BENNECKE Blog

Parking your car in Torrevieja will now cost just 40 cents an hour. The reduction in price is to try and persuade drivers to leave their car in a car park and deal with all their errands on foot. The low price will stay the same until June 30th. It is a 65% reduction of the normal hourly rate.

The participating car parks are Marina Internacional, Marina Salinas, El Arco, Vista Alegre y La Ermita. Your car will be left under cover and with security guards, 24 hours a day. People who work in Torrevieja will note a huge benefit on their purses, as they will also be able to opt for monthly parking tickets, with an even greater saving.

Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, met with the Valencia President, Francisco Camps in Washington on Friday, as the decision has finally been confirmed that Torrevieja will host the new Microsoft Centre for Health Innovation. The town was chosen because of its good communications to the El Altet and San Javier airports, and also because the local hospital is already using the latest Microsoft programs.

Speaking to EFE, Camps voiced his satisfaction for the agreement reached which showed he said the commitment of the Valencia region to research and development.

There is no final number yet placed on the size of the Microsoft investment, but Camps considers the move will convert the Valencia Health Service into a world reference in technology.

The Valencia Government has also signed a deal with Microsoft under which the Valencian language will be incorporated into their software from next April.

Gastronomy, dance and Andalusian flavours from the 22nd to the 28th of February.

The Torrevieja’s Andalusian Association prepares to celebrate its Cultural Week, organized for the 22nd until the 28th of February. A week  when tapas and typical Andalusian cuisine will liven up our stomachs and leave a good taste in members’ and sympathizers’ mouths.

The events will be celebrated in the associations place of residence in calle Valencia nº10.

Program:

Tuesday, February 23, at 7 p.m., conference about public safety by a Torrevieja’s local policeman. (free entry)

Tuesday 24th, at 7.30 p.m., exhibition by the students in the dance courses, castanets and chirigotas, and the possibility of participating at a sevillanas contest. (free entry).

Thursday 25th, at 8 pm., theatre play “Los chicos del teatro”, written by Rafael Ruiz Nogal and starred by the “Candilejas” theatre workshop. Then, Victoria Martínez  will represent some monologues under the title “Requiebros”.(free entry)

Friday 26th, at 7.30 p.m., flamenca dresses parade, with the performance of the dance group called “Azabache”’ and the participation of the choir “Brisa del Sur”.(free entry)

Saturday, 27th at the Centro Cultural Virgen del Carmen, at 8 p.m., music show “Al Compás de Andalucía”, with flamenco shows from the choir “Arte Payá” and the choir “Brisa del Sur”. A supportive show to the benefit of the campaign “Alimentos Solidarios de Torrevieja”. Entry ticket: 5€.  Tickets sold at: association’s seat (Calle Valencia,10) and local theatre’s ticket box, Tuesday to Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 hours before the show.

Sunday, 28th, Andalusia’s day, at 12 p.m. the Torrevieja’s Asociación Cultural Andaluza (Andalusian Cultural Association) will offer a mass sang by the choir “Brisa del Sur” in the church Parroquia de la Inmaculada Concepción.(free entry)

Sunday night was not only an opportunity for romantics to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day but also saw Torrevieja’s night-time Carnival Parade taking place, as rain caused a postponement from Saturday.

Over 2,000 spectators lined the route from Patricio Pérez along Ramón Gallud to Plaza de Maria Asunción to be entertained by one of Torrevieja’s fun parades.

From babies in pushcarts to grandmothers and grandfathers, the different ‘schools’ strutted their stuff accompanied by their own music ‘van’, all cleverly timed and spaced so that the music needed seemed to change as the procession moved down the main street. Over a dozen ‘schools’ participated this year, dressing up as in such garb as Aliens, Salt Boats, Disney Characters, Barbie Dolls to Amazonian Woman; at least they looked like Amazonian Woman to me but no matter what, they looked great anyway! It was a fun night for all and the buzz was that the 1800 hrs start on the Sunday was as good as, if not better than, the 2200 hrs normal start time on the Saturday, as many of the younger ones enjoyed the early start and parking was much easier on a Sunday than a Saturday night.

If you were one of the hundred thousand or so residents that missed Sunday’s event or has never seen a Torrevieja Carnival Parade, make sure you pencil it in for 2011. Remember that next month sees the start of the Easter Processions and although solemn in nature, thousands will be lining the streets of Torrevieja during the week to enjoy the spectacular floats, as they are carried through the streets of the city. It seems like Torrevieja has a fiesta or festival every month of the year, so make sure you are there to support your International Cofridia, Los Costaleros, this Easter. No Amazon Women dancing in the streets are expected but it’s still a magnificent spectacle to witness for yourself!