The Andalusian Swing Band (ASB) celebrates its 40th anniversary next year. Over the decades, the orchestra has seen many changes in its lineup, yet its signature style has remained intact – elegant, skillful performances of classic jazz and swing.

Today, the band is made up mainly of top jazz musicians from Málaga. The artistic director and piano virtuoso Diego Suárez leads the ensemble, while guitarist Ricky Vivar brings his distinctive Django Reinhardt–inspired gypsy jazz flavour. Finnish trombonist Heikki Viinamäki is also a regular feature, always ready when ASB takes the stage to enchant its audience.

Joining them on selected dates is Antti Sarpila, Finland’s most internationally acclaimed jazz musician. Having played and studied with some of the world’s greatest jazz wind players, Sarpila brings a powerful, authentic energy to the stage – one that transports the audience straight back to the golden era of Glenn Miller and Count Basie.

ASB & Sarpila will perform at Ravintola Kukko Events on three upcoming Sundays, each night featuring a different theme – from gypsy jazz to big band classics.

The Kukko Events concept is Show & Dinner – enjoy a delicious Sunday meal while soaking in world-class live music.
Doors and kitchen open at 4:30 pm, and showtime is at 6:00 pm. You will find Kukko Events in Los Boliches Fuengirola. (avd. Los Boliches 4)

🎟 Tickets only €10
📧 Reservations: kukko.events@gmail.com

Nestled in the leafy La Alzambra / Nueva Andalucía area, just minutes from Puerto Banús, Svenska Skolan Marbella offers families a truly unique blend of Scandinavian values and Mediterranean charm. Since opening its doors in 2003, the school has grown from a small, pioneering project with 15 pupils to a thriving international community of around 200 students today – a testament to its outstanding reputation.

This accredited Swedish school provides education from preschool (ages 3–5) through primary, following the Swedish national curriculum. For older students, the school combines Sofia Distans and Hermods Distansgymnasium programmes with on-site support, ensuring a seamless continuation of academic excellence.

One of only 14 Swedish schools abroad approved by the Swedish National Agency for Education, Svenska Skolan Marbella is also fully authorised by the Junta de Andalucía, ensuring both international standards and local recognition. This dual accreditation gives families peace of mind, whether they plan to stay in Spain long-term or eventually return to Sweden or move elsewhere.

The school embraces a trilingual approach from the earliest years. Swedish remains at the heart of daily life, while English and Spanish are integrated naturally into the curriculum. This multilingual foundation equips students to flourish in a global world.

The campus itself is bright, modern and designed to inspire. Classrooms are spacious and filled with natural light, complemented by gardens, a swimming pool, a football pitch, padel courts and generous play areas surrounded by greenery. It’s a setting that encourages both learning and play, within walking distance of parks and the beach.

Above all, Svenska Skolan Marbella stands out for its warm, community-centred atmosphere. Every child is valued as an individual, supported to grow with confidence, curiosity and respect for others — key pillars of the Swedish educational ethos.

Discover more at www.svenskaskolanmarbella.com 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, is set to visit Spain next week and meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The Spanish Government confirmed that the visit will include a formal meeting and further institutional engagements. This will be Zelenskyy’s third official visit to Madrid since the start of the war, following a previous trip during which he and Sánchez signed a security and defence agreement.

Agenda for the Visit

Key Meetings and Public Engagements Expected

During his time in Spain, Zelenskyy is scheduled to take part in a session at the Spanish Congress of Deputies. He will be received in the “Salón de Pasos Perdidos” by the Chamber’s leadership.

In addition to parliamentary engagements, several sources confirm that Zelenskyy and Sánchez are expected to jointly visit the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía to view Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica”, a work symbolically linked to the horrors of war and oppression. A press conference is planned following their meeting in the afternoon, giving both leaders an opportunity to publicly comment on bilateral issues.

Political and Symbolic Significance

Reinforcing Ties Amid Ongoing Conflict

Zelenskyy’s return to Madrid underlines the continued strategic and diplomatic importance of Spain in Ukraine’s European partnerships. The visit is being framed not only in practical terms of bilateral cooperation, but also as a strong symbolic gesture of solidarity. His tour may help reinforce shared commitments to defence, reconstruction, and humanitarian assistance, building on the foundation laid during his previous trip. Analysts believe the face-to-face meeting with Sánchez will also serve to strengthen Spain’s role in European efforts to support Ukraine politically and militarily.

Challenges and Security Considerations

Why Date and Timing Are Sensitive

While the Spanish Government acknowledges Zelenskyy’s upcoming visit, official sources have cited security concerns as a reason for not publicly confirming all the details. These precautions reflect the high-risk environment in which international travel by Zelenskyy continues, given the ongoing conflict and Russia’s threat to Ukrainian leadership. The secrecy around some logistics underscores the gravity attached to this mission.

Key Points

Summary of the Visit

• Zelenskyy will travel to Spain next week for a third official visit.

• The agenda includes a meeting with Pedro Sánchez, a session in the Spanish Congress, and a symbolic visit to the Reina Sofía Museum to view “Guernica”.

• Security concerns have limited full disclosure of the schedule, a common practice for high-risk diplomatic missions.

• The trip underscores the strategic and symbolic importance of Spain’s support for Ukraine, particularly in defence and humanitarian cooperation.

Looking Ahead

What This Visit Could Mean for Bilateral Relations

If all goes as planned, Zelenskyy’s visit may provide new momentum for Ukraine-Spain cooperation, particularly in areas such as reconstruction, European integration, and military support. Given the ongoing war, every public act of solidarity carries both strategic and moral weight. For Ukraine, the trip could reinforce its European alliances and help ensure continued backing from key EU countries. For Spain, hosting Zelenskyy represents an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and to play an active role in shaping the European response to the conflict.

As the visit unfolds, observers will be watching for concrete announcements, on aid packages, defence agreements, or reconstruction plans, that could emerge from this high-level diplomatic engagement.