The Maspalomas Summer University offers more than 20 courses and workshops, a trip to La Palma, the Rotary Camp, and two music festivals.

 

The 30rd edition of the Maspalomas Summer University, which will be held from June 11 to July 20, has prepared an extensive training program that will offer more than XNUMX courses and workshops, as well as a trip to La Palma, the celebration of the XNUMXth International Rotary Camp and the concerts scheduled at the Maspalomas International Trumpet Festival and the Maspalomas Costa Canaria Soul Festival.

 

The program presentation was attended by the rector of the ULPGC, Lluís Serra Majem; the mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio Pérez Sánchez; the second vice president and advisor for the Presidency and Sustainable Mobility of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Teodoro Sosa Monzón; and the director of the Maspalomas Summer University, Guillermo Morales Matos.

 

Lluis Serra praised the Maspalomas Summer University, the oldest in the Canary Islands, as "a project that pursues constant academic renewal and the dissemination of knowledge and learning at the service of Gran Canaria and Canary Islands society. All of this stems from the firm conviction that culture is a tool for emancipation, with a commitment to transmitting it within the university environment."

 

The rector emphasized that for 33 years, the ULPGC has been temporarily relocating to the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, "convinced that our teachings can be useful." Serra also explained that the university governing team is "committed" to projecting an image of openness and receptivity. "We want to encourage the participation of new social groups in our activities, promote lifelong learning among students, alumni, and anyone interested, and encourage the constant updating of knowledge, skills, and attitudes such as wisdom, know-how, and savoir-faire."

 

Teodoro Sosa expressed his support for this year's program, which addresses current topics such as the housing situation, vacation homes, the demographic challenge, tourism in general, heritage perspectives, cultural activities, and two established festivals, the Trumpet and Soul Festivals. The Councilor noted that the Maspalomas Summer University has reached a "level of maturity and consolidation," organizing more than 1.000 activities in 33 years. 

 

Marco Aurelio Pérez highlighted the image of Risco Blanco on the promotional poster for the Summer University, which has been around for "many years, has a lot of experience, and has become a consolidated project that discusses current issues that are in demand by society and that seeks to project itself into the future."

 

 

The mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana recalled the success of the 2024 course on 'Youth and Suicide', which, in this second edition, will once again analyze "a major problem in our society that, although it affects young people, the rest of society must get involved." Marco Aurelio Pérez stated that, over two intense weeks, there will be the opportunity to debate and learn about many topics, such as the day to reflect on 'Democracy in the Canary Islands. XNUMXst Century', in addition to the recreational program, such as the trip to La Palma and the Soul and Trumpet festivals. Finally, the mayor highlighted the celebration of the XNUMXth Maspalomas International Rotary Camp, dedicated to Peace, in a municipality where more than one hundred nationalities coexist.

 

Guillermo Morales, director of the summer university, explained that this year's event offers a training program of 23 courses, workshops, and complementary activities. The funding that makes this university possible, the same as it has been for 10 years, is 42.000 euros, provided by the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, and 16.000 euros, contributed by the Gran Canaria Island Council. "A budget that is still insufficient, although we will try to secure financial support from the Canary Islands Government for the next edition."

 

The training program's courses offer between 9 and 15 hours of instruction. As the mayor did, he highlighted the second edition of the "Youth and Suicide" course, the "Vacation Homes in the Canary Islands" workshop, once again coordinated by Carmelo León, as well as courses on public speaking, sign language, the "Looking at the Stars" workshop, tourism languages, autism, "Dance: Musical Jazz," and the singing course, taught by Judith Pessoa, one of the Canary Islands' finest sopranos, and the "Democracy in the Canary Islands: XNUMXth Century" course. Morales announced that places have been filled for the charity trip to La Palma, which will feature the official chronicler of Santa Cruz de La Palma.

 

Program news

 

As every year, the oldest summer university in the Canary Islands is organized by the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and the Gran Canaria Island Council. 

 

The Maspalomas Summer University is directed by Guillermo Morales, professor at the Carlos III University of Madrid. The training venues will be the Maspalomas Cultural Center and the Casa Condal.

 

New this year are a Safety workshop, a course on "Ethnicity and Personal Image," "Nutrition: No Time for Diets," "Neurological Damage: Life Stories," "Introduction to Skateboarding," "Musical Jazz Dance," "Industrial Heritage," a talk/tasting of Canarian cheeses, and "Democracy in the Canary Islands in the 21st Century."

 

Registration for courses and workshops can be done starting Monday, May 5, on the website: https://www.universidadveranomaspalomas.org. As in previous years, people who register will be able to enjoy discounts on accommodation in establishments in the Maspalomas area.

 

 Program by weeks

 

The training program for the first week will begin with sessions on

'Youth and suicide in the Canary Islands II' (from June 30 to July 2), 'Holiday homes in the Canary Islands (Vv): Regulation and management' (June 30 and July 1), 'Miring the Stars Workshop' (June 30), 'Theoretical and practical workshop on Writing and Expression' (from July 2 to 4), 'Democracy in the Canary Islands in the 4st Century' (July 2), 'Industrial Heritage' (July 3), 'Demographic challenge: depopulation vs. overpopulation' (July 4 and 3), 'The 30 always essential tools. Achieving an unbeatable personality. Speaking in public with stage pleasure. Mastering the dialogue' (from June 4 to July 30), 'Personal Image' (from June 4 to July 4), 'Security Day' (July 4), 'Introduction to Skateboarding' (July 2), 'Introduction to Opera' (from July 4 to 3), 'Demographic Challenge: Depopulation vs. Overpopulation' (July 4 and 30) and the program of the XI Rotary Club Maspalomas International CAMP (from June 4 to July XNUMX).

 

For the second week, the following practical courses have been organised: 'Tourist English and German' (July 7-11), 'Nutrition without Diet Time' (July 7-9), 'Singing with Breathing. Diaphragm and Voice' (July 7-11), 'Neurological Damage: Life Stories' (July 8-9), 'Cartography Workshop' (July 11), 'Spanish Sign Language' (July 7-11), 'Properties of Cultural Interest in the Canary Islands' (July 8-10), 'Musical Jazz Dance' (July 8-10), and 'Cheese Talk/Tasting' (July 11).

 

The Maspalomas International Trumpet Festival, considered one of the most important in Europe, will be held from July 13 to 19, and the Maspalomas Costa Canaria Soul Festival will be held from July 18 to 20 on San Agustín beach.