The Euro Weekly News Gala Concert was a fitting tribute to a year when, under the editorship of Alfredo Bloy, the newspaper with a print run of 548,000 copies, was recognised as ‘Company of the Year.
There were several hundred guests attending the El Valparaiso Restaurant. This splendiferous Mijas Pueblo watering hole was favoured by such as the Queen Mother and Luciano Pavorotti, both sadly deceased. It was a fitting venue for a much looked forward to event.
In my element I was surrounded by media types and in particular sharing a table with inky-finger stalwarts such as Harvey Mann, former Associate Editor of the Daily Mail. As the awards were announced and presented much of it was background to table-talk. There is much more to newspaper publishing than mere journalists and columnists of which there are in total over twenty. How strange to hear one’s name over the audio anarchy of a gala such as this.
When something like that happens emotional sensitivities are breached. I won’t list them all but needless to say it was a very proud and emotional moment. I am not short of testimonials but this was my first tangible award.
I was proud for me; my mum and dad who I wished could have been there for without their encouragement I wouldn’t have been there either. I had also to thank others who weren’t there; family and friends from the four corners of the earth. They always believed in me and encouraged me by complimenting me on my gift of writing. I had also my wonderful friend, Inge Rinkhoff who was my arm-candy for the evening. Here are a few of the comments that followed the award.
‘Congratulations! This is great and definitely well-deserved!’ - Christin Marks. News Anchor & Producer; the Jeff Santos Show. AM 1510 Revolution Radio Boston and Miami.
‘Congrats on your award. Well deserved for sure.’ – Greg Schellhammer. Marbella University.
‘I am so glad to hear good news. Actually it sounds even excellent!’ - Zane Rosenberga, Riga. Latvia.
‘Hi Mike. Many congratulations on your award. Your autograph please.’ - Andrew Byne. Membership Quality Assessment. Guild of Master Craftsmen.
‘Oh Michael, This is so great!Mymost sincerecongratulations! Iamsure youhad a fantasticeveningandwhat a wonderfulpicture of youand your socharmingcompanionat your side.Oh Iam verygladfor you! Bravissimo !’ – Margriet Buchberger. International Soprano.
‘Congratulations!!!!’ – Svetlana Deon; internationally acclaimed Russian ballerina.
‘OMG!!!!!!! YOU GOT AWARDED!!! I am so proud of you, Michael. Madonna Mia you are so talented! Oh please save a copy of that magazine for me.’ – Inga Barisa. Riga Local Government, Latvia.
‘Michael, my dear, I'm so glad, happy and so proud of you but who else if not you? You are a wonderful journalist. No two ways about it. I told you that you are the best.’ - Yvette Kalnina. Russia.
‘Congratulations Mike, you are a very talented writer and unlike some columnist for other papers, you are constructive and actually cover real issues either main or from the sideline...well done.’ – Rashpal Singh. Songwriter and Performer
‘I Had to respond quickly because C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S! What a star. It must feel great to be a winner and by Jove you are one.’ – Authoress Colette Smith. Spain
‘Dear Michael, OUR SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS! We are so pleased for you.’ – Inese and Janis Bertulis, Valmiera, Latvia.