The La Cala Fair is just around the corner, and this year it brings a few new features. The most significant change concerns the opening proclamation, which on this occasion will take place on the first day of the fair, Tuesday 21st of July, at 21:00. This year, the person tasked with delivering this opening address for the festivities will be Rafi Cuevas, a woman whose roots are deeply intertwined with the coastal village.

For the first time in the municipality, the proclamation will kick off the La Cala festivities, and it will take place in Plaza del Torreón. This was announced by the mayoress of the municipality, Ana Mata (PP), who also noted that “this year we are moving this opening address to the first night of the fair, before the official inauguration, and I am convinced that Rafi Cuevas will deliver a very moving speech, touching on many moments in the history of La Cala that I’m sure many residents will remember”.

 

For her part, Rafi Cuevas said she was thrilled to be able to address the people of La Cala, while being fully aware of the responsibility this entails. “For me, it’s a real honour, something truly wonderful, and I never thought I’d be chosen; in fact, when I heard the news, I was shocked”, she said.

From a very young age, Cuevas has worked as a dance teacher, passing on her art to entire generations. She taught at the UP Mijas until her recent retirement and continues to lead the Sur de Andalucía Folk Association of La Cala, known for its important work in preserving and promoting folklore and traditional dances. “They do a tremendous job because they strive to carry on that legacy and tradition, so that it is not lost and so that we can all keep our history alive”, said Mata, while Cuevas pointed out that “probably the whole of La Cala has passed through my school, and my groups have always flown the flag for Mijas whenever we’ve gone to a festival”.

Rafi Cuevas has been teaching dance since 1974 and, under her guidance, her students have taken part in numerous festivals, winning awards in countries such as Mexico, China and Oman. To speak of Rafi Cuevas is to speak of sevillanas, tanguillos, rumbas and alegrías, but we’d rather invite you to her opening address on the 21st of July. Following this, at 22:30, the celebrations will move to the fairground, where local authorities will inaugurate the festivities with the traditional switching on of the fairground lights.

Also on that day will be the La Cala Fair King and Queen Contest; registration remains open until this Friday 17th, either via the municipal registry or through the Town Hall’s online portal.

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