The V Gala of the El Pimpi Foundation Travels to the 'Sun of Solidarity'

The V Gala of the El Pimpi Foundation turned the night in Málaga into an emotional journey towards the 'Sun of Solidarity', during an evening ... held at the Teatro del Soho CaixaBank that brought together representatives from the social, cultural, and institutional fabric of the city. Hosted by journalist and godmother of the entity, Belinda Washington, the gala began wrapped in an atmosphere of excitement: the audience was invited to board an imaginary space cruise, stopping at each of the projects that give life to the Foundation.

Among them, 'Cantera' stands out. An intensive kitchen and dining room training program aimed at people in vulnerable situations, with the goal of facilitating their immediate job placement in the hospitality sector of the province. Over 80% of the students gain employment at the end of the program. Also, 'Genius'. Under the motto "imagine the extraordinary", this project drives a series of inspiring sessions designed to highlight local artisans and producers, the true geniuses of Málaga's gastronomy.

The list also includes 'Málaga Cocina Emoción' - a unique book, now in its third edition, that recaptures the history and culinary culture of the 103 municipalities of Málaga, told through its authentic guardians: the grandmothers of Málaga; 'Raíces' - workshops that promote well-being, inclusion, and environmental sustainability through direct contact with nature in an agroecological garden; or 'Castañuelas Rosas': Spanish dance workshops that provide support to women with chronic and/or autoimmune diseases. Approximately 100 women find in this project a space to share, learn, and grow together.

Completing the list are 'Lunares' - "an exciting commitment to Málaga culture, born from the historic spirit of the El Pimpi winery with podcast interviews designed to take the stories of Málaga to the world" or 'Soles de Málaga', a social movement that unites the citizens of Málaga, businesses, and public entities with a common purpose: to help those in greatest need. This annual project culminates with a large music festival to celebrate solidarity.

Each stop on the journey revealed real stories, testimonials, and achievements that moved the audience and highlighted the transformative power of community work. The show progressed amid emotions and applause, accompanied by performances that brought rhythm and warmth to the night: comedian Ángel Rielo drew smiles with his approachability; musician Toni Romero moved the audience with a message of overcoming; the dance group Spoilers filled the stage with energy; and SuperHeavySound brought the festive atmosphere of the upcoming Soles de Málaga Festival, which will take place on April 18 at the Plaza de Toros La Malagueta.

Luminescent Bracelets

Among the audience, the administrations wanted to join in recognizing the work of the Foundation: Mayor Francisco de la Torre highlighted its ability to unite the citizens; the vice president of the Provincial Council of Málaga, Toñi Ledesma, reaffirmed institutional support for the Foundation's projects; and the delegate of the Junta de Andalucía, Patricia Navarro, recalled the recognition granted to the entity as the Best Foundation in Andalucía. Lastly, president Luis Merino Bayona thanked the support received and emphasized the effort of the team and volunteers that make possible its social, cultural, and gastronomic work.

The most moving moment of the evening came when the entire theater raised their hands to "conquer the Sun". Thousands of luminescent bracelets lit up at the same time, symbolizing the inner light that, when united, transforms into solidarity. At the same time, the faces of people and entities that have received support since 2018 appeared on the screen, and the five NGOs that will benefit from the next edition of the festival were officially presented: Afesol, Alas, Prolibertas, Nuevo Futuro, and Betania. With this collective image of hope, the Foundation officially announced the celebration of the Soles de Málaga Festival 2026, which will again gather more than 3,000 people in an essential day for the city.

The entity closed the night thanking the involvement of the numerous private entities collaborating whose support allows the projects to continue growing and for Málaga to keep shining with the light of solidarity.