Upcoming Presentation of Almoraima's Latest Issue
On April 16, 2026, at 19:30, the Mancomunidad de Municipios del Campo de Gibraltar will host the presentation of the 64th issue of Almoraima, the biannual journal published by the Instituto de Estudios Campogibraltareños (IECG). This event will bring together researchers, contributors, and members from various sections of the institute to celebrate a publication that has served as an essential reference for nearly four decades in understanding the history, art, and identity of the Gibraltar Strait.
Since its inaugural zero edition during the Christmas season of 1988, Almoraima has consistently delivered its content to readers, making it one of the few local publications with such an uninterrupted track record. Its influence has extended beyond local borders, earning recognition in the academic and cultural landscape of Andalusia. Operating on a non-profit basis, Almoraima combines scientific rigor with a profound love for the region, maintaining a clear mission: to disseminate research pertaining to the Strait.
New Developments and Geopolitical Insights
The 64th issue is particularly notable for the significant milestone of transitioning to the Open Journal System, a premier editorial management platform in academia. This transition has not been without challenges, as acknowledged by the journal's director, Ángel J. Sáez Rodríguez, who noted the months of testing and adjustments made possible by the dedication and professionalism of authors, reviewers, proofreaders, designers, layout artists, and the entire editorial team. The ultimate goal of this effort is to apply for academic indexing in the coming months, which would mark a new phase in the journal's scientific projection.
The opening editorial of this issue, titled "Greenland in the Strait," draws a direct connection between U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats regarding the Danish island and the potential implications for Spain within the new international order. The argument presented is unsettling: if Washington can lay claim to Greenland based on geographical proximity, similar principles could potentially justify Morocco's claims over Ceuta, Melilla, the Spanish enclaves in North Africa, and the Canary Islands, which Rabat frequently refers to as "occupied."
Furthermore, Almoraima’s director warns that the current discord between Madrid and Washington, Morocco's strategic alignment with U.S. and Israeli interests, and the uncertainty surrounding NATO's Article 5 coverage for Spain's North African territories compound the situation. In this context, it is conceivable that the United States might consider replacing Spain with Morocco as its preferred ally in the region, a maneuver that could even involve relocating the naval base from Rota to Tangier.
The editorial does not shy away from historical references—from McKinley's ultimatum to Spain in 1898 to Austria-Hungary's ultimatum to Serbia in 1914—to argue that the world is approaching a point of no return, where the old certainties of the Atlantic order have been obliterated.
Apart from the geopolitical reflections provided in the editorial, the 64th edition of Almoraima features a wealth of research articles spanning centuries of Campo de Gibraltar history. Noteworthy contributions include a historiographical review of the destruction of medieval Algeciras from 1369 to 1382 by Manuel López; Agustín de Villar's captivating study of Soviet maps of the Strait area during the Cold War; and José Beneroso’s exploration of fishing practices in Spanish Gibraltar during the 16th century, particularly during Lent and Carnival.
This issue also touches on various topics such as the history of water in Los Barrios during the 18th century, the military capabilities of Castellar de la Frontera at the end of the War of Independence, a brief history of Gibraltar penned in 1707 by the last Spanish priest of the Rock, and the commercial relations between Gibraltar and Málaga in the 19th century. Additional subjects include emigration from Gibraltar to America between 1900 and 1920, a profile of a Jimena pharmacist who suffered from internal exile during Franco's regime, and an analysis of a German sabotage agent in La Línea de la Concepción serving the Abwehr during World War II.
Creative and literary sections feature the sculptural works of Sylvain Marc and a selection of poems by Manuel Jesús Garnica. The heritage section is represented by studies on the historical sewerage system of Tarifa, the castle of Sabinillas, and the origins of the oratory of Our Lady of Europe in Algeciras during the 17th century.
The upcoming presentation promises to be, as with every release of Almoraima, an unmissable event for those who believe that the history of Campo de Gibraltar deserves to be told with accuracy, passion, and continuity.
As reported by europasur.es.
