News

Monday 15 June, pre-enrolment begins for new pupils at Formentera’s Escola de Música i Dansa

Wednesday, 10 June 2020 10:58

cartell 2020 EMDF The Formentera Department of Education reports that Monday 15 June is the first day that islanders still not enrolled at the school of music and dance can signal they wish to attend classes. Returning pupils have until 14 June to complete enrolment.

First-time students can register online on the OVAC or in person at the OAC (carrer Ramon Llull, nº 6, Sant Francesc; call 687 209 618 in advance to schedule an appointment). The Escola de Música i Dansa will contact aspiring pupils in September using the phone number they provided with their application. Pupils will then complete enrolment directly or take an entrance exam.

The school will be closed to in-person inquiries in light of the exceptional circumstances surrounding Covid-19, but islanders are encouraged to direct questions via email to escolamusica@conselldeformentera.cat or by calling 627 642 093, Monday to Friday between 11.00am and 1.00pm.

The following courses will be offered:

Music (accredited; 8 and up)
Instruments: transverse flute, guitar, piano, trumpet and clarinet.

Music (non-accredited; 8 and up)
Instruments: transverse flute, piccolo, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, bass saxhorn and tuba.

Traditional music workshop (4 and up)
Local folk instruments: tambour, castanets and flute. Four levels: Initiation I and II and Continuation I and II. Courses last all year.

Initiation to music (5-8 years old)
A first look at instruments and basic music theory through songs and games... designed for children aged 5 to 8.

Professional-track self-study
Based on student needs (students must submit proof of completion of elementary-level course from an accredited Spanish school or conservatory).

Folk Guitar Workshop
Learn how to use chords to accompany other musicians.

Percussion Workshop
Discover rhythms and a host of percussion instructments.

Formentera Polyphonic Choir
Free activity for all those interested in music regardless of previous schooling.

Music band
Primarily wind instruments. Course consists of one weekly group lesson by instrument, one weekly lesson of targeted music theory (unless coursework has been completed previously) and a one-hour band rehearsal.

Accredited studies in dance (8 and up)
Four-year elementary dance programmes centred on:
• Classical dance
• Danza española
• Music

Non-accredited studies in dance
Modern dance
Initiation to dance (3-8 years old)
Flamenco workshop

10 June 2019
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

Consell signs €30,000 deal with NGO Formenterers Solidaris

Tuesday, 09 June 2020 12:50

foto 2020 solidaris Earlier today, Consell de Formentera president Alejandra Ferrer and Maria Costa, chair of Formenterers Solidaris, put their signatures on a deal to afford the local NGO assistance to the tune of €30,000. Subject to annual renewal and valued at €3,000 in 2019, the assistance package has grown ten-fold in 2020 to met the evolving needs around the Covid-19 public health crisis.

The money will fund food packages for at-risk individuals and families, and the assistance will be administered with help from the Department of Social Welfare. Department chief Rafael Ramírez was on hand at the signing as well, along with the group’s secretary, Teresa Costa. The €30,000 assistance package will benefit a food voucher programme, food deliveries and other initiatives. Ferrer and Ramírez thanked the representatives of the non-profit for their work in support of some of the most vulnerable members of the local population.

9 June 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

Growers on Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca thank island shoppers for their commitment

Monday, 08 June 2020 11:43

The Formentera Department of Trade reports that the island councils of Formentera, Mallorca and Menorca have simultaneously launched a series of videos in which the leads are agrarian tradespeople from the distinct islands. In the videos, the growers thank consumers who in recent months have opted, amid the confinement and de-escalation measures of the public health crisis, for locally grown fare.

The initiative sprang from meetings held during the state of emergency between representatives of local economy and trade departments, and is guided by a two-fold aim: afford visibility to the agricultural sectors that kept islanders supplied during the roughest weeks of confinement, and build loyalty by letting shoppers know their support are appreciated.

To that end, local growers were given a platform, and they used it to personally thank the individuals who buy their products. The videos show each farmer’s workspace and put faces to the workers who make locally grown produce possible.

Each island council oversees an array of initiatives and measures aimed at promoting local products and economic reactivation more broadly.

8 June 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

Consell de Formentera announces numerous offices reopening to public

Monday, 08 June 2020 11:43

Multiple arms of the Consell de Formentera have once again opened to the public for appointments:

- The Formentera Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fishing (Àrea d’Agricultura, Ramaderia i Pesca) is reopening for public visits

From today (Monday 8 June), the agriculture, livestock and fishing office, located at Centre Antoni Tur ‘Gabrielet’ on Avinguda de Porto-salè, reopens to the public. Hours are 10.00am to 1.00pm, Monday to Friday, by appointment. Visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance by calling 971 32 10 87.

- The Formentera Department of Education and Culture (Àrea d’Educació i Cultura) has reopened to the public as well

The offices at Carrer de Mallorca, nº17, in Sant Ferran, are again accepting visits by appointment. Hours are 9.00am to 2.00pm, Monday to Friday. Visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance by calling 971 32 10 87.

- The Formentera Department of Environment (Àrea de Medi Ambient) has resumed in-person appointments

The offices at Carrer de Mallorca, nº15, in Sant Ferran are again accepting visits by appointment. Hours are 9.00am to 2.00pm, Monday to Friday. Visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance by emailing mediambient@conselldeformentera.cat.

Preventive, hygiene and disinfection protocol must be respected in each department. Visitors are asked to wear a mask, and hydroalcoholic hand sanitiser will be provided at the door.

8 June 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

Consell opens up €250,000 in subsidies for cultural heritage in 2020

Sunday, 07 June 2020 11:09

foto 2020 pedra seca2 The Formentera Department of Heritage reports that a call for applications posted yesterday to the BOIB (Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands) outlines subsidies for work involving cultural heritage sites, rehabilitations of drystone walls and projects to bury telephone and other utility cables around Formentera. A total of a quarter of a million euros is available, and the deadline on applications is 31 July. Qualifying projects may have building permits dating as far back as 1 January 2019.

Department chieft Raquel Guasch encouraged eligible islanders to apply for what she described as a “sizeable economic injection to optimise conservation, preservation and elevation of local heritage and, essentially, the things that set us apart as an island”.

Guasch said the assistance was about showing the people of Formentera that local government “supports them in conservation and restoration”. “We want islanders to see the value in showcasing cultural heritage”, she continued, “and to know that they share responsibility for protecting these kinds of sites”.

Cultural heritage sites
With an underlying focus on improving and enriching elements of cultural heritage, the offer proposes help for restoration, conservation, consolidation and rehabilitation, or for work on sites with recognised heritage value (BICs), places of special interest (béns catalogats) or entries in Formentera’s inventory of cultural heritage.

Payouts shall depend on the nature of the protection and action proposed, covering as much as 90% of projected costs, or €50,000, for BICs; 60% of costs under €30,000 for sites with grade B protection; 50% of costs under €25,000 for sites with C protection, or 40% of costs under €15,000 for sites on the cultural heritage inventory.

Restoring drystone walls
Economic assistance for drystone wall rehabilitation applies to repairs performed with traditional materials and techniques, or projects where concrete blocks or other less than apt materials are replaced with traditional drystone walls. Subsidies range from €27 to €90 per metre and vary based on factors like a wall’s location and particular characteristics.

Undergrounding overhead cables
On offer for islanders who bury existing overhead cables, whether telephone lines, medium voltage electrical cables, near sub-stations, from low-voltage distribution systems or individual branches, subsidies cover €45 per metre up to €60,000, under 60% of budgeted costs.

Applications should be sent to the Citizen Information Office (OAC, carrer Ramon Llull, nº6) or Virtual Citizen Information Office (OVAC, ovac.conselldeformentera.cat).

7 June 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera