Famous for its gay bar and vibrant nightclub scene, Torremolinos is perhaps not the place one would expect to find the words of Spain’s most famous writer to be gracing streets and pedestrianised urban spaces. However, Torremolinos has just joined the Ciudad libro (City-Book) initiative that connects many popular Costa del Sol cities with some of the nation’s most influential writers, past and present.
And so Torremolinos celebrates the 400th anniversary of Miguel de Cervantes death by showing locals and tourists some of the author’s most famous words. The ground of the Plaza Costa del Sol has been inscribed with a phrase from Cervantes’ novel El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha. Published in the 16th century, the novel describes the adventures of dreamer Don Quijote and his trusted man servant Sancho Panza and is arguably the most famous Spanish language novel ever published.
Those strolling into the southern part of Torremolinos’ pedestrianised Plaza de la Nogalera at around 11.00 pm, when bars and nightclubs begin to open, may not usually be the usual type of clientele open to world-class literature, but inscribed in both Spanish and English the immortal passage “Freedom, Sancho, is one of the most precious gifts… for freedom, as for honour and life, may and should, be ventured” can hardly fail to stir the hearts and minds of those still aghast at the UK’s Brexit result.
Around 75% of 18 to 24 year olds voted for the UK to remain in the EU, and they are now forced - thanks to the UK’s elderly voters - to deal with far more expensive travel. Pound Sterling’s value took a nose dive within moments of the Brexit referendum results being made public. Sterling is now at its weakest for 35 years against both the dollar and the euro, leaving tourists with far less money in their budgets for enjoying the Costa del Sol’s nightlife.
The weak pound is also curtailing the freedom of Brits who had hoped to settle in dream apartments and villas along the Costa del Sol. Not only are their savings for deposits worth far less, their UK pensions won’t stretch as far any more. However, the fact that a decent property in Torremolinos, Fuengirola or Marbella is still cheaper than in Britain providse at least some buffer zone against the weakened pound.
Regaining cultural Identity
“City Book” has been organised in partnership with Torremolinos’ Town hall and “Poetopia”, a creative initiative under the leadership of Angel Arenas. The imitative began life in the neighbouring province of Granada in 2011. Since then, Cervantes’ words have graced the pavements of several Andalucía towns and cities.
The city book project coincides with the current exhibition of Cordoba-based sculptor Aurelio Teno, whose work is inspired by Don Quixote. Artists Jukio Rodriguez, a gifted calligrapher and typographer, is responsible for decorating Torremolinos’ pavements. He has painted letters in a typical 16th century style, covering some 200 metres of the town’s main plaza in the heart of Torremolinos. It has transformed a touristy resort into a page from one of the world’s most famous novels. It is an unusual sight for a town where 18 to 30 year olds roam the streets in their T-shirt suntans and Union Jack swimming trunks in search of the hottest entertainment.
Aida Blanes, councillor for culture, explained that the exhibition and street art were part of a drive to regain cultural identity for Torremolinos. The phrase selected from Cervantes’ work, she said, is “a phrase that has great importance to our municipality, because, since the 1960s, we have championed the fight for freedom in our country.”
The Cervantes-inspired exhibition will stay in the town centre until the end of August.