World Paella Day united residents from across the globe in l’Alfas del Pi

More than 200 international residents gathered in l’Alfas del Pi this week as the town celebrated the seventh edition of World Paella Day with a large multicultural food and community event focused on integration, diversity and shared traditions. The celebration brought together residents from dozens of countries for a day centred around gastronomy, cultural exchange and community spirit, reinforcing the Costa Blanca town’s reputation as one of the region’s most international municipalities.

Residents from multiple nationalities joined celebrations

The event was organised by the Tourism and International Residents departments of l’Alfas Town Hall together with the municipality’s Pangea office. A dozen international resident associations took part in the activities, representing communities from across Europe and Latin America.

Participants from countries including the UK, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Romania, India, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia and Uruguay joined Spanish residents for a special paella cooking masterclass led by renowned chef Pablo Montoro. The chef guided participants through the preparation of an authentic Valencian paella, explaining traditional cooking techniques while residents exchanged stories, cultures and experiences throughout the event.

Food became a bridge between cultures

The celebration concluded with a large communal lunch where nearly 200 people of different nationalities shared paella, conversation and local traditions in what organisers described as a symbol of coexistence and integration.

L’Alfas del Pi has one of the Costa Blanca’s highest proportions of foreign residents, with more than half of the municipality’s population originally coming from outside Spain. Local officials said events like World Paella Day help strengthen connections between communities while celebrating the diversity that defines the town.

Mayor Vicente Arques said the event reflected the essence of l’Alfas as an open and welcoming municipality where people from many different backgrounds live together and share experiences. He highlighted gastronomy’s unique ability to bring people together and create spaces for dialogue and understanding.

Event highlighted Costa Blanca’s international identity

Councillor for International Residents Martine Mertens praised the involvement of the municipality’s international associations and said the activity allowed neighbours of different nationalities to create stronger bonds through something as culturally important as paella.

Originally created to promote paella internationally and support recognition of the dish as UNESCO cultural heritage, World Paella Day has evolved in l’Alfas into a wider celebration of multicultural life on the Costa Blanca. For many attendees, the event represented far more than food. It became a reflection of the international identity that continues shaping daily life across the region.