Everything is ready in Periana to celebrate its liquid gold, the verdial oil

The town of Periana in the Axarquía region boasts a true treasure: verdial olive oil, a variety of the liquid gold that is almost exclusively cultivated in this area of the eastern region, known for its fruity and sweet flavor. Centuries-old olive trees and the efforts of thousands of families make this delicacy of nature possible, which the Town Hall will pay its special tribute to this coming weekend, with the 24th edition of the Verdial Oil Day.

This year, there will also be a special remembrance for Rafael Torrubia, who was mayor until June 17, 2024, when he died of a heart attack. The Council is going to name a town square after him. The president of the Association of Municipalities of the Costa del Sol Axarquía, Jorge Martín (PP); the mayor of Periana, Meritxel Vizuete (PSOE); the deputy mayor, Javier Segarra (IU); and the councilors of Tourism, Juan Peñas (IU); and Culture, Gema Frías (PSOE), have presented the program of events for the celebration.

"It is one of the most important agro-festive and gastro-touristic events in the Axarquía. It highlights one of the star products of the Axarquía linked to the Mediterranean diet that the Tourism area of the Association champions. The extra virgin olive oil, of excellent quality in our region, is the result of the work of our farmers, paints the landscape of our towns and flavors our dishes," the president of the regional institution stated in a press release, highlighting "the verdial from Periana made by two cooperatives, San Isidro and Mondrón, with international recognition."

"Also, I want to congratulate the Town Hall for organizing this festival over two days with a program full of varied activities that will result in more visitors throughout the entire weekend," Martín noted, "inviting all the people of Malaga to come up to the High Axarquía to get to know the town, to taste its delicious oils and to soak up traditional folklore."

For her part, the mayor of Periana has acknowledged that it is "a very special festival for those of us who feel this land as part of our soul." "It is a declaration of love for our own: our culture, our traditions, and a product that is pride, history, and a symbol of identity," she expressed.

"The verdial oil from Periana is not just an ingredient in the kitchen, it is liquid memory, it is the effort of our grandparents, the silent work of so many hands that for centuries have cared for the olive trees with respect and wisdom," she continued, inviting the people of Malaga "to walk our streets, to share with us the joy, to savor the oil that comes from this generous land, and to discover everything that Periana and our villages have to offer you." The Tourism Councilor was in charge of detailing the program of activities that will take place over two days, with the main one being on Sunday, April 27.

"We have prepared a program full of activities all related to extra virgin olive oil and designed so that they can be enjoyed by all audiences. For us, it is a very special occasion that each year highlights our olive-growing tradition and our star product: the verdial aove from Periana," Peña considered, who thanked "the two cooperatives, the bars and restaurants as well as all the local shops, the institutions, and the stewards of San Isidro, and of course the farmers and producers of our land whose effort and dedication guarantee the exceptional quality of our oil."

"This event is much more than a gastronomic fair. It is an opportunity for neighbors, visitors, and industry experts to enjoy our oil, learn about its production process, and discover the cultural and scenic wealth that surrounds Periana," the Tourism Councilor highlighted. On Saturday, April 26, the San Isidro cooperative will invite people to a miller's breakfast. An hour later, the guide Antonio López and the Periana Club will conduct a tour of the millennial olive trees.

At 12:00 PM there will be an oil tasting in the María Zambrano auditorium led by Alfredo Rivera, director of Labsur Laboratories. Following that, at 1:00 PM there will be a 'showcooking' offered by the 'Sabor a Málaga' brand. In the evening, at 8:00 PM, the square Mayor Rafael Torrobia will be inaugurated, dedicated to the former mayor of this municipality of the High Axarquía from 2015 until his sudden death on June 17, 2024. From 11:00 PM there will be music with the Millenium orchestra and a DJ in the Alfonso XII square.

On Sunday, April 27 at 10:00 AM, welcome gifts will be distributed in the day center square. At the same time, there will be a miller's breakfast in the Alfonso XII square. Half an hour later, the parade of the Municipal Band of Periana will start. From 11:00 AM, folk performances by Abraham Oritz and the Panda de Verdiales de Periana will begin. At 12:00 PM, the Agenda 2030 project will be presented. Subsequently, the Malaga comedian, actor, and presenter Manuel Sarriá will give the proclamation of the 24th Verdial Oil Day. Then the Verdial Olive Awards 2025 will be presented. At 2:00 PM there will be a paella tasting, music from DJs, and the Camino de Olivares Rociero Choir.

The deputy mayor of Periana was in charge of explaining the main objectives of the first Sustainable Development Plan Periana 2030, which will be presented during the 24th edition of the Verdial Oil Day, specifically on Sunday, April 27 at noon. "We are taking a crucial step towards a more sustainable future with the participatory construction of the Periana 2030 project. This plan, which follows the methodology of Multi-factor Alliances for Sustainable Development -Alma 2030-, seeks to create a planning framework that allows for efficient and effective coordination of sustainable development in the municipality," Segarra pointed out, who mentioned that it will have "an inclusive approach."

"The plan identifies the main challenges of the territory and establishes the foundations to integrate all local actors, from the municipal government to the citizens and the business community. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life for all residents of the municipality," the deputy mayor pointed out in the mentioned statement. Segarra recalled that the three main axes of the Sustainable Development Plan are the promotion of Sustainable Tourism through the Millennial Olive project; raising awareness and educating the population about the importance of sustainable development; and the 2030 Agency which includes the 17 SDGs.

"One of the key elements of this project is the creation of a Millennial Olive Interpretation Center that will not only attract tourists but also serve as a space to preserve and transmit local history and culture to new generations," the deputy mayor advanced, who wants it to be "an integrative and participatory approach that not only has an economic purpose but also cultural and social to ensure that sustainability reaches the entire community." The Periana 2030 project has been subsidized by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption, and Agenda 2030.