2023: “In the sun of Benidorm”
Two Eurojumelages events took place in Benidorm between 5th and 11th November, 2023. The events were “In the Benidorm sun" and a Spanish language course; there were 54 participating in these events.
Concurrently, the annual congress of the Asociaciones de Personas Mayores de Telefónica took place, with participants from all major cities in Spain. The Mayores de Telefónica de Valencia group and the Jumelages AHET Valencia had organized a very interesting week-long programme.
The 31 persons who were not participating in the Spanish language course were afforded the possibility of participating in the Mayores' weekly program or otherwise could organize their own day. The European jumeleurs from Germany, France, Italy, Poland and Spain met at meals and in the evening in the lounge to exchange ideas and listen to Franco playing the guitar and singing.
The week’s programme was as follows:
On Sunday evening, after the welcome, the new product for the elderly developed by Telefonica was presented. The “Movistar TeCuida” is similar to a normal wrist-watch but with the added benefit of detecting falls and establishing an automatic connection with the emergency services, was presented.
On Monday morning the congress took place with the topic “Elderly Mistreatment”. In the afternoon there were 2 concert performances by the Mayores from Valencia: TELE-COR and TELE-RONDA, with the latter choir being accompanied by mandolin players. At the end Spanish wine was offered to all participants.
On Tuesday morning, hikers with alpine experience who had hiking boots with them could take part in an excursion to climb the Bernia summit with some difficult passages. There was also the possibility to explore the city of Benidorm with its beaches. In the afternoon, a handicraft workshop and a Rubik's cube workshop were offered; there was also a Sudoku competition.
On Wednesday morning we were offered 2 options: a walk on the ecological path between Calpe and Moraira or a coach trip to Alcoy, where you could learn about the history of the city, its industrial development and its modernist buildings. The afternoon was dedicated to theatre with a performance by the TELE-TEATRE group from Valencia.
A full-day excursion to Valencia was on the programme on Thursday. We started with a tour of the historic centre and the modern City of Arts and Sciences, followed by a typical Valencian paella. In the evening one could attend a show at the Benidorm Palace.
On Friday morning, walkers were taken by coach to Albir Beach for a walk to Albir Lighthouse and back. In the afternoon there was a big celebration with a trophy and award ceremony. The celebration ended with cava for everyone.
Irmi Corbet
Association of Darmstadt
Germany
