The Marbella City Council has announced a two-day period of official mourning for the renowned writer and Nobel Prize winner, Mario Vargas Llosa, who was an Adopted Son of the city since 2010. During this period, flags at all municipal buildings will be flown at half-mast in a sign of respect and mourning. Mayor Ángeles Muñoz expressed sorrow over the loss, stating that “today is a sad day for our municipality, to which he was closely linked, and for the literary world.” The mayor emphasized the deep connection Vargas Llosa had with Marbella, calling it his “place of inspiration and rest” and affirming that he was “undoubtedly one of our best ambassadors.”

Muñoz also extended her condolences to the writer’s family, lamenting this “irreparable loss.” She recalled Vargas Llosa’s active participation in the cultural and social life of the city, highlighting his “human quality and closeness,” as well as his “vast literary legacy and overflowing talent.” His recognition as Adopted Son was granted in August 2014, during an official event where the author expressed gratitude for the honor and showcased his love for Marbella, referring to it as a “secret paradise on the Costa del Sol.” Vargas Llosa stated that the Maritime Promenade was one of his favorite places, declaring it to be “one of the most beautiful places in the world.” The city unites in mourning, fondly remembering an intellectual who left an indelible mark on literature and in the Marbella community.