D.L. MU 74-2025 - ISSN 3045-6703
Costa Cálida I No. 2146 I 20 - 26 August 2026 I FREE Newspaper
Pop in paradise THE Cabo de Pop festival recently closed out its ninth edition after two incredible days of indie artist performances, nautical and water sports activities, and environmental initiatives, uniting nearly 7,000 people in the coastal area of Cabo de Palos. The festival is already looking ahead to its 10th anniversary, taking place in 2027, and audiences left wanting more but satisfied after another successful year. During the two days of the festival, residents and visitors in Cabo de Palos participated in concerts performed by emerging and popular independent artists, taking place near the idyllic and famed Cabo de Palos lighthou-
Photo Credit: Cartagena City Hall
Cabo de Pop festival unites nearly 7,000 in Cabo de Palos
Cabo de Pop festival blended indie music, sports, and sustainability.
se. Some of the highlight performers included Mujeres, El Último Vecino, El Diablo de Shanghai, KU!, La 126, Los Chivatos, Mare Carrier, Estela Gris, the Cucaña and Desaparezca. These concerts
transformed the cliffside into a memorable, open-air stage for fans of various music genres. In addition to the concerts, visitors also participated in guided sessions of fun-fi-
lled, water-based activities, including scuba diving and snorkelling in the cool Mediterranean sea. Other visitors joined guided coastal routes, including paddle surfing and kayaking routes through the privileged scenic areas of Cabo de Palos’ shoreline. But the beloved festival’s offerings did not end there. During these two days in August, a programme of family-friendly, environmental activities also took place, aiming to take advantage of the beautiful areas in Cabo de Palos while also promoting knowledge and respect for its natural heritage, all wrapped in a fun package of music, community, and sporting activities.
Sight solidarity THANKS to an ongoing solidarity campaign in Murcia, 227 pairs of prescription glasses and sunglasses collected from local residents are heading to Senegal this September to restore vision for individuals with limited access to eye care. Glasses that once were lying forgotten in a drawer will now grant clear vision to people in need in the African country. This initiative forms part of the long-running El Milagro de Ver, or ‘The Miracle of Seeing’, project, spearheaded by the Murcian non-profit organisation Azul en Acción, in collaboration with Aguas de Murcia. The journey from a Spanish
Photo Credit: Harpreet Singh / Unsplash
Murcia donations to transform lives in Senegal
Donated glasses from Murcia restore vision for communities in Senegal.
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home to an African recipient involves careful preparation; before travelling, all collected glasses are sent to the Faculty of Optics and Optometry at the University of Murcia, where students and experts classify, measure, and catalogue each lens into a database. This meticulous work ensures that, when medical teams arrive in M’Bour, Senegal, each recipient is matched with the exact prescription they need. Senegalese people who previously relied solely on hearing their surroundings can suddenly see the faces of loved ones clearly, return to school, or even regain their independence.
Maritime motion Cartagena welcomes more than 22,000 cruise passengers in August THE coastal city of Cartagena is set for a busy weekend, welcoming a major influx of international tourism over a two-week stretch. Beginning in mid-August and until Saturday, August 29, 11 cruise ships are scheduled to dock at the city. Together, these ocean liners will bring a combined 22,500 passengers, bringing lively action to the city at the peak of summertime. The cruise parade officially kicked off with the arrival of Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess, a massive vessel carrying more than 4,600 passengers. The port will also host the luxury vessels Silver Ray and Crystal Serenity on the same day, followed later in the period by simultaneous stops from Cunard’s 3,000-capacity Queen Anne alongside Oceania Cruises’ Allura. Silversea’s Silver Muse will also arrive alongside AIDA Cruises’ Aidastella. The absolute peak of this cruise rush occurs during an intense five-day window between Sunday, August 23, and Thursday, August 27. Seven distinct ships are scheduled to dock in Cartagena, bringing a total of more than 13,800 travelers to the city’s waterfront in less than a week. Other notable vessels making stops include P&O Cruises’ Aurora and Britannia, with the fortnight of visits finally drawing to a close when Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky brings more than 2,400 passengers into port. Thousands of disembarking passengers will explore rich Roman history, vibrant, charming markets, and mouth-watering waterfront dining, reinforcing the city’s emerging status as one of southeastern Spain’s premier coastal destinations.