In a town that is world famous for its glitz, glamour and celebrity patrons, it’s rare that yet another social event in Marbella’s busy calendar really stands out against the rest. The Starlite Festival Gala V managed to do just that though, and despite its healthy attendance of socialites, dignitaries and famous faces, the Starlight Festival is not simply yet another A-List night out.
It would be disingenuous to presume that this is just another night for the privileged to don a fancy frock, as there is so much more to the concept of this extraordinary music festival. Its importance is evident in what actually goes on behind the scenes when the hype and buzz have died down after the event.
This year’s Gala drew crowds of high-profile celebrities from across the globe and firmly established itself as one of Europe’s most significant social and cultural events. Award winners included La Gala Cruz Roja de Zurich, Agatha Ruiz de La Prada, Paco Arango, Sergio Scariollo, Pablo Ibañez (El Hombre de Negro), Enrique Ponce, and La Baronesa Thyssen. One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Starlite Gala 2014 Honorary Award, which went to the ever lovely Mia Farrow (renowned actress and ex-wife of household names Frank Sinatra and Woody Allen). Farrow was being recognised for her tireless, hands-on work as Ambassador for UNICEF. The presentation of the 2014 Humanitarian Starlite Gala Award went to Mexican business mogul, Carlos Slim, who is currently worth almost €80 billion and rated the World’s richest man.
Both award winners were celebrated for their extensive fund and awareness-raising work rather than just for their financial of celebrity status. Both invest tirelessly into positively changing the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalised victims or war, famine and disease around the world, and their work allows essential voluntary organisations such as UNICEF and the United Nations Development Programme to keep going in their mission to provide better education, health care, protection and shelter to those in need.
Antonio Banderas, who is also renowned for his on-going charitable work, hosted the evening and highlighting theimportance of helping those who are disadvantaged and impoverished. As well as being an International Ambassador for UNICEF, Banderas collaborates with philanthropic foundations, academic research institutions and civil society organisations in order to raise awareness and support for those most in need around the world. Always with his homeland close to heart, he also works closely with UMA, Caritas, Niños en Alegria (Happy Children), Cudeca, Mejores Amigos (Best Buddies), Lagrimas y Favores (Tears and Favours), Malaga University, Marbella Food Bank and Intheos.
While many onlookers would simply assume that anyone with Movie Star status is shallow and self-absorbed, Banderas is instead an inspiring embodiment of visible humility. At the Starlite Festival Gala V he showed just how down-to-earth and easy-to-approach he is as he made his way patiently down the line of eagerly awaiting press, speaking at length to them about his work and how the Starlite Festival provides a means of providing much needed funding to fantastic causes.
Both he and Mia Farrow signed the first-off-the-production-line brand new Ford Mondeo 2014 models, whose lucky owners will inherit the signatures with their purchase. Banderas sad that the work he does for those in need is made significantly more possible thanks to the support of companies like Ford, who provide on-going and substantial funding. Without these vital donations it would be much harder to produce incredible results that change the lives of less fortunate people worldwide.
During her speech Farrow described Banderas as a “special, old friend” and joked about what a good kisser he was, adding with a wry grin that her heart always beat a little faster any time they met. We can definitely empathise. Talent, good looks and a heart of gold? Swoon!
Monday, 11 August 2014
