MARBELLA CLUB HOTEL
24 JULY 2010
Far beyond the boundaries of Marbella, our summer gala is considered the most brilliant social event of the year, but the 15th edition was simply sensational. Gradually, the 340 guests had gathered for the cocktail reception; some had traveled from New York, Iran, Russia, Arabia, Nepal and India to meet representatives of the European aristocracy including Ira von Fürstenberg, Gunilla von Bismarck, Beatriz de Orleans, the Duque de Sevilla and the Yugoslav royal couple; industrialists, artists, and many faces from the local society.
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The air around the Villa de Mar, the new venue for the Gala, was full of exotic scent of incense and cinnamon, and the light of countless candles made the stunning flower arrangements and garlands of flowers on the tables and the stage, even more romantic. This unique setting made everybody feel like spending a fairytale night in one of those wonderful, intimate Maharaja's gardens. The excellent gala dinner with Indian touch and the stunning saris, caftans and turbans worn by many guests just completed the experience.
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However, with all this beauty and harmony should not be forgotten, the real reason for the event. In compelling words our dear President, Princess Marie Louise of Prussia, reminded us of how important it was not to abandon the fight against AIDS, especially in times of crisis and in view of the fact that the pandemic is increasing, worldwide, at an alarming rate. She was extremely grateful for the high level of participation and the selfless support of many large companies and individuals, including Holland Flowers; Nevado Ecuador, Lepanto, Bodegas Lara, Juvé y Camps, Kiehl's, the German Klinik am Schloss and some leading hotels such as Kempinski, Villa Padierna, Don Carlos and Paradores Nacionales.
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With great pleasure the Princess asked four outstanding personalities on stage: Gary Kessler, founder of the famous Vienna Life Ball, Doña Carmen Lomana, who is well known from various TV shows, the German industrialist Peter Welsch-Lehmann who donated important amounts of money, and Dr. Yusuf Hamied, the largest drug manufacturer in India, who has been supplying thousands of HIV-infected people in the world with affordable AIDS drugs. For him, Concordia had prepared a very special birthday gift, as the popular Cuban singer Yanela Brooks sang for him a warm hearted Happy Birthday.
The most riveting surprise, however, were the eight breath-taking dancers, who carried the audience far off to the amazing world of Bollywood.
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