Spanish News February 2009

February 2009 round up of news

€8.2 investment to improve Costal del Sol´s beaches
With Easter round the corner it’s time for the usual spring clean for our beaches. €8.2 million will be spent on the sands from Nerja to Estepona, half for facilities and a general clean up and the rest going towards a massive 200,000 cubic metres of sand to replace the grains swept away by winter storms. So, it looks like we will have a place to put our towels down after all.

Penelope Cruz first Spanish actress ever to receive an Oscar.
Good news for Spanish cinema – Penelope Cruz became the first Spanish actress ever to receive an Oscar. Pe, as she’s known here, took this year’s Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Woody Allen’s ‘Vicky Christina Barcelona’. In a vintage white dress and looking as fab as always, Pe thanked just about anyone who’s anyone in Spanish cinema and reminded us she’s from Alcobendas in Madrid suburbia. Spain’s getting used to this Oscar business – last year saw Javier Bardem take Best Supporting Actor.

Tornado in Malaga:
It snowed again, but this month it was a tornado that stole the scene from the white stuff on the weather front. Malaga suffered Spain’s strongest tornado for over 150 years and the over 185kph force was so strong that it moved a bus and ripped the roof off Malaga bus station. Around 2,500 people were affected and the damage runs to €1.5 million, but luckily no one was seriously injured.

March 2008 upcomming events

Painting Exhibition at C.A.C Málaga
Art fans have a date at Malaga’s CAC museum where Russian artists Ilya and Emilia Kabakov are currently featured in the ‘Under the Snow’ exhibition. This is the first time these prestigious artists are on show in Spain and the nearly 60 pieces are reportedly a treat for the eye. Catch this until the end of May.

Traditional festivity in Monda:
If you’re partial to a bit of soup, pop up to the small town of Monda on 22nd March for a taste of the famous Monda variety. A giant vat of the sopa mondeña, made with tomatoes, peppers, garlic and bread that’s several days old, is brewed up in the central square and served free to visitors with a glass of wine.

‘Body Worlds’ in Seville:
If you’ve ever wondered what’s under your skin but never dared to look, ‘Body Worlds’ at the Casino de la Exposición in Seville reveals all. This exhibition featuring 20 whole bodies (yes, real ones) and plenty of bits of dissected ones isn’t for the squeamish, but it does provide a fascinating insight into your innards. See this during March and April.

Race Course in Mijas:
For those who like a flutter on the horses, Mijas Race Course is open again. The winter season runs every Sunday until 10th April. Five races will be held every day and the highlight is the Mijas Cup with Spain’s biggest prize in racing.

Feria de los Pueblos in Malaga Palacio de Congresos:
Malaga province is well known for its villages and towns, and the Feria de los Pueblos Malagueños gives you the chance to visit them all under one roof. Held in Malaga’s Palacio de Congresos from 26th to 29th March, the Fair includes stands from most towns and villages where you can sample local cuisine and check out the attractions. And a word of advice – go early because this is one of the most popular events in Malaga.

Enrique Morente,flamenco singer at The Cervantes theatre in Malaga:
And finally, some music and on 12th March, the Cervantes Theatre in Malaga welcomes one of flamenco’s greatest artistes – Enrique Morente. In this one-off concert, Morente will be putting the words and poems of Picasso into song with that unmistakable flamenco twist.