The Office of Culture of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that at 6.00pm, Monday 20 March, "Migrants a Formentera" will open at the Sala d'Exposicions "Ajuntament Vell". The exhibition will remain on view until Saturday 1 April.

This exhibition marks the kick-off of the programme for Formentera Intercultural, the sociocultural project spearheaded by the Office of Social Welfare.

"Migrants a Formentera" takes a journey through local history, starting with emigration for economic and political reasons in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, until the turning point of the 1960s with the developing tourist industry, when Formentera received immigrants as a land of opportunity or model of life.

The display consists of a collection of photos, objects and documents donated by local families, as well as contributions from the Consell de Formentera Archive and the Archive of Image and Sound of Formentera. A text written by local historian Santiago Colomar offers details about these migratory movements.

The exhibition also includes works by resident artists past and present –mainly photographic portraits by Helga Sittl, Melba Levick and Pilar Aldea– which offer an idea of the diverse backgrounds present on the island. A video installation by Juan González Fornes unpacks issues like mobiliity and identification cards as keys to access, while work by Franco Giomi makes meaning of the constant arrival in recent years on Formentera's coasts of small boats from Algeria.

The exhibition is curated by Manolo Oya in collaboration with Cristina Mayans, Iris Palomo and Noelia González, the managers of the Formentera Immigration Service. "Migrants a Formentera" can be visited until 1 April, Monday to Saturday, 11.00am to 2.00pm and 6.00pm to 8.00pm. The exhibition space will close on holidays, Sundays and Monday mornings.

16 March 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The Contentious-Administrative Court no. 3 of Palma has issued an order in which it accepts the submissions of the Consell de Formentera and rejects the motion brought by two companies to suspend the awarding of lots 7, 34, 36 and 37 of the beach services contract. The awarding process will thus continue.

15 March 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

Today Ana Juan, president and commerce councillor of the Consell de Formentera, has delivered eight new artisan cards to the islanders who passed the exam last year. The following individuals have obtained cards: Lorenzo Pepe, master artisan jeweller; Rosa Collell, artisan bag maker; Lorena Escandell, artisan knitter; Maria del Carmen Costa Ferrer, artisan sewer; Leile Ghenem, artisan trimmer; Valentina Llorens Matutes, artisan costume jeweller; Pep Juan Castelló, artisan jeweller, and Carlo de Bortoli, Debo, artisan object decorator.

First of all, President Juan congratulated the artisans who received cards. "Today Formentera craftwork is in luck, because the fact that every year we have more artisans, and also more young people, who are eager to train, learn and grow shows us that we have a strong and consolidated sector". The president said that last year the artisan exams, which had not been held since 2017, were reinstated and six diplomas were awarded — five to artisans and one to a master artisan. "Manual craftwork is a fundamental trade in our commercial fabric that must be valued and one that administrations must support, protect and promote", said Juan, who also congratulated the representatives of the technical panel that evaluated examiners.

The new artisans passed an examination evaluated by the technical craftsmanship panel in November. The panel was made up of managers of Consell departments and master craftsmen. During the exams, artisans had to make the product in which they sought specialisation in their workshop, while panel members observed the working methods and asked practical questions about technique and the production process. Depending on whether they opt for the title of artisan or master artisan, aspiring artisans must also have knowledge of foundational subjects such as basic notions of the craft; tools, equipment and machinery of the trade; origin of materials used; preparation, handling, processing and finishing; professional safety and hygiene, and more.

With the newly accredited artisans, today Formentera has 75 card-holding artisans, 12 master artisans and four honorary master artisans.

15 March 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

Today Ana Juan, president of the Consell, swore in a new interim officer of the Formentera Local Police (PLF) and welcomed the three new students who will complete the basic training course for local police officers at the Balearic School of Public Administration (Escola Balear d'Administració Pública, EBAP) and who are expected to perform practica on the local force this summer. Josep Marí, interior councillor, and Félix Ramos, chief of the PLF, also attended.

The PLF has a staff of 16 officers, three of whom are currently in training. In the summer, the force is expected to reach 19 officers, including the trainees now starting the course.

15 March 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera