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Costa Blanca North

The feel-good festival you didn’t know existed in Costa Blanca North

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Costa Blanca North is preparing to host one of its most quietly captivating events this weekend, as the Costa Blanca Handpan Primavera returns to Albir on Saturday, May 9. Unlike traditional festivals, this is not about big stages or packed schedules, but about connection – bringing together musicians, makers and enthusiasts in a more intimate, immersive setting.

Centred around the handpan, a melodic steel instrument known for its calming, almost hypnotic sound, the gathering has grown steadily in recent years. What began as a small community meet-up has evolved into a recognised highlight of the region’s spring calendar, attracting artists from across Europe and beyond.

Music, nature and community combined

Set against the natural backdrop of Albir, the event blends live performances with open sessions, where attendees are encouraged to participate, collaborate and share in the music. Organisers emphasise that the experience goes beyond performance, creating space for meaningful interaction, creativity and wellbeing.

Alongside the music, visitors can expect a relaxed social atmosphere, with communal dining, local gastronomy and a focus on slow, mindful living. The Costa Blanca’s mild climate at this time of year adds to the appeal, allowing much of the event to unfold outdoors, surrounded by nature.

A growing international community

Over the past year, the Handpan community in the Costa Blanca has expanded significantly, with regular gatherings and a growing network of players and creators. This year’s Primavera edition reflects that momentum, featuring a diverse lineup of international artists alongside familiar faces who have helped shape the event’s identity.

For many, it is less about spectatorship and more about belonging. Attendees often describe the gathering as a shared experience rooted in music and emotion, where connections form naturally through sound and collaboration.

Why it matters now

As larger festivals dominate much of the summer calendar, smaller, community-led events like this are gaining attention for offering something different: an alternative that prioritises authenticity over scale. In a region known for its tourism and nightlife, the Handpan Primavera provides a more grounded, soulful counterpoint.

With its blend of music, nature and community spirit, the event continues to carve out a unique space on the Costa Blanca, drawing those in search of a slower, more meaningful kind of cultural experience.

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Costa Blanca North

Nina, a student at Lady Elizabeth School, invited to share her ideas about the future at TEDxThe British School of Málaga Youth

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Nina, a student at Lady Elizabeth School. Credit: LES

Imagination, creativity, and courage to think about the future. Nina, a selected student from Lady Elizabeth School, represented the school at the annual TEDxThe British School of Málaga Youth event, which brought together 15 secondary and sixth form students who took to the stage to share their ideas on how to shape the future under the theme “The Shape of Possibility.”

The event took place at Cine Yelmo Málaga, where an audience of students, families, teachers, authorities, media representatives, and members of the educational community gathered. Throughout the day, the young speakers, aged between 12 and 17, explored topics that encouraged the audience to question, imagine, and rethink the future. From discovering unexpected paths and asking “what if…?”, to reflecting on imperfection, the fear of failure, and how small decisions can create major change. They also explored the power of imagination, kindness, and international education to open new opportunities and transform the way we learn and dream about the world.

Nina, a student at Lady Elizabeth School, reminded us in her talk that:

“Failure is just a step towards new possibilities, and trying is the only way forward. There is no one shape; you define your own path and create your own possibilities.”

Meanwhile, N. Dickens, Nina’s mentor for the project and teacher at Lady Elizabeth School, highlighted the importance of the event for students:

“It is a unique opportunity for students to develop their ability to synthesise ideas and speak confidently in public through TEDx training, gaining a skill that will benefit them throughout their lives. As a teacher, it is a pleasure to support and guide them through their rehearsals, both on the day of the event and throughout the entire preparation process.”

Nina at TEDxThe British School of Málaga Youth
TEDx is a programme of independently organised local events that bring people together to enjoy a TED-like experience. Credit: LES

Young people inspiring and shaping the future

More than just an event, TEDxThe British School of Málaga Youth became a space to celebrate creativity, curiosity, and the transformative power of education. Through their talks, students shared ideas that encourage us to question the present and imagine new possibilities for the future. The talks are available on the TEDx YouTube channel, extending the reach of these ideas to an international audience.

About TED

TED began in 1984 as a conference where technology, entertainment, and design converged, and today it encompasses a multitude of communities and initiatives around the world exploring topics ranging from science and business to education, the arts, and global issues. In addition to the TED Talks curated from its annual conferences and published on TED.com, TED produces original podcasts, short video series, animated educational lessons (TED-Ed), and television programmes translated into more than 100 languages and distributed worldwide through partnerships. Each year, thousands of independently organised TEDx events bring people together to share ideas and build bridges between communities across every continent. Through The Audacious Project, TED has helped mobilise $6.6 billion in funding for initiatives supporting bold solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges, working towards making the world more beautiful, sustainable, and just.

LES is a British international school and part of International Schools Partnership (ISP), a global educational network with more than 110 schools across 25 countries. For the past 38 years, it has provided an outstanding British international education for students aged 2 to 18.

The school is known for its English immersion environment with native-speaking teachers, its British curriculum with a broad range of sixth form subjects, its dual programme with the Spanish Section for Spanish students, its international atmosphere, and its exceptional facilities at the Benitachell campus – designed by subject area to encourage multidisciplinary learning across the arts, sciences, humanities, and sports. LES also offers an extensive range of “outside the classroom” programmes, including trips, excursions, extracurricular activities, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, volunteering, music, ILOS programmes, and much more.

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Costa Blanca North

Benidorm unveils massive new SkyFest venue expecting 200,000 visitors this summer

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SkyFest Benidorm is expected to attract more than 200,000 visitors during its first summer season.
Credit: Instagram: Ayuntamiento de Benidorm

Benidorm is preparing for one of its biggest entertainment summers yet after officially unveiling SkyFest, a huge new outdoor events venue expected to attract more than 200,000 spectators between June and September.

The new 14,000-square-metre complex, located at the Guillermo Amor Sports City in the Foietes-Colonia Madrid area of Benidorm, was presented this week during a launch event in Madrid attended by more than 400 guests from the worlds of music, tourism and entertainment.

Concerts, festivals and sporting events planned

Organisers confirmed that SkyFest will host more than 24 events throughout the summer season, ranging from concerts and festivals to comedy shows, musicals, children’s performances and sports screenings. The venue officially opens on June 28 with a charity event supporting the Centro Doble Amor association. Performers at the opening include Spanish artists David Otero and Bombai alongside broadcaster Tony Aguilar.

Among the headline events already announced are Latin Fest on July 4 and 5, Chayanne’s concert on July 24, Oro Viejo by DJ Nano on August 1 and DJ Symphonic on August 21. Organisers also confirmed comedy performances by Miguel Lago and Luis Piedrahita, family musicals including Tarzan and The Sound of Music, and large-scale sporting broadcasts such as the World Cup final screening on July 19.

Capacity of up to 25,000 people

The new venue has been designed to host events of very different sizes, with capacities ranging from 2,000 seated attendees to 25,000 people for major concerts and festivals. According to organisers, the complex includes two stages, more than 100 bathroom cabins connected to the water network, shaded cooling areas, VIP terraces, gastronomic spaces and over 100 metres of bar service. SkyFest CEO Álex Fratini described the project as an attempt to create a “reference point” for summer entertainment on the Costa Blanca, combining live music, tourism and leisure in one location.

Benidorm strengthens festival tourism appeal

Benidorm officials believe the new venue could further strengthen the city’s growing reputation as a year-round events destination. Mayor Toni Pérez attended the presentation alongside representatives from Visit Benidorm and the Generalitat Valenciana, highlighting the project’s potential economic and tourism impact for the city during the busy summer season.

With international artists, large-scale festivals and sports events already confirmed, organisers say further announcements are still expected in the coming weeks ahead of the official opening.

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Best Cake Denia

Dénia bakery launches ‘world’s best cake’ to fund rare disease research

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Verdú Artesanos in Dénia launched a charity cake initiative to help fund research into IFAP syndrome.
Credit: Verdú Artesanos

A traditional bakery in Dénia has launched a charity cake inspired by a three-year-old local boy living with an ultra-rare disease, with all profits going towards research and treatment.

Verdú Artesanos introduced “The best cake in the world” this week in support of Luca, a young boy diagnosed with IFAP syndrome, a condition so rare it affects around one person in a million. The initiative quickly gained attention across the Marina Alta region for combining local gastronomy with fundraising for a family facing enormous medical costs.

A cake inspired by Luca’s favourite things

The cake was created by master artisan Álvaro Verdú after speaking directly with Luca about the flavours he loved most. According to the bakery, the child requested “popcorn, caramel and a balloon,” which became the unusual inspiration behind the dessert. The result is a colourful cake designed not only as a sweet treat but also as a symbol of solidarity and hope for families living with rare diseases.

Luca’s parents have spent years trying to raise awareness of IFAP syndrome through social media and fundraising campaigns. Through their Instagram account, they document the daily challenges of the condition while also trying to connect with other affected families and researchers.

100 per cent of profits go to research

The bakery confirmed that all profits from sales of the cake will be donated directly to research and treatment linked to IFAP syndrome. The campaign also aims to expand beyond Dénia through online orders and partnerships with local restaurants and influencers supporting the cause.

According to reports, Luca’s family currently faces annual medical and research-related costs of around €70,000. Treatments involve regular visits to specialised hospitals and research institutions including centres in Valencia and Murcia. During the presentation of the initiative, Luca’s mother Cristina described the dessert as “the best cake” not simply because of its flavour, but because of “its solidarity and hope.”

Dénia rallies behind local family

The campaign has already attracted support from businesses and residents across the area, with many praising the initiative as an example of community solidarity in Dénia.

The cake is available both at Verdú Artesanos in Dénia and through a dedicated online shop serving customers across mainland Spain. The campaign will continue until June 19, with organisers hoping to raise significant funds while also increasing visibility for rare diseases that often struggle to receive public attention or institutional funding

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