Calp celebrated Europe Day with music, paella and multicultural festivities

CALP celebrated Europe Day on Sunday, May 17, with a multicultural community gathering that brought together residents and visitors for a day filled with music, gastronomy and European unity after poor weather disrupted part of the original programme earlier in the month.

The event was organised by Calp Town Hall through the European BELC programme, “Building Europe with Local Councillors,” and once again highlighted the town’s strong international identity and multicultural atmosphere.

A giant paella brought the community together

Activities took place in the La Calalga area, where local residents and foreign communities gathered to celebrate the values of cooperation and diversity that Europe Day represents. Representatives read the Europe Day manifesto in several European languages, reflecting the wide range of nationalities living in the Costa Blanca town.

One of the main attractions of the celebration was a giant public paella served outdoors in the La Calalga parking area. Hundreds of people attended throughout the afternoon, enjoying the food, music and social atmosphere while families and groups of friends gathered together beside the Mediterranean coast.

Live performances from the Supertonica Band created a festive environment as crowds danced and celebrated late into the day. The event combined gastronomy, culture and entertainment, reinforcing the international spirit that has become one of Calp’s defining characteristics.

Europe Day continues growing in Calp

Councillor Marco Bittner encouraged local associations and foreign residents to participate in the annual celebration, describing it as an important opportunity to strengthen ties between the many communities that coexist in the municipality.

Europe Day has been officially celebrated across the European Union every May 9 since 1985, commemorating the Schuman Declaration, widely considered the foundation of modern European cooperation following the Second World War.

In Calp, where a significant percentage of residents come from other European countries, the annual celebration has grown steadily in recent years and become an important social event for both locals and expatriates.