The participants in the Mare Nostrum Folk Festival arrived in Ibiza last Friday, looking forward to a few fun-filled days on the island. Hailing from the Canary Islands, Portugal, Murcia and Mallorca this year, the various groups performed in Reina Sofía Park in Vila yesterday. Vila is hosting this year’s festival, including the grand gala.
The musicians and dancers made the most of the day from the outset, as they were preparing to tour Dalt Vila at nine o’clock, led by guides from the Madina Yabisa centre. They were the guests of honour at a reception offered by the Consell during lunch at a restaurant in Sant Rafel.
After a short rest, the groups returned to Vila from their hotel in Sant Antoni in the afternoon to perform their exhibition. A small parade from Vara de Rey to Reina Sofía attracted dozens of onlookers, who then came to the park to enjoy the best folklore performances. Invited by ‘colles’ from Ibiza, with whom they have exchanged visits, these groups sang and danced a variety of pieces, including jotas, traditional Canarian folklore and the best-known Portuguese dances. These dances have been recovered and preserved by the Rancho Folklórico S.
Tiago de Silvade, a leading figure in his country’s culture with almost 50 years of history. The Brisa de Portmany group closed the event. Organised by the Federació de Colles de Ball i Cultura Popular d´Eivissa, the festival continues today in different parts of the island, with the various groups performing alongside the «colles» that invited them.