Dep. Legal MA-422-2006 - ISSN 2953-42536
Happy Valentine’s Day Axarquia I No. 2119 I 12 - 18 February 2026 I FREE Newspaper
Visionary stage
Carnival’s glorious end A BIZARRE AND FUN FINALE TO THE PARTY
MALAGA and the Costa del Sol are entering a transformative chapter with the Palacio de la Ópera de Malaga. Rising on the strategic San Andrés platform, this striking landmark designed by Federico Soriano and Agustín Benedicto features a vibrant blue ceramic exterior. Reaching 40 metres tall, it is destined to become an iconic symbol of contemporary Malaga. Surpassing a simple concert hall, the Palacio will host over 200 annual events, including opera, theatre, festivals, and major congresses. Projections estimate half a million annual visitors, injecting fresh vitality into the local economy and tourism. The flexible main auditorium seats 1,900 with state-of-the-art technology, supported by AXARQUIA is buzzing with excitement as the 72nd Vuelta a Andalucia - Ruta del Sol gears up for its thrilling 2026 edition, set to ignite from February 18-22. With just days to go, preparations are in full swing across Malaga Province, where the race kicks off with Stage 1 from Benahavis to Pizarra. The spotlight shines brightest on Axarquia, as Torrox hosts the start of Stage 2 on February 19. Cyclists will blast through iconic coastal and inland roads, showcasing stunning landscapes befo-
Credit: Madrid Proyecta X
COSTA DEL SOL’S GLEAMING FUTURE
NERJA’S 2026 Carnival season concludes just before Lent begins, marking a festive pause before Easter. However, Nerja, and wider Spain, celebrates this transition with a peculiar tradition: burying a sardine. While the ‘Entierro de la Chanquete’ appears solemn with fake crying, it is actually a riotous highlight. This mock funeral features a grand parade where participants dress in black, mimicking a real procession with theatrical flair. Dramatic mourners wail, veiled widows sob, and men in drag add comedic energy to the feigned grief. At the centre, a giant papier-mâché sardine, affectionately named Chanquete, is carried triumphantly through streets by hundreds of participants with music and laughter. The atmosphere peaks as the crowd reaches Calahonda beach. With fireworks exploding overhead, the sardine meets its flamboyant end, burned in a massive bonfire. Everyone dances wildly around the flames, celebrating the end of excess and the promise of renewal. It is a vibrant farewell to Carnival, blending humour and community spirit under the Mediterranean stars. Credit: Ayuntamiento de Nerja
Project for gleaming new symbol for Malaga.
a 500-seat chamber hall and versatile spaces for international conferences. Mayor Francisco de la Torre has championed the project, engaging priva-
te sponsors to realise this sustainable, AI-enhanced venue. Offering global connectivity and ‘Wow’ experiences, it fuses arts, enterprise, and tourism.
Race fever
re heading toward Otura in Granada. Local leaders, including Torrox mayor Óscar Medina, call the event a massive boost for international
visibility. “This is a golden opportunity to put Axarquia on the global cycling map,” Medina enthused, highlighting the area’s beauty and mild weather. Officials
The Palacio heralds a bright future, cementing the region’s status as a premier hub for culture and innovation in the years ahead. from the Diputación de Malaga and Junta de Andalucia explain the race’s key role as a major sporting showcase, drawing elite riders and passionate crowds. Axarquia is ready to deliver an unforgettable spectacle of speed and scenery.
Local community takes part in the procession.