Calpe marked a vibrant return to one of its most cherished traditions this weekend with the Mig Any, the mid-year celebration of its iconic Moros y Cristianos festival, offering a colourful preview of what’s to come in 2026.

A centuries-old tradition at the heart of Costa Blanca culture

Held annually as a symbolic halfway point, the Mig Any is far more than a warm-up event. It plays a key role in sustaining the cultural heartbeat of the town, bringing together filaes (festival groups), local families, and visitors in a shared expression of history, identity and community pride.

Rooted in centuries-old traditions that commemorate the historical clashes between Moors and Christians during the Reconquista, the festival has evolved into one of the Costa Blanca’s most visually striking and socially significant celebrations.

A weekend of ceremonies, music and community spirit

Across the weekend, Calpe’s streets and squares transformed into a hub of activity. Festive dinners in kábilas set the tone on Friday night, while Saturday saw one of the most anticipated moments: the official presentation of the 2026 festival leaders.

This ceremonial handover is central to the Mig Any, symbolising continuity and honour within the participating groups: a key theme also highlighted in local council coverage shared over the weekend.

Family traditions keep the festival alive

Sunday brought a more relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, with a popular paella competition and children’s parades drawing crowds into the heart of the town.

The strong intergenerational participation – from young children stepping into costume for the first time to long-standing members maintaining decades-old roles – remains one of the defining features of the celebration.

Building momentum for the main 2026 festivities

While the main Moros y Cristianos celebrations take place later in the year, the Mig Any offers an essential moment of reconnection – a chance for participants to regroup, celebrate, and build anticipation.

For locals, it’s a reaffirmation of identity; for visitors, an intimate glimpse into one of Spain’s most captivating cultural traditions,  with Calpe now firmly on course for another spectacular festival in 2026.

Teachers across the Valencian Community are preparing for a possible indefinite strike starting on May 11, following a consultation that revealed overwhelming support for industrial action. Thousands of educators took part in the vote, signalling deep frustration within the public education system and a growing willingness to escalate protests.

The proposed start date emerged as the clear preference among respondents, ahead of alternative options such as later dates or shorter, staggered stoppages. While the final decision still requires formal approval at a union assembly, momentum is clearly building toward a prolonged strike that could extend into the final weeks of the academic year.

Deadlock in negotiations fuels unrest

At the heart of the dispute is a breakdown in talks between teaching unions and the regional education authorities. Union representatives argue that months of discussions have failed to produce meaningful progress on key issues affecting both staff and students.

Educators point to a lack of concrete proposals around salary improvements, class sizes, and investment in school infrastructure. After repeated meetings without significant outcomes, unions now describe negotiations as effectively stalled, prompting a shift toward more forceful action.

Among the central demands are measures to restore lost purchasing power, reduce overcrowding in classrooms, expand teaching staff, and improve working conditions across schools. Teachers argue that these changes are essential not only for their profession but also for maintaining education standards.

High participation expected despite concerns

The consultation results suggest that participation in the strike could be substantial. A large majority of teachers indicated they would support industrial action regardless of its format, pointing to widespread dissatisfaction across the sector.

That said, some educators remain hesitant about joining a prolonged strike. Financial pressures are a key concern, as taking part would mean a loss of income. Others worry about the timing, given the proximity to the end of the school year and the potential impact on students’ academic progress.

Even so, the overall sentiment within the profession appears to favour collective action as the only remaining avenue to push for change.

Families voice concern over student impact

The prospect of an indefinite strike has raised concerns among families, particularly as it could disrupt the final stretch of the academic calendar. Parent associations have expressed understanding and even support for teachers’ demands but are urging both sides to reach an agreement quickly to avoid prolonged disruption.

Many families acknowledge the structural challenges facing the education system, including resource shortages, ageing infrastructure, and insufficient specialist staff. These issues, they argue, go beyond labour disputes and directly affect the quality of education students receive.

A critical decision ahead

The coming days will be crucial, as unions prepare to hold a final assembly to confirm whether the strike will go ahead. At the same time, they are calling for renewed talks with the regional government in an effort to break the impasse.

If no agreement is reached, May 11 could mark the beginning of one of the most significant education strikes in the region in recent years—potentially bringing widespread disruption and placing further pressure on authorities to respond to long-standing demands.

The future of volleyball in Altea is already her – and it’s making waves. A group of young athletes from CV Altea Planet has achieved something never seen before in the town’s sporting history: reaching the Alevín Femenina Final Autonómica, a milestone that signals both progress and promise for grassroots sport in the region.

A breakthrough moment for Altea’s young athletes

For the first time ever, a team from the municipal volleyball school secured a place among the best in the Valencian Community. Their qualification alone marked a historic achievement, reflecting years of dedication from players, coaches and the wider club.

Taking part in the final phase placed the Altea squad alongside some of the strongest youth teams in the region, an experience that proved both challenging and invaluable.

A tough debut against eventual champions

The competition began with a demanding opening match against CV Elche, a team that would go on to claim the regional title. Despite the strength of their opponents, the Altea players showed determination early on, competing well in the opening points and demonstrating their growing tactical awareness.

However, as the match progressed, Elche’s experience and intensity began to dominate, ultimately securing them the win. For the young Altea side, it was a lesson in high-level competition – and a glimpse of the standards required to reach the top.

Learning, growing, and gaining experience

While results are always part of the story, the real success lies in the experience gained. Competing at this level offers invaluable exposure, helping players develop resilience, teamwork, and confidence under pressure.

For many of these athletes, this was their first taste of elite regional competition. Facing top-tier opposition accelerates development and provides a benchmark for future improvement, something coaches will undoubtedly build on in the seasons ahead.

A sign of a strong grassroots system

This milestone is not just about one tournament, it reflects the strength of Altea’s youth development system. The municipal volleyball school continues to nurture talent from a young age, creating a pathway for players to progress through the ranks.

The presence of Altea in a regional final highlights the effectiveness of this approach, showing that smaller clubs can compete with established powerhouses when investment in grassroots sport is prioritised.

Looking ahead: the future is bright

Although the tournament didn’t end with a title, the long-term impact could be far more significant. This generation of players has laid the foundation for future success, proving that Altea can compete on the regional stage.

More importantly, they’ve inspired the next wave of young athletes. Visibility matters, especially in youth sport, and seeing local players reach such heights can motivate others to follow in their footsteps.

With continued support, training, and opportunities, it’s likely this won’t be the last time CV Altea Planet appears in a final.

More than just a result

In the end, the story isn’t defined by wins or losses. It’s about progress, ambition, and the courage to compete at the highest level available.

For CV Altea Planet, this debut in the Final Autonómica is just the beginning, a clear sign that something special is growing in Altea’s sporting community.