The Formentera Department of Culture wishes to announce the activities’ bill for the feast day of Sant Jaume (Saint James). “Local” is the watchword at Formentera’s patron saint festivities this year, with organisers vying to sidestep crowds by offering a programme of hometown artists and intimate performances on 25 July in Sant Francesc, La Mola, Es Caló, Sant Ferran and Es Pujols, and a day later in Sant Francesc and La Savina.

The starting shot goes out Tuesday 14 July, and the fun doesn’t stop until two weeks later, with a calendar of concerts, stage performances, exhibitions and kids’ entertainment. Culture consellera Susana Labrador said the crisis surrounding covid-19 guaranteed Sant Jaume 2020 would be a special one, telling islanders to expect intimate events with plenty of hometown acts, while acknowledging that certain traditional touches —such as ball pagès folk dancing— would be suspended in a bid to follow public health protocol.

Diada de Formentera
24 July will offer occasion for the local government’s official celebration of the Diada de Formentera in the Plaça de la Constitució, and this year, essential service workers are at the centre of attention. To comply with safety measures in light of the covid-19 crisis, capacity is limited and attendance by invitation only. The event will be livecast on the Consell de Formentera’s YouTube channel in an effort to ensure as many islanders can take part in the celebration as possible.

 At 8.00pm on 25 July, mass will be celebrated in the Sant Francesc church.

Cultural activities
The Sant Jaume programme kicks off Tuesday 14 July with TRES. Emerging from the dialogue between artists Enric Majoral and Jordi Sarrà and the island of Formentera, TRES is an effort years in the making based on friendship and mutual esteem. The exhibition is presented by Trampolí Mecànic, with support from the Consell de Formentera and curation by Manolo Oya.

For three weeks, two venues —the Sala d’Exposicions “Ajuntament Vell” and “Far de la Mola” Centre for Education and Culture— invite the public to visit two synchronous displays (visitors to the latter will have until autumn to make the trip).

Sala d’Exposicions “Ajuntament Vell” welcomes visitors from 7.00pm on Tuesday 14 July. “Far de la Mola” Centre for Education and Culture opens its doors to the public at 12 noon the next day.

On Tuesday 21 July, as part of Cinema a la Fresca, islanders can take in Charlie Chaplin’s classic silent film The Kid, with a live performance of the film’s soundtrack by pianist Jota Hidalgo. The show starts at 10.00pm in Jardí de ses Eres.

Kids’ programme
One returning act promising family fun are Els Xiula. With a blend of current sounds spanning hip-hop, reggae, Catalan rumba, dubstep and pop-rock, the musical outfit has revolutionised children’s entertainment by packaging a grown-up sound and tuned-in lyrics for young listeners.

The show happens in the patio of the secondary school (IES Marc Ferrer) at 7.30pm on 23 July.

Space is limited, so book your tickets early at reserves@conselldeformentera.cat and indicate the size of your party. Members of the same household only, please.

Music (25/26 July)
Aiming for something for everyone, organisers have lined up the following simultaneous concerts for 10.00pm on 25 July:

- At Plaça de la Constitució, Jazz a la Plaça welcomes special guests Muriel Grossmann & Soul Jazz Explosion. Based on Eivissa, Grossmann doesn’t just compose and play saxophone, she is the leader of the Soul Jazz Explosion.

- Aires Formenterencs offer a very special concert in the patio of Sa Senieta. Pairing traditional instruments like castanets, drums, flutes and espasins with more modern ones, the hometown act forges a sound all its own.

Space is limited, so book tickets in advance at reserves@conselldeformentera.cat.

The crowd in Sant Ferran’s Plaça de l’Església can catch Kelly Neuenschwander, Ekki Hoffmann, Isaac Robles and Paul Castejon performing as Jam Factory. The group peddles good old acoustic rock, pop and blues.

From Nirvana and Foo Fighters to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the repertoire of local outfit Allsex is shaped by iconic 90s rock and grunge, though when the group plays to La Mola’s Plaça del Pilar, they’ll treat the audience to a reworked and unplugged take on their traditional set.

Concertgoers in Es Caló can start looking forward to the acoustic rock of Julia Benevelli and Miquel Tur’s Sweet Lure.

At the Nit Jove, Es Pujols’ Plaça d’Europa welcomes local youth for performances by Juan Vidal, Bsoul and DJ Manceboss & The Babymilo Official.

When the sun sets on Sunday 26 July, the DJs’ get their turn. DJ Javi Box’s set at Jardí de ses Eres features vinyl cuts from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, while DJ Gioele Brizio promises the crowd at La Savina’s Carrer de Calp an evening of chilled-out new disco.

Rounding out the festivities is a brand-new culture capsule by the Moskitas Muertas. These peddlers of culture aim to honour their roots as they plumb their souls and give audiences a no-filter take on just what it is they find. The event is scheduled for the Can Marroig interpretation centre.

Space is limited, so book tickets in advance at capsulesculturals@gmail.com.

Sporting events
Sport has its place in patron saint celebrations too, with participants in the John Tunks Memorial Tennis and Padel Tournament facing off in the municipal courts from 24 to 26 July.

This summer, remember: these Consell de Formentera-backed activities and more will be scaled back to avoid crowding. Capacity will be limited and social distancing and masks required.

Consellera Labrador applauded everyone who pitched in to support this year’s Sant Jaume celebrations and local culture, with special thanks for the Trasmapi ferry company.

13 July 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

This Monday marks the opening of Sol Courreges’ “Todo va a estar bien”, an exhibit with which the artist hopes to show islanders that, even after the months-long drudgery of confinement, there is always a bright side, and perhaps no better time for better care of our planet and ourselves, our happiness and our bodies. Part of Courreges’ work is made from recycled materials. The exhibit will be in the Centre Antoni Tur “Gabrielet” from 13 to 22 July, from 10.00am to 2.00pm and 7.00pm to 10.00pm.

10 July 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera office of culture reports that, after the covid-19 crisis prompted organisers to scrap plans to host the Formentera Jazz Festival in June, the event will take place between 21 and 23 August. The retooled concert series will be smaller and more intimate, with protocol in place to guarantee the health and wellbeing of participating musicians and concertgoers.

Now in its sixth year, the gathering of jazz enthusiasts is known for variety—both in the musical genres represented in the festival and the musicians who travel the world to play it. The event is the brain-child of Formentera musician (and festival director) Maxwell Moya, and it receives the support of the Consell de Formentera. This year for the first time ever, concerts will be held between the Sant Ferran square, local music dens Sa Panxa and Blue Bar, and the high-stepping digs of Es Pujols’ Chezz Gerdi.

The bill for #FJF2020 lists among its acts Federico Nathan, Valmuz and Yadira Ferrer, along with local collective 4T Freshly People y Dj Golfo de Guinea. More information about participating musicians is available on the formenterajazzfestival.com website and on social media.

To ensure the compliance with social distancing guidelines, attendees of this year’s reduced-capacity festival must remain seated and masks and hand sanitising will be required throughout.

10 July 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera department of culture reports that starting today, 7 July, new hours are being observed at La Mola’s lighthouse-turned-cultural-and-educational centre, El Far de la Mola. The high season begins today and continues to 31 October, with Tuesday to Sunday morning hours from 11.00am to 2.00pm and Wednesday to Sunday afternoon hours from 5.00pm to 9.00pm.

Since one week after opening its doors on 1 July 2019, the Far has tallied 12,613 visitors. Culture consellera Susana Labrador insisted that for tourists and islanders alike the monument had become “a go-to source of culture on the island”, reasoning that the space was “bringing us face to face with part of our seafaring past”. She added that the patio space, recently repurposed as a venue for intimate programming, had opened to rave reviews.

The building is divided into two exhibition spaces: the first, dedicated to a permanent installation on all things maritime —the undersea environment, underwater natural resources, sailing and light signage— and the second, devoted to temporary art exhibits.

General admission at the Far is €4.50. Residents of the Balearic Islands and visitors who are under 18 or unemployed enter for free. Pensioners and students pay €2.50.

7 July 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera