Águilas announces events commemorating the centenary of actor Paco Rabal

The most famous son of Águilas returned to Calabardina in the latter years of his life

Paco Rabal, an internationally renowned actor who is probably the most famous son of Águilas, would have been 100 years old on 8^th March this year, and the Town Hall together with other local and regional authorities have announced a series of events and projects to commemorate the centenary of his birth in the tiny hamlet of Cuesta de Gos.

These include the following:

- The installation and unveiling of a statue of the actor in the Plaza de España (click here for further details).

- The creation of murals in the Plaza de Antonio Cortijos representing Paco Rabal and Asunción, his wife of 50 years prior to the actor’s death in 2001.

- On Museums Day in May actors Will play the roles of Francisco Rabal and Asunción Balaguer as they offer tours of the local museums.

- Educational projects in secondary schools.

- Commemorative bags to be distributed at the tourist office.

- An exhibition by artist Pedro Cano based on the “trovo” music the actor dedicated to him.

- An evening of “trovos” and flamenco singing in Cuesta de Gos coinciding with full moon and the 25^th anniversary of Paco Rabal’s death (29^th August).

- Screenings of “Francisco por Paco”, “Los Santos Inocentes”, “La Colmena” and “Pajarico” during the “Octubre Joven” season of events for young people.

- A tribute concert by the Banda del Patronato Musical Aguileño to celebrate the feast day of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music (22^nd November).

- A stage version of “Los Santos Inocentes” in December.

Francisco Rabal Valera was born in the foothills of the mountains north of Calabardina, but his family left the Region of Murcia when the Civil War broke out in 1936 and moved to Madrid. He soon became interested in the theatre and went on to become one of Spain’s best-known actors as well as possibly Águilas’ best loved son.

Among the anecdotes concerning his career is that he was originally director William Friedkin’s first choice for the role of the French villain in The French Connection, but his staff mistakenly hired fellow Spanish actor Fernando Rey for the role. In Spain he is admired for his stage and film roles, including the film “Los Santos Inocentes”, for which he won the Best Actor award at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival.

In his later years he took up residence close to his birthplace in Calabardina, and the Centro de Cultura in Águilas is named after him. There is already a statue of the actor as an old man in Cuesta de Gos, just outside the small church.

For more local events, news and visiting information, contact the tourist office of Águilas (telephone 968 493285) or go to the home page of Águilas Today.