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This annual event is held in the centre of Fuengirola.
This year was the fourteenth such occasion. Countries of the world are
invited to take on a caseta (small house), where they display their
national products, customs, traditions, foods, etc., etc. The first year
saw 12 countries participating. This year we had 32 participants, who
attracted over the four day period (1st -4th May), 1,050,000 visitors.
Its a fabulous event with all the different nationalities mingling around,
different musical sounds emitting from the casetas, and the smell of the
different foods drifting across the fairground. In previous years the
Great Britain caseta did not do so well. The English chap who ran it, knew
what I had done up at Teba last year, and asked if I could help him to add
a real Scottish flavour to the GB caseta this year. I contacted the guys
at Strathleven Artizans who got together a group that included themselves
(12), Highland Dancers (6) and the traditional Scottish band Clann an
Drumma.
The fair is officially opened with a parade from the
Town Hall to the fairground. Each country has a group in traditional
costume, plays traditional music and march behind a member bearing the
flag of their country. This caused a wee problem, as the guy in charge
wanted the flag of the union, but our guys insisted that if he wanted a
Scottish theme, then only the Saltire would be flown. Guess who won! The
Highland dancers were applauded every inch of the way on the one hour long
parade. The pipers were feted and cheered like film stars. Spanish woman
were bringing their babes in arms and asking our six foot plus guys to
hold the kids whilst the mums took photographs. All great stuff, and I
must say that each and everyone in our party were fantastic ambassadors
for their country.
The local Council bears the cost of the accommodation
over the four days, and the participants must find their travel fare. The
lads at Strathleven filmed every minute of the four days and an edited
version will be posted on You Tube very shortly. I'll let you know when it
is available. As a result of this years success a group of four Scots
(myself included) are putting an application in for a Scottish only caseta
at next years feria. We already have had a good response from visit
Scotland and we intend approaching some of our national brands for
sponsorship. One stipulation from Fuengirola council is that we include a
section in the caseta showing our craftsmen at work actually producing
their products.
I took a party from the Strathleven
Artizans up to Teba, as they were presenting a sword to the council. The
sword was found in the 1960's by a farmer at the site of the battle of
Glen Sheil, where in 1719 a volunteer force of Spaniards joined an army of
Jacobite sympathisers, but sadly were crushed by superior government
forces. The Spaniards were imprisoned and then returned to Spain. The
Spanish inscription on the sword, translates as 'never withdraw me without
reason - never return me without honour'. We feel that the soldier threw
his weapon aside when he realised they were defeated. The sword will be
placed in the museum to Douglas that is being constructed in the keep of
The Castle of the Star.
After the presentation, we laid a wreath at Douglas's
monument, and the council brought out beer and tapas. We then headed for
the Castle where the pipers played and one of the group sang a tribute to
Douglas that he had penned only three weeks ago. Its an absolute belter.
He has named it 'Under the blue Teba skies' There were eight Artizans in
all, but another party of four followed us on the Tour and also Clann an Drumma
who played up at the Castle.
All in all, an absolutely unforgettable time was had
by all and we can't wait 'till next time where we hope it will be even
more of a success and more of you can come over and participate with us
Hasta luego,
Tom
We'd like to thank Tom & the Strathleven Artizans
for this great article |
