After the third edition of COLLECTIVE SIGNATURES on Formentera, the independent curator Francesca Carol Rolla presents, in conjunction with the cultural association Sa Casa, a new collaborative project, #FREEDOM A NEW HUMAN MANIFESTO. COLLECTIVE SIGNATURES marries with ONE-MAN—THE LIBERATION PROJECT by African-American activist Preach R Sun, while consolidating the collaboration with Manolo Oya of Trampolí Mecànic; with the support from the Consell Insular de Formentera and Ràdio Illa Formentera.

#FREEDOM A NEW HUMAN MANIFESTO takes on a direction marked by cultural and social activism, as immediate response to the urgency of raising awareness regarding all forms of individual and systemic oppression, inequality and injustice. The project takes on the challenge of putting art at the service of society, carrying out social activities oriented towards the search for a better humanity.

#FREEDOM THE NEW HUMAN MANIFESTO is divided into four stations that take place from December 2020 to February 2021 on the island of Formentera (ES).

The first station, serving as both prelude and finale to the subsequent second station, consists of the publication of an SOS, inviting the community of Formentera and the international public to openly share thoughts, considerations, experiences, frustrations and fears related to the current crisis of humanity. These testimonies will essentially culminate in the second station via the presentation of a radio marathon at Ràdio Illa Formentera 107.9 FM of readings, lectures and gatherings, on 30 January 2021. The second station is a three-day programme of conferences and round table discussions with local and international guests, to address and shed light on issues of injustice and oppression as they exist on the island of Formentera. This station will take place 21-23 January. The third station is based on an immersive research workshop and performative actions, tutored by Francesca Carol Rolla and Preach R Sun, on 12-14 February (first part) and 19-21 February 2021 (second part). The fourth and last station consists of the public presentation of the results of the work, through individual and collective performative proposals, in the public space of Formentera, 26-28 February 2021.

Through new technologies, social networks, and the virtual participation of international guests, the project launches its SOS from the island of Formentera, to expand and communicate beyond its borders, to the national and international audience.

The focus of #FREEDOM A NEW HUMAN MANIFESTO is directed towards the human capacity to develop new possibilities of language and communication, to activate a process of self-emancipation, and engage in a collective commitment towards freedom and liberation.

All activities are free.

The project respects all the security measures for the prevention against the spread of Covid-19, and complies with the regulations established in this regard.

NEWHUMANMANIFESTO@GMAIL.COM

11 December 2020
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Culture and Holidays Department reports that Saturday 12 December will feature a performance by musical group La 22 in the Sa Senieta festival tent in Sant Francesc. Tickets for the 8.00pm show can be booked by sending an email to reserves@conselldeformentera.cat, with 54-person capacity restriction and other safety measures like assigned seating, no food or drinks and mandatory masks in place too.

Councillor Susana Labrador reminded islanders that this Christmas season would be different. “It’s important we enjoy these celebrations, but Covid-19 protocol are non-negotiable”, she insisted. The culture and holidays councillor tied the programme to one of her department’s pandemic-era priorities: “Supporting hometown musicians and artists”.

La 22
La 22 (full name “La 22 Formentera”) have been known for Latin rhythms ever since trombone player José Guzmán started the group in the summer of 2010.

Steeped in musical influences ranging from quartet, cumbia and merengue to bachata and salsa, the group puts their unique imprint on the likes of Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz, Compay Segundo, Alejandra Sanz, Pink Floyd, Pablo Alborán, Gloria Gaynor, Juanes, Luis Miguel, Daft Punk, Jose Luis Perales and more.

After a handful of local gigs, the group quickly emerged as the revelation of summer 2012, building their name at traditional celebrations and venues across Eivissa and Formentera and, by 2015, cementing their status as the Balearic kings of Latin music.

Among the songs in the set at La 22’s 12 December performance will be songs off their latest effort, 2020’s Desde el Mediterráneo.

4 December 2020
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Culture Department reports that at 6.00pm this Wednesday 9 December, the “Ajuntament Vell” exhibition space will pull back the curtain on Formentera amb Formentera (Formentera with Formentera).

With the world amid Covid-19 pitched into crisis, a group of illustrators, designers and musicians, all of them living on the island or nurturing close local ties, put their heads together and produced a shared creation: a thank-you video from the Formentera hospital to all the residents, businesses and government agencies that had offered pandemic-era help to the care facility.

The 30-piece exhibit includes work from Guillem Marí, Jan Ribas, Juan Moreno, Max Mallol, Patrícia Gea, Paula Tikas, Pilar Mena, Raquel Caramazana, Vicent Ferrer and Víctor Escandell, and can be seen at the Sala d’Exposicions “Ajuntament Vell” from Monday to Saturday, 11.00am–2.00pm and 6.00pm–8.00pm. The gallery is closed Sundays and Monday mornings.

4 December 2020
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

Earlier today the Consell de Formentera unveiled the activities bill for the 2020-2021 Christmas holidays, a programme replete with options for young and old, including family-friendly entertainment, exhibitions, concerts and online activities all tailored to conjure the Yuletide spirit. Events have been adapted to accommodate Covid-19 safety measures.

Consell de Formentera president Alejandra Ferrer seized the opportunity to wish islanders a happy holiday season and share her special Christmas wish “that we take good care of ourselves and each other so we can uncover our smiles in 2021”, and called on islanders to enjoy the holidays and the special activities “without forgetting to heed safety measures”.

The holiday season gets going Thursday 3 December with the opening of the 2021 Christmas Market (Mercat Nadalenc). The marketplace will once again go up in Sant Francesc’s central plaza, Plaça de la Constitució, a location choice that aims, according to deputy premiere and commerce councillor Ana Juan, to “remind local shoppers to patronise hometown businesses as they set out in search of Christmas presents”. Juan pointed out that the six-stall market, set to open 3 December to 5 January, would feature five shacks dedicated to craftwares and a sixth for NGOs, but warned shoppers that Covid-19 restrictions prevent the sale of food and drinks.

“The Consell and its partner organisations put their heads together and came up with a holiday programme to share the magic of Christmas with young and old”, said culture and holidays councillor Susana Labrador, who told attendees to expect a full regime of safety measures in place. “Islanders’ collaboration and understanding will be key to enjoying this atypical holiday season”, said the councillor, adding that the programme was subject to the vicissitudes of the current epidemiological situation.

Kids’ activities
On Sunday 13 December, local youngsters will delight in the musical puppet-show Tina, la bruixa fina. Tina is a clever young witch keen to learn the secrets of her trade, an endeavour in which she will seek help from the older and wiser witch Tomassot. Tina, la bruixa fina starts at 6.00pm on Sunday 13 December. Advance reservations are required and may be booked until 10.00am, 11 December, at reserves@conselldeformentera.cat.

Kids will have special films lined up this holiday season, starting with Trolls 2: Gira mundial on Saturday and Sunday, 26-27 December. Details about another special screening the following week have not yet been announced.

Casal de Joves
On Friday 11 December, the local youth drop-in centre has put together a workshop where participants can make handcrafted Christmas decorations. The event takes place at 6.00pm in the Casal de Joves. At 5.30pm on Saturday 2 January, the centre will host their by now classic xocolatada.

Evenings of music
Since no Christmas is complete without music, Saturday 12 December will come with a performance by hometown band La 22 in the festival tent of the Sa Senieta car park. The show starts at 8.00pm and tickets must be booked in advance by emailing reserves@conselldeformentera.cat.

The tunes keep coming with the Consell de Formentera and Associació Formentera Musical’s Mostra de músics, two evenings of mood-setting mini-concerts by local acts like Pez Sonora+PerSonal, Emi Bueno, Yakari & Marie Connery quartet i Dj Gioele + DJ Clint Zero (from 6.00pm on Friday the 18th) and Bloco Colubraria, Erik Doornweerd i Óscar & Co, Sur and Foc i Fum (from 2.00pm on Sunday the 20th).

Holiday fun
On Saturday 19 December in the Sa Senieta festival tent, the Three Kings Association throw their eleventh birthday bash with children’s entertainment courtesy of Circo de Cachirulo, music by Joan Murenu i una colla de gent bona and El Nadal d’Imaràntia. Tickets to the events can be booked by sending a Whatsapp to 609.344.635.

At 7.00pm on Sunday the 20th, the Formentera cinema/Sala de Cultura will be the scene of Musicaldansa’s stage production of Ana de las tejas verdes, another Three Kings-hosted event requiring reservations via Whatsapp (609.344.635).

Father Christmas
This 2020 Saint Nick will still make his yearly stop on the island, but this time the visit will be virtual, so each and every child who wants to can get in on the Christmas magic. Showsibiza.com’s performance was filmed entirely on Formentera and will be available from 6.00pm on 21 December on the island’s YouTube channel.

Traditional activities
On Saturday 26 December, the Three Kings Association breath new life into an old traditional celebration, la Mitjana Festa de Nadal. Hosted in the Sa Senieta festival tent, the event includes Mass service and music from Pep “Botifarra” Gimeno, Dos pal sac and Aires Formenterencs.

Cap d’Any
On New Year’s Eve, the Consell will take to Spotify to share its AFM-curated holiday playlist, Cap d’Any a Formentera.

Three Kings of the East
The Consell and Three Kings are working hard to host the Three Kings of the East on a special Covid-safe visit. More information will be given in the days ahead.

Cultural programming
9 December is the start of the classic group Christmas exhibit. Amid the coronavirus crisis, a group of illustrators, designers and musicians, some living on the island, others with deep ties to it, put their heads together on a common creation: a thank-you video from the Formentera hospital to residents, businesses and government agencies that had offered pandemic-era help to the care facility.

The 30-piece exhibit includes work from ten creators and can be seen at the Sala d’Exposicions “Ajuntament Vell” from Monday to Saturday, 11.00am–2.00pm and 6.00pm–8.00pm, until 5 January 2021.

Shop window decoration contest
Every year the Eivissa-Formentera Chamber of Commerce and Consell de Formentera cultivate Christmas cheer in local shops with their shop window decoration contest. The contest turns 14 in 2020.

Additional support
The Consell wishes to thank the Three Kings, Institut d’Estudis Baleàrics, AFM and Sons Formentera for making the 2020 Christmas programme possible with their support.

2 December 2020
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera