Wednesday, 01 December 2021 09:32
Today the Formentera Office of Culture presented the programme of activities for the Christmas holiday season. On the docket are various all-ages activities including family shows, exhibitions, concerts, visits from Father Christmas and the Three Wise Men among other functions designed to instil the Christmas spirit. Once more this year events will continue to be adapted to new public health regulations following the COVID-19 crisis.
Consell de Formentera President Ana Juan wished islanders "very happy holidays...surely this year we can celebrate better than last". President Juan insisted that responsibility would be key to being able to enjoy the holidays, and praised the collaboration and commitment "of all those who make this possible, from the Three Kings Association to all the groups, businesses and restaurant owners involved in the activities".
For her part, Susana Labrador, Councillor of Culture and Education, said the island's government had made an effort "to organise an extensive programme with activities aimed at all audiences" and added that "as is normal at this time of year, the youngest members of the family will often be the stars of the show". Councillor Labrador also applauded collaborating associations for their help bringing the magic of Christmas to young and old.
Children's activities
Wednesday 1 December at the Sant Ferran library connection (Punt de Lectura) Maria Vila will lead workshop participants in decorating Christmas cards with watercolors and special lettering. This workshop is for children from three to ten years old.
Saturday 11 December marks the arrival on Formentera of "Tina, la bruixa fina". The main character in this musical puppet show is a very clever little witch keen to learn the secrets of her trade. To do this, she has the help of Tomassot, an older, experienced witch. It is a fun musical where children will have a great time. Islanders can catch "Tina, la bruixa fina" at 6.00pm Saturday 11 December and tickets can be purchased at www.entradesformentera.cat.
On Friday 17 December children can connect to the Facebook page of the Marià Villangómez Library (Biblioteca Marià Villangómez) to take part in Maristela Campana's online recycling workshop.
Children are invited to log in again on Wednesday 22 December for a story time session from Xènia Fuertes.
Casal de Joves
On Friday 17 December the youth drop-in centre will host an evening of games. Six to sixteen year olds can come from 5.00pm to 7.00pm and over-16s are welcome from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. At 5.00pm on Saturday 18 December the Casal will stage a Christmas decoration workshop. 21 and 22 December, the Formentera Office of Youth presents a visit of the royal pages to schools. From 5.00pm that Wednesday 22 December the Casal will host a Christmas greetings workshop and from 6.00pm on Thursday 30 December the Casal bids farewell to 2021.
Traditional cooking workshop
On 1 December (7.00pm) and 21 December (5.00pm) respectively, at the IES Marc Ferrer, the Es Forn Association will offer some traditional cooking workshops. Participants in the first session will learn how to cook a good arroç de matances and, on the second, the traditional salsa de Nadal.
Concerts
Music will also be at the forefront during the Christmas holidays. From 11.00pm on Saturday 18 December, the Catalan group Ebri Knight promise a rollicking performance in the Sa Senieta festival tent. Admission is free and capacity limited.
On Sunday 12 December, the Sala de Cultura (Cinema) will host flute and piano performances from Úrsula Pomar and José Jaime Hidalgo. This concert will take place at 8.30pm and tickets can be purchased at www.entradesformentera.cat.
In addition, the Children's Choir of the School of Music and the Polyphonic Choir of Formentera will offer a concert of Christmas carols in the Church of Sant Francesc from 8.00pm on Tuesday 21 December. Admission is free and capacity limited.
Father Christmas
Saint Nick returns to Formentera to bring all the magic of Christmas to the children of the island. This year's visit happens Tuesday 21 December in the Sala de Cultura (Cinema) during a 5.00pm and 7.00pm session. Admission is free, but attendees must reserve seats on www.entradesformentera.cat.
New Year's Eve
For New Year's Eve the Consell presents special music in a public playlist called Nadal 2021. The selection has been curated by Formentera Musical and the list will be available on Spotify.
The Three Wise Men visit Formentera
The Consell de Formentera and the Three Kings Association are working to host a safe visit to the island from the Three Kings of the East. A detailed poster will be available in days ahead.
Cultural programming
On Monday 13 December the "Ajuntament Vell" exhibition space welcomes the classic Christmas Exhibition with assorted local artists. The display will open Monday to Saturday from 11.00am to 2.00pm and from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. Contributing artists will be on hand for the 6.00pm opening on Monday 13 December and the show will continue until 8 January 2022.
Christmas Market
Opening Friday 3 December and running parallel with the annual Festes de Sant Francesc is the 2021-2022 Christmas Market. Retail stalls will once again be located in Plaça de la Constitució, opening from 10.30am to 1.30pm and 5.00pm to 8.00pm, Monday to Saturday. (They will be closed in the evening from Monday to Wednesday in the second and third week of the month [13-15 and 20-22 December].) Food and drinks stalls will open 12 noon to 3.30pm and 6.00pm to 10.00pm until 6 January 2022.
3 December will also feature a 6.00pm lighting ceremony. This year's decorations include a new Christmas tree, as well as lights at roundabouts and on local streets. Roughly 225 units of Christmas decorations have been installed on lampposts, building façades and trees, while posters have gone up streetside, in squares and at roundabouts of the various towns of the island. One hundred percent of the devices used are high-efficiency LED lights.
Prize for best shop window
In a bid to promote a festive holiday atmosphere at local shops, the Chamber of Commerce of Eivissa and Formentera and the Consell de Formentera have teamed up to host the annual Christmas Window Dressing Contest. First prize be awarded 13 Monday December.
Additional support
This year's holiday programme was made possible thanks to support from Three Kings Association, Es Forn Association, Trasmapi, Institut d'Estudis Baleàrics, Formentera Musical.
1 December 2021
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera
The Citizen Information Office (Oficina d'Atenció al Ciutadà, OAC) will cease to require visitors to schedule an appointment during normal hours of operation, Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 2.00pm and Thursday afternoons from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Appointments remain open to islanders who prefer this option. They can be scheduled by calling 971 321 087 between 8.30am and 8.00pm.
Yesterday ten students from a range of backgrounds including Colombia, Argentina, Morocco and Brazil completed a course offered by the Formentera Office of Social Welfare to promote social and cultural integration. 2021 marks the fifteenth year of the Curs d'Integració Social i Cultural. Rafael Ramírez, Councillor of Social Welfare, attended the last class and presented students with diplomas. The councillor applauded the "interest and resolve of participants", for whom the course offers the prospect of an integration report from the Balearic Islands' regional government and preparation for the CCSE citizenship test.
Avui al matí s'ha celebrat el Ple del Consell de Participació de la Infància i la Joventut de manera telemàtica. A la sessió, presidida per la presidenta del Consell de Formentera, Ana Juan, i que compta amb la vicepresidència de la consellera de Joventut, Vanessa Parellada, han participat els estudiants de les tres escoles de l'illa, CEIP Mestre Lluís Andreu, CEIP Sant Ferran de ses Roques i CEIP El Pilar de la Mola, que formen part d'aquest òrgan.
El Consell de Formentera, a través de l'àrea de Turisme, informa sobre les accions promocionals que està duent a terme aquests dies. Avui Formentera participarà en una fira en línia que porta la nostra destinació fins a Islàndia. Durant la setmana passada Formentera va participar en dos roadshows (esdeveniments promocionals itinerants) que varen recórrer quatre ciutats d'Itàlia i tres de Suïssa. La pròxima setmana la destinació Formentera es promocionarà en la fira International Luxury Travel Market de Cannes (ILTM).