Spanish News August 2008

September upcoming events and festivals:

San Sebastian International Film Festival -San Sebastian- September18th to the 27th
The WOW factor – a charity talent contest - Benalmadena-September 18th to the 27th.
Bienal de Flamenco - Seville - September 10th and 11th.
Luna Mora Festival -Guaro - over -two weekends from September  5th to the 13th
Feria de Tarifa - Tarifa  The first week of September

August round up of news

The Spanish Prime Minister declared three days’ of mourning, as the investigators declared that engine failure was the most likely cause of the accident.

And still with serious matters, the Basque separatist group ETA claimed responsibility for two explosions in southern Spain. Around 15,000 people were evacuated from Benalmadena harbour and Guadalmar beach before the bombs went off.  Thankfully there were no injuries. A third device planted under the main coast road was diffused by the authorities.

Onto lighter news now, and Spain finished 14th in the official Olympics medal table with five gold medals, including a tennis gold for Rafael Nadal, rounding off an incredible season for him.
As a proud Jamaican, am I allowed to talk about Usain Bolt and his amazing gold medals? Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees! I think so! What a hero! We’ll never hear the end of it, will we? And don’t forget, it’s the turn of the Paralympians this month from the 6th to the 17th of September in Beijing.

Ok, other news now and some ominous developments for those of you who regularly use comparison websites to book your flights to and from Spain. Yes, because in an unprecedented move, the Irish airline Ryanair decided to cancel any bookings made through third party websites, like e-Dreams or Rumbo. Yes, Ryanair claim that those internet companies are acting illegally, but the companies say it’s simply sour grapes and Ryanair wouldn’t complain if their prices were lower than everyone else’s. The European Commission is now looking into the matter.

Now, it’s been a hot, hot, summer here in Spain, but it seems that even the notoriously good weather here hasn’t prevented fewer tourists than usual flying to Spain for a bit of beach life.

Yes, even the Spanish Tourist Board admits that visitors are spending less time in Spain and spending less money. Most tourists are still from Britain, and the current poor exchange rate means they’re getting less euros for their pounds.  But those that did come here certainly couldn’t complain about the weather, because it’s been fabulous – that’s one thing in Spain you can definitely rely on, a good day at the beach!

And of course the weather was perfect for the European Grand Prix which was held in Valencia and won by the Brazilian Felipe Massa, with Britain’s Lewis Hamilton finishing second. Meanwhile Spain’s Fernando Alonso didn’t even make it through the second lap after a crash with Kazuki Nakajima.

Right, speeding along now it’s time to look ahead at a few events coming up in September, starting with Madonna, who’ll be playing concerts in Seville on the 16th and Valencia on the 18th. She’s celebrating her 50th birthday.

Spanish festivals continue this month, including Tarifa in the first week of the month, the Festa de la Mercè in Barcelona between the 22nd and the 25th, the grape harvest festival in Huelva on the 17th to the 21st, and the Noche en Blanco cultural festival in Madrid on the 20th. 

Now, you’ve heard of the X-factor, the music talent show with the highest ratings in the UK, well now you can take part in southern Spain’s answer to the X-factor – the WOW factor – a charity talent contest on the Costa del Sol.

Yes, if you fancy your chances of being the next Leona Lewis or Gareth Gates then head down to the Sunset Beach club Hotel in Benalmadena on the 20th of September. It’s open to all solo singers over the age of 16.

And don’t forget the San Sebastian International Film Festival – that’s from the 18th to the 27th.
That’s it from us for this month. Enjoy the warm sunny days of September here in Spain. We’re off to a barbecue down at the beach club, aren’t we?
We certainly are! We’ll see you next time, bye bye.