The Arts Society Costa del Sol closes its 2025/2026 season with a compelling illustrated lecture on the secret symbols hidden in centuries of great art masterpieces, open to non-members for just €10. 

Art: A Detective Story Decoding Symbols in Painting

The final lecture of the season takes place on Monday, May 11 at the Salon Varietes Theatre, Fuengirola, doors open from 4pm, with the talk beginning at 4:30pm. The lecture is titled Art: A Detective Story – Decoding Symbols in Painting, and it promises to change the way you look at every painting you will ever see again.

The premise is simple and fascinating. Paintings are silent, yet they are designed to communicate. Sometimes the message is obvious. More often it is layered, encoded in objects, gestures, colours and figures that carried specific meaning to the audiences of their time. 

From medieval altarpieces and Renaissance portraits to Dutch still lifes, Baroque ceiling paintings and Victorian genre scenes, the lecture traces the rich tradition of symbols, emblems and allegories that artists used to elevate, educate, warn and criticise,  communicating far more than the eye first registers.

Lydia Bauman the lecturer

The talk is delivered by the incredibly impressive Lydia Bauman, a highly experienced art educator working in the field today. Born in Poland, she completed her BA in Fine Art at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where she was awarded both the John Christie Scholarship and the Hatton Award. She then studied at the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, earning an MA in History of Art with a Distinction for her thesis on Matisse’s Illustrations to Poetry.

Her talents don’t end there, Lydia has taught at London’s National Gallery for more than 35 years, and has lectured intermittently at the Tate Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Hermitage, and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Since March 2020 she has delivered more than 180 online lectures through her own programme, Art For The Uninitiated. She is an accredited lecturer with The Arts Society.

Ticket information and how to attend

Admission is free for members of The Arts Society Costa del Sol, whose membership covers the full lecture season. Members of other Arts Society societies are welcome at a discounted rate of €8, payable at the door. Non-members are invited to attend for a donation of €10, also payable on arrival.

The Salon Varietes Theatre is centrally located in Fuengirola. Arriving from 4:00pm allows time to take your seat before the lecture begins at 4:30pm.

More about the society

Founded in 1988 as the Costa del Sol Decorative and Fine Arts Society (DFAS), The Arts Society Costa del Sol was the first society of its kind in Spain and remains part of a global network of Arts Society chapters. The society has members from a number of different nationalities all united by a shared love and interest in art and culture. 

Monthly illustrated lectures run from October to May, covering painting, architecture, history, and cultural heritage, with particular attention to the artistic legacy of Spain. Members have a full social calendar including after-lecture drinks and dinners, a Christmas lunch, an end-of-season dinner dance, a Members’ Forum, and carefully researched cultural day trips to destinations across Spain and Europe.

New members are encouraged and always welcome. For more information visit The Arts Society Costa Del Sol website. 

If you have an interest in art, would like to learn something new, or have a painting in your house that you believe has an inner meaning then this event is perfect for you. 

Art: A Detective Story  – Decoding Symbols in Painting. Monday, May 11, 4:30pm. Salon Varietes Theatre, Fuengirola. Non-members €10, pay at door.

Fans of authentic rhythm and soul are in for a treat this month as Southern Spain’s blues favourites, the Gangberries, are returning to Almuñecar. This well-seasoned band brings a wealth of experience to the coast, promising a night that honours the very best of the Southern blues tradition.

Veteran musicians bring decades of mastery

Experience and a history of collaborations with the best define this ensemble. Formed in 2012, the group consists of musicians who have spent over twenty years touring with iconic Spanish bands such as Tabletom, Mama Kin, and the Lito Blues Band. Their deep-rooted connection to the genre guarantees a performance that is both technically flawless and emotionally charged.

The audience can expect a foot-tapping journey through the annals of music history, delivered by professionals who live and breathe the blues. These artists have shared stages with the likes of the Richard Ray Farrell Band, honing a craft that translates perfectly to the intimate setting of a concert hall.

A tribute to rock and blues giants

Reverence for the greats sits at the heart of their setlist. Their repertoire serves as a powerful tribute to legendary figures including B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Johnny Winter. Listeners will be treated to masterful renditions of classic tracks and the soaring guitar harmonies reminiscent of the Allman Brothers Band. Every note played reflects a dedication to the raw energy of rock ‘n’ roll, making this a must-see event for anyone who appreciates guitar-driven excellence.

The performance will no doubt revive the spirit of the Mississippi Delta and the Georgia woods right here in Almuñécar.

La Cochera Producciones is hosting this cultural event, guaranteeing a high-quality production for all attendees. Early booking is advised as local interest remains high for this specific tour date. Residents from across the province are expected to travel for this display of musical prowess.

Event details:

• Date: Friday, May 8
• Time: 7pm
• Venue: Casa de la Cultura, Calle Angustias Viejas, 9, Almuñecar
• Price: €15
• Tickets: Available now at www.lacocheraentradas.com

A court in Spain has ordered a public hospital to pay €13.3 million in compensation following a medical negligence case involving injuries sustained during childbirth. The ruling, reported as the highest compensation awarded for medical negligence in the country, relates to a birth that took place in November 2019 at the Hospital of Sagunto in the Valencia region.

The case concerns a child who suffered severe neurological damage during labour. According to the judgment, the injuries were caused by a lack of oxygen, known as hypoxia, before delivery. The damage has resulted in permanent disability requiring long-term medical and personal support.

Findings of the court on medical care

The court identified several failures in the management of the birth. These included inadequate monitoring of the foetus during labour and a failure to respond appropriately to signs of distress. Medical staff did not act within the required timeframe despite indications that the situation had become critical.

The ruling also refers to delays in performing an urgent caesarean section. This delay was considered a decisive factor in the outcome. In addition, the use of delivery instruments was judged to have been inappropriate in the circumstances.

Taken together, these failings were found to have fallen below accepted clinical standards. The court concluded that they directly contributed to the hypoxic injury sustained by the child.

The judgment was issued by a court in Madrid, although the events took place in the Valencia region. The hospital involved forms part of the public healthcare system.

Long-term impact on the child

The injuries sustained have led to serious and lasting medical conditions. The child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy and has a high level of physical and cognitive impairment.

As a result, continuous care is required in all areas of daily life. This includes assistance with mobility, communication and basic needs. The level of dependency means that supervision is necessary on a permanent basis.

The compensation awarded is intended to cover these needs over the course of the child’s lifetime. It includes provision for ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation and specialist therapies. The award also accounts for assistive equipment, adapted housing and the cost of professional care.

Basis for the compensation amount

The €13.3 million figure reflects an assessment of the financial impact of the injuries. Courts in Spain calculate compensation in such cases by estimating the cost of care, treatment and support over time.

In this case, the scale of the award is linked to the severity of the disability and the expectation that assistance will be required throughout the individual’s life. The amount is higher than previous awards in comparable cases, establishing it as the largest known compensation for medical negligence in Spain.

The calculation also takes into account non-financial factors, including the loss of independence and the limitations placed on quality of life.

Legal context and possible appeal

The case was brought on behalf of the child and family through civil proceedings. The court examined whether the care provided met accepted medical standards and whether failures in that care caused the injury.

The ruling may still be subject to appeal. If this occurs, a higher court will review the findings and determine whether the decision should be upheld or modified.

Cases of this nature require clear evidence of both negligence and a direct link to harm. Where both are established, courts may award compensation intended to address long-term consequences.

Significance of the ruling

The decision highlights the consequences of failures in maternity care when complications arise during labour. It also reflects how courts in Spain assess responsibility in cases involving serious birth injuries.

The amount awarded sets a reference point for future claims involving similar circumstances. It reflects the court’s assessment of the level of care required and the impact of the injuries on the child’s life.

The ruling also underlines the importance of timely intervention when there are signs of foetal distress. Delays or incorrect decisions during labour can have lasting consequences, as demonstrated in this case.