Multicultural celebration in Estepona

Calvario Park was filled with hundreds of people on Saturday, 26 April to celebrate Estepona’s Foreign Residents’ Day in 2025. It was a colorful tribute to the town’s diverse cosmopolitan culture.

Deputy Mayor Begoña Ortiz said of the event, ‘This annual gathering brings together and promotes harmony among all residents, regardless of their origins, while showcasing each country’s unique culture.’

The event honoured three elected foreign residents of the year: Johnny Cuéllar from Bolivia, Carlos Stieffel from Argentina, and Teresa Rocío Mateos Torras from Mexico for their community contributions and long-standing participation in Foreign Residents’ Day and the Sweet Christmas Encounter. Ortiz acknowledged their efforts to integrate, noting that the event played a role in recognizing such work.

25 countries including Belgium, Italy and Morocco, as well as newcomers Germany and Switzerland, Ecuador and Ecuador set up stalls to showcase their traditional cuisines and crafts. Spain gave excellent performances by local dance schools La Milana, Ana Guerrero, and Marví Dominguez and Claudia Ramírez ‘La Maravilla’. The stage was packed all day long with Chilean Cumbias, Mexican Folk Songs, Celtic Tune, Scandinavian Melodies, Argentine Folk, Paraguayan Dance, and Venezuelan Samba.

The community spirit was enhanced by informational stalls set up by groups such as the Estepona foreign residents’ association (AREME), Gatos y Amigos AECC and the Official Language School. Estepona is committed to celebrating the global community. The event was a melting-pot of music, dance and flavours.