Across Europe, the week will close with data on industrial production in France, as well as registered unemployment in Spain.
Today in Spain, appointments will no longer be needed for public administration procedures in Spain, a convicted sexual assault perpetrator has his sentence reduced thanks to a higher than ordered compensation payment, a protest has been organised to call for fireworks in Madrid to be cancelled, and speed dating for singles at 300 kilometres per hour. Plus, we have details of a court case which clarifies how video surveillance can and cannot be used in the workplace.
Contents (click to jump ahead)
- Spanish News Headlines
- Things to Do Today
- Local Markets
- Traffic and Travel
- Weather
- On This Day
- Video of the Day
- Follow Mark Nolan’s Podcast
Spanish News Headlines
The Government will end the mandatory prior appointment in Public Administration offices through the modification of the Common Administrative Procedure Law. “To interact with the Administration it is not necessary to have a mandatory prior appointment,” stressed the Minister of Digital Transformation and Public Function, José Luis Escrivá, during his appearance at the Finance and Public Function Commission in Congress. To do this, a draft law will be created as soon as possible, the Minister said.
The Court of Justice of Aragon has partially upheld the appeal presented by a man sentenced by the Court of Huesca to prison terms for a crime of sexual abuse. The magistrates agreed to reduce the prison sentence imposed from four years and six months to two years and four months in prison, understanding that, in this case, the defendant had paid compensation to the victim greater than that established in the sentence, before the oral trial was held.
The AnimaNaturalis group, who promote the welfare and wellbeing of animals, has responded to the news that for the first time, a ‘mascletà’ will be held in Madrid, which will promote the use of fireworks with noise, which they consider is “terrible that in the 21st century pyrotechnics continue to be promoted knowing that noise affects sensitive animals and people”. As such, the group has organised a protest for Saturday 17 February, starting at noon, to ask that the mascletà be cancelled, since this represents a real ordeal for many animals.
For the third consecutive year, train operator OUIGO will celebrate Singles’ Day, February 13, with speed dating at 300 km/h. All those who want to live this experience or find their travel companion can register through the Instagram account @OUIGO_es. After the success of previous editions, which had the registration of more than 500 single men and women from all over Spain, the high-speed company once again celebrates San Solterín by connecting singles from Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza and Valencia in an event that will undoubtedly provide a unique experience full of fun and exciting experiences.
The installation of a video surveillance system inside the workplace is allowed in Spain, allowing sufficient control of it and, in particular, of the entrances and exits, as well as an overview of the workstations; but not if there is exhaustive monitoring of all or most of the movements, or even gestures, of the workers. In a test case filed by an individual who has been awarded 30,000 euro in compensation, the court rules on how video surveillance can and cannot be used in the workplace.
To read these articles in full, visit SpainToday.news
Things to Do Today
The big event of the weekend is the continuation of Torrevieja Carnival, and on Saturday, February 3, the Torrevieja International Auditorium will open its doors to the XV Drag Queen Gala “Ciudad de Torrevieja”, where Drag Queens from all over Spain will perform their best show to a dedicated audience, with the aim of winning the Drag Queen crown 2024.
Then, on Sunday February 4, we have the next KEY DATE, as thousands of carnival participants will parade through the streets of the town participating in the Torrevieja Grand Carnival Parade Contest. Starting at 4:00 p.m., from the Virgen del Carmen Cultural Centre, the tide that makes up the 30 troupes of the Torrevieja carnival, will begin this parade to the rhythm of choreographies. As has been the case in recent editions, the spectacular “Exhibition Area” will culminate this magnificent parade, with the staging of each of the fantasies and costumes.
Also on Saturday, February 3, in the La Mata Natural Park, the celebration of World Wetlands Day will take place, with efforts focussed on the recovery of some degraded areas of the park through Ecological Restoration. More details can be obtained from the Visitors Centre at the park.
The Medieval Market is on this weekend in Orihuela.
Last call to visit the Casa de Cultura in Guardamar del Segura to see the collective exhibition featuring “new perspectives” which closes on February 4.
For more local events, pick up The Leader newspaper every Monday, and This is Torrevieja for Torrevieja events.
Local Markets
On Friday there’s are weekly market in Dolores, Jacarilla, Los Montesinos, Pilar de la Horadada, Torrellano (Elche), and Torrevieja.
On Saturday, you can get your bargains at the markets in Alicante, Almoradi, Catral, Elche, Moncayo (Guardamar), Orihuela, Playa Flamenca (Orihuela Costa), San Anton (Elche), San Fulgencio (La Marina), and Santa Pola.
And on Sunday, Algorfa (Zoco), Campoverde (Pilar de la Horadada), Corvera (Murcia), Guardamar El Limonero (Lemon Tree Road), Guardamar (N-332), Elche Mercadillo del Martínez Valero, La Aparecida (Orihuela), La Murada (Orihuela), and Pilar de la Horadada (El Toro).
The roads will of course be busy around those locations.
Traffic and Travel
On the roads of Spain, coinciding with the weekends of the winter months, an increase in traffic is expected on the main routes, national roads, and motorways towards rest areas, second homes and mountain areas for practicing winter sports.
FRIDAY
Movements out of large urban centres and increased circulation on the main communication routes towards rest areas, second homes and mountain areas, the least favourable time being between 7 and 9 p.m.
SATURDAY
Travel out of large urban centres, many of which will be short trips to recreation and leisure areas close to large towns, as well as increased circulation on the main communication routes to rest areas, second homes and mountain areas, the busiest times being between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
SUNDAY
Movements in the entrance direction to the large urban centres along the main communication road axes that channel the entire return movement, in particular on motorways, as well as along the access roads to areas of mountain with winter sports practice, at an unfavourable time between 6 and 10 p.m.
If you are going to the mountains, remember to take snow chains (click this link to browse snow chains on Amazon). Winter tyres are also permitted. If you come across a blue circular sign showing snow chains, it is obligatory to have them fitted on your wheels before passing the sign. In accordance with Spanish Traffic Law, you are not permitted further without having them installed. It is both dangerous, and illegal.
For information and updates about driving in Spain, visit N332.es
For live traffic reports, visit the DGT traffic map
For weather warnings, consult AEMET
Weather
The current forecast for the next 10 days will see a maximum temperature of 22°c on Sunday 11 February, a minimum of 10°c this Sunday, 04. The windiest day currently is expected to see wind of up to 42 kmph on Tuesday 13 February, which could be unlucky for some, and we will explain why on Tuesday.
- Click here to visit AEMET for weather alerts and forecasts.
- Click here to visit the DGT for live traffic and road conditions.
On This Day
Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Virgin of Candelaria (Patron Saint of the Canary Islands) is celebrated.
In Colmenar Viejo in Madrid, it’s the day of the La Vaquilla Festival (declared of national tourist interest in 1986).
The origins of this festival seem to date back to Roman Antiquity or even, perhaps, to Prehistory. Julio Caro Baroja, anthropologist and historian, in his book related that young Romans, disguised in animal skins and horns, ran after the women, symbolising an attempt to revive fertility after the winter.
In Colmenar Viejo, despite there being no written record, everything suggests that the celebration of La Vaquilla has existed since the stable existence of this town, in the mid-13th century.
Traditionally, the families of the vaquilleros get together to dress the heifer: a wooden frame with several ribs, covered sticks on which handkerchiefs are hung and on the front of which two horns are placed. This entire framework is decorated with beautiful Manila shawls, silk scarves and paper or natural flowers; and the front of the heifer is adorned with brooches, earrings, and pendants.
1999, two earthquakes, one of magnitude 5.2 on the Richter scale, followed by aftershocks of lower intensity, sow panic in the Region of Murcia.
1984, in various cities in Spain, half a million people demonstrate against industrial reconversion.
1966, in Barcelona the Camp de Les Corts, former stadium of the Barcelona Football Club, is demolished.
1964, in the Basque Country, police arrest seven activists of the Basque Nationalist Party.
1939, the Franco government decrees the illegality of all religions in Spain except Catholicism.
Video of the Day
The Video of the Day is a look at that La Vaquilla Festival.
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The post Spain Today – Friday 2 February 2024 first appeared on Mark Nolan´s Podcast.
