The Feria San Bernabé started last night with the traditional crowning of the Feria Queens and a firework display that wasn’t dampened by the weather.

Singer songwriter José Manuel Soto was given the honour of turning on the Feria lights, where he highlighted that Marbella “is a cosmopolitan and inclusive city” and took a journey through the history of the municipality. Marbella mayor Ángeles Muñoz also attended opening of the festivities, which began with the lighting of the Arco del Recinto Ferial, dedicated this year to the president of the Peña Flamenca Sierra Blanca, Juan Recio

Soto praised Marbella as “special and different … due to its gastronomy, climate, leisure offer, good hotels and beach and its good people.” “There is a luxurious and glamorous Marbella and another that is hard-working and simple, and both coexist and complement each other,” said the singer, who has a 25-year musical career, during which he has recorded 18 albums, performed at more than a thousand concerts and participated in countless charity galas and television shows.

The evening ended with the traditional crowning of the Feria Queens and the firework display on the El Faro beach, The feria continues until June 12.