Mijas Pueblo enjoyed an intense weekend of music and tradition with the 2nd Villa de Mijas International Tuna Competition. More than 200 tunos from nine groups, three of them from the Netherlands, filled the streets of the town with melodies, cementing the event’s place in Mijas’ cultural calendar.

Organised for the second consecutive year by the Town Hall and the Tuna de la Facultad de Medicina de Málaga, the event was once again a success in terms of participation and audience. The mayoress, Ana Mata (PP), highlighted the value of these initiatives for promoting the town. “Mijas is known internationally, but we always have to add something that also reflects our traditions, and the tradition of tunas cannot be lost”, she said, also celebrating the growing presence of women in these groups.

 

For his part, the councillor for Culture, Juan Carlos Maldonado (PMP), emphasised the positive impact of the competition, saying that “our town is becoming established as a becnhmark in this cultural expression, which also helps to boost tourism and local commerce.” He also assured that the event will continue, adding, that "this is only the second edition, but there will be many more”.

 

A gathering full of warmth

The competition kicked off on Friday 26th with the traditional parade, during which the tunas toured the town and made stops to serenade residents on their balconies and at the doors of the Casa Museo. A member of the organising tuna, Claudio González, ‘Picachu’, explained that choosing Mijas as the venue is a way of giving thanks: “They have always treated us very well, from the Town Hall to the shopkeepers and restaurants… we have felt at home, which is why we bring tunas from all over Spain and even from abroad".

 

On Saturday 27th, the Virgen de la Peña Square hosted the main competition, where the groups competed in multiple categories such as soloist, tambourine, and capa dance.

After the performances, the jury awarded the top prize, Best Tuna, to the Granada Medical Tuna, which also took home the awards for Best Flag and Best Soloist. “This means so much to us, because the guys here from Medicina de Málaga are practically like our brothers”, said the spokesperson for the winning tuna, Daniel Suárez.

 

Other awards

The podium was completed by the Tuna de Lopera, awarded second place, and the Female Medical Tuna of Málaga, which came third. The latter also received the 'Most Tuna' award, a recognition that, according to their spokesperson Irene López, “is earned offstage. It goes to the group that sings the most, promotes camaraderie, and embodies the spirit of a tuna throughout the entire weekend".

 

The tunas from the Netherlands were also among the stars of the event. The Maastricht Tuna won the awards for Best Tambourine and Best Capa. Their secretary, Guillermo Ruiz ‘Yogurín’, expressed his satisfaction: “We’ve won two awards. Best Tambourine went to our colleague Grillo, who did an excellent job, and we also won Best Capa, with a newcomer who was brave in his first competition and dared to dance".
 

 

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