News

Suzanne Carpenter presents 'Flora i Fauna de Formentera' at 'Ajuntament Vell'

Thursday, 11 May 2023 09:17

The Office of Culture of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that from 16 to 27 May, the "Ajuntament Vell" Exhibition Hall will host "Flora i Fauna de Formentera" by Suzanne Carpenter.

The display is a collection of paintings on local plant and animal life, the artist's starting point when she arrived on the island. "It was what surrounded me and inspired me every day", she explained. It offers a window to Formentera's rich biodiversity for non-islanders, teaching them to "value it and understand the need to care for it, respect it, and enjoy its beauty", she added. It is a journey into the island's past––one whose relevance today remains as potent as the message hidden behind each stroke: "Everything that Formentera was and is is thanks to its nature".

Opening Monday 15 May at 7.00pm, "Flora i Fauna de Formentera" will remain on view at "Ajuntament Vell" Exhibition Hall from Tuesday to Saturday, 11.00am to 2.00pm and 7.00pm to 9.00pm.

Suzanne Carpenter Johnstone
Suzanne Carpenter Johnstone was born in Kircudbright, Scotland, in 1947. When she was four years old, her family moved to Entebbe, Uganda, where her father worked as a dentist for five years. This awakened in Carpenter a sense of adventure and love of travel that made finishing her days in Scotland unthinkable.

So it was that, in 1967, she arrived on Formentera for the first time, backpack in tow and chasing a dream of what she had heard about. That first visit changed the course of her life. After completing her studies and marrying architect Bill Wright, she returned to the island in 1968 for their honeymoon. On this trip they began to dream of staying on the island for a time, with no plans to leave. Fifty-two years on, they are still here.

Art and painting have always been an important part of Carpenter's life, she worked as a model and later co-owned one of the most iconic stores in Sant Francesc, but in recent years she has dedicated herself more and more to botanical painting, inspired by the native nature of Formentera.

11 May 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

Nearly 3,000 runners to join Formentera Island Half-Marathon and 8K Run

Wednesday, 10 May 2023 11:26

foto 2023v mitja marato Today Ana Juan, Alejandra Ferrer and Paula Ferrer––president, vice president/tourism councillor and sports councillor, respectively, of the Consell de Formentera––along with Manuel Hernández, director of Unisport Consulting, presented the 14th Formentera Island Half-Marathon (Mitja Marató) and 8K run from Sant Ferran to La Savina. Taking place place this Saturday 13 May at 6.00pm, the races will assemble nearly 3,300 athletes (2,085 in the Mitja Marató and 1,185 in the 8K) from mainland Spain, Italy, France, Germany and United Kingdom.

The presentation was also attended by representatives of the event's core sponsors: Francesco Bellini, commercial manager of Trasmapi, and Lourdes Costa, director of the Caixabank office in Sant Francesc.

"Excitement always runs high as we host Formentera's biggest race and one whose significance extends beyond the competition itself", said President Juan, describing the event as "the best excuse to visit the island and enjoy our nature, atmosphere and gastronomy".

As Vice President Ferrer put it, "this event is the perfect chance for participants and their companions to enjoy Formentera in May, when the island comes alive with cultural and fine-dining activities showcasing the best of our pre-season offer".

Changes and safety
For her part, Paula Ferrer held up "the organisational capacity of Formentera, collaborating companies, security forces and healthcare staff" and praised the work of "volunteers, who are crucial to making the Mitja Marató happen". All told, organisers, security personnel and volunteers number roughly 250. She highlighted changes in the last 500-metre stretch through La Savina that will see runners take Carrer Gregal to avoid the main road, explaining, "It makes for a safer run and means we won't have to close roads at the entrance of La Savina, where a temporary walkway has been set up".

Finally, Manuel Hernández said that the number of participants had all but returned to pre-pandemic levels––a sign of the enormous interest that the Mitja Marató sparks among fans.

Running towards equality with maua flowers
As President Juan pointed out, this year's event "takes another step towards visibility for women and gender equality": Mónica Batán, the director of Wanawake, as well as an activist and popular runner, will run the race wearing maua flowers on her bib and bracelets made by women survivors of some the most extremest forms of gender violence.

"The other runners will also be able to join the gesture and wear the flowers on their bibs and wrists, leveraging a pro-equality slogan and symbol to contribute to the solution", explained Juan. Proceeds will help provide employment opportunities for female survivors in Kenya, Tanzania and Spain of female genital mutilation, child marriage and human trafficking.

Reducing plastics and staying hydrated
This year's event is also about reducing single-use plastics, and organisers will distribute flexible reusable water bottles filled with isotonic beverages at the second refreshment point (kilometre 9) of the Half-Marathon and the start of the 8K run.

Once at the finish line, participants will be given a second reusable bottle with water. In this way, respect for the environment is paired with runners' need to stay hydrated. Runners will also be able to refresh themselves at shower stations set up along the route.

Road closures
Certain stretches of PM 820 will be closed to vehicle traffic. The Consell apologises for the inconvenience that this may cause.

1. PM 820 (Entrance to El Pilar de la Mola to the lighthouse): 2.00pm to 7.00pm
2. PM 820 (Exit from El Pilar de la Mola to Sant Ferran): 4.30pm to 8.00pm
3. PM 820 2 (Sant Ferran to La Savina via Es Pujols): 5.00pm to 8.30pm

10 May 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

For elections of 28 May, Formentera will have 10 polling tables, 1 more than in 2019, at three polling stations

Tuesday, 09 May 2023 12:50

Formentera will have a total of ten polling tables, one more than in 2019, distributed across three polling stations, for the upcoming local and regional elections 28 May. The new polling table is in Es Cap de Barbaria, where a growing population means that the voting district will split in two for these elections. Formentera will have three polling stations: CEIP Mestre Lluís Andreu, the new CEIP Sant Ferran de ses Roques and CEIP El Pilar.

At the last ordinary plenary session of the Consell, councillors selected 330 individuals from electoral rolls to staff the polling tables as presidents, members and alternates. The list has been ratified by the Central Board (Junta Central) and the selected individuals will now be notified.

At the 28 May elections there will be two ballot boxes, one to constitute the Consell de Formentera and the other for the Parliament for the constituency of Formentera. Formentera has 6,876 registered voters living on the island and 486 who are living abroad.

9 May 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

Formentera gives hospitality and gastronomy students local produce

Wednesday, 10 May 2023 10:29

foto 2023v producte local The Office of Rural Environment of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to announce a collaborative initiative with Forment, the restaurant at IES Marc Ferrer, during the third quarter of the 2022-2023 school year. This initiative is part of "From Formentera with Pleasure and Flavour" (De Formentera amb molt de gust), a push to promote local products.

Josep Marí, rural environment councillor, hailed the budding collaboration and shared his hope that it continue and expand in the years ahead. To students of the medium-level training courses in hospitality, cooking and gastronomy, the Consell de Formentera makes available local products like wine, olive oil and flour, which students use to make their own bread.

Every Thursday during the school year, students of these vocational training courses offer a reduced-price menu at the school's restaurant––a chance to practise what could be their professional future.

10 May 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

Avinguda Miramar and Carrer Punta Prima in Es Pujols to become pedestrian-only, 8.00pm to 7.00am, tomorrow to 15 Oct.

Tuesday, 09 May 2023 12:11

The Office of Mobility of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that from tomorrow 10 May to 15 October, two areas in Es Pujols--the stretch of Avinguda Miramar extending from its intersection with Carrer S'Espalmador to the sea, and the stretch of Carrer Punta Prima extending from Avinguda Miramar to Carrer Xaloc--will become pedestrian-only every day from 8.00pm to 7.00am.

Cars will be allowed on the streets during all other hours of the day, but parking will not, save to load and unload goods. Rafael González, mobility councillor, said that last year the measure began on 15 June and this year we have moved forward implementation, following requests from business owners in the area after seeing the results of the first two years of this initiative. The car-free initiative began after these two streets were upgraded in 2021, and since then has been reactivated every summer with the aim, González pointed out, of "boosting business in Es Pujols, particularly in the late afternoon and evening when activity is at its highest".

Complete details are included in a map of Es Pujols that can be found at tourist information offices and on the Office of Tourism website, here.

Parking
In Es Pujols there are two free "overflow" parking areas on the outskirts of the town: a 150-car and 150-motorcycle lot to the southeast, and 60 spaces on the ring road.

Lastly, vendors at the Es Pujols market may load and unload their cars during two daily 30-minute periods of free parking in the lot under Plaça de Europa. Long-term parking passes will be available at the car park office at Plaça de Europa.

People with reduced mobility and drivers of electric vehicles may park for free at the underground Plaça de Europa car park, and parking passes can be obtained at the same office.