The Maspalomas Summer University is commencing its 34th edition, with a program extending until July 10th and offering more than 25 activities. This educational initiative is complemented by events such as the XII Rotary International Camp, the Maspalomas International Trumpet Festival, and the Maspalomas Costa Canaria Soul Festival.
Guillermo Morales Matos, a Geography professor and director of the event, emphasizes the university's aim to make education accessible to all citizens, regardless of their specific interests. The program blends practical, theoretical, and outreach activities, with a significant focus on culture and performing arts.
New additions this year include courses on Contemporary Dance, Musical Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre: Broadway Jazz, Canarian Flora, Ham Tasting and Carving, and a session on Canarias 2040: Territorial Trends. The inaugural activity will focus on Vacation Rentals and the new Law for Sustainable Regulation of Tourist Use of Housing in the Canary Islands, analyzing the regulations and management tools for such accommodations.
Morales highlights the significant interest in the vacation rental regulations, anticipating it will be one of the most attended sessions. He notes that the law addresses a previous gap and aims to clarify the new legal landscape for property owners and industry professionals.
The opening day will also feature a public speaking course on stage presence and effective communication led by Ángel Lafuente, and a workshop on Autism presented by Ana Silva Grao. A classical ballet course is also scheduled.
During the first week, a session on Youth and Suicide in the Canary Islands II will be held, an initiative Morales deems socially crucial given the visibility and rise of this issue. This marks the third consecutive year for this particular activity.
The second week's program includes courses on Tourist English and German, Nutrition without time for diets, Singing with breath control, Spanish Sign Language, Musical Theatre: Broadway Jazz, Introduction to Skateboarding, Canarian Flora, and a practical workshop on Writing and Expression. Talks on ham and cheese tasting will also take place.
The event will conclude with the session Canarias 2040: Territorial Trends. This round table, moderated by Fernando Canellada, director of LA PROVINCIA/Diario de Las Palmas, and coordinated by Guillermo Morales Matos, will bring together institutional representatives and specialists to discuss the Archipelago's key territorial, urban planning, tourism, and educational challenges.
Confirmed speakers include Lluís Serra, rector of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC); Elena Zárate, Vice-Minister of Territorial Planning of the Government of the Canary Islands; José Suay, magistrate of the High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands; Elsa Guerra, an architect specializing in Urbanism; and Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, Director General of Tourism Planning of the Government of the Canary Islands.
Activities will be held at various venues, including the Maspalomas Cultural Center, the Casa Condal, the Hotel Gloria Palace San Agustín, the Municipal Music School, the El Tablero Cultural Center, and the Skate Park Maspalomas.
