Bullfighting, which is still referred as a “national fiesta” (fiesta nacional) in Spain is soon going to be history, at least in Catalonia. As proclaimed by the lawmakers, it will come to an end as of Jan 1st, 2012. While it was all cheers for animal rights activists, the move angered traditionalists, who have been championing the idea of preserving the custom.

Nevertheless, the debate is still on as to whether or not the Spanish government should come up with a national law banning this blood-soaked pageant in its entirety. According to many, although the Catalonias 135-seat legislature banned it with 68 votes in favour and 55 against, this is not the end of bullfighting in Spain.

Bullfighting in Spain is deep-rooted in its culture and over the years neither the practice nor the number of supporters has seen any kind of decrease. The kind of bloodthirsty fighting between man and animal draws more attention from the crowd and hence its popularity.

As far as the effect of this ban is concerned, it will be on the minds of people in general and may even encourage other regional authorities to come up with similar verdicts. On the other hand, another argument links this to regional identity (Catalan nationalist movement) and hence political weight.

Whatever the reason, the general perspective only suggests an extensive ban and hence effort by the lawmakers of all democratic parliaments, nationally and internationally, to ban bullfighting for all.

Some believe that aside Barcelona, there is no other major town or city in Catalonia that boasts bullfighting culture, and moreover being a mercantile city, it was quite easy for Catalonia to gain more votes in favour of the ban in a closely fought battle. In the coming days, it is certain that the battle between supporters and opponents will continue at the same pace.

This traditional spectacle of Spain has origins recorded historically in many countries and culture. Spanish bullfighting dates back to pre-historic times, which is now substantiated through cave paintings throughout Spain.

However, records indicate that Spanish bullfighting first came into practice by nobility: the Knights, Moors and Christians, as respite from killing each other at the time of Spanish War of Reconquest (711-1492 A.D.).

Spanish Bullfighting: Tradition Vs Animal Cruelty

It is believed that noblemen found the Iberian bull suitable to showcase their bravery due to the fight back ability of the bull. Spanish matadors like Francisco Romero popularised modern bullfighting in 18th century which is later caught attention in those huge bullrings constructed in different cities of Spain.

Campaigners term it as a historic victory and animal right activists and anti-bullfighting campaigners lauded the verdict of the Catalan Parliament as historic and see it as the end of bullfighting in Spain. However, there is certainly a long way to go considering the prevalence of this barbaric practice in regions of Andalucia and Madrid.

Bullfighting or any such practice can never be associated with cultural heritage of any country. Furthermore, animal rights movements assert that the pronouncement by Catalonia should not be seen as anything to do with nationalist politics or breakup of the Spanish state. It is just a gesture and acknowledgment in support of animal welfare and so the ban of Spanish bullfighting.

Controversial artist Sheng Qi is engaged in a crusade to turn back the government-propelled tide to cover up and erase what happened in Beijing on June 4, 1989. The artist is a witness and his paintings are his testimony.

In the 1980s, pioneer artist Sheng Qi helped found Concept 21, China’s first performance–art group. In 1989, Sheng Qi participated in the demonstrations that   led to the Tiananmen Square Incident:   the mass murder of thousands of students in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Among the dead were many of his friends. Traumatized by this event, Sheng Qi  famously severed his pinky from his left hand, buried it and left China for  Europe, where he would go on  to graduate from London’s prestigious Central St. Martin’s College of Art and Design.

After returning to China, Sheng Qi has used his mutilated hand to create his well-known series of photographic work “Memories”, where he placed a series of family or propaganda photographs in the palm of his mutilated hand, pieces of the disfigured past and memories, which seem both personal and historical,   thus linking the artist’s personal past to a national collective memory.

During the last years Sheng Qi has increasingly turned to painting, focusing on China’s contemporary political history and its effects on the lives of Chinese people. Drippy canvasses of Tiananmen Gate, close-ups of tanks with bleeding and phallic red gun turrets, Chinese political prisoners in various stages of being executed.

His hard-hitting non-academic painting style often seems to drip with ink and blood. The canvases are dripping with paint in an intentionally messy way. The paintings also highlight the artist’s objective to see the world around him as it really is – a profoundly beautiful chaos – as if to say that clear vision is the first step to both personal and artistic freedom.

Sheng Qi stated that although his body drifted abroad, a part of him, his soul, was still deeply rooted in China.  “The process of severing a part of my hand will stay with me through my whole life,” he said.

BIOGRAPHY

Sheng QI was born in Hefei, China, in 1965. He Graduated from the Central Academy of Art and Design, Beijing, and completed his MFA at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. Being a key figure of Chinese avant-garde, Sheng Qi has been widely exhibited in institutions such as Victoria and Albert Museum – V&A, London and Asia Society and Museum, NY, United States.

His work was  included  the much-hyped “Inside-Out” 1998 exhibition in New York that showcased contemporary Chinese art, as well as the influential  “Between Past and Future: New Photography and Video from China”, where his work made the cover of the exhibition catalogue.  His work has been collected by The Museum of Modern Art, NY, The International Center of Photography, NY and the Smart Museum of Art, Chicago among many others. Sheng Qi lives and works in Beijing.

Opening: Thursday, 22^nd July, from 8.00 pm to 11.00 pm
Exhibition Dates: 22^nd July to 15^th September (only by appointment)
Venue: Poligono Gallery Marbella

For further information:  sophie@poligonogallery.com or +34 615 381 119

Originally built for a Canadian duo with the intention to cruise ‘off the beaten track’ (hence the ‘ice class hull’) Polar Star is now in the hands of Russian owners who generously lend her out for regular charter throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean.  Only recently dropping from the ranks of the world’s 100 largest yachts, Polar Star brims with elegance and decadence in equal measure.

With 15 crew to attend your needs, Polar Star has six levels of interior and exterior space housing six en-suite state rooms, a gymnasium with bike and treadmill, Jacuzzi for ten, sauna, capacious al-fresco dining and lounging areas, jetskis, waverunners, kayaks, fishing gear, a dive compressor able to charge five tanks simultaneously and a brace of 30ft tenders.  Add a DVD and cd library plus plasma TVs throughout and the floating fantasy is complete.

Brian Stevendale, Sales & Marketing Director for Ocean Village marina, comments, “Ocean Village is simply unmissable on the megayacht cruising itinerary.  Weighing up considerations of a strategic and convenient location, discounted fuel, a vibrant social scene and highly competitive berthing rates considering the cachet of the environment, captains and their crew will always see Ocean Village as a best-in-class port of call.”

Daily rates for Ocean Village’s new berths with secure, gated and coded entry, start from as little as £15.50 for a 15 metre berth rising to £450 per day for vessels above 75 metres (low season).  A 20% discount is available for annual bookings when paid in advance in full.  Demand is high and waiting lists exist for certain LOA.  Pricing, reservation forms and marina layout can be viewed here – www.gibraltarberths.com.

For further information on berths at Ocean Village contact Ocean Village’s Sales & Marketing Director Brian Stevendale on brian.stevendale@oceanvillage.gi, telephone 00 350 200 40048 or visit www.gibraltarberths.com.

The show celebrates all makes and models, veteran, the vintage and the classics, with a diverse display of classic cars and more ranging from the most accessible popular classics through to the thoroughly outrageous and rare exotica.

The event will take place on the car park of the Centro Plaza in Puerto Banus (Nueva Andalucía), next to the Bullring. Classics and Race cars from the prestigious Ascari Race Resort, Harley Davidson’s custom bikes from Marbella Performance and the Marbella Sharks Cheerleaders live.

Event program 27^th June, 2010

09:00 ‐ 10:00 Opening identification of Participants (opening parking)

10:00 ‐ 11:00 Open breakfast time / Music by DJ

11:15 ‐ 11:45 Welcome and Opening

12:00 ‐ 14:00 Downtown Cruise

14:00 ‐ 15:00 BBQ and Rock ‘n’ Roll with the “The Sun Rockets”

15:00 ‐ 16:30 Concour’s d’Elegance Classics on Wheels 2010 ‐ 6 classic car enthusiasts judging the cars

15:00 – 16:30 The Marbella Sharks Cheerleaders and more

17:00 ‐  18:00  Prize  giving  Concour’s  d’Elegance  Classics  on  Wheels  2010  the  “The  Sun Rockets”

* OLDEST CLASSIC AT SHOW
* BEST RESTORED TO ORIGINAL
* BEST ORIGINAL
* BEST US CLASSIC
* BEST EUROPEAN CLASSIC
* BEST OF SHOW
- 1 prize
- 2 prize
- 3 prize

18:00 Closing ceremony Classics on Wheels 2010

Subscription fee for classic cars & driver is € 35, while every other person in the car require additional €15. Only Classic Cars of 30 years old or more are allowed to participate. Deadline for register is 24th of June.

AMERICAN CLASSIC CAR OWNERS CLUB COSTA DEL SOL
Calle del Lago n°1
Urb. Mirador de Costalita n°12/6
29680 Estepona (Malaga) ‐ Spain
Tel/Fax:   (+34) 952 880225
NIF: G 93064590
www.classiccarownersclub.com

We have plenty to do this summer holiday lots of fun and games activities, Tiny dancers that are located within Little Nightingales are also running Dance workshops so if your one of those that just cant keep your feet still then you should join us this summer, we will be learning Scripts and dance routines and smash hits from the musicals High School Musical,

The Wizard Of Oz. Hair Spray, all finish with a performance and certificates.

SPECIAL OFFER 600€ for the entire summer or call for weekly prices and daily fees

Call Now for an appointment 658574542 or email tinydancer.dancer@gmail.com

In class, you’ll play, listen, sing (encouraged, but optional!), move, dance, and giggle with your child. It’s fun, lots of fun. But the best part – your child will be learning and developing skills along the way. Each of our activities is designed to stimulate your child’s brain, strengthen developing neurons, build gross and fine motor skills, enhance social-emotional development, and much more.

A trained, licensed Kindermusik educator seamlessly guides the class from one activity to the next. With expertise in childhood development, she’ll help you understand what your child is gaining from Kindermusik. Our age-based curriculum combines the latest research with proven methods. If you’re familiar with music education pioneers such as Orff, Kodaly, and Suzuki, you’ll find their influence woven throughout Kindermusik.

Along with the classroom experience, you’ll also get our fantastic take-home materials. These materials help you bring the Kindermusik experience home, not only to continue the learning, but to continue all the fun!

So, are you ready to find a Kindermusik class near you? Call Eva: 633103250 or email me: eva.madarassy@gmail.com

Youcan also find more info at: www.kindermusik.com or facebook page: Kindermusik Costa Del Sol

Month : July _ Marbella Golf Cup 9 holes (to play two rounds of golf with 9 holes)

3rd of July _ Monte Paraiso Golf Marbella
10th of July_ Magna Marbella Golf
18th of July_ Golf Green Life
24th of July_ El campanario Golf Club (Final Circuit)

The price of each Competition is 25.00 €

All competition will have two categories for men and one for women, with prizes to the top 3 in each category.
The award winner is a Cruise Tour Malaga-Portimau-Casablanca with Iberocruceros Company.
Participants were drawn from each test : stays in hotels in the Costa del Sol, spa sessions, golf equipment and other major awards.

Month : August _ 18 holes Marbella Golf Cup

31st of July _ Cabopino Golf Club
1st of August_ Marbella Golf & Country Club
7th of August_ Santa Clara Golf Marbella
8th of August_ Rio Real Golf
14th of August_Guadalmina Golf
15th of August_ Las Brisas
21st of August_ Los Naranjos
22nd of August_Atalaya Golf
28th of August_ La Quinta Golf
29th of August_Aloha Golf (Final Circuit)

The price of each competition is 60.00 €

All competition will have two categories for men and one for women, with prizes to the top 3 in each category.
The winer´s price will be a weekend at a hotel chain Vincci Hoteles, to choose.

The overall winner of each event will win a weekend cruise through the Mediterranean sea with Iberocruceros Company.

The prize for winning the Circuit in each of the categories, is a one week cruise in the Mediterranean sea from Royal Caribbean Company.

Participants were drawn from each test : stays in hotels in the Costa del Sol, spa sessions, jamones, golf equipment and other major awards.

Registration: reservas@dondejugaralgolf.com

We hope to have you.