News

‘Protect Formentera, for you and for everyone!’ dresses for winter

Wednesday, 02 December 2020 11:57

cartell 2020 protegeix formentera The president’s office of the Consell de Formentera reports that a wintertime makeover has been given to the summer push reminding islanders and tourists of safety measures to stem the spread of Covid-19 and protect each other.

Currently appearing across social media, the updated “Protect Formentera, for you and for everyone!” finds the campaign’s protagonists dawning winter attire as they act out central tenets of coronavirus prevention like mandatory masks, social distancing and frequent hand washing.

President Ferrer pointed to the long weekend 3-6 December and Christmas holidays on the horizon as she pleaded with the island’s residents and visitors to keep their guards up, insisting “if we forget the rules of Covid-19 safety, today’s very reassuring outlook could get bad quickly and put the whole island at risk”.

Free PCR testing
With the long weekend set to start tomorrow and celebrations planned in Sant Francesc, Ferrer asked arriving visitors to “make the visit safe” by submitting to a free PCR screening. Interested parties should call the Govern balear’s Infocovid service at 900.100.971 to schedule an appointment.

2 December 2020
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

Covid-safe Christmas programme has something for everyone

Wednesday, 02 December 2020 11:52

foto 2020 festes Nadal 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

Formentera unveils data observatory

Monday, 30 November 2020 16:37

foto 2020 observatori dades Consell de Formentera president Alejandra Ferrer was joined today by Formentera Tourism Department marketing chief Carlos Bernús, department liaison Catalina Ramis and staffer Luz Márquez for a presentation of the Formentera Data Observatory (Observatori de Dades de Formentera/ODF). “As a source of disaggregated local data, the ODF will help us make better informed decisions as we move toward sustainability”, said the president.

The ODF website offers eight visions of Formentera-related information — Society and Demographics; Tourism; Environment; Transport; Mobility and Accessibility; Economy; Social Welfare and Islander Experience; Culture, Heritage, Education and Sport— which in turn lead visitors to a multitude of increasingly specific resources.

“Until now our data, particularly with regard to tourism and the economy, was aggregated with Eivissa’s. We need that information to be Formentera-specific, not only as they concern these two subjects, but across the board. To be able to enhance the destination we offer tourists and enhance islander satisfaction, the view must be holistic and include islanders’ perspective as well”, said President Ferrer.

Department liaison Catalina Ramis explained how visitors will be able to use the site to access information, graphics and maps and filter search results by keyword. In the days ahead local government will also unveil ODF’s unprecedented “tourist satisfaction barometer”.

Islander satisfaction barometer
Assimilation of new data from the various arms of the Consell de Formentera and other sources into ODF’s dynamic system will be ongoing. And, to assist in development of ODF’s gauge of islander satisfaction, distinct departments of the Consell will highlight areas of future study —the woven baskets Formentera residents have traditionally used to carry their shopping, for instance— that can further enrich understanding of topics like society, the economy and the environment.

30 November 2020
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

In 2020, Formenterers Solidaris honoured with Balearic Islands’ Savina award for volunteer work

Tuesday, 01 December 2020 17:52

foto premi savina 2 Formenterers Solidaris received the regional government’s Savina Award in a ceremony this morning that included Consell premiere Alejandra Ferrer, social welfare councillor Rafael Ramírez and director of the regional office of participation and volunteering Maria Amengual.

The “premi Savina” focuses on the group’s ‘Food assistance’ programme — an initiative giving basic food and hygiene items to families who are struggling financially. In a combined effort between Formenterers Solidaris and the Formentera Social Welfare Department, volunteers purchase food and pick up donations; the items are then transported to the Sant Ferran church where they are packed and delivered to individuals receiving FSWD support. A fully volunteer-run association, Formenterers Solidaris started in 2007 with the aim of helping the island’s most needy.

In a ceremony that was presided over by President Ferrer, Formenterers Solidaris secretary Teresa Costa accepted the prize on behalf of the non-profit, highlighting hard work as a defining feature of FS’s corps of volunteers. “This is a machine that works thanks to the efforts of each and every individual who participates”, said Costa, “there are no names here — just people who get results when their strengths are united”. “We’d be thrilled if Formenterers Solidaris disappeared tomorrow because it was no longer needed”, she mused, underscoring support from the Consell and Govern as essential to the Formenterers Solidaris operation.

“Super-human efforts have been Formenterers Solidaris’ stock in trade ever since we got started”, the Consell premiere asserted. “These are people who put the needs of others before their own.” Ferrer praised the group’s work during the application of emergency orders, and promised the unending support of local government in carrying out the group’s mission.

Councillor Ramírez, for his part, said the day was about “rewarding the spirit and personal commitment” of volunteers, who he affirmed “generously volunteer their time and resources to make life easier for others”. He underlined coordination with FSWD and voiced his hopes that “volunteers’ guiding spirit finds worthy vessels in all of us”.

According to the Balearic participation and volunteer director, “Formentera’s volunteer associations deserve applause for their efforts to make the island a place to be proud of. Formentera is a place where cooperation and teamwork come before all else”. “I admire your great ability to make a common cause out of the collective”, she said.

Part of the Balearic Islands’ 2020 Regional Volunteer Awards, prizes for volunteer work are designed to offer support and recognition for grassroots participation in the local community. Stewarded by hometown associations, such initiatives seek to leverage the efforts of volunteers to address blind spots in systems of social support and healthcare. The award comes with a cash prize of €3,000.

1 December 2020
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

This winter, Consell to contract 27 of island’s jobless through Reactiva programme of Balearic jobseekers’ office

Monday, 30 November 2020 13:44

cartell 2020 oferta xii The Formentera Entrepreneurism and Local Development Department reports that this winter local government will contract 27 unemployed islanders as part of the Reactiva programme of the Balearic Islands’ Employment Office (SOIB). The four-month programme entails plans for two separate rounds of recruitment.

The initial round of 16 contracts is expected to start in December, with the second segment of workers to begin during the month of February. Aspiring candidates should visit this link to the SOIB website between Tuesday and Thursday (1—3 December) to register and indicate interest in an offer.

In the words of Ana Juan, Formentera’s deputy premiere and entrepreneurism councillor, the initiative “aims to get unemployed islanders back to work. We hope it will be a big help for residents whose professional prospects this summer were dashed by Covid-19”. “We hope this joint SOIB-Consell initiative provides relief to Formenterencs feeling the sting of unemployment, especially the under-30s and people who have been without work for a significant period of time”.

First-round offers:
-6 administrative assistants (unemployed under-30s registered on Spain’s Youth Guarantee System [SNGJ])
-3 cleaners (long-term unemployed over-30s)
-4 information assistants and 3 brigade members (over-30s whose SOIB jobless status dates back at least three months, or furloughed workers)

Promoted by the SOIB with additional funding from the European Social Fund’s 2014-2020 Operational Programme for Youth and Regional Employment, Spain’s central government and the Sustainable Tourism Impulse Fund (ITS), the €225,810 initiative is part of an emergency programme announced last week that will see Formentera receiving investments of €470,000 between this year and next to the direct benefit of 175 individuals.