The Office of Culture of the Consell de Formentera presents the 15th Children's Entertainment Festival (Mostra d'Espectacles Infantils) that will bring to Formentera four shows between 12 and 14 January. The Mostra is organised by the Youth Theatre Network of the Balearic Islands (Sa Xerxa) and the Consell de Formentera. Last year's festival was also promoted as the 15th Mostra – a number which remains unchanged because the pandemic forced the event on hold.

In the words of Vanessa Parellada, acting councillor of culture, "the Mostra is about providing quality theatre and culture for local children and their families while supporting the cultural and performing arts industry."

Puppets, actors and live music all figure in the kick-off performance, L'Endrapasomnis, on Thursday 12 January. In the land of Bona Son, bad dreams are keeping Princess Dormissona up at night. Her parents, the kings, ruminate, sleep on it and ask for advice from doctors, herbalists and charlatans but find no remedy to cure what ails the little princess. Maybe the Endrapasomnis is the solution… This dreamlike and magical tale explores fear, the therapeutic value of stories and our tendency to look for far-off solutions when the answer sometimes lies within.

This 60-minute production, which is directed by theatre troupes Teatre al Detall and La Tresca i la Verdesca and geared toward school children, will take place in the Sala de Cultura (Cinema) at 10.00am and 12 noon.

On Friday 13 January, the show goes on with a musical performance and another stage production. The company La Tresca i la Verdesca, presents Concert with La Tresca and La Verdesca, an animated musical show with original songs and dances. This 40-minute production is for individuals at the Day Centre, where it starts at 11.00am.

Also on Friday, the next performance is for zero- to four-year-olds and is produced by Teatre al Detall. El Núvol Gris, Gras i Gros combines actors, objects and music and tells the story of a traveling cloud set on returning home and letting loose a good storm to water fields and clean streets. But it never rains to everyone's liking, and finding the right moment will be a challenge. This 25-minute play will take place at the Sant Ferran Reading Spot (Punt de Lectura) at 5.30pm. Admission is free.

Saturday 14 January, the Mostra ends with Estaquirot Teatre's colourful and lively L'Aventura d'Avorrir-se. In this puppet show, Rita is a little girl who has many toys but is always bored and doesn't know how to play alone. Then, one day at her grandma's house, Rita starts an adventure with a simple rubber duck that will take her on an imaginative journey into the world of colours, discovering surprising characters... This 50-minute show is recommended for all audiences and can be seen at the Sala de Cultura (Cinema) at 6.00pm.

Tickets
Saturday and Sunday performances cost €4. Tickets are available on entradesformentera.cat where information will be available from Wednesday 4 January. Admission is free for unemployed people and under-employed freelancers.

Sa Xerxa
The idea of culture as an fundamental right has been with Sa Xerxa for nearly twenty years and is the driving force behind its programming.

Sa Xerxa is a non-profit volunteer organisation of cultural dynamisers who use quality theatre to get children and youth participating in culture through the performing arts. They specialise in all-ages theatre to encourage quality shows in all corners of the region and strengthen the cultural industry by promoting activities and family theatre festivals on each one of the islands.

4 January 2023
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Culture of the Consell de Formentera, together with the Association of the Three Wise Men, is pleased to report that the Three Kings of the East will visit Formentera next Thursday 5 January. With the pages and royal retinue in tow, the men will tour the island's villages in decorated floats.

The cavalcade will set out from La Mola lighthouse at 5.15pm, heading down the main road to Plaça del Pilar, where they are scheduled to arrive at 5.30 pm.

Continuing their route, the Kings and company are due in Sant Ferran by 7.00pm. They will descend Carrer Joan Castelló Guasch first and Carrer Sant Jaume second, then dismount and continue on foot up to the church square.

After the Sant Ferran visit, the cortege will continue towards Sant Francesc, where they are scheduled to arrive at approximately 8.30pm. Gaining Sant Francesc via Carrer Jaume I, the convoy will head for Plaça de la Constitució, where Their Majesties will enter the church of Sant Francesc Xavier. From the church, they will make their way to the Consell de Formentera balcony, where they will be received by local authorities and greet the people of Formentera.

Local youngsters must wait till Sunday 6 January to get their gifts from the Three Kings. Presents will be handed out at Jardí de ses Eres after the 12 noon Epiphany Mass in the church of Sant Francesc Xavier.

Entertainment
The cavalcade of the Three Kings will also bring entertainment. "The Golden Fairy" will be on hand in the villages of La Mola and Sant Ferran to dance with children as they await the procession.

Ibiza-based company Del Blanco Producciones will present the crowd at Sant Francesc's Plaça de la Constitució with a theatre/dance performance called Megan... I les tres corones? During the show, the actors will interact with children and help the Three Wise Men find their crowns.

Once again the visit of the Reis Mags promises to fill Formentera with excitement and magic, and leave the people of the island with presents aplenty. The Consell de Formentera wishes to applaud the collaboration of all those who make Their Royal Majesties' visit possible: parishes of Formentera, volunteer groups, Association of the Three Kings, Trasmapi and Baleària shipping companies, Cooperativa del Camp and Association of Residents of La Mola.

29 December 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Language Advisory Service of the Consell de Formentera has presented the 2023 calendar, dedicated to the traditional country home of Formentera.

Past versions of the calendars have illuminated a range of topics, such as Catalan and Romance languages, common varieties of local figs, districts of the island, traditional farming tools and nautical gear and more. "This year's calendar reviews some characteristics of a traditional Formentera home, an essential part of our heritage", said Raquel Guasch, councillor of language policy.

Each month focuses on a particular element -from the arbor and chimney to rafters and the roof- of the traditional Formentera home. It also highlights various types of roofs. Flat-roofed homes are the oldest, tile-roofed constructions are more recent. A noteworthy fact is how, starting from the porch -the most important space- the construction grows based on needs and expands with other differentiated spaces called cases.

Two-thousand calendars have been printed and are available at the Citizen Information Office (OAC) and the entrance to the head offices of the Consell de Formentera.

28 December 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Youth of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that Diverespai will open its doors to children of the island from 27 December to 4 January. This magical world has taken shape at the IES Marc Ferrer sports centre and is completely free of charge. Diverespai will open from 10.30am to 1.30pm and 4.00pm to 8.00pm, 27 to 30 December and 2 to 4 January. It will be open 10.30am to 1.30pm on 31 December, and on 1 January it will be closed.

Many local kids have already had a go on the five bouncy castles tailored to various ages and tried their hand at traditional wooden games, Japanese billiards, mini golf and more.

Vanessa Parellada, councillor of youth, invited the island's youngsters to go see for themselves: "This is the first time Diverespai has been open during the Christmas school holiday, when children have more time to enjoy it, and without having to leave the island", she said.

27 December 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera