News

Fire ban starts on Sunday May 1

Friday, 29 April 2016 17:48

The president's office of the Formentera Council has issued a reminder concerning the impending start of a summer fire ban. The ban, which starts this Sunday May 1 and extends through October 15, is aimed at reducing the risk of forest fires during the high risk summer period. In a cautionary note sounded by department head Bartomeu Escandell, an especially dry winter was pointed to as the motive for the ban. “This is a time when every possible precautionary measure should be taken,” he said.

Summer hours in effect for parking in la Savina

Friday, 29 April 2016 17:38

Aparcament la Savina premsa2 The Formentera Council's Office of Transport has announced summer changes to the regulated parking scheme in la Savina. From Sunday May 1, the following changes to blue and green zone parking will take effect: drivers can leave their cars parked a maximum of one day in summer, as opposed to the three-day limit applied in winter. Residents of la Savina, however, can continue parking up to 15 days provided they park in green zone spots. A change will also take place in the hours during which regulated parking is enforced: the daily timetable —which in winter extends from 9.00am-12 midnight— will now be from 9.00am to 9.00pm.

The changes, said transport councillor Rafael González, reflect requests made by residents and tradesmen of la Savina after the first summer of regulated parking. The councillor also announced 45 new parking places in la Savina for scooters, a move motivated by the observation that demand for parking spots outpaced availability. As set out in a municipal ordinance to that effect, there will be a maximum of three scooter parking areas in la Savina.

This Saturday, Leonmanso performs at Casa del Poble in la Mola

Thursday, 28 April 2016 14:21

leonmanso 1 For lovers of singer-songwriters, the Formentera Council (CiF) Office of Culture is pleased to announce a performance by Leonmanso this Saturday, April 30, in promotion of the artist's newest CD, Jardins de brutes basses. The Minorcan performer's sound is described as a mixture of folk pop and singer-songwriter traditions, while still distinctly reminiscent of typically American sounds.

The private universe of Llure Marquès (aka Leonmanso) is made up of magical anecdotes, intimate experiences and universal reflections. In this, his second disc, the ensemble is tied together in a package of multicoloured craft paper. Autobiographical stories (Com ells, Sa mamà cuida ses flors o Com tronc corrent avall) appear alongside dreamworld jaunts (Es tren and the hit Darrer intent) and even the odd nightmare (Es vell malalt). To be sure, the sound is bare bones, very well steeped. The dry brand of folk harkens back to Marquès' own youth where both grunge and traditional Minorcan performers like Joan Fandango were present.

Jardins de brutes basses was recorded and produced by the artist's friend (and former Spectrum rival) Quim Torres, himself a member of music group Delên. The album was recorded in a house in the Minorcan countryside with the benefit of simmering pots of home cooking, friends, shaggy pets and family. Jardins is the first offering from Velomar Records, a fledgling Minorcan record label that is already teeming with bright ideas and exciting projects.

The concert will take place Saturday April 30 at 8.30pm in la Casa del Poble in la Mola. The event is part of the Institut d'Estudis Baleàrics' initiative Talent Ib. For more information, head over to: http://velomarrecords.com/leonmanso/

Council launches directory of tourism professionals

Thursday, 28 April 2016 15:32

Foto RP borsa de treball The Formentera Council's Office of Tourism and Trade has announced the launch of a database of experienced job-seekers available for hire at Formentera businesses. Tourism councillor Alejandra Ferrer made the announcement this morning in a press conference with Carlos Bernús, head of the local tourism advisory board (Patronat de Turisme) and Pep Mayans, president of Formentera's association of SMEs (PIMEEF).

Tradesmen with businesses in tourism will now have access to a register of qualified professionals currently seeking employment. After setting up a username and password, employers can access the listing directly at www.turijobs.com/home/logon and at the CiF and Office of Tourism websites. According to Councillor Ferrer, a total of 9,114 individuals wanted to be considered for 130 jobs. Of the initial applicant pool, 280 were interviewed in person as part of the Formentera Talent Tour initiative in Madrid, Bilbao, Sevilla and Barcelona. Another 600 were interviewed via Skype.

Job-seekers profiles were uploaded to the turijobs register, which business owners can now consult in order to make their selection. The ultimate decision on who to hire will fall to employers themselves, though the Formentera Council will provide technical assistance —such as advice concerning video conference calls— as necessary. More information is available by contacting the Office of Tourism directly.

Ferrer pointed out that “the project came about in response to calls from the business community for trained, seasoned job-seekers. This is a way for us to make sure that improvements aren't limited to infrastructure; that they extend to service quality too.” It is worth noting that the database includes special mention of those candidates that live on the island and already have housing. The initiative has benefitted from the support of the chamber of commerce of Eivissa and Formentera and the PIMEEF and has received €35,000 from the Formentera Council.

'Discover Formentera in May' highlights island's off-season charms

Thursday, 28 April 2016 14:18

Foto Illetes Formentera arxiu Consell de Formentera The Formentera Council, by way of the Office of Tourism, has today unveiled the 2016 version of Descobreix Formenera al Maig (Discover Formentera in May). Department head Alejandra Ferrer touted the initiative as a way to snag big discounts on ferry travel, vehicle rentals and accomodation and pointed to “a healthy list of culture, sport and fine dining-related activities that make Descobreix Formentera al Maig a plan you won't want to miss.”

Among the activities on the programme is Formentera Fotogràgica, which starts today (April 28) and continues through May 1. Ferrer described the event as “a convergence of photo pros” with “something for everyone who's passionate about images and photography”. Also on the agenda is Formentera 2.0, a series of day-long activities dedicated to online communication and digital culture that will take place from May 5-8. Finally, the councillor promised that by month-end, the beloved Festes de Sant Ferran (Sant Ferran days) will give everyone a reason to celebrate.

Sports-related programming

The Discover campaign certainly won't disappoint sports lovers either. First up on the fitness tip is the island's half marathon, la Mitja Marató, scheduled for May 14. Then, from May 29 through June 5, is the eighth annual NB Formentera to Run 8km. Rounding out the month-long agenda are two cross-island walks: la Volta a Peu a Formentera (the May edition) and la Volta a l'illa caminant, a group trail-walking event broken down into various stages.

New this year is a beach volleyball tournament, Beach Volei, scheduled May 6-8 at the Cala Saona beach. Councillor Ferrer reminded all those interested that, to reap the benefits of the Discover Formentera initiative —which include reduced prices for ferry tickets, car rentals and active tourism services— individuals must stay in participating accomodation and be sure to obtain the necessary voucher when booking. More information is available on the CiF Office of Tourism website.