Toy Donation
CHIRSTMAS is a time for giving, and the people of Almería came together to spread holiday cheer.
More than 200 new toys were donated to children from vulnerable families through a campaign by the Unicaja Foundation, with help from El Corte Inglés and local residents.
The donation event took place at the Centro Cultural Fundación Unicaja in Almería. Key attendees included Esther Jerez, head of the cultural centre; Francisco Vicente Ariza from Cruz Roja Almería; Beatriz Leiva of the Protegidas Association; and Josefa Santiago from Camelamos Naquerar.
Cruz Roja, Protegidas, and Camelamos Naquerar distributed the toys to children. The Unicaja Foundation also delivered toys to organisations in Málaga and Cádiz, benefiting over 1,000 children across Andalucia.
This campaign shows how communities and businesses can make a difference. The foundation noted that these donations helped to bring the joy of Three Kings’ Day to families who might otherwise miss out, proving that small acts of kindness can create lasting smiles.
Major Projects
2025 marks a pivotal year for Níjar, with two major projects set to take shape: a new fire station and the Parque de las Familias (Families Park). These plans are part of the municipality’s largest budget ever, with a significant increase for these types of projects, now surpassing €6.2 million, double the previous year’s amount.
The fire station, with a budget of nearly €1 million, is a long-awaited addition to the town. Mayor José Francisco Garrido emphasised that it’s been 20 years since Níjar exceeded the 20,000 population threshold, making the establishment of a local fire station a legal requirement. The project is expected to take 12 months to complete.
Meanwhile, the Parque de las Familias will transform the 24,000-square-metre Los Olivicos Park into a community space with playgrounds, green areas, a concert venue, and areas dedicated to local agriculture and history. Garrido highlighted the park’s design, which will feature elements inspired by the region’s agricultural heritage and historical sites.
In addition to these projects, other key investments for 2025 include boosts in cultural, sports, and public services, all contributing to Níjar’s modernisation and improved quality of life for its residents.
New Music School
HUERCAL de Almería has officially launched its new School of Music and Arts, expanding its educational offerings to include music, performing arts, and visual arts. The announcement was made by Mayor Ismael Torres recently, with the school set to open in January. The updated school will maintain current fees without any increase for students.
During the presentation at the Huércal de Almería Town Hall, Torres was joined by key figures such as the Deputy Mayor Almudena Serrano and the school’s new management team, led by Deogracias Gómez. The team, experienced in managing the Almería Music and Arts School, aims to enhance the town’s cultural profile.
The new school will offer an exciting range of disciplines, including music therapy, dubbing, acting, and even dance styles like Bollywood and inclusive dance for people with disabilities. In visual arts, students can expect workshops on sustainable fashion and digital photography. Torres stated that while expanding the curriculum, no extra costs will be incurred by the town, as all funding will be reinvested into improving the school’s services.
This initiative aims to make Huércal de Almería a cultural reference in the Bajo Andarax region and across Almería.
Sky Show
THE first northern lights of 2025 dazzled the skies above Almería, providing a rare spectacle for stargazers. Calar Alto Observatory, located 2,168 metres high in the Sierra de Los Filabres in Almeria, captured the event despite snow-covered cameras.
Sharing the moment on social media, the observatory wrote, ‘The sky gives us its first show of 2025: a northern lights display!’ Photos showed a soft red glow above the 2.2-metre telescope dome, caused by a strong solar storm (KP 8) sending charged particles into Earth’s atmosphere.
Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET explained that while auroras usually appear near the poles, severe geomagnetic storms can extend their visibility to lower latitudes.
Calar Alto is Europe’s largest astronomical observatory. Founded in 1973 through a German-Spanish partnership, it features five telescopes, including a 3.5-metre instrument, the biggest in mainland Europe. Managed by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía and the Andalucian government, it leads research in fields like exoplanet hunting and galaxy formation.
This stunning start to 2025 highlights the beauty and wonder of space from one of Spain’s most remarkable observatories.
Winter Road Plan
THE Diputación Provincial de Almería has activated its Winter Road Plan to ensure the safety of over 1,200 kilometres of provincial roads. The plan is in place to respond swiftly to any weather-related issues that may arise as the year 2025 begins.
Antonio J. Rodríguez, the provincial deputy for Promotion, stated that after the DANA storm in October and the arrival of colder weather, the regional government is fully prepared. The team, including road crews and external support, is ready to tackle any challenges posed by low temperatures or adverse weather. The goal is to keep provincial roads in excellent condition with the highest safety standards.
Rodríguez also expressed gratitude to the road maintenance staff who work tirelessly throughout the year, especially during emergencies, to serve the citizens and villages of the region. The Winter Road Plan is supported by 70 personnel, including brigades and machinery operators, with additional resources available if needed. External partners also provide equipment for snow and ice removal across the province.
Smart Investments
THE Almería Regional Government has officially launched its much-anticipated Plan de Caminos Municipales (Municipal Roads Plan) 2024-2026, marking the start of a major road improvement project. With an initial investment of €2 million, the plan will fund the first stages of work in 12 municipalities.
This plan is the largest of its kind in the Regional Government’s history, with a total budget of €14 million aimed at improving rural, agricultural, and livestock roads across all 103 municipalities in the province.
The investment is divided into three key phases. The first phase will direct €4.6 million to the province’s 13 largest municipalities, focusing on areas with significant greenhouse farming or livestock operations. The second phase, with €7.25 million, will target 90 smaller municipalities, while the third phase will allocate €1.5 million for unique roads with cultural or social importance.
The efforts are set to improve 300 kilometres of roads, benefiting all communities and helping to connect even the most remote areas. As local demand for better roads has grown, this plan will make a lasting impact across Almería.
Active Almeria
THE Almería Regional Government is making sport a bigger focus to improve well-being in all 103 municipalities. José Antonio García, Vice President and Sports Councillor, shared that this year’s increased budget has helped get more people involved in local sports activities. Over 90,000 Almerians have participated directly, with even more taking part through training programs, workshops, and other events.
Special attention has been given to smaller towns, with 47 federated sports events attracting over 10,000 participants and 37 other activities bringing in more than 10,300 people. In total, around 40,000 people joined 56 events, thanks to sponsorships and support for 42 local sports organisations.
The ‘Almería Activa Eventos’ (Almeria Active Events) program continues to grow in popularity, with big events like ‘Titan’ and ‘La Desértica’ drawing in crowds. Over 40,000 people enjoyed activities ranging from adventure sports to popular races and water parks.
The Regional Government is also boosting youth sports with a 22 per cent increase in funding. This year, more children across the province are getting involved, especially in smaller towns.
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