Tag: New Year

Latest Gran Canaria News, Views & Sunshine

Foundation Investigated for Alleged Mismanagement of Public Funds Meant for Care of Unaccompanied Migrant Minors

The 7th Investigative Court of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has opened a preliminary investigation into the Social Response Foundation Siglo XXI and four of its directors. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office in Las Palmas filed a complaint against them, alleging crimes that could include forgery of commercial documents, mismanagement, and embezzlement of public funds. The investigation aims to determine whether this nonprofit organisation, and its officials, could have misused public funds intended for the care of unaccompanied migrant minors, during the migration crisis of 2020 that was precipitated by the pandemic confinement on the islands, leading to a build up of arrivals having to be assessed and cared for by the Canary Islands Regional Government, using hotels left empty due to the lack of tourism. The estimated amount involved in the alleged misuse stands at around €12.5 million between 2020 and 2022 on Gran Canaria alone.

 

Canary Islands Expect Rain and Potential Storm Weather Next Week

The Canary Islands are preparing for a change in the weather next week, as a significant increase in cloud is expected bringing higher probability of rain. The effects of a powerful storm forming in the Atlantic Ocean are likely to extend to the Canary Islands as well as neighbouring Madeira and The Azores.

 

The Canary Guide #WeekendTips 2-4 June 2023

June is here and that means that summer is just around the corner. The Patron Saints’ festivities in honour of San Juan de Bautista and San Antonio de Padua are just getting started on Gran Canaria, and in Pueblo de Mogán the main Romería pilgrimage for San Antonio El Chico is this first Saturday of June, as well as the start of the build up to those in Arucas, Santa Brígida and Moya. This weekend also brings the biggest outlet fair shopping experience back to INFECAR and a collectables fair in Gáldar.
OPERATION KILO is this weekend, at all participating supermarkets, asking you to add a few non-perishable food items to the Food Bank collection boxes to help families in need.

Vox Enters Canarian Politics, Stage Right: Anti-Migrant, Anti-Feminist, Anti-Green, Anti-Autonomy, Anti-LGBT, Anti-Multiculturalism, Pro-Franco politics find a foothold on The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands were unable to avoid the rise of the far right on Sunday, unlike in 2019, writes Natalia G. Vargas in Canarias Ahora. Vox, which previously had no representation on the islands, managed to make its presence felt in several municipalities and councils this May 28. They also secured seats in the Canary Islands’ regional parliament, securing four deputies. “Defending what is ours, our own, and fighting against insecurity” were the slogans that underpinned Vox’s campaign in The Canary Islands, along with “family, employment, and freedom.” This rhetoric, coupled with an electoral program that was repeated across all local elections in Spain, proved sufficient. Dozens of cities and towns on the islands welcomed their first far right candidates of the modern democratic era into Canarian politics, with urban areas serving as their main strongholds.

La Alcaldesa Bueno Secures Incredible Majority in Mogán

Mogán, May 29, 2023 – The often controversial incumbent, O Bueno, La Alcaldesa, has achieved an unprecedented and resounding victory once more in Mogán. The candidate who switched her party’s name, for these elections, to “Juntos por Mogán”, a local ally of the regionalist conservatives “Coalición Canaria” (CC), will once again assume the role of mayor. Her party has clinched a rather noteworthy 17 out of the 21 seats in the Municipal Council of this popular tourism destination located on the sunny southwest of Gran Canaria.

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The Canary Guide to New Year’s Eve on Gran Canaria 2020

Well it’s New Year’s Eve and perhaps you are still wondering what there is to do tonight on this balmy sub-tropical island with daytime temperatures of 25ºC+ in the shade? There will be celebrations for the start of 2020 across Gran Canaria all across the island in most bars and restaurants, with several fireworks displays, the biggest and most popular of which include the main beach in the capital, Las Canteras, Anfi Beach, The Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse (where many of the hotels have lavish parties and compete for the biggest displays) and Playa del Inglés. What ever you do, don’t forget to bring some traditional Spanish flavor to your party, by eating your 12 grapes at midnight!  Each one at the toll of the midnight bells for luck in the new decade. 
There are likely to be extended transport services provided across the island throughout the night to get everyone to and from the main celebrations.
Here are just some of the events planned by the town halls of some of the island’s larger municipalities
Happy new year to all! See you in 2020!
MOGAN; ARGUINEGUÍN, PLAYA MOGÁN AND PUEBLO MOGÁN
In Arguineguín at Plaza Pérez Galdós celebrations start at 23:30 and include a TV broadcast of the 12 bells countdown on the big screen, there will be music with DJ’s Aitor Cruz, Promaster and Cholo as well as animation activities and jugglers Alehop. At 01:00 the late night New Year party with Paco Guedes begins. 
In Mogán Casco (Pueblo de Mogán) a New Year party at midnight with the church bells ringing in the new year and a concert from local group Plan B, then DJs Aitor Cruz and Promaster. 
In Playa de Mogán a New Year’s party at midnight in the Plaza Dr. Pedro Betancor León. 

MASPALOMAS
San Fernando de Maspalomas, Castillo del Romeral and El Mirador de Las Dunas will host the most important municipal activities of 31st of December and first of January.  Fun have been guaranteed with the closing of the music and commercial activities to 05:30 and 06:00. 
Plaza pública de San Fernando de Maspalomas will see the concerts of Los Salvapantallas, Djs Jonay and Marrero. Fun starts at 00:15. 
Star Music and AdrianPro Dj, will be the animations planned for this December 31 at the plaza ( front of the school ) in Castillo del Romeral. 
For the first day of January, 1.1.2020 at 18:30, once more, a New Year’s concert by Olga Cerpa and Mestisay, with Luis Morera as a guest artist, at the natural stage setting of the Mirador de las Dunas de Maspalomas (behind the Hotel Riu Maspalomas ).
LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA
Las Canteras Beach From 23:00 to 04:00. The biggest New Year Party of all on Gran Canaria is as ever at the La Puntilla end of the capital’s main beach, Las Canteras. The End of Year bells broadcast by the main Spanish television channel RTVE will be shown on the big screen. There will be a huge fireworks display at midnight (by the Plaza Saulo Torón) as well as live concerts on the main stage built on the beach. And of course not forgetting the Las Palmas tradition of a midnight dip in the ocean.  

Earlier during the day Vegueta, the old quarter, celebrates New Year 2020 earlier than anybody else between 15:00-19:00. Visitors will enjoy live music entertainment on the terraces of the various establishments, more precisely on the streets Mendizabal, Pelota, Obispo Codina and Diego de León. Jazz, Pop, Chill Out, Rumba, Latin Rhythms and finally a parade. For those wanting to avoid a late night get down there to enjoy the Vegueta celebrations!                      
There is an annual solidarity running race called the San Silvestre, one of the biggest on the island, which happens between 16:00-19:00 in the capital. The children’s race is first at 16:00 and the adult’s race starts at 17:00. See the routes here. They are expecting over 12000 runners so you can expect a lot of traffic. 

ARTISANAL AND KINGS DAY MARKETS GRAN CANARIA 2020
 The traditional markets in the run up to the main seasonal gift-giving day once again run between 2-5 January 2020. 
– The 25th Artisans’ Market Parque de San Telmo in the capital, Las Palmas by FEDAC.
Opening hours are every day between 10:00-21:00.
– “Feria de Reyes”, The Kings’ Fair in the municipality of Telde and in the open commercial area ZSA SAN GREGORIO ( plaza de San Gregorio and Avenida de la Constitución ). Crafts, activities and music.
On Thursday 16:00 – 21:30, on Friday and Sunday 10:00-21:30 and on Sunday 10:00-23:00
– And of course there is the ongoing Christmas fair until 5.1. at Plaza de San Rafael, Vecindario in the municipality Santa Lucia. Traditional Crafts, Cosmetics, jewelry, Textiles and Accessories, Recycled Products
From 10:00 to 21:00 (excluding holidays). The fair is open on January 5, from 10:00 until the closing of the shops.

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