Blooming almonds defy 'Xylella'

Despite the dreaded Xylella bacteria decimating the Costa almond tree population, thousands of trees are blossoming making the day for photography enthusiasts - like this one in Benissa.

In nearby Alcalalí all is ready for the Blossom Festival.

DURING the month of February, Alcalalí is dyed pink and white, thanks to the flowering of the thousands of almond trees.

For this reason, from February 2 to 24, the village celebrates in honour of a crop so traditional to the area. With a complete programme of activities related to agriculture, gastronomy or culture, locals and visitors can enjoy one of the most beautiful spectacles of nature.

THE PROGRAMME: THURSDAY, JANUARY 31

Day of the tree: the almond tree

16:00 - Watercolours workshop for children in the Plaça de L'ajuntament.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2

12:00 - Opening of the IV route of the almonds in the Plaça de L'ajuntament. Tasting of tapas, food and sweets with almond as a main ingredient, made by local bars, restaurants and shops, from 2 to 24 February.

17:00 - Products and cuisine of la Marina Alta’ in the Ethnological Museum.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3

09:00 - IV Marathon photographic competition #AlcalalíEnFlor. For information and rules, visit and www.alcalaliturismo.com.

10:00 – Walk between the almond blossom. Depart from the Plaça de L'ajuntament.

11:00 – Family cycling route. Depart from the Plaça de L'ajuntament.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9

10:00 - Walk between the almond blossom. Depart from the Plaça de L'ajuntament.

12:00 - Almond tasting, conducted by Antonio Solanes, who will explain about the varieties of almonds, in the Plaça de L'ajuntament.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10

10:00 - Walk between the almond blossom. Depart from the Plaça de L'ajuntament.

10:00 – Instagram users meeting #InstaMeetFeslalí in the Ethnological Museum

12:30 - III competition of sweets made with almond in the Plaça de L'ajuntament. Information and rules at www.alcalaliturismo.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15

09:00 to 15:00 - Day of school coexistence "Feslalí": schools of Lliber, Senija and Alcalalí will take part.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16

10:00 - Walk between the almond blossom. Depart from the Plaça de L'ajuntament.

12:30 - Live music and dance by the Rascanya group in the Plaça de L'ajuntament.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17

10:00 - Walk between the almond blossom. Depart from the Plaça de L'ajuntament.

11.00 - Show cooking ‘Cuisine with almonds’ in the Plaça de L'ajuntament. With chef Evarist Miralles, from the restaurant El Nou Cavall Verd of La Vall de Laguar, and the pastry chef Rosanna Aramendi, of Pasteleria-panaderia in Alcalali.

13:00 - Cooking workshop: sweets with almonds from Alcalalí, directed at children, in the Plaça de L'ajuntament.