Benidorm hosts the first major event of the XXXIV Trobada d'Escoles in Valencià with the delivery of the Sambori Awards

Yesterday afternoon, Benidorm Town Hall Assembly Hall hosted the presentation of the XXXIV Trobada d'Escoles in Valencià and the delivery of the Sambori awards, as well as the prize for the drawing contest that was the cover of this year's advertising poster. An appointment that marked the beginning of this edition of the Trobada, although last Friday a conference by the Benidorm philologist Francesc Xavier Llorca Ibi already took place.

Yesterday's event was attended by the mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez, the councillor for Education, Maite Moreno, the general director of Educational Innovation of the Generalitat, Charo Escrig, and members of the corporation.

After the performance by the students of Benidorm Municipal Elementary Dance Conservatory, the XXXIV Trobada was presented, words of welcome and thanks were given, and the Sambori awards were presented by the regional leader, Pilar Bolufer. This presentation was followed by a new performance by the students of the Dance Conservatory, which preceded the presentation of the drawing prizes and the awards to all the centres participating in this edition.

Remedios Gadea, president of the Coordinadora d'Ensenyament in Valencià, pointed out in her speech that the Trobada “is one of the largest festivals dedicated to our language” and described it as a “spectacle” to know that “so many young people participate in a writing contest in Valencian.” “It is a reason for satisfaction,” she added. She also thanked the teachers for their work “because without them this would not be possible”, a gratitude that she extended with congratulations “to all the winners and in general to all the people who have been involved in the organization of the Trobada”. 

Mayor Toni Pérez brought the event to a close and noted that “it will be an intense weekend with this Trobada and all the scheduled activities.” Pérez stated that “our language represents our culture and tells us that we have to be inclusive.” The mayor alluded to the names of local educational centres and facilities and their relationship with local toponymy and encouraged everyone to “defend the language because it is ours” before wishing a “happy Trobada and encouraging all attendees to participate.”

La Trobada continues today at noon at El Torrejó Municipal Center, where Professor Pasqual Almiñana will offer a talk that will address 'Vicent Andrés Estellés' Mirada sobre Benidorm'. At 5 p.m., the participating centres will gather in Elche Park, from where they will hold a parade to Parque de l'Aigüera, where workshops and a snack for participants will be held. Finally, at 9 p.m., in Óscar Esplá auditorium, a concert by Àlex Blat.