25. May 2006  
Las Palmas / Gran Canaria  
Happy Gymnastics

A 50th Anniversary on the Spanish Island Gran Canaria...

Jesus Telo Nunez (ESP)
- the Canarians 'Father of Gymnastics'

In the days of May, Las Palmas (ESP) will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Las Palmas Sport Centre, a project brought to fruition through the imagination and pugnacity of its founder, Jesus Telo Nunez.
In 1956, Nunez opened the largest national training centre on the island, opening its doors to some thirty young gymnasts. All kinds of activities were practised from gymnastics to judo.
Today he and his son Jesus Telo jun. look behind a more than 45 years tradition of a unique "Festival with Heart", the BLUME FESTIVAL Gran Canaria, which will held to the 46th time at the end of 2006....

... in memory of Joaquim BLUME

The Centre in Las Palmas quickly took off and in the years that followed, it developed rapidly and acquired international fame.
Still, that wasn't enough for Jesus Telo. He had a something else in mind.
In 1959, he organised a large scale gymnastics event. A kind of Spanish Gymnaestrada!
It was a major event. He solicited the services and expertise of Catalan gymnast, Joaquin Blume, who was quick to accept. It was a hit from the beginning, a success so total that it surpassed even Telo's expectations.
...then tragedy struck: Joaquim perished in a plane accident and a dream came crashing down.
Joaquim Blume died, but his memory is alive to this day, for Jesus Telo didn't give up; he took up the torch and dedicated the event to the memory of his deceased friend.
The famous Blume Memorial was born.....!

The 2006 edition of "46th BLUME FESTIVAL Gran Canaria" will be held November 25 - December 8. Jesus Telo is still at the wheel, heading up one of the most prestigious events on the FIG General Gymnastics Calendar.
Source: fig & gymmedia