Torremolinos celebrated National Day with a cultural event marking the fiftieth anniversary of the first Cervantes Prize awarded to Jorge Guillén in 1976. The event, held on October 10, 2026, was attended by members of the Municipal Corporation and representatives from the judicial sphere and security forces.
During the celebration, the deputy director of IES Playamar, Violeta Marfil; radiologist María Alexandra Rojas; swimmer Carmen Balbuena; local police officer Antonio Manuel Gaspe; and Town Hall worker Cristina Ocaña, read excerpts from the works of Jorge Guillén, as well as authors such as María Zambrano, Dulce María Loynaz, Octavio Paz, and Jorge Luis Borges.
The mayor, Margarita Del Cid, highlighted the significance of the date and the figure of Jorge Guillén, a poet who chose Málaga as his home. She emphasized how the works of the mentioned authors, from Spain, Cuba, Mexico, and Argentina, form part of a shared literature that unites the Hispanic world.
Del Cid stressed that coexistence requires "bonds, opportunities, and a commitment to the rules" and that celebrating Spanish identity involves considering how it is shared and how the "common space" is cared for. She made special mention of Ceuta and its citizens, highlighting the "migratory pressure" the city faces and calling for "protection and support" for its residents.
The mayor called for a "serious migration policy, with regular and orderly channels, linked to real employment opportunities and accompanied by resources for reception and integration." She advocated for protecting vulnerable individuals, especially minors, and acting firmly against human trafficking. She underscored the importance of "rootedness," which is built by learning the language, working, and participating in society.
Del Cid concluded that integration becomes a reality in "a classroom, a health center, a municipal office, or a workplace," and that for this, "professionals and resources" are needed, as well as "shared responsibility and sufficient funding."
The event featured performances by dancer Esperanza Márquez and a violin and keyboard duo, composed of Álex Tsoy and Pablo Antonio Fernández, who performed compositions by Isaac Albéniz. The event concluded with the national anthem of Spain.
