Spanish News July 2008

The drama of Illegal immigration in Spain....

Tragic news - 28 people including 10 children, drowned trying to make it to the coast of Spain in tiny boats. They were illegal immigrants from the sub-Sahara region of Africa. So far this year, a total of 69 people have died in similar circumstances.

The arrest of nine people, said to be members of an active ETA separatist group, who were behind several terrorist activities in the last year in Spain. Police say they found evidence that attacks were being planned for the busy tourist resort of the Costa del Sol – one person was arrested in Fuengirola. Seven of those arrested, were jailed.

Just a few days later, an explosive device said to be the work of ETA, went off under a footbridge by the beach in the busy southern tourist resort of Torremolinos. No warning was given, and there were no injuries.

A full-scale check of overhead walkways was ordered in Andalucia, after a concrete bridge collapsed, injuring six people and causing chaos on the roads of the Costa del Sol, during the busy tourist season. The footbridge had collapsed after being hit by a crane lorry.

Now, for all of you who practise safe sex, you’ll be surprised to know that the CONDOM is not a modern invention. Historians have discovered two 16th century condoms sandwiched between an ancient medical manual. Apparently, they were made from pork tripe, and are now on display at Salamanca University as an historic exhibit. Condoms were invented by Italian surgeon Gabriel Fallopio, and later perfected by Count Condom, who was the personal physician of King Charles the second.

On the sporting front, Spanish cyclist Carlos Sastre has become the third Spaniard in three years to win the gruelling Tour de France race. He follows in the footsteps…well, tyre marks…of winners Oscar Pereiro in 2006 and Alberto Contador in 2007. Afterwards Sastre, who was born in Madrid, said it was a “dream come true.”

Which brings us to the huge sporting event of this month; it is of course the 2008 Olympics, from the 8th to the 24th of August, this year held in China. There’s already been huge controversy with human rights protestors hindering the progress of the Olympic torch on its way to Beijing. Meanwhile, Spain will be fielding more than 250 athletes, including cycling, gymnastics, boxing, and beach volleyball (plenty of places to practise that in Spain!).

Other stuff this month includes the usual clutch of summertime concerts. Simply Red play the Plaza de Toros in Mallorca on the 3rd of the month, while Gloria Estefan comes to the Puente Romano Hotel in Puerto Banus on the 24th of the month.

The 10th anniversary of the Creamfields music festival hits Andalucia on the 9th of August, and includes The Chemical Brothers and Groove Armada. And for a bit of high culture, The Ten Tenors will be singing their Opera hearts out on the 9th in Marbella and the 14th in Cadiz.

And of course the Feria season is in full swing here in Spain, where colourful processions of all kinds bring the streets of every town and city alive with traditional costumes, food, drink and general partying. They all take place on different days of the month and start at different times, so if you’re not sure when the Feria takes place in the town where you live, don’t be shy, just ask a Spanish person in your neighbourhood! Definitely not to be missed though…

For a good theatrical family show, Aladdin the musical is on tour this month, in Fuengirola, Huelva and La Linea.