjoy a variety of top standard musicians and entertainment for everyone at the different beauty spots and squares.
MUSIC IN THE CANDLELIGHT
From 10 p.m. onwards, the pianist Rosario Almansa will play again this year at the foot of the Cueva Mariquita la Posá. The violin and the guitar of ´Monica and Sus Amigos´ will liven up the Plaza de las Flores, while ´Shirin´ the oriental dancer will transport the crowd to the 1001 Arabian Nights in the Plaza del Parterre. Meanwhile, the Plaza del Frontón will move to the reggae rhythm of the group "Efecto Sur", with other musicians and jugglers strolling through the town´s streets, ending up at the Plaza Nueva.
TELESCOPES AND MOSAICS
This magical night will present the perfect time to look out to the skies, when stargazing is especially interesting. At the Mirador del Castillo, there will be several telescopes placed for everyone to use, free of charge.
Also on this wonderful night, there will be a chance to join together with the creation of two candle mosaics placed in the Plaza del Frontón and Calle Glorieta.
SPECIAL EVENT PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The town´s transport department has a special public transport plan for "Noche de las Velas 2018", which will start at 7 p.m. that evening and go through until 4 a.m.
More than 20 buses will serve the route stops along Mojácar Playa to facilitate access to the Pueblo, with coordinated direct lines going up and down, as well as shuttles from the Pueblo to the Parque Comercial, designed to speed up travel. To quicken bus ticket purchase, they will be on sale at different kiosks set up at the busiest points along the route including: Hotel Indalo, Hotel Pueblo Indalo, Parque Comercial (by the biosaludable outdoor gym), the Petrol Station, The Avenida Encamp and Marina de la Torre.
Also, and given the popularity of the event, it has been decided to improve the public transport service by prohibiting the access of private vehicles to the Pueblo from 7 p.m. which will affect the Avenida Encamp, Avenida Paris, Calle Glorieta as well as the Pueblo, a similar strategy to the one in place for the Moors and Christians parade.
Both the routes and extra lines have been put in place to give greater flexibility to the public transport service and reduce the waiting time for everyone travelling up and down to the Pueblo. To assist this, the ticket sales kiosks will be kept informed about the most suitable route and lines, so that users wanting to go up to the Pueblo and later return to their place of residence can be given clear information about which bus to take.
Additionally, the taxi service will be reinforced that night, which can be easily contacted by ringing the Tele Taxi number, 950 888 111.
PUBLICITY
The Council, through its Tourism Department, has carried out a massive publicity campaign about the event, through its websites, newsletters, social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.) with posters appearing on the coaches and buses of the region´s main transport companies.
Mojacar Holds successful Beach Tennis Heat in the Provincial Circuit
Mojácar Holds successful Beach Tennis Heat in the Provincial Circuit
Mojácar recently held its third annual competition in the Provincial Beach Tennis Circuit, organized by Almeria´s Government in collaboration with the local Town Council.
A sporting, but fun game, with the aim of promoting beach tennis to both tourists and residents, registration was free of charge with all the necessary equipment provided.
50 players turned up to play, spread over the different categories for men, women, doubles and, for youngsters up to age 14 and 16. Mojácar Sports Councillor, Ana García, was there on the beach to see the games throughout the day and was delighted with high level of both play and participation. In her mind, however, the great relaxed atmosphere and sportsmanship were the highlights of the competition, whatever the results.
In the end, Laura Mulero Parra and Gustavo Staniscia came first with
David Franco López and Daniel Fernando Ortega second, followed by Diego and Damián Navarro in third position.
The next rounds of the Provincial Tennis Circuit will be held on the 22nd in Garrucha followed by the 29th in Cuevas del Almanzora.
Mojácar summer entertainment programme
Mojácar Council´s Culture and Festivities Department has launched its summer programme, which has something on offer every day to keep both children and adults entertained.
From the second half of July until the end of August, the evenings in Mojácar Pueblo will be filled with music, film and dance, culminating with the San Agustín Fiesta in honour of the town´s Patron Saint.
For the children, there are lots of fun activities especially for them including sporty games, bouncy castles, trampolines and magic, not forgetting some Superheroes that will be paying a visit. The action will be set up at different points in Mojácar´s Old Town including the Plazas Nueva, Frontón and Parterre as well as the Centro de Usos Múltiples at the Fuente.
After a great day on the beach, everyone then has the chance to enjoy their free time, taking in the local gastronomy with some favourite pastimes, whilst taking advantage of the wonderful evening temperature as night falls in the Town.
Of course, the highlight of this month´s programme is the Night of the Candles on Thursday, 26th, which has become one of the most important dates in the Mojaquero summer. It´s an event which involves all the people of the town, working hand in hand with the Mojácar Pueblo Association of Merchants and the local Council.
As night falls, the lights in Mojácar are switched off, to be replaced by the glimmer of thousands of candles scattered through the streets, houses and shops. On this night, with the shooting stars, the atmosphere in Mojácar becomes more magical than ever.
The dreamlike mood comes alive even more with wandering fakirs, music and street parades, to remind us of the local ancient legends that are ingrained into the town.
La Noche de las Velas is now in its seventh year and has become one of the most important events in the province´s calendar. Its well deserved fame has spread far and wide and, every time more visitors from all over Spain come to stay, as everyone knows that it is an experience not be missed.
Blue flags fly on Mojácar´s Beaches.
Mojácar Council´s Governing Team recently raised three blue flags, which can be seen flying at the Las Ventanicas, Piedra Villazar and Marina de la Torre beaches.
Although all Mojácar´s coastline is in tip top condition, these three particular beaches have obtained the highest rating from the European Foundation for Environmental Education who since 1987, have devised a strict series of conditions to be met by beaches and ports.
Mojácar has had blue flags since the 1990´s and has increased the equipment and services offered at its bathing areas each year.
To obtain a blue flag, the beaches are reviewed by both national and international inspectors, who take into account all the relevant information including environmental education and management, water quality, safety and available facilities. There also needs to be display boards with clear guidelines about the beach as well as coastal ecosystems.
The bathing water quality, must be excellent in all sampling areas and comply with directives on urban wastewater treatment. There is also the requirement to comply with environmental legislation, particularly the Coastal Law, with adequate waste management, especially with regard to glass.
Beaches must additionally have easy, safely access, particularly with regard to those with disabilities, with first-aid equipment and trained staff on hand should any incident arise.
In addition to the award winning beaches, throughout the tourist season, those at Lance Nuevo, El Cantal and Descargador will also have a lifeguard rescue service and, a number of other improvement plans are under way in all the bathing areas in Mojácar.
The now traditional "Junior Lifeguard" courses on the beach are already running, when youngsters have a chance to learn some basic first aid, CPR, how to call 112, amongst other things suited to their age.
Awareness about keeping the sand and the seabed clean is a big part of these sessions, also. Additionally, one vitally important task is to instil on both children and adults the campaign to raise awareness of correct and responsible action to take if a mammal or any marine animal is found on the sand or near the beach in Mojácar or elsewhere else.
All in all, it´s a year-round job that ties in the work of the Tourism Department with Mojácar Council´s beach responsibilities so that, as always, holiday time in the town lives up to the high expectations of locals and tourists alike.
Mojácar´s Local Police put new dog patrol into action
Mojácar´s Local Police Canine Unit was initiated last September, following the joint specialised training of dogs with the town´s officers.
It has already seen positive results during the first patrols, with a number of people apprehended for having in their possession different types of prohibited substances such as marijuana, hashish and cocaine.
Mojácar Police have two dogs at their disposal, from a total of ten that have been trained in Vera´s Zadhir de Luna Centre to detect illegal substances and assist the officers in carrying out their work, particularly in crowded areas.
At the moment the patrolled areas are focused on the beach bar zone, in the afternoon and evening, which has the largest influx of people. For Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, Mojácar Councillor for Security, this new Canine Unit is all part of a modernization plan for the Local Police, with officers taking part in training courses to ensure greater effectiveness, both for the public and, themselves.
With the high season very much in mind, the Head of the Local Police met with the Mayor and the Councillor for Public Safety to plan and review procedures and action for the busy weeks ahead, which will see increased number of officers in Mojácar through collaborative agreements with other towns.
A total of 12 vehicles make up the official fleet, which includes all-terrain, basic patrol cars, cars with special detention equipment, unmarked cars. an off road 4 by 4 as well as all-terrain motorbikes and newly acquired urban scooters.
There are 23 Local Police officers in Mojácar´s force who, as part of their day to day work, are empowered to put into force campaigns from the General Directorate of Security within the town, including breathalyser controls, the use of the safety helmets and belts, as well as child protection in vehicles.
A moonlit walk just another great thing to do in Mojácar.
A moonlit walk just another great thing to do in Mojácar.
Mojácar Council recently held its annual "Senderos de la Luna" moonlit walk, which is organised in collaboration with Almería´s Provincial Council as part of their hiking and trekking sports programme.
For several years now, this event has been a must for walking enthusiasts and, the Menas-Macenas path, which runs along the edge of the sea, is the perfect setting. With an "easy/medium" grade, this 10km route also passes through some strategic points that reveal the area´s economic and social history.
The group was accompanied on the night by two guides and Civil Protection members, along with the town´s Sports Councillor, Ana Garcia, making stops along the way for information on the most emblematic points.
The Mena-Macenas path takes the visitor back to the mining past, with indications of the tracks left by the muleteers and iron transporters as well as signs of the Muslim age and the Mediterranean coast defences. All this area, too, is surrounded by unique fauna and flora such as the "limonium estevei", an endemic species to the area which is in danger of extinction.
Although this was the chosen route for the moonlit walk, Mojácar has a wide range of paths which illustrate emblematic places of interest, whether they are cultural or, form part of the landscape. On foot or by bike, this coastal area is fabulous to explore, be it the virgin beaches, the Sierra Cabrera hills, the great variety of endemic species or the great cultural history left by the footprints of various Mediterranean civilizations.
Without doubt, there is something for everyone to enjoy and discover amongst these attractions, which are being actively promoted and enhanced by Mojácar´s Tourism Department, with great interest and success.
Mojácar´s "La Fuente" art gallery inaugurates Amigos de la Pintura exhibition.
Mojácar´s "La Fuente" art gallery inaugurates Amigos de la Pintura exhibition.
Throughout July, the Association ‘Amigos de la Pintura’ exhibition will be on show at Mojácar´s Municipal art gallery, "La Fuente".
Under the leadership of their teacher Graciana Peralta, 16 of the 30 artists in the group have almost 100 pieces of work on display representing a whole range of artistic techniques such as oil, watercolour, collage, charcoal, etc. in styles from the very traditional to the most avant-garde.
Of particular interest is the inclusion of young people to the Association, bringing in new generations to forge their own steps in the art world, learning and experimenting along the way with the most innovative techniques that will form new artistic concepts in the future.
With students ranging from 7 to 80 years of age, Graciana Peralta manages to bring together an array of artistic sensibilities in her studio that enriches everyone and, is evident in the work produced. She has seen through her teaching that "many could not believe what they were capable of doing" and that, perseverance and creativity are the secret of success as she encourages everyone to approach painting without fear.
Raquel Belmonte, Mojácar´s Culture Councillor was at the opening and had a chance to chat with Graciana and the artists. She expressed how impressed she was by the high quality of the paintings, particularly those by the youngest exhibiting members, some of whom are only 8 and 9 years old.
The "La Fuente" Centro de Arte is open to the public, with free admission, from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. from Tuesdays to Fridays and from 10.00 a.m. to 13.00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Archaeologist start their quest to discover more about Mojácar´s ancient settlement.
Archaeologist start their quest to discover more about Mojácar´s ancient settlement.
On Monday July 2, the research work that Granada University archaeologists plan to carry out during July on the ancient site of ´Mojácar la Vieja´, was presented to the media and interested residents.
Mojácar Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Tourism, Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, first of all thanked those sitting with him on the stage for their collaboration; the Valparaíso Foundation Secretary and its President Beatrice Becket, Project Director, José María Martín Civantos and, local historian, Juan Grima Cervantes. He then went on to stress the significance and enormous importance of this project and the value of culture to Mojácar. He also added that it is a project that has the support of the entire Municipal Corporation, as well as the resolve of the current Government Team for its continuity in successive years.
Juan Grima, described it as “a very important day in Mojácar´s history” which would, in three or four years time, hopefully bring to light 90% of what remains of the old city of Mojácar.
José María Martín Civantos, then outlined the two parts of the project that will be carried out during this year. First of all, the work to clean the old city cistern has already begun. In a well preserved state, it is located at the highest part and, is one of the most important of the ancient Kingdom of Granada. What is thought to be the city gate along with parts of the wall and remains of a tower, are the other initial focus points.
The second section of the overall project, is to get members of the public involved in learning about the historical heritage and how it drove the economic, cultural and social life in the past. It is also hoped that there will be those who wish to take an active part by assisting on site. For those interested, there is a programme of activities including mapping and guided tours in Spanish and English, as well as a photo contest, all designed to the reveal and learn more about Mojácar´s heritage.
The project initially sprang from the Tourism Department three years ago, with an aim to promote tourism that is linked to and, could benefit more from the immense heritage and cultural potential in the town.
Mojácar la Vieja, the ancient settlement of Mojácar, was abandoned in the thirteenth century, although there is evidence of human life going back more than 4,500 years ago and, the land it is on is officially classified as one of cultural interest (BIC). The archaeological research being carried out by the University of Granada and its members of the Biocultural Archeology Laboratory MEMOlab, will be completing a study of the first Islamic settlements of Almería´s Levante. In their focus on Mojácar, they will be looking into how, over the centuries, relationships between humans and their natural environment have gradually developed, whilst forming the landscape around them.
Mojácar tourism department launches new promotional campaign.
Mojácar tourism department launches new promotional campaign.
With the arrival of the busy summer season, Mojácar´s Tourism Department has launched a new promotional video campaign, that will be targeted to social networks to show off the town´s beaches. The campaign is made up of four, two minute videos, with impressive aerial images of the 17 km of coastline, showing the natural virgin beaches as well as the certificated, award winning urban ones with their lifeguards, adapted bathing areas and everything needed for the many beach-goers.
Over the coming weeks a new video will appear on the town´s Facebook pages, ´Turismo de Mojacar´ and ´Mojacar Informa´ as well as on national and international social networks, as part of a digital promotional campaign, especially designed for the tourist sector to reach out to many more people than their usual followers.
The leading online marketing agency, “Taller Emarketing”, have been charged with this and other projects over recent years, which includes the brand "Mojácar, Unforgettable Memories." The videos will make up part of the overall tourism publicity package, including the web page mojacar.es, which is one of the most visited of the province, with up to date town news, local information, events, fiestas, exhibitions etc.
Mojácar Tourism Department has invested a lot of time and effort in upgrading their publicity and information and last year, saw their Facebook page, have a monthly average of 41,300 "likes", with a massive 166,668 people between mid July and mid August. They have also been a pioneer in obtaining the seal of the Integral System of Spanish Tourist Quality in Destinations, SICTED.
Mojácar keeps up its revival of the traditional barriada de Cuartillas Fiesta.
The part of Mojácar known as Cuartillas recently held its own eagerly anticipated fiesta in honour of its patron saint San Antonio, brought about by the hard work, affection and perseverance of people for this revived celebration.
After seventy forgotten years, it was revived three years ago, bringing back all those memories and, the celebration grows, extending to an extra day this time. Starting on the Friday with a band and open air dance, it was followed by a mass in honour of San Antonio the next day, when the specially decorated bread rolls, made with the age old traditional recipe, were blessed and given out to the parishioners.
Prominence is always given to the most senior person and, the opening speech was made by Doña Paula Martínez de Haro, the last teacher at the old Cuartillas School, which she opened up every day for 11 years. Many locals who are now trying to regain their neighbourhood learned to read and write with her until she closed the classrooms for the final time, saying goodbye to her beloved students as the sounds of their laughter and play faded away.
The Neighbours Association, Asociación de Vecinos de Cuartillas, was not only created for this celebration however, as work goes on throughout the year with the aim of recovering an area that in its time was an important nucleus with a population of over 100. Now, it is their children and grandchildren who are bringing back the life that stopped in the postwar period and, recovering the old chapel and the original image of
San Antonio, have been the two main priorities.
The ancient chapel, the Ermita of San Antonio is however located on private land and the original image of San Antonio, which went to Barcelona with the family that rescued it from the almost abandoned building is now unlikely to return to its place of origin.
However, both setbacks are not deterring those loyal to the cause in seeking a new location and image, for which funding and resources are needed. Money is being raised by lottery and other ways and any help, however small, that anyone can offer is welcomed in order to have a small place to worship and a new San Antonio.
Both these things would be welcomed with the same love and enthusiasm as in bygone years, bringing together the spirit of the many generations that have given life to a neighbourhood that today refuses to disappear.
Mojácar music schools holds end of year concert.
The students of Mojácar´s Music School recently gave a well attended concert at the Centro de Usos Múltiples, with proud parents, relatives and friends in the audience, including the town´s Culture and Education Councillors, Raquel Belmonte and Ana Garcia, showing their support.
For the first time, the School Choir students joined in this end of year event, with songs by Mecano and Rosario Flores. The programme also included a guitar duo, playing Manuel de Falla as well as five guitarists delighting the listeners with a medley of well-known tunes from over the years.
The Town Music Band and the School students, including those from the introductory and preparatory courses, performed a wide musical programme which clearly demonstrated the great progress they have all made over the last year.
Founded 25 years ago, Mojácar´s Music School currently has almost 200 students and band members aged between 3 and 75 years, although countless more have already passed through its classrooms since it was set up. As everyone knows, there is no age limit to learn or enjoy music and start to appreciate the world of music and sound.
There are four teachers at the School, providing classes at elementary and intermediate level for the practice of any instrument, be it string, wind or percussion, as well as preparation for the entrance exam to the Conservatory of Music in Almeria. Most members of the Municipal Music Band have trained at Mojácar’s School, which also runs a range of dance classes.
Raquel Belmonte, Mojácar´s Culture Councillor expressed her delight with all the students at the School and how it is facilitating these youngsters saying, "music education is an important keystone in children´s education, contributing to their integral training by developing their physical, emotive and moral life, although, the benefits are clearly evident for anyone at any age."
Mojácar´s young football team reach the top ten in the Levante Cup.
Mojácar´s young football team reach the top ten in the Levante Cup.
The junior category in this year´s national football Levante Cup was recently held in Mojácar, which saw 32 teams from all over Spain taking part, including 8 second teams from the first division.
For the first time, the young Mojácar team managed to go through to the last 16, showing good form backed with plenty of
enthusiasm, with two well deserved victories, but their defeat against first division finalists Deportivo de la Coruña put an end to the Mojaquero team’s prospects.
The Mojácar players ended up in ninth place, a measure of their solid work and the great progress they are making, especially up against the best teams at national level. It was also a fantastic experience for all these youngsters, giving them a motivational boost to keep up their training and be a part of the pool of local players that will undoubtedly go on to give hours of sporting pleasure to football fans in the future.
Mojácar holds its second "Romantic Night".
Mojácar is making the final preparations for its "Romantic Night" and "The Most Beautiful Kiss in the World", with an open invitation to all residents and visitors to come and enjoy this extra special evening together.
The date is Friday 22 June, when Mojácar will hold the event for the second year running, along with 350 other Spanish, French, Italian and Belgian towns that make up “The Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Spain” as well as in those other countries.
Organised by the local Town Council in collaboration with the Asociación de Comerciantes de Mojácar Pueblo, from 10 p.m. Mojácar will be ready with a heart-felt welcome for everyone to fall in love with the town and each all over again. A night especially designed for romantics or those seeking a new love story of their own and, on a magical evening in an enchanting place like Mojácar, anything can happen.
All this week, the 4 buses that run the circular route around the town have been decked with 50 red helium balloons, surprising their passengers, in anticipation of the 4,000 balloons that will shine on Friday, with an extra 600 handed out to the restaurants, bars and shops.
It´s a night for the whole town to give in to love, when everyone will be greeted with LED illuminated hearts and streets decorated with huge heart shaped helium balloons and, no couple will resist pausing under the adorned arches, along with several romantic photo call points set up around the town so they can mark the moment, hand in hand. Also, in the Santa María Church at 9.30, blessings will be given to those in love.
There will be different types of live romantic music including piano, jazz, soul and boleros dotted on stages outside the Church, Plaza Nueva, Puerta de la Ciudad, Plaza del Parterre and Plaza del Arbollón. The restaurants and bars are busy creating their own romantic menus as well as decorations especially for the occasion, with love and heart themed food and drinks, with maybe a few magic formulas thrown in.
It is set to be an unforgettable experience with lots of surprises that will have its high point as the church bells ring at midnight when everyone gathers under the stars at the Plaza Nueva, with fireworks lighting the sky, to join together in a show of eternal love and affection for “The Most Beautiful Kiss in the World” followed by dancing with Mojácar´s spectacular view as a backdrop.
Mojácar council signs agreement with Granada University for archaelogical research at the ancient settlement of "Mojácar la vieja".
An initiative between Mojácar Tourism Department and the University of Granada has brought about a research project for the conservation and enhancement of Mojácar la Vieja, with the aim of adding importance to this archaeological site and making it suitable for public visits.
From the outset of the project, Mojácar Council has had the collaboration of the Valparaíso Foundation, owner of a large part of the land on which the site is located. Together they have worked on the search for a prestigious team of historians and archaeologists to draft up and direct the project and Valparaíso´s pledge of collaboration to Mojácar Council has given the project an even greater international dimension.
Other townspeople and owners of these lands (classified as B.I.C), are also excited and full of hope about this initiative, as it is one that should add value to the cultural heritage of the town. Mojácar la Vieja was the first populated settlement, which was abandoned centuries ago followed by a move to the town´s current location nearby.
Mojácar, inhabited since antiquity, has in its municipal area an enormous patrimonial wealth of great importance, with areas protected as assets of cultural interest. The Mojácar la Vieja site is located on a pyramid shaped, steeply sloped hill, which dominates the low lying land by the Río Aguas. This privileged geographical situation favoured its occupation since prehistoric times, backed by evidence of a settlement from this period. However, the archaeological remains currently visible on the hill belong to the Andalucían period, when the hill was occupied by the first Islamic communities.
The top of the hill is crowned by a large aljibe deposit, from which once zigzagged water out to the houses on the south and southeast slopes. Also, both on the small plateau at the top, and half way up the slope, there are defensive constructions, where there are easily visible stretches of wall, towers, and even an access door from the walled enclosure of the town.
The research to be carried out on this settlement will allow the discovery of interesting urban, architectural and social data from the first Islamic communities that settled in the Almeria´s Levante and Mojácar, one of the "Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in the World", will add archaeological visits to one of the most interesting sites in the province to its numerous touristic attractions. There are more than 200 requests from all over the world, to carry out excavational digs in Mojácar.
On July 2, excavations by the University of Granada team will begin, led by the Professor Dr. José María Martín Civantos along with members of the Bio cultural Archaeology Laboratory MEMOLab (https://blogs.ugr.es/memolab/), Dr. Julio Miguel Román Punzón, Dr. Lara Delgado Anés, Pablo Romero Pellitero, Rocco Corselli and Jorge Rouco Collazo.
Numerous archaeology and history university students applied to Granada University to take part and, the 55 volunteers who were finally chosen from all over Spain and around the world will stay in Mojácar in 15-day shifts, excavating and studying the site.
Throughout this first excavation campaign from July 2 to 27, there will be numerous cultural activities taking place at the site for residents and visitors to discover more about the area´s outstanding features and the centuries under investigation. The MEMOLab Laboratory carries out important work involving the public and circulating information and in Mojácar´s case, La Vieja has the potential, for those interested to not only learn about the excavation, but to actively participate in research, conservation and information dissemination tasks .
The children will also play a role in Mojácar (the first Andalucían municipality certified as a destination for family tourism) as there will be days for them to visit and find out about the site, as well as the work of archaeologists.
On Monday, July 2, at 8 p.m. the official presentation of the project will take place.
The presentation to the media and all who wish to attend will take place in Mojácar on Monday July 2. Those interested may inquire about or register to be part of the group of volunteers excavating Mojácar la Vieja. All helpers will take their part in unearthing one of the oldest Islamic populations, abandoned for centuries.
Guided tours, in Spanish and English, as well as talks, activities such as "archaeologist for a day" and "pottery workshop" will be some of the activities that lovers of culture and archaeology will have a chance to enjoy in Mojácar throughout the month of July.
The photograph shows: Emmanuel Agüero, First Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Tourism, with the Excavation Project Director, Professor Dr. José María Martín Civantos.
Mojácar holds its second "Romantic Night" with "the Most Beautiful Kiss in the World"
Mojácar is making all the preparations for its "Romantic Night" and "The Most Beautiful Kiss in the World", extending an open invitation to everyone in the town (including all the visitors) to come and enjoy this special evening.
The date is Friday 22 June, when Mojácar holds the event for the second year running, along with 350 other Spanish, French, Italian and Belgian towns that make up “The Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Spain” as well as other countries.
From 10 p.m. Mojácar will be ready with a heart-felt welcome for everyone to fall in love with the town and each other once more. A night especially designed for romantics or those seeking a new love story of their own and, with a magical evening in an enchanting place like Mojácar, anything is possible.
It´s a night for the whole town to give in to love, when everyone will be greeted with LED illuminated hearts and streets decorated with huge heart shaped helium balloons and, no couple will resist pausing under the adorned arches, along with several romantic photo call points set up around the town so they can mark the moment, hand in hand.
There will be different types of live music in the squares of the Old Town and restaurants and bars are busy creating their own romantic menus as well as decorations especially for the occasion, with love themed food and drinks.
It will be an unforgettable experience with lots of surprises that will have its high point at midnight when everyone gathers under the stars, with fireworks from the Plaza de la Iglesia, to take part together for “The Most Beautiful Kiss in the World.”
Townspeople and officials from Mojácar´s Twin Town of Encamp join in the Moors and Christians fiesta.
A delegation from the Andorran town of Encamp, twinned with Mojácar since 1993, recently visited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the twinning as well as take in the Moors and Christians Fiesta.
Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmarí Cano, officially welcomed the party from Encamp at the town’s plenary hall with Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, Raquel Belmonte and Ana García, the local Councillors for Tourism, Fiestas and Culture and Sports respectively. Also present was Mojácar’s President of the Twinning Association, Felipe Kirsch.
From Encamp, the group included the Consul, Jordi Torres, along with Councillors Aleix Varela and Jordi Rogel, with the Twinning President of the Encamp Association, Lourdes Rich. More than twenty Encamp residents met with members of the various Moors and Christians groups, with the top representatives from both towns exchanging gifts significant to both places.
After thanking the people of Encamp for their visit, the Mayor stressed the importance of this contact, especially to the young ones, saying it was “an excellent opportunity for the youth of both locations to get to know and share each other’s cultures and traditions.”
The Consul of Encamp went on to highlight the importance of brotherhood in the tourism field, the main economic activity that both municipalities share which he believes, after 25 years of such meetings in both places, has been a great success saying "the friendship between the towns and councils creates positive synergies for both."
After the official ceremony, the Mayor with her Councillors showed the Encamp delegation the new "Encuentro de Culturas" exhibition at the Centro de Arte "El Mirador del Castillo", which includes a collection of the fiesta photos, posters and costumes showing its history throughout its thirty years. Afterwards, the delegation stayed in Mojácar until the Moors and Christians Fiesta came to a close, joining in all the events over the weekend.
The story of Mojácar´s Moors and Christians fiesta at the "Encuentro de culturas" exhibition.
Mojácar’s Moors and Christians Association, in collaboration with Mojácar Council mounted a semi-permanent exhibition entitled "Encuentro de Culturas" at the Pueblo’s Centro de Arte "Mirador del Castillo", in order to mark the 30th anniversary of the town’s distinctive fiesta.
With free entry, it will remain open all summer and includes a wide selection of photos, posters and costumes used by the different participating groups of kábilas and cuarteles over the years. Also, due to the immense amount of material that the Association and Council have collected, some of the exhibition will rotate to allow a wider variety to be shown.
At the moment, 17 women’s, men’s and children’s Moors and Christians costumes are on display, showing the gradual progress that has taken place, year after year. There are also over 100 high quality photos of the parades and its characters since it all began in 1988, including the winning images of the 1st Moors and Christians Photography Competition last year.
These snapshots capture all the special times that sum up the mood of this fiesta, from the happiness of the participants, to the looks of surprise on the children’s faces, the magnificent costumes, the moments of relaxation as well as those in memory and tribute to the friends no longer with us.
Another attraction of the exhibition is the wonderful collection of posters, some made by noted design and advertising artists,
that had been used to publicise the fiestas throughout its thirty years, showing the changes in tastes and artistic styles over the eras.
"Encuentro de Culturas" is in short, a walk through memory lane, showing the efforts and enthusiasm the entire town puts in to enjoying their most important annual event which has achieved the great merit of being officially recognized as of Touristic Interest in Andalucía.
Mojácar´s Moors and Christians Fiesta 2018 begins!
Today, Friday 8th June, Mojácar’s eagerly anticipated Moors and Christians Fiesta gets underway, an event that is officially of Touristic Interest in Andalucía and, one which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
Already this morning, the children from Bartolomé Flores School have made their own procession in costume up to the town’s Plaza Nueva. This year, Chloe Cooper and Carlos García-Alix, representing the Moorish Kábila Ali-Olé and the Christian Templarios, respectively, have been chosen as the children's ‘pregoneros’, announcing the start of the Fiesta and encouraging all townspeople and visitors to make the most of this very special weekend.
From midday, the medieval market opens, with stall holders dressed in period outfits, selling crafts and all sorts of other items that should transport everyone back to the Middle Ages. To the sound of the Moors and Christian musical marches, this is a prelude to the official start at 9.30 p.m. where Christians and trabuqueros with their noisy blunderbusses will concentrate at the Centro the de Usos Múltiples, with the Moorish troops gathering at La Fuente. All are preparing for the handing over of the keys of the town, following the staging of the peaceful surrender of Mojácar between the Moorish and Christian Kings.
At 10.30p.m. there is the excited announcement of hostile troops and the groups make their way up the hill from the Fuente, presided over by their respective captains and accompanied by the town band, fireworks and gunfire. By 11.00 p.m. the troops are assembled in the Plaza Nueva for the official Fiesta opening speeches, given by both the adult and children’s ambassadors. This year, Carlos Pérez Castro from the Moorish Kábila Ali-Olé and Christian Templario, Alejandro Montero, have been given these honoured roles. In Mojácar, however, the battle is "without winners or losers", as everyone ‘wins’ at the Moors and Christians Fiesta! After the announcements are made, the various groups open their individual camps where they will keep on partying until dawn.
On Saturday, the trabuqueros with their blunderbusses will be on the beach at El Lance at 4.30 p.m. in front of the Pueblo Indalo, defending the beach from a Moorish raid from the sea. This will be followed by a medieval tournament will be at 6 p.m. when both Moorish and Christian riders try to win the most scarves worn by the ladies of both sides, alongside a fire and dance show. Afterwards, the troops will march along the Promenade from the Ankara Beach Bar to the Red Cross.
The event most people wait for, however, is the stunning Moors and Christians Grand Parade at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday in Mojácar Pueblo, which will bring this 30th Fiesta year to spectacular end.
Mojacar´s School Children celebrate Día Europeo Red Natura 2000
Fourth year students from Mojácar’s Rey Alabez Secondary School recently the international Día Europeo de la Red Natura 2000 (which celebrates the preservation of cultural and natural heritage) with an excursion along the coastal Mena-Macenas path.
The youngsters and their tutors were taken by bus to the starting point on the beach by the Hotel Indalo, where they began the trail
with guides giving explanations along the way about their Sierra Cabrera surroundings and, the areas that are part of the Red Natura Network of protected zones.
The Mena-Macenas trail is one of Mojácar’s six trails, which all have some historical, cultural and scenic interest. It runs along a stretch of the old Mojácar to Carboneras road between through the cliffs that form the Sierra Cabrera as they drop down to the Mediterranean Sea.
A stop was made at the Castillo de Macenas, which was built in the second half of the 18th century as a defence from pirate attacks and, has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. They were able to look around inside and explore the areas where the artillery battery was located, which could be used to defend from attacks from any direction.
Along the path there are also more than 10,000 specimens of native vegetation, with the particularly important limonium estevei, which is endemic to the area. Afterwards, the students, with their teachers and guides made time to discuss all the things they had learned about and discovered on the route.
Prior to the visit, the youngsters had had some preparation for their day out, as this in an on-going project, with the creation of teams to create short films about their findings on the day, which will be later posted on the Life Conhabit Andalucía website.
Great success for the First Gran Fondo "Costa de Almería" cycle race.
The First ‘Gran Fondo, Costa de Almería’ cycle race, held last weekend in Mojácar, proved to be a resounding success, pleasing organizers and participants alike.
The unanimous opinion was that this event is going to become one of the best on the Spanish calendar, as a well as a very important rival to the most prestigious international cycling challenges. With perfect organization overall, coupled with the fabulous scenic route, it could well be set to become a higher category race.
All this however, has not just happened on its own, as Mojácar Tourism Councillor Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, pointed out the ten years of background work that has gone on to bring this event to fruition in the town.
Cyclists from all over Europe are already familiar with Mojácar and the Costa de Almería, which has come about over the years by the town’s presence at the most important international fairs, improving and building up cycling for tourists, with a clear vision of developing sports tourism as an important formula to fight seasonality.
Through the joint efforts of the Mojácar’s Servigroup hotel group, the prestigious sports company Kortwerg, Velofutur; Mojácar Council and Almería Provincial Council, between February and May, 1,200 cyclists, mainly from Holland and the Netherlands stayed in the area for a week.
This first Gran Fondo Costa de Almería attracted an outstanding amount of foreign athletes, with almost 50% of the 190 runners coming from other European countries. The winner in the male category was Daniel Kogan from the UK, who took nearly 6 hours to complete the 208 km test with its 3,680 metres of altitude. On finishing he praised the top notch organization, spectacular route, as well as the great road safety. In the female category, Els Maes, gained first position.
Now, only a few days after the completion of this winning event, details for next year are already being drawn up. Emmanuel Agüero is clear about the importance of continuing with these projects and collaborating with the hotel sector as well as taking advantage of the Provincial Council’s support, saying "this is a joint task with the aim of breaking seasonality and consolidating the good results that are beginning to open new doors in the tourism sector."
Mojácar holds its third Floral Indalo Weekend.
This weekend, for the third consecutive year, Mojácar is holding its Floral Indalo Festival, which pulls together a celebration of its characteristic emblem, the Indalo, with the arrival of spring’s new flowers.
From Friday 25 to Sunday 27 May, Mojácar will be literally flooded with flowers and music for residents and visitors to enjoy, simply by exploring the captivating streets and squares of the town.
The Floral Indalo Festival is organized by Mojácar Pueblo Merchants Association, in collaboration with the Town Council, with the full participation of those Mojácar's residents who take particular pride at this time of year to make the town look even more beautiful.
Around six thousand flowers will be used to decorate the nine, 2 metre high Indalos by both by locals as well as visitors, which will be all set up in the pretty squares of the Old Town, giving everyone a chance to see Mojácar at its floral best.
For the first time, a floral display will be placed at the emblematic Fountain, La Fuente, with the others at Plaza Rey Alabez, Plaza Nueva, Plaza de la Iglesia and, Plazas de Parterre, Del Ayuntamiento, Caño, Las Flores and Del Frontón, all competing for the prize for the best ‘Indalo de Flores 2018’ which an international jury will be charged with the difficult task of judging. Also for the first time, to add a special touch, lanterns will be lit around the town to add to the night time magic.
This event, now in its third year, springs from the "May Crosses" which in Mojácar, takes the inspiration of its millennial symbol, the Indalo.
It is also, one more reason to visit one of the official most beautiful towns in Spain, which never stops looking for more ways for everyone to enjoy its great weather, facilities and all the opportunities fun, relaxation and leisure.
The world of theatre comes to Mojácar pupils.
The world of theatre comes to Mojácar pupils.
With the academic year drawing to a close, students at Mojácar’s Rey Alabez Secondary School recently had the chance to enjoy some very different activities that aimed to complement their educational training with sessions of cultural and personal development.
Organised by the Head of Mojácar Council’s Culture Department, Raquel Belmonte, the youngest pupils took part in a Theatre Workshop, led by the talented actress, teacher, researcher, theatre director and plastic artist, María del Carmen Sánchez. After an interesting talk on various perceptions on the world of theatre, the youngsters took part in fun exercises involving music, concentration, interpretation and improvisation.
María, who has been staying at the Valparaíso Foundation in Mojácar having received a grant from her host and the local Council, has an impressive background in both the academic and art worlds of theatre, dramatic writing, directing, singing and dance.
During her stay in Mojácar, she also developed her writings and research on the work of Polish, director of avant-garde theatre, J. Grotowski, whilst sharing her residency at the Valparaíso Foundation with other artists, writer Suneeta Peres da Costa and ceramist, Lucía Díaz.
As part of the events organized by the Mojácar’s Culture Department and Almería’s Provincial Council, the 3rd and 4th year pupils also attended a performance of "Baroque Entremeses" in the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples, which involved three short pieces interpreted by Pedro Y which interspersed storyline with the revelation of the characters’ personalities.
Mojácar attracts more than 1.500 dancers to Latin Dance Convention.
Over 1,500 dancers came together to take part in the annual dance convention “Levántate y Baila”, organized by the Hotel Servigroup Marina Mar de Mojácar.
It is an event that draws in both professionals and amateurs of bachata and salsa every year from all over Spain and, it has become one of the most attractive diary dates across Europe for this type of dance, when Mojácar becomes the capital of Latin rhythms.
The on-going success of the weekend is borne out by the high number of participants, which was fully booked within a month, as well as the well-known world class salsa and bachata dancers such as Versy and Rodrigo, Mambología and Afro Flow amongst others.
For those attending, it was an exciting time of non-stop music, dance, concerts, performances and competitions with workshops given by the on-site professionals, all taking place in the unbeatable facilities of the Marina Mar Hotel.
Although the Servigroup chain started this event eight years ago, this is fourth time it has been held in Mojácar, with a theme of Ancient Greece this year, which included impressive acrobats and fire shows that transported everyone back to the land of Greek myths and legends.
Mojácar celebrates day of San Isidro.
Mojácar celebrates day of San Isidro.
With its traditional annual dedication to farming, Mojácar is set to pay homage to the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro, with a weekend of festive activities. Starting on Saturday May 12th, with floral arrangements at the Fuente at 7.30 p.m. this will be followed by readings in the Saint’s honour at 8.30 p.m. given by parish priest Don. Miguel Esteban, accompanied by the "Embrujo Mojaquero" Rociero Choir.
Later, at 10.30 p.m. there will be an open air dance with the group "Noches de Candela", where as usual, many will be dressed in their finest flamenco dresses and there will be plenty of delicacies on offer including the traditional turrón nougat.
On Sunday, May 13th, the San Isidro romería pilgrimage with its decorated carts will leave the Fuente at 11.30 a.m. with a stop for a rest and snack at Las Alparatas for all pilgrims and companions, courtesy of Mojácar Council at around noon, where the Municipal Music Band will be ready in waiting to give them a deserved musical reception. They will then continue on to a picnic in the hamlet of Sopalmo, bringing the festive weekend to a close.
The good weather at the moment is expected to bring out Mojaqueros of all nationalities and visitors alike to join in the celebrations, just as in many other towns across Spain, with a chance to enjoy a day in the countryside. For locals, it is a day also to pay a
small tribute to Mojácar’s rural origins, a town that does not want to forget or lose the traditional calendar dates of its elders.
"The magic of reading" comes to Mojácar school"
"The magic of reading" comes to Mojácar school".
"The Magic of Reading" recently came to Mojácar’s Bartolomé Flores School, when all 350 children experienced an unforgettable day which brought together magic and the world of books.
Organized by the Almeria’s Provincial Diputación in collaboration with Mojácar Council to promote reading in the Levante / Los Vélez area, the event was presented by magician Luigi Ludus, who worked his ‘magic’ with excerpts from novels such as Don Quixote, Alice in Wonderland and The Three Musketeers.
Whatever the author, the aim to create curiosity about the stories remained the same on the day, with characters leaping from the pages to tell their tale, along with fun magic games to involve the children in the plots.
The School, together with Mojácar’s Education and Culture Department, organizes a series of complementary activities for all their pupils throughout the year as well in the summer holidays as part of the Secondary Education programme, which includes visits, shows, concerts and workshops. Those involving theatre, magic and outdoor art are some of the most regular and most popular, planned accordingly to the season.
The "Discovery Routes", for the more adventurous, provide an alternative opportunity for the whole family to join in activities, which involve visits to neighbouring places of cultural and historical interest, which are a great way for everyone to get together and enjoy a different environment.
Top places for two Mojácar riders at the Andalucían dressage cup.
Top places for two Mojácar riders at the Andalucían dressage cup.
Two equestrian riders from Mojácar, Ángela Guerrero Guevara and María Eugenia Fau de Casajuana, recently gained top place in their individual categories at the Andalucían Dressage Cup held at Vera’s Hípico Titú Club, which will take them to the grand final at Seville with the best competitors from the region.
Thirteen year old Ángela Guerrero, on her horse "Trizago", gained a very high score putting her well ahead of the runner up. María, who last year came first at the national contest held in Lorca, also won her category on "Cantor".
50 riders from Almería’s various equestrian clubs took part in the event, organized by the Club Hípico Titú and Juan Francisco Ber, who succeeded in placing most of his own students (including Ángeles and María) in the top positions at what was a perfectly organized day with a great atmosphere for both participants and spectators.
Both of these talented riders now qualify for the final of Andalucía’s IV Dressage Cup, representing Almeria province in their respective categories, which is more good sporting news for Mojácar, a town which has an ever increasing total of great athletes in a number of disciplines.
Mojácar Rockabilly weekend.
Mojácar Rockabilly weekend.
This coming weekend, from the 27th to the 29th April, Mojácar takes a trip back in time to the 1950’s with the distinct sounds and rhythms of Rockabilly, making the town jump and jive to the best groups in this musical genre.
Organized by Mojácar Council, Kuver Producciones and DCM Promotions in collaboration with Almería Provincial Diputación, it is the first time ever that the event will take place in the Levante Almeriense.
Rockabilly is a musical style that sprang up in 1950 in the south of the U.S.A. It is very similar to rock and roll, but with a strong country influences in its rhythms and instrumentation. Best known representatives of this musical movement, which has its distinct style and life philosophy, include Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley.
With Pike Calvero as master of ceremonies introducing national and international acts, the highlight will be on the Saturday night, with performances by AJ & The Rockin' Trio, Kick'em Jenny, Marcos Sendarrubias and Mario Cobo.
There is also a full programme of free activities, including performances by top rockabilly stars such as Al Dual (recently awarded Best Rockabilly Soloist at the prestigious 2018 Ameripolitan Music Awards) and Diego Cruz, both on the Friday from 10 p.m. The Radions and Saint Peter Square will also perform on Saturday from 2 p.m. onwards and, Sunday afternoon’s beach party will include a guitar show by Mario Cobo and Daniel Álvarez.
The Mojácar Rockabilly Weekend, following the success of last year’s Almeria’s Desert Wind Festival, is a musical event not to be missed which also includes a Flea Market where you can find 50's clothes and accessories. Bars, terraces and restaurants will be open with dance classes by Al Swing and Al Cabo. The best DJs will also be there, including the classic sounds and skills of Juke Box Johnny, Zapata, Bob Hop and Rhythm Boy Dam.
A full programme of events and venues can be found at mojacar.es or from the local tourist offices.
Mojácar treasure hunt on world book day.
Mojácar treasure hunt on world book day.
On Monday 23rd April, to celebrate World Book Day, Mojácar Council’s Culture and Tourism Departments invited locals and visitors to search in and around the most emblematic places in the Pueblo to find a prize winning ticket for one of the numerous books that have been inspired by the town.
The new idea saw a day with those busy searching every historic nook and cranny in the challenge, mixed with those who were at first oblivious to what was happening before joining in.
The fun competition ended with twenty keen readers from all over Spain finding their literary ‘treasure’ and, with a degree of surprise and delight, the lucky ones went off to the Tourist Office to exchange their hidden ticket for their reward.
Most of those receiving gifts were from visiting groups from the Basque Country, Catalonia and Valencia, with French tourist, Sandrine Bouquet, winning her book right at the end of her holiday. Hopefully, they will all return home with an extra pleasant memory of their stay and, although most were visiting Mojácar for the first time, they all promised to return.
Now, Mojácar Council’s Tourism Department is organising new challenges for other literary Indiana Jones searches for books on Mojácar’s history, a place which has been a source of inspiration for many writers as well as their readers.
Congratulations to all who received a book on the day!
Mojácar hosts Almería´s first provincial cycling race of the season.
"La Mojaquera", the first cycling race of the season, was held in Mojácar on Sunday 15th April, as part of Almería’s Provincial Circuit and the Ranquin Andaluz BTT Marathon 2018.
175 participants from all over Spain and Europe set off from the town’s football ground, with a 75 km ride ahead of them, including 2300 metres of ascent
The route, which passed through Turre and Carboneras as well as Mojácar, was mainly on dirt roads, tracks, river beds and trails. Organized by the local Council’s Sports Department and Club Mojácar Bike CCD, it is one of the toughest on the circuit and one that the contestants particularly enjoy because of the fabulous scenery as well as good organisation.
Víctor Manuel Fernández from the Wolfbike Team, last year’s champion, took his place at the starting line and fulfilled all predictions by coming first with a time of 3:13:12 in a close and exciting final leg with Francisco García Rus from the Gsport-Wolbike team, who finished second only a couple of seconds behind.
Almerían Mauricio Gonzalez Jaramillo, from the Oxigenbike Team, took third place with 3:14:43 whilst Estonian Janika Loiv was the women's champion with a time of 3:50:12, followed by Spanish Almudena Jiménez Martinez.
There were ladies and mens awards in all categories as well as a junior prize, won by Juan Alberto Espinar Sánchez. The trophies were presented by local Sports Councillor, Ana García, who was present right through the race, along with race director, Gerardo Martínez Cabello.
Mojácar hosts VIII World gathering of the Tunas.
Last weekend, Mojácar played host to the musical University Tunas for their VIII World Meeting.
These events began in the town in 2010 as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Tunas from Granada Science University and, then continued over the following years under their joint organisation with both Mojácar and Almería Provincial Councils.
Mojácar’s charming streets and squares always add to the eye-catching Tunas and this year there were twenty four groups (including five female), who with their costumes, flags and capes put on a captivating show of movement and serenades.
The Tunas from Royal Bragança and the female group from Coimbra University of Medicine were special guests this year, both making a strong impression with the crowd and the judging panel, receiving the prize for the best parade and a special jury award.
Breaking the traditional programme of events this year, the town of Elche brought a group of young ladies competing to be their Fiesta Queen, along with last year’s winner with her Ladies of Honour and, members of Elche Council. Dressed in stunning, historic costumes, they were officially welcomed and presented with a commemorative plaque by Mojácar Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero.
Afterwards, they paraded to the Plaza Nueva, accompanied by Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmarí Cano, where they joined in the serenades and dancing as the participating Tunas performed in their honour. Without doubt, all Tunas were worthy prize-winners, but at the end it was the Madrid Obras Públicas group that came out top.
American painter Linda Laino donates a painting to Mojácar Council.
The Valparaíso Foundation, in collaboration with Mojácar Council, recently welcomed four new residential scholars who had the opportunity to work on individual projects whilst getting to know about the town and its special places of interest.
Linda Laino, an American painter who was directly supported by Mojácar’s Culture Department, was joined by the Irish painter, Beatrice O'Connell, along with two poets, Rafael Morales and Helen Farish, from Spain and the United Kingdom respectively. All had been granted scholarships by the organization to allow them to enjoy their time in the town and develop their own work.
Linda Laino, who currently lives in Mexico, donated one of her paintings made during her stay, which will be put on show at the municipal art gallery. Linda had an extensive Art training, including studies at both Richmond and Virginia Universities, receiving special distinction at the latter.
She has also been awarded scholarships by leading museums and North American institutions such as the New York American Craft Museum and the Museum Graduate Fellowship, where her works have been often on show. She has made a number of solo and group exhibitions throughout North America and her paintings are part of private collections around the world.
All four scholarship holders put together an exhibition of the work they had developed during their time at Mojácar’s Valparaíso Foundation and like all the artists who have been on similar stays, the magnetism, peace and charm of their surroundings provided an added bonus to their work as well as on a personal level.
Their residence in the town coincided with Mojácar’s spectacular World Gathering of the famous musical University Tunas, adding even more colour and spectacle to an already very special experience and visit.
Mojácar opens the provincial cycling circuit with the 2018 BTT Marathon.
Sunday, April 15th will see the annual VII MTB La Mojaquera race fought out, bringing around 300 cyclists to Mojácar, including the best athletes from not only Almeria and Andalucía, but from all over Spain and Europe.
Mojácar Bike CCD, joint organizer of the event with Mojácar Council, have been busy finalizing details of the race that will open the official Federación Almeriense de Ciclismo circuit. Ana García, Mojácar Sports Councillor and Gerardo Martínez Cabello, Director of the Mojácar Bike CCD Club, have met with the Local Police, Civil Protection and the Red Cross to ensure volunteers along with all aspects of health and safety and, traffic control are in place so that the La Mojaquera Sierra Cabrera Xtreme will be another complete success.
Enhanced by the unique landscape of the area, this sporting challenge, under the hallmark of C.D. Mojácar Bike CCD, has already started the countdown that forms the first test for the Provincial Circuit in Almeria and the 2018 Andaluz MTB Marathon Ranking.
At 8 a.m. the 75 km test will start at Mojácar’s Campo de Fútbol, which includes a total climb of 2,300 metres above sea level through Mojácar, Turre and Carboneras, following mainly tracks and dirt roads, riverbeds and trails.
The route includes; Manacá, Sombrerico Beach, 'La Cola del Dragón', Bajada del Moro, Puerto Marina, La Puerta de la Ciudad and Puerta Azul. One of the most attractive points in the race will no doubt be passing through the centre of Mojácar and the approach to the finish line, after facing a demanding climb then descent to the Mediterranean coast.
There will be three refreshment points and two additional water points as well as a mechanical assistance area along the route as well as a control point.
The organizers have also included a shorter, 53 km non-competitive route a cumulative ascent of 1,300 metres that is equally attractive to a number of riders.
On the starting line will be Victor Manuel Fernández, the current champion of the Mojaquera 2017 from Cordoba, part of the Wolfbike Bicicletas team.
A very busy Easter for Mojácar
Mojácar enjoyed another bumper Easter week this year, according to data collected by the town’s Tourism Office from local hoteliers, who reported very high occupancy levels
With an average stay of 3 to 4 nights, the 3-star hotels were at 90% occupancy with 85% in the 4-star hotels, whilst apartments reached 100% and rural accommodation saw levels of 94%. 8,863 places were officially registered and operational for Easter, plus 1,500 additional places for rentals.
Mojácar’s tourism portal received 10,625 visits during the month of March, with 4,896 of these from March 23 to April 1. Their Facebook page, Turismo de Mojácar, was visited by 95,335 people from March 23 to April 4, with up to 13,359 views on one day alone.
The town’s Tourist Office was open all week, dealing with 2,878 people, of which 19% came from abroad, with most of the Spanish visitors coming from the Valencia area, followed very closely by those from Madrid and Catalonia.
Just over half of the international tourists came from the United Kingdom, with 8.2% from Nordic countries, 8.1% from France and around 7% from Germany and Belgium. All were here not only for the Easter celebrations, but also looking to enjoy some sports and outdoor activities.
Information on Mojácar’s historic Pueblo, officially one of the most beautiful in Spain, along with cultural pastimes, walking and cycling routes as well as the beaches, have been the most popular enquiries.
The Council also ensured safety by providing the rescue and lifeguard personnel from 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. over the holiday period and also increased the regularity of the local buses, as well as extending the service until 2 a.m. on the busiest days.
According to the figures, Mojácar’s Easter week was a huge success even though it arrived early on the calendar this year with the ski season still on and, forecasts of poor weather. Fortunately, the town was blessed with hot, dry temperatures, with many people taking the opportunity to enjoy the beach and sea.
Mojácar holds its second "Paseo del Arte" event.
The "Paseo del Arte" show will return to Mojácar’s Promenade for a second run, after its hugely successful inauguration in March.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday 7th April, art and other painting activities will once again transform Mojácar’s sea front into an open air gallery.
New artists will be joining in on this event and there will be more than 150 paintings for sale on show, keeping alive the bohemian, international atmosphere that has always characterized Mojácar, whilst providing valuable proceeds to selected charities once again.
Among the show’s initiatives, named by the organizers as the “cuadro del público” or “people’s painting, is based on an initial sketch prepared by one of the participating artists, then added to and evolved by anyone attending with their own brushstrokes & colours.
Last month, 94 painting volunteers from 8 different countries, including Mojácar’s Tourism Councillor put their own touches to the finished piece which later was on auctioned on Facebook’s Mojácar Forum for 350 euros, to be destined to charitable causes.
The next painting will be inspired by the silhouette of Mojácar Pueblo so that budding artists can fill in and flood the houses and streets with colour, flowers and atmosphere.
Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmarí Cano, cut the red tape to officially open last month’s initiative, accompanied by Emmanuel Agüero Leclerc, the Tourism Councillor. Both remarked how pleased they were with the professional organization and the impressive number of artists joining in, as well as the crowds that came along to enjoy and support the show.
“The Paseo del Arte” sprung out of an idea from a group of local artists who, with municipal collaboration, are bringing something new and different to the town in addition to being a cultural and fun attraction for locals and visitors alike.
New art exhibition opens at Mojácar´s "La Fuente" art gallery.
New art exhibition opens at Mojácar´s "La Fuente" art gallery. .
A new exhibition of paintings was inaugurated on Easter Sunday at Mojácar’s Municipal "La Fuente" Gallery. Organized by the Town Council’s Culture Department, the show features work by the artists; Anika Samoa, Jorge Juan Gómez and Manuel García de la Torre, with the special assistance of Martin Albers.
Jorge Juan Gómez is a well-known illustrator of comics, with the artist Juan Alvarez. His works, always original and full of character, have been seen in publications on the national and international circuit such as TBO, El Jueves and Penthouse, to name but a few.
For this exhibition, Jorge G, as he is known in the art world, has selected marine themes to demonstrate his mastery and personality with his wonderful use of colour and oil.
Manuel García de la Torre has on display a selection of his works which strongly feature the light and the special atmosphere created around shadows and shade, which contrast the luminosity of the Mediterranean sun. His landscapes and incredibly life like portraits show off his impeccable style and genius with the pastel technique.
Finally, Mojácar resident, Anika Samoa, is displaying some of her pieces, full of freshness and personality. She is one of the promoters and the organizer of the new "Paseo del Arte initiative" which involves artists exhibiting and selling their work on the town’s Paseo Marítimo, with a percentage of the sales donated to selected charities.
The current exhibition is made up of 49 paintings and can be visited free of charge until the end of April from Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A full house for Mojácar´s sacred music concert
As part of Mojácar Council’s Holy Week programme of events, the Town Band, along with the local "Embrujo Mojaquero" Rociero Choir gave a joint concert of sacred music in the Centro de Usos Múltiples .
Led by the baton of Director, Miguel Angel Miranda, both groups performed a repertoire of seven religious songs, closing the with the well-known flamenco verse by Antonio Machado dedicated to Christ of the Gypsies, which brought to the audience to their feet.
The hall was filled to capacity and, this particular concert had been eagerly awaited as it was the first time that the town’s two emblematic musical groups had performed together.
The Sacred Music Concert ended with a standing ovation from the audience with a demand to hear Machado's piece once again.
With the successful evening at a close, the unanimous opinion from those attending was to ensure that another joint performance must be organised as soon as possible.
Mojácar begins Semana Santa religious ceremonies.
The religious events that traditionally take place in Mojácar over Semana Santa (Holy Week), started last week with the traditional Novena Prayers at the Town’s Santa Maria Parish Church.
On Palm Sunday, the Procession of the Donkey made its way from the Fuente to the Church, accompanied by the Municipal Band, for the blessing of the Palms and Olives, as well as a Holy Mass.
On Monday 26th of March, at 9 p.m. there will be a concert of Sacred Music performed by the Town Band along with the local “Embrujo Mojaquero” choir at the Centro de Usos Multiples.
The following day, on Tuesday at 8 p.m. the Stations of the Cross is taken through the streets of Mojácar Pueblo, carried solely on the shoulders of women bearers.
On Holy Thursday, at 7.30 p.m. there is another mass to celebrate the Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet, followed by the procession from the Church through the streets at 10.30 p.m. with The Nazarene and The Virgin of Sorrows.
The beautiful ornate floats or thrones (tronos) with their sculpted images (pasos) have had to be adapted to suit the special characteristics of the locality and the narrow, winding streets which make its passage especially spectacular. There are places where the accuracy of the bearers is essential as there are often only a few centimetres to spare between the tronos and the houses and at the Town Wall Gate the bearers are required to be almost on their knees to allow the pasos to go through the gap.
The Holy Burial procession will take place on Good Friday at 12.30 p.m. from the Parish Church, once again going through the streets of the town accompanied by the Municipal Band.
Mojácar Holy Week’s religious events come to an end on Easter Sunday at noon after Mass, with the procession of the Risen Christ making an emotional last passage through the town.
Zoilo Kerbassi gives a magic workshop in Mojácar.
Mojácar Council is putting on a free workshop for all children between the ages of 7 and 12 who wish to learn more about the mysterious world of magic.
It will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 March at the town’s Centro de Usos Múltiples, places are limited and prior registration is required at the Culture Department in person or by phone.
The Magician, Zoilo Kerbassi, is the maestro who will be revealing the first lessons that every aspiring magician or those purely interested in the subject must know in order to start on the path of illusion and fantasy.
Kerbassi is a renowned illusionist and an important figure in the magic circuit throughout the province. He is founder and president of the Almeria’s Magic Circle and belongs to the Spanish Society of Conjuring and Magic, in addition to spending much of his time in demonstrating his knowledge and skills through courses and performances.
It is not the first year that Mojácar Council’s Culture Department has put on this event, although as it is always full, available places have had to be increased to cater for the demand. For the Head of Culture, Raquel Belmonte, these workshops are not only about having fun, adding "magic teaches values, stimulates motor skills and self-esteem as well as boosting creativity and promoting communication."
All in all it is a very interesting learning activity that can be sampled and enjoyed by the youngsters during their Easter break.
Mojácar Bowls Club celebrates its 4th anniversary.
The Mojácar Bowls Club, which is located at the Hotel Servigroup Marina Playa recently held a celebration for the fourth anniversary its bowling green.
They were joined on the day by members from other clubs in the area for a friendly competition, with the Director of the Cadena Servigroup Hotel Marina Playa, Ricardo Escudero and Mojácar’s Councillors for Tourism and Sport, Emmanuel Agüero and Ana García also in attendance.
Altogether, there were 100 players from the host Club and the Cabrera, Zurgena and Almeria Lawns Clubs, with the Cabrera team winning on the day.
Four years ago, on March 7th, 2014, the green was officially inaugurated by Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmarí Cano, along with other provincial officials. Located outdoors and set 100 metres from the hotel, it has a 25 square metre artificial lawn with 6 rinks that can accommodate 48 players. There is also a clubhouse with a bar, terrace and all the necessary facilities along with ball carts, markers and all the essentials to enjoy a day’s bowling.
The Mojácar Bowls Club was founded in 1994 with around 25 members, who played at "La Mata" until it closed. With the collaboration of the local Council and the Servigroup Company, the current rinks were made and have been in full operation since their inauguration, with a membership that continues to grow without losing any of the sporting camaraderie created by its founders.
Lifeguard service in Easter.
Lifeguard and rescue service in Mojácar during Easter.
The lifeguard and rescue service on our beaches will be operational during Easter on Thursady 29, Friday 30, saturday March 31 and Sunday April 01, from 11:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.
Mojácar celebrates the day of "La Vieja".
Mojácar, along with the other towns in the Almeria Levante region, celebrated the traditional ‘old lady’ fiesta day, "Día de La Vieja ", on March 8th.
Once Carnival time and Ash Wednesday are over, this age old ritual it is held on the Thursday nearest to the halfway point of Lent, hence the Spanish expression "partir La Vieja Cuaresma", bidding goodbye to the first part of Lent. It consists of a day of food and drinks in the countryside, together with family and friends, bidding farewell to the winter and welcoming the springtime.
The prior representation of the confrontation between the opposing carnival characters Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma is another example of festivities and fun in the face of religious devotion and sobriety
and the practice of this particular tradition derives from Holy Saturday where the figure of Doña Cuaresma was personified through the grotesque image of an old woman after her triumph over Don Carnal.
On the day, Mojácar’s townsfolk scatter themselves in one of the town’s many green areas, particularly in "Los Gurullos" and "Las Alparatas" in order to share food, maybe a good paella and taste the sweets that are hidden their "Viejas".
At the end of the meal, the children take centre stage and congregate around their "Vieja", which is a small doll that resembles an old woman placed on a wooden cross which has a cloth head stuffed with sweeties.
The "Vieja" will have been previously staked in the ground and the smaller children are the ones in charge of breaking it open to find and eat the sweets inside it. Traditionally it is a also time to taste the "Hornazo" (an elongated, sweet, braided bread enclosing a hardboiled egg), although the day is generally characterized by the abundance of all kinds of food.
The day of “La Vieja” is the only fiesta that is not represented by a Saint, but by a pagan figure, although it still has some Christian roots. However, whatever its origin, the truth is that it has been celebrated ‘since forever’ and no Mojaquero would willingly miss one of the first opportunities of the year to enjoy the day outdoors.
Mojácar police give safety classes at school.
Mojácar Local Police have been giving road safety education sessions to children at the Town’s Bartolomé Flores School.
Mojácar Local Police have been giving road safety education sessions to children at the Town’s Bartolomé Flores School, advising the youngsters on appropriate, safe and responsible ways to conduct themselves when out of the home in general.
The four groups of 10 to 12 year olds took part in these valuable talks given by the Police, which were delivered in a light-hearted way with fun role play, yet providing some very practical examples to instil good habits and behaviour.
The children came away with a number of valuable tips and advice from Mojácar’s Police, who became teachers for a day, instructing the pupils how to go out and about safely, with an awareness of road safety.
This Project has been has been going on for over six years now and its effectiveness, as well as the children’s response, has identified the need to add additional courses.
For the Local Police’s Road Education Unit, this initiation is of utmost importance adding "our children are small pedestrians, passengers in many different types of transport as well as potential drivers. For this reason, it is essential that they gradually learn about all types of road safety."
Mojácar celebrates Andalucía Day.
Mojácar commemorated Andalucía Day with activities throughout the day.
Mojácar commemorated Andalucía Day with activities throughout the day, starting with the raising of the regional flag
at noon in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento by the deputy mayor, Emmanuel Agüero, along with his Government Team and Socialist Councillors, to the sound of the anthem sung by the town’s Rociero Choir.
There was a big public turnout for this very institutional event, which was followed by the choir’s delightful performance of regional songs.
More than two hundred green and white balloons were then handed out to the children, before around five hundred people had a chance to sample the paella that had been prepared especially to celebrate the Autonomous Region’s Day. The party mood continued later in the afternoon with a performance by the town’s dance groups in the Centro de
Usos Múltiples.
So ended a programme of events that is such a Mojácar tradition and one which attracts more people every year, including many from the foreign community, bringing lots of people together for this great celebratory day.
Art and solidarity come together on Mojácar´s promenade.
This event will be the first of many in which art and solidarity will go hand in hand.
The exhibited works will be available for sale to the passersby, with 20% of the proceeds going to different charities, which for this inaugural day will be Paws-patas and MACS (Mojácar Area Cancer Support).
The idea sprang from a group of residents, frequent visitors to Mojácar and local artists from the area as well as different countries that are following in the trail left in the town over the years by some great international artists. It also has the collaboration of Mojácar Council, who are supporting the project, which is an important starting point for many more to come, reinforcing Mojácar’s position within the international intelligentsia.
It is an appealing initiative in all respects, which will undoubtedly become an important date in the tourist and cultural calendar as the exhibitions will be held on the first Saturday of each month and, there is every indication that it is going to be a great success.
The founders and the Council do, however, wish to stress that it is not a craft market and that very clear conditions have been set out for all collaborating artists. Although all pictorial styles will be included, the level must be high, adopting the same strict standards as any gallery and museums around the world should have. All the artists will be there on the day and must also be willing to participate in the annual Mojácar Painting Marathon.
In getting this open-air exhibition off the ground, new and interesting ideas have been added to give it an even more unique and innovative character. The children are being involved through their schools, with their own paintings being shown on the Paseo Marítimo too, with the public being given the chance to vote for their favourite. There will also be a blank canvas available for anyone who wishes to try their hand at painting a bit to complete a very novel piece of work and, to make this first event even more memorable, a Spanish classical guitar will be playing to add an extra touch of music and art to the day.
All in all, it is an artistic project full of excitement borne through a lot of work that will be yet another stand-out attraction for Mojácar.
Mojácar School children celebrate Andalucia Day
Mojácar’s Bartolomé Flores school children had an early Andalucía Day celebration with a party held during their morning break including a very typical Andalucían breakfast..
Usually schoolchildren celebrate this special day just before the actual date and again this year, due to the bank holiday, it was brought forward so that they could commemorate their regional day together.
Mojácar Council provided the nutritious breakfast of bread with tomato and olive oil, which is found all over Andalucía and, made with local products.
The event was held around morning break time, with the mothers joining in to help. Tables were laid out in the playground and a fun "photocall" station was set up consisting of a screen featuring a typical Andalucían window with its iron grille and geraniums. The children put together characteristic items of Andalucían attire in class such as hats, caps and flowers for the hair, which were worn with typical outfits for the party.
Ana García, Mojácar’s Councillor for Education, joined in with the children’s breakfast along with the mothers and teachers, an event which she said was the best way to celebrate this annual day by encouraging young people to keep their elders traditions alive. She added that the Andalucían gastronomy and the Mediterranean diet in general, is not only a healthy regime, it is also one more aspect of the regional culture that is so important to the young ones.
The town nursery, “Garabatos” also enjoyed taking part in their own celebration, with the town’s youngest ones enjoying a traditional breakfast with staff and Raquel Belmonte, the Town Councillor for Children.
Mojácar´s junior chess tournament
The 1st Inter-Centre Chess Tournament was recently held in Mojácar, with young players from the town’s Rey Alabez and Bartolomé Flores Schools competing.
It was organized by the Language Adaptation ATAL organisation, who worked in collaboration with both schools on the event and saw the maximum of 32 players taking part, with more lined up as reserves.
Lots were drawn to pair off the young participants, with Álvaro González and Carlos García-Alix coming through as winners on the day. It was a tough final that showed a high level of play and strategy, although in truth, the real success was achieved by the integration of the Spanish children with those from different countries.
Learning to play chess can benefit a child’s development as it helps mental skills and assists in their studies generally, but it has an even more important role in these two schools which have over twenty different nationalities studying together.
Ana Jiménez Lagos, a teacher in the ATAL group, has added chess to her timetable of activities as a very valuable tool to help students from other countries to integrate and break down language barriers by making friends and socializing, which she knows can sometimes be a difficult issue.
The three year school programme is free and includes over 40 students from almost every country around the world and, will soon beavailable in Vera and Garrucha, towns which are also now enrolling children whose first language is not Spanish.
ATAL’s work is important in the development of coexistence and respect, as well as in generally overcoming the challenges children face in language and culture and, as part of the Día de Andalucía celebrations the sterling work of Ana Jiménez Lago is being recognised by the regional government.
Mojácar´s National Parador celebrates the Hotel group´s 90th anniversary
Mojácar’s National Parador, unique in Almería province and one of only 16 in Andalucía, recently marked the chain’s 90th birthday with a commemorative open day.
The first Parador, the Sierra de Gredos, opened in 1928, although Mojácar did not have its own until 1966, when the determination of the then mayor, Jacinto Alarcón, miraculously brought about the event. It was then one of a handful of hotel establishments in the province and was inaugurated by Minister Fraga Iribarne, who was famously photographed in the sea at Palomares, showing to the world that the local waters were safe despite the bombs that had been dropped there.
Since the first building opened and welcomed Spanish Royalty along with leading intellectuals and stars from the cinema and art world, much has been done and today’s Parador, after a remodelling in the 80s and other refurbishments, has grown continuously. Present facilities include conference halls and meeting rooms for companies, salons for weddings, family and social events, to name but a few, yet all work within the same spirit in which the original hotel was founded.
A high standard of customer service, luxury and comfort is paramount, as in all Paradors and, the Mojácar hotel is a particularly unique place, located right by the sea with Mediterranean views from all rooms. In 2017 it welcomed 45,000 guests with 70% occupancy, of which 60% were Spanish and there is every indication that bookings, which have been steadily increasing in recent years, will be even higher this year.
The presence of a Parador in Mojácar is a very important mainstay for local tourism and promotion, whilst also providing employment to the 46 employees charged with its smooth running.
On the open day, a number of residents and guests were guided by Parador staff from noon onwards and, were shown around the facilities and given some of the history behind this emblematic establishment. Of special interest was the original painting by César Manrique that hangs in the lounge by the original fireplace and a decorated 8th century apothecary cabinet.
The tour ended in the gardens of the Parador with an aperitif followed by the showing of a commemorative anniversary film made by the National Parador Group.
Mojácar´s Carnival ends with the Burial of the Sardine.
Mojácar’s Carnival came to an end on Ash Wednesday, February 14th, with the traditional Burial of the Sardine and, already all the local groups who take part are planning their themed costumes and acts for next year.
The participation of the town’s youngest ones is also guaranteed, with twice as many joining in since their very own Carnival events were launched last year. Children aged from 1 to 12 years old turned up as The Serranitos (disguised as succulent hams) The Legolandia and the little sweets, Peques más Dulces who were awarded first, second and third place respectively.
The "Garabato" nursery’s own special Carnival gave the parents a huge surprise when they were greeted by their little ones dressed as tiny superheroes, all organised in secret by their teachers (who also dressed up) along with Raquel Belmonte, the local Youth Councillor.
The main Carnival parade that filled Mojácar’s beach front with a wave of colour and music included five adult and four children’s local groups, two from Garrucha and one from Villaricos, two floats and a parade with characters from Alice in Wonderland and The Marvels.
All the participating troupes received a gift although the four special prizes went to The Essentials chirigota group, with best costume award going to the witches Las Chicas de Campofrío, followed by the Los Implicados from the Game of Thrones with third prize going to the troglodytes, La Fuente.
Finally, the funeral procession for the Burial of the Sardine attracted locals and visitors of all nationalities with more people than ever joining in with this local tradition. A crowd of mourners dutifully followed the fish for its last candlelit goodbye with all the accompanying prayers and speeches, all answered with the customary fervent grief and wailing, with the Mojácar Town Band adding the music to this Carnival finale.
"A walk for life" for Mojácar´s senior citizens.
Mojácar Council, in collaboration with the Almeria Government’s Social Services Department, has launched a new course of activities for the over 60’s focused on Active Aging and Intergenerational Support.
The first session scheduled for 2018 was a Memory Workshop "A Walk for Life", designed to encourage getting older in a more active way. It is a project also aimed at improving the quality of life through cognitive stimulation and greater social involvement, whilst working on ways of living in harmony with others.
This broad, preventive style of programme is aimed at the increasing population group of over 65’s and, aims to achieve healthy habits through exercise, good diet and accident prevention in the home in order to maintain an independent and active life for as long as possible.
Raquel Belmonte and Ana García, Mojácar Councillors for Culture and Social Services respectively, attended the first class along with Almería’s Director of Community Social Services for the Levante South, Juana Granado.
Both local Councillors agreed that special importance should be paid to their senior citizens saying, "these workshops complement the seniors’ fitness classes which are already running, along with IT training sessions available through the Guadalinfo programme held in the Mojácar’s Centro de Usos Múltiples.”
The Cognitive Stimulation and Memory Workshops led by tutor, Raquel Vique, will carry on until June, followed in September by activities focusing on Communication and Personal Growth.
In between, there will be a social skills day, as well as a trip to Granada and the Alhambra Palace in May. The Workshops on Healthy Habits, Risk Prevention in the Home, Cardiovascular Accidents and First Aid will have the collaboration of Doctors, the Red Cross and the Civil Protection.
It’s carnival time in Mojácar.
Mojácar’s Carnival has kicked off today, February 9th, with the children of the town’s "Bartolomé Flores" School getting themselves dressed up for a fun parade around the streets of Mojácar, ending up at the Plaza del Frontón.
On a day dedicated to the youngsters, the entire school of over 360 pupils along with their teachers, will suddenly be imaginatively transformed into pirates, superheroes, police and many more well-known stars such as the ‘Paw Patrollers’ in a spectacular and amusing wave of colour. On the journey with them will be also be all their favourite characters, all part of a special children's entertainment group that will be organizing games and other fun activities once they all arrive at their destination.
After a chance to catch their breath, they will then go onto the town’s Centro de Usos Multiples at 6 p.m. for their very own group costume competition. After the success of this event’s first year in 2017, twice as many children are taking part, aged between one year and twelve. With gifts, prizes and some surprises to look forward to, this pool of future generations of local Carnival lovers will make sure that the whole event will be a great success this year and in the future, in Mojácar.
From 9 p.m. once the children's party is over, the older ones take to the stage at the same venue with a show put on by the ‘Chirigota’ fun musical groups from Almería. Entrance, as with all the Carnival events organized by the local Council, is free.
Then on Saturday at 5 p.m. the Grand Carnival Parade begins, starting at the roundabout by Río Aguas, going along to the Parque Comercial. The Parade will have floats, seven local adult and two children’s groups with three guest groups, as well as anyone from the town or visitors who fancy getting dressed up and having a lot of fun. Once at the Parque Comercial, the party will continue there in the Plaza with a Carnival choreography contest for invited groups at 7 p.m.
Afterwards at 10 p.m. there will be live entertainment with ‘Melodias’ at the Centro de Usos Múltiples then once all the musical groups and those in costume are assembled and the dance is underway, the Carnival prizes will be presented at 1 a.m. following what will no doubt be a very difficult task for the judges. The prizes, for Best Costume, Most Original, Most Elaborate and Best Chirigota will be provided by Mojácar Council and Mojácar Parque Comercial. Litany
The following week on Febuary 14th The Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine) will take place, with a parade accompanied by the Mojácar Municipal Band. There will be prayers and mournful songs as the poor Sardine is then burnt, to be followed by warming chocolate and churros.
Italian photographer, Ivan Mazocco, on show in Mojácar
The "Fuente de Mojácar" Municipal Art Centre, which is located by the town’s emblematic fountain, has recently opened its doors to a photography exhibition by Ivan Mazocco.
The Italian photographer is showing around forty examples of his most recent works, which have architectural shapes and colours as the main theme. The snapshots have been taken on his travels around the world, mainly in Italy and Spain, featuring Mojácar and his current home town of Garrucha in particular, where he has been living for the last couple of years.
A photographer by profession and training, Ivan studied in Italy and the Canary Islands, working in both digital and traditional techniques and, since 1988 he has worked exclusively in this field, exhibiting and compiling press features.
This show is his first in Spain and, he chose Mojácar as the venue to present this collection. The town’s Culture Councillor, Raquel Belmonte, was at the opening and, was given an explanatory tour by the artist himself. She afterwards spoke about the path that photography opens up in the art world, one in which the "photographic camera acts as a traditional brush and canvas", expressing the artist's concepts to the viewer.
Ivan is already planning his next project and, without abandoning his common thread of architecture, he intends to include man’s imprint in time and space within a social context as a theme. You can catch this current exhibition at the Centro de Arte La Fuente until the end of February on Tuesdays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free.
Mojácar is promoted in Belgium as destination for cycling.
Mojácar is promoted in Belgium as destination for cycling.
Within the planning to consolidate Mojácar as a sports tourism destination, specialized in the cycling segment, the councillor for Tourism, Emmanuel Agüero, promotes Mojácar in Belgium.
Mojácar ´s Mayor, Rosmari Cano and Tourism Councillor Emmanuel Agüero, talk on Spectrum Radio
Mojácar’s Mayor, Rosmari Cano, along with the Tourism Councillor, Emmanuel Agüero, recently spoke on Spectrum Radio’s daily magazine show to answer questions from local listeners and the presenter, Richard Shanley.
Both regularly use this means of communication to announce municipality news as well as answer residents’ queries, maintaining a direct personal contact with the people of the town. This particular appearance answered questions and concerns about; future parking for the Pueblo Indalo, the new phase of the Paseo Marítimo and, the works in the Plaza de la Estrella.
Both the Mayor and Tourism Councillor reported on the work done whilst attending the recent FITUR International Tourism Fair, which particularly focused on ways of enhancing winter tourism. They also gave out dates for upcoming events in Mojácar including the welcome return of the Tunas musical gathering in April (after a break last year) and a brand new event for the town, a Rockabilly Festival, in May.
Mojácar’s Spectrum Radio Station is located in the town’s Parque Comercial on the beach road and has the largest audience in the region among the English-speaking population.
Mojácar attracts new markets at Fitur tourism fair.
After attending this year’s FITUR Fair in Madrid, Mojácar’s tourism representatives have been evaluating their participation at what is undoubtedly their most important global tourism event.
With a professional approach, both the Mojácar’s Councillor for Tourism, Emmanuel Agüero, along with the department staff, held a number of meetings in addition to dealing with the many members of the public that attended the fair this year.
The meetings between British tour operators and Emmanuel confirmed the growth in the local market, with the need to include and promote additional hotels in the town, providing extra accommodation that will guarantee thousands of tourists from May to October. In addition, new markets in Ireland and Scotland have opened up, with increased flights to the province and,
agreements have been made that will promote Mojácar through targeted promotional campaigns with various operators and online agents as well as tapping into the media such as the press, television and social networks for specific areas of the market.
251,000 people attended this important tourist event, with compliments on both the standard of the exhibitors and management from attendees, registering a positive outcome from this FITUR show and strong predictions for a growth in tourist numbers this coming season for the whole region.
Mojácar’s Tourism staff took up their position on the Almería Stand along with the counterparts from the Levante Almeriense and, during the event they dealt with many people from Madrid. A number of those were particularly keen to know more about what Mojácar had on offer this year, especially the dates of the big events such as; the Moors and Christians Fiesta, the Candlelit Night, the Floral Indalos and, the Romantic Night which has recently been added to the calendars of all the Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Spain, of which the town is a member.
As well as those visitors looking for the usual ‘sun, sand and sea’, many potential tourists to Mojácar attracted by the great weather and standard of hotels in every category, were also on the lookout for leisure, sports and cultural opportunities, as well as family focused holidays. Mojácar is also credited with being the first tourist destination in Andalucía to obtain the Seal of Quality Family Tourism endorsed by the Federación Nacional de Familias Numerosas, which has attracted added interest through its guarantee as being an ideal holiday destination for families.
Throughout the exhibition, the tourism team along with the Councillor for Tourism focused every effort on their promotional work and business meetings whilst attending to all the public queries on their stand as this year, the Golden Indalo awards will be instead handed over later this year in Mojácar. For 25 years, these presentations took place at the FITUR Fair with the intention of generating interest in the town but, as there are now a multitude of ways of dispersing information, the presentation of the emblematic Indalos in Mojácar to the recipients means that the townspeople will be more able to attend the event and take part in a special time.
As soon as he had concluded his last meeting in Madrid, Councillor Emmanuel Agüero flew straight off to Belgium to attend another important event, the Vellofolie Fair, which is presenting the cycle race "Gran Fondo Costa de Almeria" that will have its starting point in Mojácar.
Contemporary arts comes to Mojácar´s classrooms
The first-year pupils at Mojácar’s Rey Alabez Secondary School recently had the chance to take part in a very interesting workshop led by the Croatian multimedia artist, Ana Bilankov, who along with three other artists is staying in the town until the end of January through scholarships offered by the local Council and the Valparaiso Foundation.
Born in Zagreb, Ana Bilankov lives and works in Berlin, where she also completed most of her artistic studies. She has participated as an artistic director at numerous places and art projects collaborating with international universities, schools, galleries and museums. She is also a founder member of the Kunstcoop group, which is an educational initiative for experimental contemporary art.
25 youngsters, aged 10 and 11, had the opportunity to see Ana’s latest works revolving around the sea, described by the artist herself. The images, including snapshots and videos of the Mediterranean, showed views at different times and places around the planet. For the pupils, this was a new vision of everyday landscapes made amazing when their reflections, shapes, colours and characteristics are opened up to the imagination. Afterwards, the youngsters were given a chance to paint their own interpretation then present their work to the class.
American visual artists, Nancy Jo Ward and Hope Tuckey along with the Spanish photographer, Tato Olivas and, Ana Bilankov, are Mojácar’s first scholars of 2018 and they will be presenting a sample of the works they have done during their stay before they leave.
After the Christmas holidays, the local Council and the Foundation have started another year of collaboration in the promotion of art in Mojácar, hosting four new creative artists from around the world every fortnight at the Valparaíso facilities