The CiF patrimony department reports that a project titled “Cultural landscape of Formentera. Studying the dynamics of stone extraction and use throughout history” (Paisaje cultural de Formentera. Estudio de las dinámicas de explotación y uso de la piedra a lo largo de la historia) has been awarded the Formentera Council's 2018 research grant. The project will be led by Anna Artina, who holds a bachelor's in Art History and a master's in Classical Archaeology, and is currently a predoctoral researcher affiliated with Institut Catalpa d'Arqueologia Clàssica.

Nine researchers submitted grant requests to the Council. From a review based on scientific interest, coherency and methodology as well as the researchers' past experience, Artina's study emerged with the highest score. The Council's €6,000 grant will help ensure the research goes forward.

The project researchers' anticipated study of quarries in the punta de sa Pedrera area of the island is conceived as a pioneering attempt to pinpoint and grapple with the sites in a geomorphological context and detail the characteristics of stone extraction. Plans include conducting a historical and archaeological study of work processes from ancient to modern times in an effort to link manufactured stone construction, the selection of specific natural areas on the island and extraction techniques used to obtain the raw material.

From a scientific viewpoint the project is interesting because Formentera's marès (limestone) quarries constitute ethnological and archaeological heritage which has scarcely been documented and that has yet to undergo systematic study. The CiF culture and patrimony councillor hailed the initiative behind the project—“it will help thicken the texture of understanding around this part of our cultural heritage”.

Formentera Council
Àrea de Comunicació
March 6 2019

The Formentera Council's culture department reports that at 6.00pm Saturday March 9 islanders will be able to catch Refugi performed at the Sala de Cultura (cinema). Produced by the Clownidoscopio company, the 50-minute show costs three euros to attend.

In Refugi, the duo formed by Ibizans David Novell and Monma Mingot combine their signature strengths —lyricism, wit and joy— with acutely honed chops as clowns, to present a keen and gentle yet powerful look at human relations. Culture councillor Susana Labrador encouraged islanders to “come to a show that is guaranteed fun for the whole family” and “enjoy an evening of culture with their children”.

Last year Clownidoscopio dazzled us with Fràgil, a family-friendly show in which the fusion of laughter and poetry invited audiences to uncover life's mysteries.

Synopsis
Two characters, two realities. In one reality, the figure makes every effort to feel safe where he is (refuge). The person in the other, meanwhile, has lost everything and flees in search of a new place in the world (refugee).

How can these two realities occupy the same space? Refugi offers a lighthearted, magical look at a conflict that is universal, a voyage through empathy and respect with the poetry and humour of clowns. We all need to find our own place in the world, and places, in the end, are merely the sum of legions of human stories.

Production
Refugi is the first of its kind: a co-production between the Fundacions Teatre Principal of Palma and Maó; Institut d'Estudis Baleàrics; the Eivissa council; the Santa Eulària des Riu town council; Sa Xerxa, a regional youth theatre group; the Clownidoscopio company, and, as of 2019, the Formentera Council. Refugi is also included in the l'Illa a Escena programme.