Santa Pola is gearing up to celebrate the 4th edition of the Fireta del Llibre on Sunday, April 26, turning the heart of the town into a vibrant meeting point for readers, writers and culture lovers. The literary event, held in Santa Pola, will run throughout the morning with activities designed for all ages and a strong focus on encouraging reading among children and young people.

Children’s events, recognitions for readers, author signings, and delicious food

During the event, children will be able to enjoy a creative space of wooden recreational games organised by Jocs de Fusta, offering an accessible and playful introduction to the festival atmosphere. The programme will continue just before noon with the awards ceremony for “The Most Readers 2025”, recognising the most dedicated young readers from the municipality’s libraries.

One of the highlights of the day will take place from noon to 2:00pm with “The Literary Reed”, an interdisciplinary session combining live readings by local library users, music by CHAMÁN, and a popular food and drink offer of a beer or soft drink with a tapa for just €2. The session will also include book signings by popular local authors, strengthening the connection between writers and their community.

Visitors will also find bookstalls from Guilló, Sarai, Sonidos y Letras and El Morenet, offering a wide selection of titles and new discoveries. The municipal library stands will present Fanzine Arte_Fact_0, the first youth magazine in Santa Pola, while language promotion will be led by AVIVA Santa Pola, supported by Generalitat Valenciana, along with Som Cultura Santa Pola and the Xarxa de Biblioteques Municipals de Santa Pola.

A bookish event for the whole family

The Fireta del Llibre in Santa Pola continues to grow as a key cultural event, reinforcing its role as a meeting point for literature lovers across the region. Families are encouraged to participate in the Fireta freely and explore all scheduled events throughout the morning, in an event that is sure to inspire readers and writers from all over the municipality and beyond.

For many, the home is a sanctuary. However, as mobility challenges arise, architectural barriers like stairs or narrow doorways can turn a beloved residence into a series of obstacles. Salvatec, Spain’s leading specialist in accessibility solutions, is changing that narrative by blending cutting-edge engineering with a deeply human approach to home autonomy.

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Founded with a clear mission—to ensure that no one is left behind due to physical limitations – Salvatec has grown from a regional expert into a national powerhouse. The company specialises in the sale, installation, and maintenance of stairlifts (sillas salvaescaleras), platform lifts, and a bespoke range of mobility scooters.

What sets Salvatec apart in a discerning market is its 360-degree service model. Unlike providers that merely sell equipment, Salvatec offers a comprehensive consultation process. Their experts conduct detailed on-site assessments to recommend the precise solution for each unique architectural challenge, whether it is a complex curved staircase in a historic villa or a modern apartment block.

Innovation meets reliability

The British consumer values durability, and this is where Salvatec excels. By partnering with world-class manufacturers such as Handicare and Stannah, and developing their own proprietary line of mobility scooters, the company ensures that every product meets the highest European safety standards.

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A major environmental project in southern Alicante is moving closer to completion, as Sierra Escalona and its surrounding areas near Orihuela Costa advance towards official recognition as a protected natural park. The development follows the approval of a key planning document that sets out how the land will be preserved and managed in the future.

The breakthrough comes after the Valencian regional government approved the Plan de Ordenación de los Recursos Naturales (PORN), a legally binding framework that defines conservation rules and permitted activities across the area. This step is essential before the final declaration of a natural park can be made.

What has changed in the protection process

The newly approved plan significantly strengthens environmental protection across Sierra Escalona and the Dehesa de Campoamor. It establishes clear zoning, regulates land use, and prioritises conservation over development in areas of high ecological value.

The protected area spans multiple municipalities, including Orihuela, San Miguel de Salinas and Pilar de la Horadada, forming one of the most important natural corridors in the Vega Baja region. In total, the plan covers a large expanse of land rich in biodiversity, including habitats for protected species such as birds of prey and native Mediterranean wildlife.

Why this matters for expats

For those living in or visiting Costa Blanca South, the potential designation of Sierra Escalona as a natural park could have a noticeable impact. Increased protection typically brings stricter controls on construction and land use, helping to preserve green areas close to residential and tourist zones.

At the same time, natural park status often enhances the attractiveness of surrounding areas. Protected landscapes tend to draw eco-tourism, hiking and outdoor activity, supporting local businesses while maintaining environmental balance.

However, the plan has not been without debate. Some groups have raised concerns about what activities may still be allowed in surrounding buffer zones, including certain types of development or infrastructure.

A long-awaited step after years of efforts

The move towards natural park status follows decades of environmental campaigning. Sierra Escalona already holds several levels of protection, including designation as a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and inclusion in the EU’s Natura 2000 network.

The new plan builds on these protections by introducing a unified framework that governs how the land is used and conserved. It also aligns with broader regional efforts to strengthen environmental policies and protect vulnerable ecosystems.

If the final declaration is approved, Sierra Escalona would become one of the largest protected natural spaces in the province, marking a significant milestone for conservation in southern Spain.

For now, the approval of the PORN signals that the process is firmly underway. With final steps expected in the coming months, the landscape near Orihuela Costa could soon gain a new level of protection, shaping how the area develops for years to come.