Locals in La Cala de Mijas are happily welcoming the return of Aldi. Its newly refurbished store will be reopened from Monday, 28 April following its extensive upgrade programme.

Aldi has been closed for the beginning part of the year and now after weeks of renovation works the upgraded La Cala branch has gained more than 200 square metres of extra retail space, has new improvements to storage areas and internal facilities and customers will also benefit from 13 additional parking spaces, helping improve access during busier periods.

The popular supermarket is growing its presence up and down the coast

Community discussion on social media has been positive, focused largely on convenience, easier access and having a budget-friendly supermarket back in La Cala. Some also welcomed reports of additional parking spaces, after previous concerns over congestion during peak shopping hours, with many extra pleased to see the supermarket return ahead of the busy summer season.

The popular German discount supermarket chain Aldi also makes its debut in Fuengirola the following day, April 29, just one month after celebrating the inauguration of its 500th store in Spain in nearby Las Laginas. The new Fuengirola store will be located at Calle Malvarrosa, 1, in the Los Pacos neighbourhood, has a generous 1,000 square metre sales floor and a team of 14 professionals, half of whom are newly recruited local hires. 

Shoppers can now again enjoy browsing the chains famous ‘special aisles’

The location of the La Cala store is perfect for residents living around the area who need to do a decent sized food shop without the hassle of trying to find parking in the already difficult center of the town. People will now again have the choice of the large Carrefour and Aldi right opposite each other. 

Shoppers can now again enjoy Aldi’s trademark lower cost high-quality products, fresh produce and everyday groceries and of course their famous few aisles of their seasonal special buys, all back on their doorstep.

Expats and local Esteponeros converged at the Torre Mirador del Carmen area today for the 25th anniversary of Día del Residente Extranjero in Estepona (Foreign Residents’ Day).

Organised by Estepona Town Hall to celebrate the town’s colourful multi-national population, the occasion ran between midday and 9pm with more than 25 stands and participation from 26 countries and the Nordic Club.

This setup turned the location into a multicultural meeting point where attendees could discover gastronomy, crafts, music and traditions from around the world, all present here on the Costa del Sol.

Mayor presents plaques to community publications

José María García Urbano presented plaques to owners and journalists from multi-language publications such as Sur in English, Hola Polacos, Esprite Sud and, of course, Euro Weekly News.

The mayor explained that these outlets help keep Estepona’s large and varied foreign community informed of events in the Costa del Sol town and its surroundings.

Global traditions entertain large crowds

Music and dance typical of the origin nations entertained huge crowds of expats of all nationalities throughout the day. Stalls presented samples of the finest food, drinks and products from around the globe to keep everyone entertained in a party atmosphere celebrating Estepona’s diverse nationalities and togetherness.

Honour goes to long-time stage performer

Event officials paid tribute to Herling Robins, or “H” as he is more commonly known in Estepona, a Columbian resident of 20 years and salsa singer and dancer in honour of his career and his energetic performances on stage for over two decades.

Census data reveals high level of diversity

Figures from the 2019 municipal census show Estepona with a population of around 72,000 residents from over 120 different nationalities. This makes the town one of the most nationally diverse and cosmopolitan places in Andalucia.

Participants took advantage of a unique opportunity to share experiences and discover new cultures while celebrating the diversity that enriches the city. Many attendees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with different customs in such a friendly setting by the Mirador del Carmen building on the promenade.

Additional activities contributed to the success of the day as people continued to enjoy the various elements on offer until the event concluded in the evening.

Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, best known as the author of Don Quixote, has been linked to discussions around the possible redesign of euro banknotes, according to the European Central Bank his name has been proposed in connection with the €50 note, which is the most widely used denomination across the eurozone in everyday transactions.

The suggestion places one of Spain’s most recognisable literary figures at the centre of debate about how European cultural identity could be reflected on currency used daily in shops, businesses and ATMs. At this stage, the reference to Cervantes remains part of a proposal under consideration rather than a confirmed design choice. No final decisions on specific individuals appearing on euro banknotes have been announced.

Shift in approach to euro banknote imagery

Euro banknotes have historically avoided depicting real people. Since their introduction in 2002, their designs have focused on abstract architectural elements such as windows, bridges and gateways, intended to represent cooperation and openness across the eurozone without highlighting any single country.

The discussion now emerging suggests a potential shift in approach, with cultural figures being considered as part of broader design ideas. In this context, Cervantes has been mentioned alongside other European historical and cultural personalities in media reporting. However, the inclusion of individuals would represent a significant departure from the euro’s original design principles, and any such change would require formal approval within the European Central Bank’s design process.

Why Cervantes is being highlighted

Miguel de Cervantes is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Spanish literature, with Don Quijote considered one of the foundational works of Western fiction. His cultural significance has made him a recurring reference point in discussions about Spanish representation in European cultural symbols.

His association with the €50 note in reports reflects both his prominence and the visibility of that denomination, which is the most frequently used euro banknote in circulation. As a result, any potential design featuring him would carry high everyday exposure across the eurozone.

Proposals remain under discussion

Despite media attention around specific names, including Cervantes, no official list of final candidates for euro banknote designs has been confirmed. The European Central Bank has not publicly endorsed any individual figures for inclusion.

The current stage of the process remains focused on exploring themes and collecting ideas, with multiple design directions still being evaluated. Cultural representation is one of several concepts under discussion, alongside other thematic approaches.

Final decisions on the appearance of future euro banknotes are expected to be made through the ECB’s formal selection process, which includes design development and approval stages before any introduction into circulation.

No immediate changes to currency in circulation

Existing euro banknotes remain valid and unaffected by ongoing discussions. Any potential redesign would apply only to future series of notes and would not involve immediate withdrawal or replacement of current currency.

As with previous updates to euro banknotes, any transition would be gradual and coordinated across eurozone member states, ensuring continued usability of existing cash throughout the process.

Conclusion

The emergence of Miguel de Cervantes in discussions around euro banknote redesign highlights a potential shift towards greater cultural representation in European currency. However, his inclusion remains at proposal stage, with no confirmation from the European Central Bank. For now, the debate reflects early-stage ideas rather than final decisions, with the future appearance of euro banknotes still subject to formal selection and approval processes.