The Xunta de Galicia has opened the door to an innovative strategy for reforestation Galician forests, which includes the use of pine trees from other regions, such as France, as long as they meet quality and adaptability standards for the territory.

This approach is part of the Galicia Forest Plan 2021‑2040, which aims to strengthen forested areas and improve timber production without compromising sustainability. The main idea is to use seeds and seedlings of high genetic value, capable of growing faster, resisting diseases better, and adapting to climate changes.

Although Galicia has traditionally prioritized the use of local material, the Xunta believes that, in controlled cases, external species can be incorporated to achieve healthier and more productive forests. This measure is expected to reforest thousands of hectares and strengthen the Galician forestry industry, while maintaining ecological balance.

Ecologistas en Acción will hold its Confederative Assembly from December 6 to 8 in Vigo, marking the first time in 25 years that it takes place in Galicia.

Program:

Friday, December 5 – 19:00h.
Public presentation of the book Paca Blanco, la Brava (the activist’s autobiography) — open to the public.

Saturday, December 6 – 11:30h.
Inaugural roundtable titled “Social Environmentalism as a Tool for Change” — open to the public, with representatives from Galician collectives.

Saturday, December 6 – Afternoon
Start of internal sessions: review of work done in 2025 and planning of campaigns and action lines for 2026 (exact time not publicly specified).

Sunday, December 7 – Morning
Confederative debates: budget approval, review of territorial milestones, review of statutes, presentation of new communication strategy.

Sunday, December 7 – Afternoon
Thematic workshops by areas and EEA groups; call for anti-nuclear action.

Sunday, December 7 – 16:30h.
Public screening of the documentary Dende que veu a mina — about the impacts of mining in Galicia.

Sunday, December 7 – Evening
Concert at Sala Rebullón (Tameiga space) with musical performances.

Monday, December 8 – Morning/Afternoon
Closing demonstration — a march highlighting various ecosocial struggles in Galicia (mining, industry, fishing, cruise tourism, international solidarity, etc.), ending with the reading of a manifesto on the beach.

According to the latest EF English Proficiency Paper, Galicia is one of the top regions in Spain for English skills, consistently ranking in the “high proficiency” category. The region’s score this year is 563 points, placing it ahead of La Rioja (560), Madrid, Navarra (553), Asturias (552) and Cantabria (550).

Among Spanish cities, Vigo stands out as the leader with 585 points, followed by Gijón (575) and Zaragoza (565), follow it Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid .

Experts attribute Galicia’s success to long-term educational policies promoting multilingualism, teacher training, and immersive English experiences. Exchange programs, conversation assistants, and bilingual initiatives have all contributed to creating an effective learning environment.

Highlighting these efforts is PILIVIGO, a fully funded English exchange program in the U.K. for eligible students registered in Vigo. The three-week program offers students immersive exposure to English in various British cities, strengthening language skills and cultural experience.

The mayor of Vigo, Abel Caballero, has been demanding for years that the city of Vigo should have its own Faculty of Medicine.

The Xunta de Galicia insists that there must be “a single public Faculty of Medicine” in Galicia, the one in Santiago de Compostela, determined that it should remain the only faculty, even though the city of Santiago is smaller than Vigo in area, population, and number of hospitals.

For now, the Regional Minister of Education says that the best option is to “pool resources” and not fragment medical training, reaching an agreement so that the final years, 4th and 5th, are taught both in Santiago and in Vigo and A Coruña. According to a 2015 agreement between the Xunta, the USC, and the other Galician universities, sixth-year medical students are already distributed across several hospitals in Galicia. Specifically, 100 places are assigned for 6th-year students in Vigo’s hospitals.

There is a preliminary agreement among the rectors of USC, UVigo, and UDC to create teaching units in Vigo and A Coruña. In these units, at least 50% of the teaching staff for the second cycle would come from the universities of Vigo and A Coruña.

However, Abel Caballero states that this agreement is not enough, and he hopes to achieve that the first three years of the degree are also taught in Vigo, due to the city’s population, hospitals, and the ongoing need for doctors, for whom positions are always available.

On Wednesday, October 8th, Balaídos Stadium in Vigo will host a charity match between Celta de Vigo and Orense CF, aimed at raising funds and awareness for the fight against the forest fires that devastated Galicia this summer.

Current players and club legends from both teams will come together for a special match with a social purpose, accompanied by activities such as raffles and auctions. The initiative aims to raise funds for reforestation efforts, engage the local community, and highlight the importance of environmental prevention and recovery.

Tickets will be available for presale starting October 15th, and those unable to attend can still support the cause through donations via the designated Fila 0( ar solidarity and positive social change.

The city of Vigo once again takes center stage in the world of endurance sports with a new edition of the Desafío Islas Cíes Triathlon, an event that combines natural beauty, physical challenge, and the thrill of personal achievement. Scheduled for Sunday, September 21st, the race will bring together hundreds of triathletes ready to face one of the most stunning courses in the northwestern region of Spain.

This is a middle-distance triathlon, consisting of three consecutive disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running.

Swim: 1.9 km open water swim, starting from O Vao beach.

Bike: approximately 90 km on local roads, covering the coastline of Vigo and nearby towns.

Run: a half marathon (21 km), partially along the city’s seafront promenade, with views of the Atlantic Islands National Park.

Now established as one of Vigo’s flagship sporting events, the Desafío Islas Cíes Triathlon 2025 will once again be a celebration of outdoor sport, endurance, and a deep connection to the sea. It’s a physical challenge, yes—but also a personal journey that leaves a lasting impact on everyone who takes part.

As every autumn, the city transforms into a vital stage for lovers of the lyrical genre. The Otoño Lírico Festival, organized by the Asociación de Amigos de la Ópera de Vigo (AAOV) with the support of the Xunta de Galicia, presents an ambitious 2025 program that combines tradition, innovation, and a commitment to high-level theatrical music.

A Program of Excellence

This year’s edition will take place from September to November, featuring eleven events of diverse nature, including semi-staged operas, recitals, zarzuela galas, lyrical cinema, and artist encounters.

The festival kicks off on September 26 at the Teatro Afundación with a double bill: La Voz Humana and La Dama de Montecarlo by Francis Poulenc, works for soprano and piano. Soprano Sonia de Munck stars vocally, accompanied by pianist Miguel Huertas, under the stage direction of Eugenia Corbacho. This performance promises to immerse the audience in an intimate and dramatic realm, exploring the links between voice, emotion, and stage.

One of the most anticipated moments will be the Galician premiere of Jules Massenet’s Werther, scheduled for November 8.
In this semi-staged version, prominent figures such as Ismael Jordi (tenor) lead the cast, alongside Olga Syniakova (mezzo-soprano), Gerardo Bullón (baritone), Fernando Latorre (bass), and Iria Goti (soprano). The Vigo 430 Symphony Orchestra and the choir of IES A Xunqueira from Pontevedra will strongly contribute to the spectacle, under the musical direction of Manuel Coves and stage direction of Ignacio García.

Zarzuela 

In addition to operas, the festival dedicates space to zarzuela. On October 18, the gala Una noche de zarzuela will be held, starring Ainhoa Arteta, Borja Quiza, and Francisco Corujo, with pianist Javier Carmena. The repertoire includes emblematic pieces by Sorozábal, Chapi, Vives, Barbieri, Moreno Torroba, and Fernández Caballero.

A space is also reserved for young talent: Novas Voces da Lírica Galega (New Voices of Galician Lyric), allowing the public to discover promising voices from the Galician lyrical scene.

The  Peruvian Navy sailing training ship, B.A.P. Unión, is making a special stop in Vigo from September 14 to 17 as part of its 2025 International Training Voyage (VIEX 2025). This tall ship is touring several continents, promoting naval education, cultural exchange, tourism, and maritime diplomacy.

History

The B.A.P. Unión was designed by CYPSA, a Galician naval engineering firm based in Vigo, and built at the SIMA shipyards in Callao, Peru, between 2012 and 2015.

It is a four-masted barque-type sailing vessel, approximately 115.7 meters long and 13.5 meters wide.

The ship carries 34 sails covering a surface of 3,402 square meters, and can reach speeds of up to 12 knots under sail.

In addition to training cadets from Peru’s Naval Academy, the ship also serves as a floating embassy, showcasing Peruvian culture and products and facilitating diplomatic engagement abroad. Aboard the ship are 227 sailors, including 71 cadets who are currently in their third year at the Peruvian Naval Academy.

Vigo Visit

Sunday, September 14 to Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Free of charge

Day Visiting Hours
Sunday 14 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Monday 15 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tuesday 16 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday 17 From 9:00 AM until departure .

Admission is completely free during the ship's stay in Vigo.

Inside the ship, visitors will find the "Casa Perú" cultural space, showcasing Peruvian crafts, textiles, gastronomy, and other products. Some items will be available for purchase.

Events and Cultural Activities

The "Casa Perú" exhibition on board will feature traditional products, tastings, and cultural displays.

On Sunday, September 14, there will be Peruvian folk dance performances on the dock at 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

A tribute ceremony will be held at the O Berbés dock honoring missing Peruvian and Spanish fishermen, including those lost in the Villa de Pitanxo tragedy.