Earlier today, the cultural arm of the Consell de Formentera unveiled the performing and musical arts filling out the L’Illa a Escena programme in early 2020. Culture chief Susana Labrador pointed out that, from 25 January to 25 April, “everyone from rug rats to old-timers will get their chance to bone up on culture, as Formentera welcomes eight productions on a spectrum stretching from the theatrical to the symphonic”.

Starting things off at 8.30pm on Saturday 25 January in the cinema is “Cantos de paz y guerra”, an evening of lyricism and choreography devised to bring the best of classical music from mainland Spain. The songs speak to a continent at war, girls and excitement, love and heartbreak. The era may have changed, but this journey across the decades takes us to a place that is still so real. Tickets for the 50-minute performance are priced at €7 for the general public and €5 for viewers under 18.

February
The programme picks up again at 8.30pm on 1 February with a performance in the cinema from Marina Rossell. Part of the Barnasants concert series, Cançons de resistència, or “Songs of resistance”, is living testament to the fact that one of Catalunya’s sweetest voices is far from finished, as Rossell executes a pivot that finds her focusing on songs of struggle. After blockbuster hits and homages to friend and object of admiration Georges Moustaki, Marina Rossell revisits songs that shaped history, and does it as if singing about just one landscape, a single moment in time. The show runs 90 minutes and admission is free.

The programme continues on 15 February with another 8.30pm production in the cinema. “Rostoll cremat” mixes the poetic direction of Oriol Broggi with social justice, irony, humour, truth and doubt in a new original text from Toni Gomila. The allegory of human ambition and greed in modern-day Mallorca is a co-production of Barcelona’s El Grec 2019, Palma’s Teatre Principal and Produccions de Ferro. Admission to the 110-minute show costs €7 for the general public (€5 for viewers under 18).

The programme returns a week later, as the fourth “Cantada pagesa” takes up in the cinema under this year’s banner, Across the generations. Backed by the Traditional Music section of Formentera’s School of Music and Dance, the 100-minute and free-to-attend celebration of traditional hometown song brings together fledgling singers and seasoned crooners.

March
In March the show goes on, commemorating International Women’s Day on the 7th with an 8.30pm performance in the cinema from “Les Kol·lontai”. Sílvia Comes, Meritxell Gené and Ivette Nadal are a collective of female singer-songwriters whose songs stand as feminist hymns to liberty and equality. Since 2017 they’ve performed in Catalan-speaking lands in promotion of their album Cançons Violeta. Admission at the 90-minute show is free.

In an early (6.00pm) show on 14 March, Clownómadas will treat cinema audiences to “Utopía” — the story of a clown who’s travelled the world for years in search of magic. The varied act includes live music, magic, juggling, illusion and —the performer’s innovative specialty— smoke charming. The family-friendly, all-ages production runs 50 minutes.

April
At 8.30pm on 4 April, cinema audiences will be treated to “La Zanja”. After nearly 20 years of on-stage experience, Theatre Titzina present an original work based on anthropological research and investigative journalism. Playwrights-directors-actors Pako Merino and Diego Lorca take a tragicomic look at the civilisational clash between Europe and America and reflect on the shared history of the two. The show runs 80 minutes and tickets cost €7 (€5 for viewers under 18).

L’Illa a Escena’s seasonal run in the cinema concludes on 25 April with another 6.00pm show, this time from Las Moskitas. “Ella balla” traces the true childhood story of choreographer-dancer Gillian Lyne, and the audience watches the lead as she overcomes difficulties (keeping still and quiet) to discover her true gift (dance). With a story that encourages young and old alike to listen to their heart, the show combines live music, movement and lyricism to create an on-stage ambiance that’s fresh and fun. This family-friendly production is for children aged 6 and up. Tickets for kids are priced at €5, and adults get in free.

Support for culture
L’Illa a Escena is made possible by Institut d’Estudis Baleàrics, and the Spanish Institute for the Performing and Musical Arts’s Platea programme in support of the performing arts.

17 January 2020
Department of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera government teamed up today with the small- and medium-sized business association, or Pimef, to deliver the first-prize in the campaign ‘Al Nadal Compra a Casa’ (This Christmas, Buy Local) to one lucky island shopper. Trade councillor Ana Juan and Pimef chief Lidia Álvarez gave Luigi Piacenzi his €200 gift card, with another card, valued at €100, promised to second-place winner Neus Marí Riera.

The new winter push means that the perks of buying local will continue in the months ahead. Islanders who spend money at participating businesses during the last week in January, February and March will be automatically entered to win a €50 gift card.

Purchases must be of €15 or more. The January drawing will be held the first week in February; the February drawing the first week in March; the March drawing the first week in April.

15 January 2020
Department of Communication
Consell de Formentera