THE BEST FINANCE NEWS ON PAGES 12 15 3 - 9 August 2023
AXARQUIA - COSTA TROPICAL • EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM
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THE Axarquia village of Iznate is gearing up to celebrate the 23rd annual Musca tel Grape Festival this Saturday, August 5. Celebrations honouring the region's star produce begin at 8pm with a craft market, gastronomy route along with free samples of local dishes, live music and more. The regional government president José Juan Jiménez highlighted the im portance of the sweet Muscatel grape to Iznate and the wider Axarquía region. 21 of the area's 31 towns fall within the UNESCOrecognised Sipam territory for the dried grapes. The region’s grapes are popular in both forms, fresh and sundried into raisins. Jiménez explained, “It's a tribute to our ancestors, the sustainably main tained landscape, family and communal work, and community traditions”. Jiménez praised the excellent quality goods and celebratory community spirit surrounding the Muscatel Grape Festi val. The familyfocused event runs during cooler evening hours. Locals will staff a dozen stalls around Iznate dishing up
Unveiling this year’s bracelets
Local Muscatel grapes are the star of the show.
dishes including refreshing soups, main dishes and desserts. Local performers will entertain the crowds while they eat. An art exhibition and ceremony honouring standout Muscatel grape producers will also be held. The festival will cap off a week of cul tural activities organised by Iznate coun
cil, which began on Friday, July 28. Activ ities included reading groups, dance, music, and sports. Iznate is proud of its Muscatel grape heritage, and excited to share traditional agriculture and culture at an authentic festival. Further details about the pro gramme are available on Iznate council’s website.
Meteor magic Photo credit: Carlos Castro Fotógrafo
STARGAZERS are in for an unforgettable night during the 6th annual Perseid Night Hike from Velez Malaga's Triana neighbour hood on Saturday, August 12. Participants will witness the dazzling Perseid meteor shower under optimal dark skies from the iconic La Ata laya tower, with a stop at the fascinating Kalachakra Buddhist stupa. The 10 kilometre night trek promises stargazing, cultural sights, and commu nity fun. According to Deputy Mayor Lourdes Piña, it's a chance to con nect with nature while get ting exercise. She advised hikers to be physically pre pared for the mediumdiffi culty route. Starting at CaféTeatro de Triana, hikers can donate to the Red Cross before fol lowing mountain trails to
Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Iznate.
GRAPE TIMES AHEAD Lost children
Credit: Salobreña Council
Issue No. 1987
Participants make it to the tower during last year’s night hike.
the stupa and 15th century tower. Expert astronomer Carlos Castro will offer guidance about the Milky Way and meteors from La Atalaya. After viewing the cosmic display, participants will re
turn for regional food and drinks, raffle prizes, and an afterparty. Piña encour aged all able residents to join, saying “this beautiful night allows you to enjoy astronomy and nature.” The Perseids, one of the
year’s best meteor show ers, will produce up to 100 meteors per hour. With its stargazing, culture, and community bonding, the hike offers a unique night time adventure in Velez Malaga.
THERE are certain things guaranteed to happen in Axarquia in the summer and apart from sun, sea and beaches is the guaran tee that there will be some lost children. Once again, Salobreña Council will be issuing free of charge up to 5,000 spe cial bracelets where par ents can write all of their details including contact telephone numbers in case the child is lost. Working in collabora tion with the Neptune Hardware store in Salo breña and its owner Silve rio Jiménez the council wants to ensure that the often vulnerable young are kept safe even if they get lost and Councillor An tonio Rodríguez made it clear that parents have ex pressed their appreciation for this added protection. Silverio Jiménez, said
that the initial idea sur faced some 10 years ago following the loss of his daughter and added, “It is a simple procedure by which parents can pick up the bracelet at certain points, write the child's name and telephone num ber in the space provided for it, and put it on.” The bracelets are self adhesive and waterproof, so they can be washed without any problem and can be obtained at the four beach surveillance posts and the hardware store itself, located on Avenida del Mediterra neo. Similar projects are in place on various beaches along the whole of the Costa del Sol and are yet another example of how councils are working to protects residents and visi tors.