stories
Your newspaper for southern Spain revisits some of the stories that have hit the headlines over the last 12 months
04.01.12 - 13:21 -
George Prior
At the end of another year, SUR in English takes a look back at some of the stories that have made the front page.
January
Following the English Cemetery in Malaga’s public appeal for assistance, both the City Hall and the Junta de Andalucía pledged their support. The former confirmed that it would provide part of the funds to maintain and keep the historic site open, whilst the latter listed the cemetery as being of ‘Cultural Interest’, thereby confirming its protected status.
February
The King joined politicians of all parties in the Spanish parliament to mark the 30th anniversary of a failed coup d’état. It was 23rd February 1981 when Lieutenant-Colonel Tejero marched into Congress with 200 Guardia Civil officers armed with machine guns. Parliamentarians were held hostage for 16 hours.
March
Baroness Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza, a former Miss Spain-turned-art collector, arrived in Malaga to open her new city centre museum which has been filled with 230 works from her private collection.
April
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall attended several events in Seville, including one where SUR in English editor, Liz Parry, was amongst the selected guests. The royal visit was part of a three day trip.
May
A series of earthquakes in Lorca, Murcia, left nine people dead and many buildings destroyed. A mammoth clear-up operation ensued as hundreds of people were forced into temporary shelters.
June
The owner of Malaga Club de Fútbol, Sheikh Al-Thani, signed a four year sponsorship agreement with UNESCO to “promote the values of sport.”
July
Works on Malaga airport’s new runway were completed, meaning the Costa del Sol’s main gateway can double its capacity in January 2012.
August
On a visit to the Spanish capital, Pope Benedict called for respect for Christians and spoke of the “many challenges” facing young people. There were a series of protests ahead of the papal visit.
September
The authorities in Malaga Port announced that they expected 750,000 cruise passengers by the end of the year. This represented a 15 per cent increase on 2010.
October
The Duchess of Alba, Spain’s most flamboyant aristocrat and the most titled noble in the world, married a civil servant 24 years her junior.
November
The centre-right Partido Popular achieved a landslide victory in the general election. Mariano Rajoy became Spain’s new Prime Minister, replacing the socialist leader, José Luis Rodríquez Zapatero.
December
On December 29th a Spanish court announced that Iñaki Urdangarín, Duke of Palma, has been indicted in a corruption case and must appear in court on February 6th. This came after a series of revelations concerning the Duke, who is the husband of the King and Queen’s second daughter, the Infanta Cristina.
Happy New Year
SUR in English wishes you a very happy and prosperous 2012!
pie foto: Zarzuela Palace. The Spanish Royal family, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall pose for photographers. afp
