Maspalomas celebrates 10 years as a Rotary City of Peace with a multicultural event

 

Ukrainians, Hindus, Muslims, Swiss, Canary Islanders. Just a small part of the more than one hundred nationalities that live together daily in Maspalomas have today been the living image of a city that is a benchmark of multiculturalism in Spain.

 

 

Ten years have passed since Maspalomas received the Rotary City of Peace distinction , and the Rotary Club of Maspalomas wanted to celebrate it in an event that brought together representatives of different nationalities and faiths, a true symbol of what this distinction means.

 

 No other city in Spain holds this title, and only three other cities in all of Europe have received it. It has been awarded this title for being an example of peaceful coexistence, intercultural unity, solidarity, and work in support of human rights.

 

The event was presided over by the Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio Pérez ; the Deputy Government Delegate in Las Palmas , Teresa Mayans ; Carmelo Ramírez , Councilor for Institutional Cooperation and International Solidarity of the Gran Canaria Island Council; and Carlos Álamo , Councilor for Tourism of the Gran Canaria Island Council. Also in attendance were José Álvaro Martínez-Villalobos , Colonel and Director of the INTA Maspalomas Space Station; José Manuel González , Governor of Rotary International District 2201; and Pedro Ortega , President of the Maspalomas Rotary Club.

 

Marco Aurelio Pérez congratulated Rotary Maspalomas for its “important work and for all the actions that have made Maspalomas an example of peace today.” The mayor emphasized that “we are a city that receives millions of tourists every year, who arrive in complete harmony and who have contributed to our society just as we contribute to theirs.”

 

In the words of Teresa Mayans, “Rotary is made up of people who have realized that they have to do something for others, especially where public institutions fall short. Their sense of ethics, friendship, and service to others are more relevant than ever at a time when war has been chosen as the way to resolve international conflicts.”

 

Pedro Ortega, for his part, asserted that amidst the current delicate international situation, "this anniversary highlights a real coexistence based on diversity, with more than 100 nationalities and spaces like the Ecumenical Center, active since the 70s, where different religions coexist."

 

Without forgetting the late Andrés Barriales , Governor of District 2201 who promoted the candidacy of Maspalomas as a Rotary City of Peace, Ortega highlighted the spirit of Rotary, its respect for human dignity, freedom of expression, working for others and the rejection of all types of violence.

 

At a historic moment in which international instability and armed conflicts dominate headlines and front pages, this anniversary takes on greater significance than ever and makes Maspalomas a symbol that peaceful coexistence and understanding between peoples is possible. 

The event not only celebrated Maspalomas' ten years as a Rotary City of Peace, but also the cultural, social, and religious diversity that coexists in the municipality. This was exemplified by a round table discussion featuring participants from different cultures, nationalities, and faiths.

 

Thus, the following have participated: Alexis Ojeda Díaz , general director of the Arenas educational community, Houda Charradi el Maknati representing the Ettakwa Association of Muslim Women of Gran Canaria, Mithu Hiranand , president of the Hindu community of Southern Gran Canaria, Olesya Lylak , president of the Association of Ukrainians in the Canary Islands “Two Lands, Two Suns” and Rolf Meyer Scheidegger , consul of Switzerland in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands.

 

The purpose is to share experiences of coexistence based on respect, tolerance and the eradication of prejudice and violence, values ​​that reflect the spirit of "Maspalomas as a Rotary community of Peace".

 

The event concluded with a performance by the Maspalomas Encantada Polyphonic Choir , which also includes performers of different nationalities.

 

The commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Maspalomas, Rotary City of Peace is organized by the Rotary Club Maspalomas with the support of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council and the Gran Canaria Island Council through the Department of International Solidarity.