The chief of the Balearic Islands' bureau of consumer affairs, Xisco Dalmau, met today before members of Formentera's rental car sector to lay out a campaign championing consumers' rights when they hire cars. He described the push —an initiative fronted by Dalmau's office— at a gathering of local business and community leaders known as the “Council of Entities” (Consell d'Entitats). Alejandra Ferrer and Rafael González are the heads of Formentera's tourism and mobility offices, two branches of local government that are also pushing the campaign. They too attended today's event.

Dalmau framed the initiative as a way to “raise awareness about the rights of consumers and other individuals linked to the rent-a-car sector”. He also touted another of his office's goals: a code of best practises for the sector, something he described as “a seal of excellence for businesses that meet the requirements of the code”. Councillor Ferrer hopes the code can be adapted to Formentera's philosophy, and that it can be done with help from the rental car business community. In her words, the code will protect local enterprises in a number of ways, for one, “by ensuring optimal conditions and taking aim at unfair competition”.

Alejandra Ferrer, the trade and tourism councillor of the Formentera Council, reported earlier today on the details of 2016 Formentera Catwalk, a fashion runway show that will take over plaça d'Europa in Es Pujols this Friday at 10.00pm. Also present at the morning press conference were the local designers whose work will be on display at the event.

In the words of Councillor Ferrer, the show will be the chance for participating designers “to transport audiences straight to the countryside, sea and sky of the islands.” She added, “here's hoping that all the locals and tourists who attend enjoy the ride”. To Ferrer, fashion is always an expression of culture. The fact that the designs at Formentera Catwalk will carry the special stamp of the place they were created, Ferrer says, means the island is sure to be firmly in the spotlight at Friday night's runway show.

This is the event's ninth year, and the decision to host it in Es Pujols was based both on ample space available at plaça d'Europa and the possibility it provided for a minimal environmental footprint. With a long history under her belt as presenter for local television station TEF, Nuria Arias is a shoe-in in her role as emcee.

Said Ferrer, “the Council is thrilled to put on Formentera Catwalk because it's an opportunity to showcase the fabulous work done by our local textile workers and designers.” This year's show will include Te Doy la Luna (children's ware), Ibimoda (guest designer), Macramé, Eva Cardona, Vanitaly, B-7&Acho, Kavra Formentera, Alena Tur Torres (a young Formentera native who will use the evening to exhibit her end of term project), Elena Hurtado (OBI), Ur-Joies (jeweller) and Lorenzo Pepe (jeweller).

Sixteen professional models from Eivissa agency Deva Models will take on the task of presenting the designs. Featured products will include jewellery, wedding dresses and avant-garde creations inspired by the nature, sea and colours of the island. As always, everything is sure to dazzle first-time tourists and long-time local followers alike.

Councillor Ferrer was sure to thank CiF staff and sponsors like Carbonicas Tur, Proauto Rent-a-car, Autos Isla Blanca, Hotel Blanco, Hotel Levante, Hotel Rosales and Hernan Raffo for their support.

Next Friday, June 10 at 9.30pm, the crew of El Forester will record the second half of the TV3 comedy programme locally on Sant Francesc's plaça de la Constitució. After several weeks spent interviewing Formentera residents, Quim Masferrer, one of Catalunya's beloved stand-up comedians, will share his recorded material with the island. Aimed at viewers in Catalunya, the evening promises to be a light-hearted testimonial about the charms of Formentera.

TV3 will broadcast the full episode —the final instalment of the show's fourth season— in July. Formentera's tourism board offered support by providing accommodation and board valued at 5,000 euros. El Foraster, normally recorded in Catalunya and designed to showcase the towns of the region, will close out this season with four special episodes: in Madrid, Mercabarna, Vall d'Hebron and Formentera.

Quim Masferrer is “the Foreigner,” a travelling comedian known for seeking out the regular folk of the Catalan countryside, and now he's turned up on our shores. Each programme finds Masferrer in a new town talking to new people, and everywhere he goes, he's faced with the same challenge: a stand-up routine before an audience of locals. The act will be tailor-made for Formenterencs, a light-hearted salute the whole island is invited to come watch.

Two arms of the Formentera Council —the Office of Local Holidays and the Office of Tourism— announced details today about the Formentera Jazz Festival of 2016. The music series, which turns two this year, will kick off its week-long run today at 4.00pm and push on through Sunday June 5. Councillor Susana Labrador, of the culture and holidays office, and Alejandra Ferrer, of tourism, sat for a press conference with the former Ojos de Brujo member Maxwell Wright, a Formentera native and chair of the Formentera Jazz Festival.

Festivalgoers this year get an extra day of music and activities for adults and kids alike, not to mention a full programme of films, part of a brand new initiative put together with the musical documentary fest In-Edit. But for the second year running, Formentera Jazz shines for its line-up of live jazz musicians, which includes Llessui, Jazzabell, Para Orbe, Mediando Collective, Tula Quartet, Román Filiu Quartet & The Beautiful Splendid Extra Quinteto and DJ Raver Jewish.

Activities
Things first get under way this afternoon at 4.00pm with a percussion workshop for adults in the Sant Francesc park Jardí de ses Eres. Then, at 7.00pm, the cinema will host a projection of the musical documentary Let's get lost Chet Baker. The real opening party, though, will get rolling back at the Jardí de ses Eres at 9.30pm with an evening of Jazz Lounge.

The activities pick up again Friday at 4.00pm, first with a adults workshop of contemporary dance in Jardí de ses Eres and then —at 7.00pm in the cinema— with a projection of a musical documentary entitled San Andreu Jazz Band. Starting at 9.30pm on the main stage at Sant Francesc's plaça de la Constitució, there will be performances by Mediant Collective, followed by Jazzbell at 11.00pm and Llessui Trío at 00.30am.

Saturday at 4.00pm, a singing and percussion workshop is scheduled for kids in Jardí de ses Eres. Later, at 7.00pm, the cinema crew will host another screening, this time of the musical documentary The three sides dream Rahssan Roland Kirk. Once again, the evening's musical performances happen on the main stage, with Tula Cuarteto at 9.30pm, Roman Filiu Quartet at 11.00, Papa Orbe y The Beautiful Splendid Extra Quinteto at 00.30am and DJ Raver Jewish closing the set with a show at 2.00am.

Closing party
The final day of the Formentera Jazz Festival, Sunday, will include an evening jam session in Blue Bar. The Formentera Council provides logistical support, musician accommodation and 10,000 euros in funding for the festival, a destination for tourists and residents alike. Tickets to documentary screenings are five euros and the rest of the festival activities are free.