Last weekend, Mijas Pueblo hosted the third edition of ‘Mijas with soul by candlelight’, an event that once again transformed the most iconic spots of the town’s historic centre with the magic of 15,000 candles, medieval-themed stalls, shows, concerts, workshops and activities for the whole family.

From 2nd to 5th July, the event brought together numerous locals and visitors drawn by a programme that placed a strong emphasis on candlelit illumination. As night fell, the figures created with candles and the rows of them lining the streets offered a magical and unique view of Mijas Pueblo.

Official opening

The event began on Thursday 2nd with the opening of the first craft and food stalls and with musical parades winding their way through the streets of the town centre. The official opening took place on Friday 3rd with a grand parade. On Friday evening, attendees were able to “contemplate Mijas by the light of those candles that guide the way through the town and make it an even more special place”, said the mayoress of the town, Ana Mata (PP), who attended the opening ceremony. For the mayoress, it was an evening “filled with performances, local traders and stalls that evoke a time when the music and atmosphere were completely different”.

 

Mata also pointed out that the event is gaining prominence every year on the local cultural calendar. “It is an event that is becoming more established year after year. I would also like to thank the shopkeepers who get involved in the organisation, particularly by taking part and decorating their premises with candles and torches”, said the mayoress.

More than fifty stalls

In its third edition, the themed market featured more than fifty stalls spread around La Muralla and other areas of the town.

 

Leandro Losa, the promoter from Malik Culture, who organised the event alongside the Mijas Town Hall's Public Spacs Department, explained that, over the last three years, the event “has been growing little by little. “This year, the number of stalls has increased, with different zones, including the children’s area, which is located in Plaza de la Constitución and features hands-on attractions, a wooden boat, a wooden Ferris wheel and various children’s activities”, said Losa.

The food section included products from different parts of the world, such as Arabic cuisine, meat dishes, an Italian pizzeria and Viking-themed offerings. All of this maintained a common aesthetic linked to the medieval market.

 

On the evening of Friday 3rd, the event drew to a close with the band Noche Andaluza and their tribute to Andalusian rock.

Crafts, music and cultural diversity

The programme was rounded off with stalls selling costume jewellery, beads, wooden toys, medicinal plants, incense, sweets, cheeses and many other items. In addition, the programme included demonstration workshops, free activities and a games area with over 30 gaming tables. There were also workshops on blacksmithing and the making of musical instruments, such as those at the ‘Pájaros al viento’ stall. Its owner, Lino Cardona, explained that they produce “handmade musical instruments; we make everything to do with wind instruments and the revival of indigenous instruments from the Amazon region of southern Colombia”, he added.

Cardona was taking part in this market for the first time, and it was also his first visit to Mijas: “We’ve found it to be a really lovely place, very magical. It’s been a very cultural, very artistic fair, with lots of people from all over the world”, he said. The musical highlight came courtesy of the Senegalese artist Pape Sidy Sy, with whom Cardona creates a fusion of African and Andean sounds.

 

The programme was rounded off with street theatre, parades, bagpipes, drums, Sephardic music, dance, jugglers and fire shows. The La Galerna theatre company, from Cantabria, was one of the groups responsible for bringing travelling theatre to the town’s streets.

Large crowds

According to the organisers, Saturday 4th saw the largest turnout. From the afternoon onwards, the town’s streets were filled with people browsing the stalls, having their photos taken next to the candles and enjoying the performances.

 

The councillor for Public Spaces, Melisa Ceballos (PP), highlighted the high turnout: “It’s wonderful to see the town so full of people enjoying themselves and appreciating just how beautiful Mijas is”, she said, while also mentioning the shuttle bus service organised by the Town Hall for this cultural festival. “From the department”, Ceballos continued, “we have provided shuttle buses so that people can come and enjoy themselves and get around without any problems".

Throughout the festival, visitors were able to enjoy the Wishing Tree, as well as browse the stalls and stroll through the streets, and attend the concert by Tabletom on Saturday 4th in the village auditorium, featuring their signature rock fusion.

Mijas for the first time

The event also attracted visitors who were unfamiliar with Mijas Pueblo. Among them was Ana María Rosas: “Everything was spectacular, absolutely lovely. What’s more, it’s my first time here. I’m from Málaga and I’d never been to Mijas before, and to be honest, I’ve absolutely loved it”, she said. Her sister, Rosa Carmen Rosas, described the atmosphere in the village as “very mystical, very welcoming, very lovely. Seeing everything so brightly lit is beautiful”, she added.

 

Another attendee, Mónica Navarro, who attended with her family every day, highlighted precisely the influx of new visitors. “I love it, and these events attract loads of people to the village; it’s always good when people come to discover it”, she said. She also appreciated that the people of Mijas could enjoy the activities without having to travel to other towns.

15,000 candles

On the closing day, Sunday 5th July, Leandro Losa described the outcome of this third edition as a “success” and highlighted that both Friday and Saturday had seen larger crowds than in previous years. “I believe this cultural project has undoubtedly come into its own this year and is now establishing itself”, he said.

 

According to Losa, the lighting continued to be the most striking feature. The combination of the darkened streets, the figures made from candles and the rest of the programme created a unique experience that went beyond that of a traditional market. “People are really surprised that everything is switched off and there are only the candles”, he added.

A well-established event

The final day featured a tribute concert to The Beatles by the band Silver Beats at the Miguel González Berral Municipal Auditorium, as well as workshops, food and the market’s final activities.

The councillor for Public Spaces highlighted the turnout over the four days of the event: “The number of people we’ve had here in the town has been truly marvellous. All these people have been enjoying not only the candles, but also the food, the workshops and everything this event has had to offer”, she emphasised.

The third edition of ‘Mijas with soul by cnadlelight’ thus came to a close after four days characterised by high visitor numbers, a diverse range of activities and the participation of traders, artists, local residents and visitors.

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