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It is generally accepted that the origins of the European Union lie in the Schuman Declaration of 9th May 1950, by which the first steps were taken to create a joint administration body for steel and coal industries of France and Germany, and to celebrate the anniversary 9th May is now officially Europe Day.

 

This event may not be marked in red on everybody’s calendar, but Torrevieja is one of the most cosmopolitan in Spain, and natives of all 27 EU member states are represented in the town’s 100,000-plus population. Hundreds of them congregated in the Plaza de la Constitución last Friday at 10.30 to mark the occasion in a truly international ceremony where the stage was set for Mayor Eduardo Dolón’s speech by Scottish bagpiper Willie Hume. Among the others present were Rosario Martínez, the councillor respojnsible for foreign residents, and the current and former heads of the OARI, Jean Paul Molero and Graham Knight, accompanied on the podium by four local schoolchildren who read speeches in Spanish and their native languages of Swedish, English, German and Italian.

 

The Mayor himself also gave a speech in English, describing Torrevieja as an example of tolerance, peace, integration and harmony among residents of almost 120 different nationalities, before hoisting the EU flag to the sound of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. The official celebrations were completed with various performances by local musical and dance groups, including the “Origenes” flamenco group and Grupo Factor Danza, who presented a tribute to Michael Jackson.

 

For further local news and information regarding Torrevieja visit the dedicated town section which is listed at the foot of every page.