Jam-packed programme for Formentera's tribute to patron saint Jaume

Ballada pagesa santjaume2016 02 elena marcoThe Formentera Council's Office of Culture announced today its bill of activities to celebrate the island's patron saint, Sant Jaume. Commemoration runs July 18 to 29, with an assorted activities programme which culture, education and patrimony councillor Susana Labrador expects will “put locals and tourists in touch with traditional culture”. Referring to the day by its name in Catalan, Labrador highlighted “numerous performances to make sure absolutely everybody has a very happy Diada de Formentera”.

Cultural programming
Sant Francesc will slip on a festive veneer for the festivities. The programme kicks off Tuesday, June 18 with the opening of «Els pelegrins», an exhibition from Michel Mouffé at the municipal gallery and sa Tanca Vella. Later, in Jardí de ses Eres, the César-winning film Mañana/Demain will be shown as part of Cinema a la Fresca, an outdoor film series.

On Thursday, June 20, comes the final stage production of Espai_F's «Nautae». The show débuted June 3 as the final instalment of a trilogy that produced, in 2012, «Cap de Tortuga» followed by 2016's «Perdius».

Official ceremony
As in years past, the administration's official Diada celebration includes a salute to the evening's honourees. This year's is scheduled for July 24 at 8.30pm in the municipal cinema. For Councillor Labrador, “this year's ceremony is even more special” because it overlaps with the ten-year anniversary of the Formentera Council's constitution.

Activities for children and teens
On Monday afternoon, July 24, musical group The Penguins will put on a family-friendly show they're calling «Reggae per a xics» (Reggae for tots), channeling island influences as they rework old classics.

Children are invited to an afternoon of arts, crafts and fun with flowers called «Prepara’t per la Flower», on Wednesday, June 19, in the Marià Villangómez library. Then, on Saturday the 22nd, Jardí de ses Eres plays host to an ample array of activities tuned for children and teens. They'll feature creative, hands-on workshops, fitness activities and costume and make-up prep for the big Flower bash.

This year, young music fans have got something brand new to look forward to as Rap Culture presents Nit de Rap, an evening of hip-hop in Sant Francesc's plaça de la Constitució. Dual Tod, Fabian, d'Versus and Juan Vidal perform.

Speaking about this year's Sant Jaume commemorations, Labrador underscored the role of input from young people at the youth council's most recent plenary session.

Sports activities
It wouldn't be a patron saint celebration without sports on the bill, which is why from July 21 to 23, Formentera will host a tennis and paddle tennis tournament and, later that week, a demo from children in the island's summer synchronised swimming programme.

Music and concerts (July 22-25)
Every year Sant Jaume celebrations get their dose of music and this year's are no different. Labrador beamed about a special Sunday night edition of Jazz in the Square, encouraging concertgoers to “start getting excited about guitarist Josep Munar and singer/saxophonist Eva Fernández”. The latter is an up-and-comer on the Catalan jazz scene recognised for her work in multi-instrumentalist Joan Chamorro's Sant Andreu Jazz Band. Saturday, July 22, is time for the talked-about Flower Formentera. Crowds on Monday will enjoy the strings and brass arrangements of the symphonic Brossa Quartet layered over Mallorca-bred Maika Makowski's magnetic vocals. Old champions of alternative and psychedelic pop, Sidonie,come next, followed by the Jamaican-inflected rhythms of The Penguins Band.

For the commemoration's centrepiece, la Nit (“the eve”) of Sant Jaume, tourists and residents will be treated to the hometown sounds of Pityusic neighbours Ressonadors, the project of Eivissa-natives Joan Barbé and Omar Gisbert. Then, back on stage to celebrate 25 years making music, it's the Formentera pop-rock outfit Spioks. Wrapping things up are Blues Mafia i es Saligardos, whose sound draws on the influences of the Blues Brothers Band.

Councillor Labrador thanked sponsors Trasmapi for supporting the Sant Jaume festivities as a launchpad for local cultural programming. This year, the company is offering festivalgoers discounts on trips to the island. Riders should indicate their plans to attend Sant Jaume events when purchasing their ferry tickets.

Organising the Sant Jaume festivities costs €50,000.