Earlier today the Formentera Department of Culture and Education presented the activities bill for Sant Jordi 2021, with department chair Susana Labrador hailing the return of “a wide range of activities to bring literature and culture to our kids, teens and adults”.
Diada de Sant Jordi
The morning of the feast day of Sant Jordi, Friday 23 April, vending stalls will dot the central square in Sant Francesc and writer Vicent Ferrer Mayans will be on hand to sign copies of his book Carnatge l’últim Nibelung. Written between 2003 and 2006 and published recently by Lleonard Montaner, this dramatic work comes to life around a confluence of plots related to the violence of a contemporary war.
23 April also marks the release of the second issue of ADN, a local fanzine rising from the ashes in recent years to enter a new era of publication. The latest issue finds the usual cast of writers, cartoonists and creators welcoming new faces as they blaze ahead creating an expressive platform for regional talent and its devotees.
Project coordinator Vicent Ferrer and Miquel Costa, from ADN publishers Espai_F, will be on hand to present the fanzine 23 April as part of Sant Jordi 2021 celebrations in Plaça de la Constitució.
Youth programme
Activities for children and teens kick off at 5.00pm Friday 23 April with La veritable història del drac i la rosa (The true story of the dragon and the rose), a storytelling session in which Eva Lluch traces the origins of the Sant Jordi legend. Prehistoric women and men pinned creation of life on earth on an eminently powerful goddess from the sea. That was thousands of years ago. Over the aeons, the strength of the goddess would gradually come to be described as an evil that had to be fought. The feminine figure became a snake or dragon, and the tale grew to accommodate a god or hero who slew her. But though robbed of her story, the goddess and her force remained so awesome that, when killed, her blood left us with a parting rose.
Story time takes place in the courtyard of Centre Tur “Gabrielet” and reservations must be made before 10.00am on 22 April by contacting reserves@conselldeformentera.cat. Next day, an array of Sant Jordi-themed workshops will be held from 5.00pm at the Casal de Joves.
The programme continues on Saturday 24 April with a clown and magic show by Clownómadas. Utopía retraces the tale of a globetrotting clown whose longstanding mission has been to seek magic in all that surrounds him. The eclectic 50-minute production includes live music, magic, juggling, sleight of hand tricks, and show-stopping “smoke charming”.
Utopía is a family-friendly production and is appropriate for all ages. Sala de Cultura-Cinema, 6.00pm, Saturday 24 April. Reservations are required and can be made from today, Friday 16 April at www.entradesformentera.cat.
Concerts
Saturday 17 April, Formentera welcomes back musician Pau Riba as he commemorates 50 years since Jo, la Donya i el gripau was recorded here on the island. Over a decade since his last Formentera show, Riba returns, this time under the aegis of Barnasants, and ready to dazzle crowds with his poetic universe. Old-time favourites and, in these times of pandemic, reconciliation with the natural world are expected. The concert is part of the Barnasants cultural initiative and will take place at 8.00pm in the Sala de Cultura-Cinema. Tickets are already sold out.
Sunday 25 April, local trio Imaràntia will play in support their Formentera-inspired sophomore effort, which they say strives for emotional resonance while firmly resolved not to sacrifice one drop of spirit. 4 de Copes founder Maria José Cardona started Imaràntia as a duo with producer/musician Miquel Brunet. The two released Imaràntia on Ona Edicions in 2013, and recent performances find them disseminating the island spirit with help from violinist and percussionist Eduard Riera. The show starts at 8.00pm in the Sala de Cultura-Cinema. Reservations are required and can be made from today, Friday 16 April at www.entradesformentera.cat.
Exhibition
From Friday 23 April until Tuesday 27 April, with a Sunday break in between, Centre Antoni Tur “Gabrielet” will host a show of entries from the yearly Antoni Tur “Gabrielet” bookmark design contest, which turns 21 this year. The exhibition can be visited 10.00am to 1.00pm and 5.00pm to 7.00pm.
Book launches
At 8.00pm on Friday 30 April, Eva Tur will present her book Planeta tigre to crowds at Centre Antoni Tur “Gabrielet”. The event is organised by the Formentera chapter of Obra Cultural Balear.
16 April 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera
The Formentera Department of Culture reports that 
12 to 14 April, the Formentera fire brigade invited specialist firm Emergency Staff to train firefighters to respond in traffic accidents.
Members of the Consell de Formentera maintenance brigade are performing repairs on the wall of the old Sant Francesc cemetery, el Fossar Vell. The island’s services and heritage departments teamed up to plan the repairs, which will see traditional materials like lime mortar applied to several parts of the wall. Similar upkeep and repairs will be performed in the days ahead at other local heritage sites.