Cooperation between two countries has never been easier. Links between two very different cultures will be the central theme for two new and ambitious projects due to get off the ground in Fuengirola over the next few months, with the aim of making local people aware of the way of life of some of our closest neighbours. If all goes according to plan, Morocco will have more of a presence in Fuengirola thanks to financial aid from the European programme for cross frontier cooperation, Interreg III.
The first of the projects involves the creation of a Centre for Mediterranean Culture, which will be located in the new Mayor’s Office in Los Boliches. “The idea is for the people of Fuengirola to have a centre for the promotion of cultural exchange”, pointed out the councillor for Employment, Inmaculada Barranquero. Activities to be organised at the centre will include dance, talks and workshops in the library and the creation of a web page.
The project has a budget of 1,810,000 euros of which 452,500 will be provided by the Town Hall. The rest has been applied for in the form of European Feder funds.
The second project is still in its early planning stages and therefore many details still have to be finalised. The idea is to make the most of the acoustics in the new Parque de la Cantera to create a multicultural space for concerts and musical shows. This would be the venue for an annual Moroccan Music Festival.
Arab influence
To set the scene a 4,700 square metre Andalusí style garden will be created in the park. “This is a nice way of bringing Moroccan tradition to the whole town”, added the councillor for Parks and Gardens, María Jesús Pascual.
While the plans have yet to be drawn up the Town Hall has agreed to fund part of the project with 434,000 euros and to apply to the Interreg III funds for the remaining 1,300,000. Work on both projects could take place between April 2006 and December 2007.
Recent schemes also funded by Interreg have been the remodelling of the fairground and the Hispano-Moroccan craft fair.
Figures
Project One: To create a Centre for Mediterranean Culture in the Tenencia de Alcaldía in Los Boliches.
Cost: 1,357,500 euros, subsidised by the Interreg funds plus 452,000 from the Town Hall.
Project Two: The creation of a multicultural space in Parque de la Cantera which will be the venue for an annual music festival, an information service and an Andalusí style garden.
Cost: 1,302,257 euros, subsidised by the Interreg funds, plus 434,119 from the Town Hall.
