Spanish News March 2009

Round-up of News for March and April Events

Spains Tennis Star
Spains prodigy Rafael Nadal is clearly unstoppable on the international tennis circuit. He took his 2nd Indian Wells ATP title battling against Andy Murray and some very strong winds in the final but can now add this trophy to the ones he´s already won at the Australian Open and Wimbledon to mention but a few. Seems like the worlds no. 1 is literally reaching god like status!

Las Fallas in Valencia
Originally a feast day for St Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters, Las Fallas has now become a full blown 5 day celebration. Valencia hosted this fire loving fiesta where huge larger than life puppets are made that can cost over 57,000€ – yes I said  57,000€ - clearly the economic crisis hasn´t affected the fun loving Spaniards. These puppets usually depict corrupt polititians or celebrities and were burnt down on the 19th March amidst a huge party known as La Cremá.

Baby Pygmy Hippo in Fuengirola
And now for some environmental information! At the end of last year, Fuengirola Zoo celebrated the birth of a very cute baby pygmy hippopotamus and the as yet unnamed baby pygmy can now finally be seen at the Fuengirola zoo where she roams freely with her mother “Liberia” in a recreated tropical African swamp. There are fewer than 3000 pygmy hippos in the world and are therefore considered an endangered species.

Spanish Electricity Company Endesa To Pay Up
The new monthly payment system used by Spain’s largest electricity supplier caused mayhem when customers were overcharged at the beginning of the year however we’re relieved to say that after the Junta De Andalucia stepped in, Endesa Sevillana has agreed to re-calculate this year’s bill and reimburse their disgruntled customers. Well we look forward to seeing if this is really true!

Events Coming Up for April in Spain

Picasso: Art and Sand
The Picasso foundation is holding an exhibition of works inspired by the rituals of the bullfighting world that fascinated the brilliant artist. “Picasso: Art and Sand” can be seen at the Casa Natal De Picasso in Malaga City until the 1st July.

International Boat Show
Get a taste of the yachting world at Gibraltar’s first International Boat Show to be held at the Rock’s Ocean Village from the 9th to  the 12th April. View the very latest in life on the waves from humble canoes to luxury super yachts.

Franz Ferdinand In Granada
For those who want to rock! Scottish retro band Franz Ferdinand will be performing tracks off their new studio album entitled “tonight” in Granada at the Coliseo Ciudad de Atarfe on the 4th

Semana Santa in Spain
Well what is probably Spain’s largest event is coming up and that would have to be Easter Week. The daily processions start off on the 5th April which is Palm Sunday and lead up to the solemnity of Good Friday finalizing of course with the resurrection on Sunday. Sevilla leads the way with spectacular floats but the scent of incense, flowers and candles impregnates all of Spain´s towns. As usual Malaga will have a very special guest of honour for this years holy week Antonio Banderas.

Educational Sculpture in Malaga Port
A group of school children have been eaten and digested by a Giant Woman! No we’re not about to tell you a fairytale but there is a giant 38 by 8 metre woman in Malaga Port! Well she’s a sculpture really in which you are able to go inside to discover how the human body works – you can go into her stomach, feel her heart and smokers beware, even see how tobacco has affected her lungs! This fascinating experience can be enjoyed until the 3rd May.

Hot Ticket in Town - Andalucia Tennis Experience
Tickets are already on sale for the first Andalucía Tennis Experience. The tournament takes place between the 4th and 12th April at the Tennis Club Puente Romano in Marbella and the line-up of tennis players includes prestigious names such as Serena Williams and the no.1 Jelena Jankovic. Looks like Marbella is a name to watch on the tennis circuit as the town has just been officially shortlisted to host the Davis Cup Quarter Finals!