Wednesday, 13 July 2016 18:38
Today in press conference, CiF culture councillor Susana Labrador unveiled the festivities programme the Council is organising to ring in this year's Sant Jaume commemoration. Formentera's annual holiday will be marked by a programme extending from July 18 to 29. According to the councillor, organisers “strived to combine homegrown customs —like traditional dance in the church square the day of Sant Jaume— with activities that appeal to all audiences; residents and tourists, young and old.”
Cultural activities:
Sant Francesc will don its finest garb as it plays host to a flurry of special events on and around the Sant Jaume holiday. The programme kicks off on Tuesday July 19 with the opening of Formentera-resident Isabel Echarri's exhibition, Vida y Muerte II, on display at the gallery of the old town hall (Ajuntament Vell) and sa Tanca Vella. Also on Tuesday, at 10.00pm in jardi de ses Eres, the 1933 version of King Kong will be screened as part of Open-Air Cinema (Cinema a la Fresca). Thursday July 21, the symphonic orchestra of the Balearic Islands will present Cornogràfics, a concert interpreted by a trumpet quartet. Tuesday July 26, the theatre group Espai_F will once again put on Perdius.
Official ceremony, July 24:
The Council's official commemoration of Formentera's patron saint will take place at the local cinema, July 24 at 8.00pm. At the ceremony, honorary awards will be delivered to the island's best and brightest, to be chosen at next Monday's extraordinary plenary session.
Activities for kids and teens:
Organisers were sure to include plenty of events for young people in this year's celebration, and first among them is Mr. Parfum, a children's stage production by Festuc Teatre. There will also be a prep session at the library ahead of the Youth Flower Party and a special kids' space set up at jardí de ses Eres (July 23) with a fitness area, face-painting, video games and more.
This year, young music fans are in for a treat with an evening dedicated to rap music. Dacara, Juan Vidal and Jazz will be on hand to oversee the event. According to Councillor Labrador, “the 2016 Sant Jaume programme includes requests made by Formentera youth at the most recent youth participatory council.”
Sports activities:
Sports are on the agenda too, on Sant Jaume. The councillor highlighted tennis and paddleball tournaments next week and a youth synchronised swim exhibition as well.
Music and concerts (July 22-25):
The four central days of Sant Jaume will be marked by musical performances, starting with Formentera's much-loved evening of jazz. That week only, Jazz in the Square (Jazz a la Plaça) will take place on Sunday July 24 in lieu of its customary Saturday slot, making room for the hotly-anticipated Flower Formentera on Saturday July 23. Rounding out the events calendar will be performances by the legendary group of Pitiüsa-natives, Uc, on Friday, and on Monday (the eve of Sant Jaume), concerts by Kiko Veneno and Catarres.
Labrador wished all of Formentera a fun-filled week of Sant Jaume celebrations. Organisation for the event cost 50,000 euros.