The ancient tradition of arts patronage is being revived in Marbella, the Andalusian playground of the rich and famous. Here in the shadow of the Sierra Blanca mountains, next to the luxurious Marbella Club, built by Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe in the 1950s, The New World Trust, organisers of the Marbella Film Festival and the Art at the Fringe programme, is bringing together artists, film-makers, dancers, writers and musicians.
The buying and selling of real estate, lounging on the beach along the Golden Mile and the assiduous pursuit of fun are Marbella’s usual pastimes, with local artists complaining that the arts are not even a blip on the radar — often the most stunning literary offering of the week is an illustrated list of the latest yachts for sale.
Mac Chakaveh, the festival director, explains, ‘The idea [of the festival] is to cut out the big corporations and the red tape.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in