Almuñécar has become the epicentre of the bonsai culture in Spain and is an important European reference point in this field, too.

Over this weekend the Casa de la Cultura is the venue of the 25th national bonsai congress, as well as the 1st Andalusian congress, all rolled into one.

If you have never taken the time to look around the Bonsai Gardens then now is your chance at the Casa de la Cultura, especially with the rain forecast between now and Monday.

Over a hundred people amongst experts and aficionados from all the country will flock to see bonsai specimens from national and international sources. To give you an idea, the Japanese Ambassador, Kazuhiko Koshikawa, was present at the inaugural event.

Also present on the opening night was the Chairman of the Asociación Española del Bonsai (AEB), Juan Carlos López and the Chairman of the Asociación de Amigos del Bonsai “Costa Tropical” who is also the Curator of the Museo del Bonsai de Almuñécar, José Antonio Joya.

So, go for it! There are 80 specimens of bonsai on display, amongst the from the Casa Real (Spanish Royal Residence) and from the personal collection of Spanish ex-Prime Minister, Felipe González.

(News: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)