Last Sunday, September 7th, AVIB, the International Neighbourhood Association of Benitachell, in collaboration with the Council of El Poble Nou de Benitatxell, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a great party. Dozens of members, friends and neighbours gathered at the esplanade of El Puig municipal building on Cumbre del Sol to accompany the association in such an important commemoration. It is not every day that a quarter of a century is celebrated promoting multiculturalism, neighbourhood ties, the integration of residents into local daily life and the exchange of relationships and information.
The day started with great music by Juan Sáez and sizzling grills that kept turning out delicious sausages and pinchos. There was also paella, fideuá and other typical Spanish tapas.
The event was hosted by the association’s president, Dirk Rheindorf, who also celebrated his birthday. The mayor and most of the local council representatives were in attendance, as well as representatives from other associations in the municipality. Rheindorf thanked everyone present for their support, as well as the collaborating companies and organisations. In addition, together with the other members of the board of directors, he presented two badges of honour to founding members Willi Lutz and Urs Rufer.
On his behalf, the mayor, Miguel Ángel García, expressed his appreciation to the association, congratulating all its members for their outstanding work. «AVIB is the longest-standing association of non-Spanish residents of Benitatxell and, since its foundation, it has carried out very humane work, helping the neighbourhood and putting forward suggestions and ideas to improve the lives of everyone in the municipality. I currently have the honour of seeing first-hand how they work, and it is a pleasure to be able to attend your meetings so that together we can build a better place to live.»
After the formal part of the event, it was the turn of the Grup de Danses Morro Falquí of Benitatxell, who performed a selection of traditional Valencian dances. Later, the FFLA Jazzband and Toni Catalá performed. There was also a raffle, the proceeds of which went to the APASA animal protection association in Xàbia.
