This year 2023 marks one of the most emotional and important anniversaries for the municipality of Mijas: the 40th anniversary of an educational institution through which thousands and thousands of ‘Mijeños’ have passed: the ‘Universidad Popular’ (Open University). There are really very few residents who have not attended lessons at some of the classes, courses and workshops of the famous ‘UP’ in Mijas. There are many memories that have stimulated the creativity, curiosity, artistic and musical interest of both children and adults. The ‘Universidad Popular’ is a space open to all, which also serves to create community.

As the mayor of Mijas, Josele González (PSOE), said during the anniversary gala held on the evening of Wednesday 3rd at the Las Lagunas Theatre, “this meeting is very special for the people of Mijas because of all that the Open University has meant for Mijas: four decades dedicated to training thousands of residents and during these years the University has gradually shaped its trail through the tenacity and effort of all those who have passed through its classrooms and who have given life and meaning to an emblem of education and culture in our town”. It was a very emotional meeting in which the teachers and students of the Open University, together with the neighbours, were the real protagonists, since it was a gala open to the public to remember that the ‘UP’ nowadays is not the same one that began with the effort of its first promoters, although it does maintain the spirit of offering a space to develop personally, artistically and socially, whoever the students are, and whatever their age they may be. The councillor responsible for the Open University, Hipólito Zapico (PSOE), recalled that “the ‘Universidad Popular’ in Mijas is a place where children can begin to pursue a dream that they don’t even know they have, and it is a place where seniors try to achieve a dream they had at one time, but could never fulfill due to their life circumstances, until this moment. The ‘UP’ has no age limits and is open to everyone, and it will continue to be that way”.

Awards The gala recognised the efforts of teachers and promoters of the ‘UP’ in Mijas. One of the honorees was the former mayor Antonio Maldonado, who dedicated a few words to talk about the beginnings of the institution that fulfilled a profound social role: the literacy of many Mijeños, Maldonado recalled that “we started with literacy, but not for statistics or to do something with our elders, but because it was a real social and human problem that we had in Mijas” The Mijas Town Hall also honoured the teachers who have spent more than 25 years within the institution. In addition, there was a recognition for former students who are now teachers at the Open University, as well as acknowledging outstanding students who have achieved success at national level.

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