The Málaga Fair is entering its final hours after a week of dancing, verdiales, and festive atmosphere. Visitors from all over Spain agree that the festival retains its essence, despite the changes.
The Málaga Fair is facing its last hours this year after a week of dancing, verdiales, and gatherings in the streets of the historic centre. Among the visitors who have roamed the centre these days, the general feeling is that the festival maintains its appeal despite the changes experienced over time.
Alberto, who has travelled from Murcia with a group of friends to celebrate his bachelor party, sums up his experience: "The people from the south are wonderful, very friendly. The Fair is charming, with an incredible atmosphere, so much life. It's Andalucía, what can I say?".
Alongside him, Ylenia compares the two venues and prefers the centre: "In the end, I think the Real is the typical party you can find anywhere because they are party tents, while this is the essence of Málaga," she comments with laughter. Both assure that they will return next year.
The Fair has also become a regular destination for bachelor parties. Irene, also from Murcia, chose Málaga for this celebration after a good previous experience: "Four years ago I came here with a friend and I really had a blast. The atmosphere is amazing, in every place or corner there are people singing or doing their Málaga songs, or flamenco music." She praises the traditional dresses and a tradition that passes from generation to generation.
Irene also highlights the image of older people enjoying flamenco until late hours: "We were leaving last night, I saw a group and said: how are these older gentlemen dancing in the tents at this hour?".
Not everyone prefers the centre. Martina, a Granada native who has lived in Málaga for a decade, leans towards the Real: "I think the Real is much better than the Málaga Fair." She believes that in the Cortijo de Torres the atmosphere is more lively and there are more leisure options, among tents and attractions.
Among the complaints of this edition, Isabel points out the problem of reservations in the tents at the Real: "We went from one to another, all reserved. That has never happened. It has always been the case that you arrived, the music was playing, and you found a place to eat, sat down, and enjoyed," she laments.
Fuensanta adds nostalgia for the lack of traditional establishments in the centre: "There were places that were prepared, that belonged to different brotherhoods to be able to dance and eat. All of that has been removed," she expresses sadly.
Jorge Oliver partly agrees with that argument. He has been attending the Fair for over a decade and misses some classic spaces, although he acknowledges that the event remains a magnet for locals and visitors alike.
The Málaga Fair closes its doors at midnight, while the Real del Cortijo de Torres will extend its activities until Sunday. Those who want to bid farewell to the festive atmosphere still have time for one last dance or one last rebujito.
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