Alfaz del Pi was a rainbow of multicolored flags as the town hosted the annual International Day at the Poly Deportivo Sports Centre. The Mayor, Vicente Arques cut the ribbon to officially open the event and was welcomed by representatives from Bulgaria – each year a different country has the honour. He accepted a token piece of bread and swig of wine, a traditional Bulgarian custom expressing hospitality, showing that a guest is welcomed into their home– which is similar in many other East European countries.

Representatives of all the participating countries followed, carrying their countries flag then all stepped onto the stage to sing a welcome in.
The Mayor then walked around to each of the stands and spoke with each country and association.

The Brits were certainly well represented,with each stand proudly decked out with union flags and bunting... "The Companians" one the most prominant! Manning their colourful stand was Marilyn and Peter Rogers and David Carrington - all pictured wearing red, white and blue and finished off with a union jack bowler hat.

The British based stands were the Companians Social Club – based in Albir, The Royal British Legion – promoting the poppy appeal and the U3A – a non-profit association who had a traditional old fashioned tea shop serving tea and home-made cakes.

Alfaz del Pi has over 100 different nationalities living side by side and this event, which is held every October brings them all together. More than three thousand attended on what turned out to be a beautifully sunny day, tasting and experiencing food from many different cultures such as Bolivia, Ecuador, Morocco and Argentina. Throughout the afternoon different countries took turns to perform – singing and dancing traditional pieces from their homeland.