The iconic gardens of the Barbera dels Aragones in Villajoyosa will transform into a stage of pure wonder on Saturday, September 5, at 7:30pm, as renowned Basque theatre company Markeliñe brings its highly acclaimed, family-friendly outdoor show, Artilusio, to the coastal town.

A book-powered machine of dreams

This 55-minute performance centres on a whimsical contraption powered by two distinct elements: classic literature and the beating heart of Greta, a sweet, extravagant, and entirely unpredictable old woman. Greta spends her days exploring her cherished personal library of stories, continuously pulling her devoted caregiver, Pina, into a world of fantastical adventures and theatrical mischief.

As books are fed into the marvellous machine, the stage will come alive with legendary literary figures, magical lamps reminiscent of One Thousand and One Nights, and imaginary voyages across the globe.

Creativity, literature, and human connection

With the performance, Artilusio will deliver a thoughtful, multi-layered message about creativity, literature, and human connection. The show champions simple, imagination-driven play over modern digital distractions, illustrating the idea that active toys create passive minds, whereas simple stories require active, creative thinkers. Beneath the playful set pieces and slapstick moments, the narrative also tenderly highlights the deep bond between Greta and Pina, reminding audiences of the immense value of companionship, patience, and care for older generations in our communities.

Event details and how to enjoy the show

Organised as part of Villajoyosa’s rich cultural calendar, this open-air performance will take place at the Auditori and Jardin de la Barbera dels Aragones, running for 55 minutes in the evening. The show is completely free to attend and open to the public, making it an ideal weekend activity for families, residents, and visiting tourists alike.

Combining expressive performances, inventive prop design, physical comedy, and a vibrant soundtrack, Artilusio promises to captivate audiences of all ages, offering a heartwarming celebration of storytelling, ageing with grace, and the timeless magic found within the pages of a good book.

“Artilusio is an invitation to play with simple things. Active toys create passive minds, and passive toys create active minds,” states the Villajoyosa Town Hall about the heart of the message of the show.

A small village in the interior of Alicante is taking an interesting approach to combating screen addiction in children: Fageca, a mountain village with only 100 residents, recently held a workshop for local children that involved using LEGO building block toys as a therapeutic and social tool.

Building real connections away from screens

The workshop, which took place over the weekend of August 15 and 16, brought together children between the ages of 7 and 12 at the local Casa de Cultura. There, the children participated in talks about the responsible use of technology and a variety of healthy lifestyle habits. Additionally, the children built their own models with LEGO pieces to represent ideas, emotions, and situations.

The science behind physical play and retention

The science lies in the manipulation of physical materials rather than words and images on screens. The children can better solidify concepts in their minds through association with tangible objects, improving both their understanding and their retention of the messages.

The initiative, under the name LEGO Serious Play workshops, was made possible by funding through the Alicante Provincial Council, and it is far from the first LEGO-based event in the province. Earlier this year, in April, the University of Alicante hosted the First LEGO League, another event based around the iconic toys that brought together participants of all ages, but especially children.

Expanding LEGO workshops across the region

Even in a village as small as Fageca, the impact of these mentally stimulating workshops is clear. Larger towns and cities in the province of Alicante could soon implement LEGO-based workshops, particularly for children and the elderly, who can work with the colourful bricks to foster cognitive stimulation, improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and socialise with other residents.

A small village making a big change

All in all, the workshop in the village of Fageca was a success, turning simple plastic bricks into powerful tools for mental agility and human connection. This 100-resident village has demonstrated how innovation in rural healthcare often lies in thinking outside the box, and offers an inspiring model for local communities across the Costa Blanca, proving that with a little imagination, even the smallest towns can build something truly special.

The Costa Blanca town of Denia recently concluded its eagerly awaited Moros y Cristianos festival in honour of Sant Roc, capping off weeks of vibrant history, spectacle, and music. While the festivities stretched across the month of August, the grand finale delivered a magnificent crescendo that left residents and visitors alike enchanted.

Spectacle on the streets for the Grand Gala Parade

The celebration reached its peak on August 15 with the iconic Gran Desfile de Gala, or Grand Gala Parade. Starting in the late afternoon, Denia’s central areas, including Calle La Vía, Calle Diana, and the tree-lined Marqués de Campo, were transformed into a dazzling showcase of colour and sound. The Christian and Moorish ranks unveiled their breathtaking boatos, showcasing elaborate floats, intricate choreography, and flashy historical costumes crafted over an entire year of preparation. As night fell, a brilliant fireworks display, or castillo de fuegos artificiales, illuminated the sky above Plaza Jaume I, drawing loud cheers from the thousands gathered along the route.

Gunpowder battles and sacred traditions

The iconic festival drew to a dramatic close on August 16. The morning opened with the thunderous Batalla de Arcabucería historical reenactment, where the air was filled with smoke and noise from Calle Foramur down to the historic Plaza del Consell, reenacting the fierce battle for control of the city. After a solemn midday Mass and the traditional theatrical performance of the Milagro de la Niebla (Miracle of the Fog), the evening shifted to a reverent religious procession honouring Sant Roc.

An emotional musical farewell: Another successful edition of Moros y Cristianos in Denia

At 10:00pm, the festival finally closed out with the Retreta and Disparo Final, or Retreat and Final Gunshot. Festival-goers joined together for a joyful final march back to the Plaza del Consell. The crowd united in a moving, heartfelt performance of “El Vell Montgó” and Denia’s anthem, a bittersweet melody that marked the official end of this year’s celebrations and closed another unforgettable chapter in the town’s rich cultural history.