Once again Manilva’s international community will be celebrating its diverse cultures and traditions at this year’s VII Manilva International Festival.

  In a change from previous editions this month’s Festival will be held on the Paseo Maritimo in Sabinillas with activities taking place both on the promenade and the beach. This is different to earlier articles which went to press before the change of venue was publicised, and have Manilva Town as the location, don’t worry you’re not going mad.

The International Festival is being organised by the Foreign Residents’ Department of Manilva Town Hall in collaboration with local representatives of the various nationalities, along with ACEMCE the local business association who are sponsoring the performance by the Gibraltar Sea Scouts Pipe Band.

The Festival runs from Friday, 23rd until Sunday 25th of  May with entertainment, music and dancing, and as usual the opportunity to sample the gastronomy, culture and traditions of the many nationalities that comprise Manilva’s cosmopolitan community who will be exhibiting along the promenade.

Included in these participants are representatives from: Peru, Bolivia, France, Venezuela, Scotland, Morocco, Thailand, Holland, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador, Spain, Israel and Uruguay among others.

Running concurrently with, and as part of the International Festival there will be a host of activities for younger visitors which are guaranteed to entertain them. There will be cookery classes, team games, a giant world puzzle, puppet theatre, beach football, volleyball, etc.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy flavours from around the world as well as take the opportunity to visit the many bars and restaurants which line Sabinillas’s attractive Paseo Maritimo promenade.

Starting on the Friday night, after the official opening by the Mayoress, there will be an extensive programme of entertainment on the main stage situated in the square just in front of the statue on the paseo.

Included in the varied performances will be concerts by Billy Robbins, Stephen Lloyd Morgan and Steve Klein as well as flamenco, salsa, tango, ballroom and just about every other type of dancing. You will also be entertained with music from around the world.

Another highlight of the weekend will be a performance of Capoeiara, the traditional Brazilian fusion of martial arts and dance, which is guaranteed to hold you spellbound.

Join us on Sunday, when there will be a parade through the streets of Sabinillas led by the ever popular Gibraltar Sea Scouts Pipe Band.

So make sure to visit us and enjoy a fabulous weekend of food, music and entertainment.

Programme

Friday, 23rd May

8.00 pm (approx) Official inauguration of the VII Manilva International Festival, by the Mayoress, Antonia Muñoz, together with the Councillor for Foreign Residents, Diego Diáz.
This will be followed by a number of performances by the following:
Billy Robbins
Municipal School of Los Barrios
Line Dancing
With Welsh tenor Stephen Lloyd Morgan rounding off the evening.

Saturday, 24th May

From 11.00 am there will be a host of activities for younger visitors which is guaranteed to entertain them. There will be cookery classes, team games, a giant world puzzle, puppet theatre, beach football, volleyball, etc.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy flavours from around the world.

During the evening the entertainment will continue:
Municipal Flamenco School
Ballroom Dancing
Traditional performances by the various countries participating
With the finale by singer Steve Klein

Sunday, 25th May

1.00 pm Parade through the streets of Sabinillas with various members from the participating countries, led by the Gibraltar Sea Scouts Pipe Band.

From 2.30 pm to 7.00 pm Various performances on the main stage representing the participating countries. Enjoy the wide range of gastronomy and handicrafts available.