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Competa Hiking Heroes Give Wheelchair-Bound Woman Chance To Return To Peak

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Xiomara and Los Locos de la Colina. Credit: Ayuntamiento de Competa

Locals in Competa will gather art the end of the month to help 23-year-old Xiomara Santisteban Domínguez reach Cerro Lucero peak once again. The young woman from the town suffered a serious accident that left her with a spinal injury and complex regional pain syndrome. Before that, she often hiked to the 1,774-metre peak with her family, sometimes at night to watch the sunrise. On Sunday, May 31, the expedition hopes to restore that cherished experience through teamwork and determination.

Club builds on record of charity hikes

Los Locos de la Colina has organised similar inclusive challenges in recent years. In one notable case, the club dedicated the Trail Canillas de Albaida – Reto Higinio to young Alba, who has Mowat-Wilson syndrome. Volunteers carried her in a Joëlette chair during the event, creating joyful memories for her family while raising funds. Such efforts reflect the group’s commitment to adaptive mountain sports across the Axarquia region.

Details of the upcoming ascent

Hikers from the club will transport Xiomara in a Joëlette all-terrain chair. The main support team starts from Plaza Almijara in Competa at 7am. Other participants drive to Puerto Blanquillo for an 8am start on a shorter route. Porters plan frequent relays to maintain pace on the demanding trail, which includes technical sections near the top. Organisers expect the full climb from Competa to take seven to eight hours.

Preparation and safety measures

Fitness levels matter because of the steep ascent. Participants receive two refreshment stops, though hikers must bring extra water for the upper sections. Insurance or a federative licence counts as essential. Those without one can arrange a one-day policy for five euros by emailing a copy of their identity document to the club. Registration through the Los Locos de la Colina website or the town hall helps track numbers for safety.

Local backing and emotional impact

Town officials and the Mancomunidad de la Axarquia have endorsed the project. The mayor of Competa and other representatives joined the presentation alongside Xiomara and her parents. After the descent, everyone meets for a snack at the town hall. Club members stress responsibility on this challenging route while focusing on Xiomara’s goal. Her words show deep gratitude for the chance to stand on the summit again.

Broader meaning for accessibility in mountains

Initiatives like this one continue a growing movement in Andalucia. Delivery of Joëlette chairs to clubs has enabled more people with reduced mobility to join trail events. In Competa, the climb represents resilience and community spirit in the Sierras Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park. Many view it as proof that barriers in outdoor activities can diminish through collective action.

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Summer Coding Camp For Kids

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More details on English Edition 16.05.26. Credit: Nicole King

I welcomed Sabi Borsos of Logiscool to English Edition to talk about their summer camps for 6 to 14 year olds.  I definitely want to sign up my 7 year old granddaughter.

Located in Elviria and San Pedro, Logiscool is offering children the chance to combine coding, creativity, sport and outdoor fun through its exciting digital summer sessions.

The 3-to-5-day non-residential camps feature more than 35 digital topics designed to introduce children to the world of technology in a playful and engaging way. Led by young trainers who connect easily with kids and teens, the camps blend indoor tech learning with outdoor activities and teamwork.

Children can explore Roblox Camps, where they become game designers instead of just players, Programming Camps that introduce coding and logical thinking through interactive challenges and Minecraft Camps, where kids learn programming basics while building and creating inside the game. It’s important for children’s safety that they understand not just how to use technology, but how technology actually works.

We live in an increasing AI-driven world but whilst AI tools can generate answers and code, they cannot always judge whether information is correct, secure, appropriate or reliable.  Learning coding teaches them to question technology rather than simply consume it whilst developing problem-solving, logical thinking, creativity and computational skills that are valuable across many future careers.

Experts believe the future will belong to people who can work alongside AI, direct it and understand its limitations. Children who understand these concepts are far less likely to be manipulated by technology and will be capable of actually using it to further their own ideas and creativity.

Sabi kindly offers my readers and viewers a 10% discount on the weekly camp with promo code NICOLEKING26 during registration.

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Live Music In Spain Doubles Cinema Box Office With €807.2 Million Revenue

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major national and international tours contributing significantly to overall revenue. Photo credit: Right Perspective Images/Shutterstock

Live music in Spain generated €807.2 million in ticket sales in 2025, according to data published in the Anuario de la Música en Vivo 2026, produced by the Asociación de Promotores Musicales (APM). The figure marks another strong year for the sector, which has continued its post-pandemic growth trajectory.

The report also places the live music industry’s ticket revenue significantly above the annual box office takings of Spanish cinemas, which are estimated at around €450 million. This means live music ticket sales alone are close to double the value of cinema admissions across the country.

Record Ticket Revenue for Live Events

The €807.2 million figure refers specifically to ticket sales for concerts and live performances across Spain. It does not include broader economic activity linked to the sector, such as hospitality, tourism, transport, or employment generated around events. The data was compiled by the Asociación de Promotores Musicales, which represents concert promoters and event organisers across the country. The organisation publishes annual reports tracking attendance, revenue and industry trends within Spain’s live entertainment market.

According to the report, the 2025 figure reflects sustained demand for live performances, with major national and international tours contributing significantly to overall revenue. Large stadium concerts and festival events continue to account for a substantial proportion of ticket sales. The report also highlights the continued strength of Spain’s festival circuit, which remains one of the most active in Europe. Events across cities such as Malaga, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao continue to attract both domestic and international audiences.

Comparison With Spain’s Cinema Sector

The comparison with cinema box office revenue underlines the scale of the live music sector in Spain. Annual cinema takings are estimated at roughly €450 million, meaning live music ticket revenue alone is substantially higher. The cinema industry in Spain includes both domestic productions and international releases shown in theatres nationwide. While box office figures fluctuate depending on major film releases, the overall sector has remained below pre-pandemic levels in several recent years.

By contrast, live music has experienced a stronger recovery, with audience attendance and ticket prices contributing to rising revenues. The return of large-scale touring schedules after pandemic restrictions has been a key factor in the sector’s growth.

Wider Economic Impact of Live Music

Although the €807.2 million figure reflects only ticket sales, broader estimates suggest the total economic impact of live music in Spain is significantly higher when indirect spending is included. Studies cited by industry bodies indicate that concerts and festivals generate additional income through accommodation, restaurants, transport services and related tourism activity.

This wider economic footprint is often several times larger than ticket revenue alone. The report notes that Spain’s live music industry plays an important role in regional economies, particularly during the summer festival season. Coastal regions and major cities often see increased visitor numbers linked to major events.

Growth Driven by Festivals and Touring Acts

Industry analysts point to several factors behind the sector’s strong performance. The return of international touring artists, combined with the expansion of large-scale festivals, has helped sustain demand across multiple regions. Spain’s geographic and climatic advantages also support a long outdoor festival season, which typically runs from spring through early autumn.

This allows for a high concentration of events compared with many other European markets. Mid-sized venues and indoor arenas have also contributed to revenue growth, with consistent programming throughout the year helping to stabilise attendance outside the peak summer months.

Continued Expansion of the Sector

The APM report suggests that live music remains one of the most resilient segments of Spain’s cultural economy. While other entertainment sectors have faced more uneven recovery patterns, concert activity has continued to expand in both scale and revenue. The organisation notes that sustained investment in touring infrastructure and venue capacity has helped support growth, alongside strong audience demand for in-person events.

Although future performance will depend on broader economic conditions, the 2025 figures confirm that live music has firmly re-established itself as one of Spain’s most commercially significant cultural industries.

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This Rural Village In Spain Is Betting On Low-Cost Land To Revive Its Community

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The initiative is particularly aimed at individuals and families who can work remotely or who are willing to relocate for lifestyle reasons. Photo credit: Israel Hervas Bengochea/Shutterstock

A small municipality in central Spain is offering low-cost building plots in an effort to attract new residents and reverse long-term population decline. Olmeda de la Cuesta, in the province of Cuenca, has introduced an initiative allowing buyers to acquire land at reduced prices as part of a wider strategy to encourage settlement in the area. The village forms part of Spain’s broader “España vaciada” movement, which refers to rural regions affected by decades of depopulation as younger generations move towards urban centres.

Local authorities have turned to land sales and settlement incentives in response to shrinking populations and limited economic activity. The initiative has drawn attention beyond Spain, with reports highlighting the unusually low price of available plots and the municipality’s attempt to reposition itself as a viable option for remote workers and families seeking a quieter lifestyle.

What the scheme involves

The scheme in Olmeda de la Cuesta involves the sale of municipal land at significantly reduced prices compared with urban property markets. The aim is to make homebuilding more accessible and to encourage long-term residency rather than short-term tourism. According to reports, the council has made building plots available through a structured allocation process, with conditions attached to ensure that land is used for residential development.

The measures are designed to prevent speculative purchasing and to prioritise individuals or families willing to relocate permanently. Local officials have framed the initiative as part of a long-term strategy to maintain essential services and avoid further population loss. As with many rural areas in Spain, the village faces challenges linked to ageing populations, limited employment opportunities and the gradual closure of local infrastructure.

What life is like in Olmeda de la Cuesta

Olmeda de la Cuesta is a small municipality in Castilla-La Mancha, located in a mountainous rural area. While population figures vary depending on classification, it is widely described in reporting as a sparsely populated village with a strong focus on agriculture and land management. The settlement has undergone previous efforts to modernise infrastructure and attract new residents, including improvements to housing stock and public spaces.

Despite this, population numbers remain low, highlighting a wider issue across inland Spain where rural communities continue to decline in size. The latest land offer is intended to address this directly by making relocation financially feasible for people who may otherwise be priced out of home ownership in cities or larger towns.

Targeting remote workers and new settlers

The initiative is particularly aimed at individuals and families who can work remotely or who are willing to relocate for lifestyle reasons. Spanish rural councils have increasingly looked towards remote workers as a potential solution to depopulation, especially following the rise in flexible working arrangements.

In addition to attracting private buyers, the scheme also seeks to encourage small-scale business activity in the area. Local authorities have suggested that new residents could contribute to maintaining services and supporting the local economy through everyday spending and community participation.

Part of a wider local efforts across rural Spain 

The situation in Olmeda de la Cuesta reflects a much wider national issue in Spain, where rural depopulation has affected large parts of the interior. Many villages face similar pressures, including reduced access to healthcare, fewer schools and limited transport links.

In response, various municipalities have introduced incentives ranging from cheap housing to tax reductions and job offers. These initiatives aim to stabilise or reverse population decline, although results have been mixed depending on location and economic conditions. Olmeda de la Cuesta’s land offer sits within this wider pattern of local-level interventions rather than a central government programme, with each municipality tailoring its approach based on available resources.

Outlook for rural repopulation efforts

While such schemes generate interest, long-term success depends on sustained migration and economic viability. Rural councils continue to face the challenge of balancing affordability with the need to create lasting employment opportunities and infrastructure improvements.

For Olmeda de la Cuesta, the land initiative represents a continuation of efforts to maintain community viability in an area where population density remains extremely low. Whether the offer results in permanent settlement will depend on demand from individuals willing to relocate and build homes in a remote rural setting.

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