Episode Twelve - FEATHERED

When the Ibiza-based writer and cultural historian Martin Davies refers to Ibiza as an island of migrants, he’s not just referring to the human population – way before the first human set foot on this territory, it was home to a spectacular array of feathered beings, temporarily resting on these shores, and bringing with them their melodic, haunting calls, and their legacies from distant lands. When we tune our ears into the song of the feathered ones, which messages do they offer us?

Here on Ibiza it is the Nit de Sant Joan, or St. John’s night, Spain and the Balearic Islands’ midsummer celebration which involves jumping the purifying fires, as well as renewing spirits with the restoring freshwaters of the wells. I bring this episode to you from the Pou de Aubarqueta, near San Miguel, a stunningly beautiful and historical well, easily recognised by its curved, egg-shaped form on the roadside. Here, we delve into the secrets of well that has been known as ‘blessed’ since Arab times, and which continues to provide for the local community over a millennia later.
 
 And from the starting point of an egg-shaped well, a mythical journey begins…. With the help of three local bird companions, and the incredibly rich local folklore, myths, legends and meanings attached to them. In times of much darkness, human conflict and cruelty in the world, we will open ourselves to the eternal messages of the birds, and see if we can mend our broken wings and return to the skies.
 
 This episode features birdsong recorded on my phone over the past year in different locations of the North of Ibiza, at different times of day. Also included is an ambient soundscape by Sinewave Lab (via Freesound.com)
 
 Mentioned in this episode:
- The Bird at Dawn, poem by Harold Monro
- Institut de Estudis Eivissencs https://estudiseivissencs.cat/
- Birds of Ibiza, illustrated by Sarah Nechamkin, edited by Martin Davies, Barbary Press, 2013
- ‘The End of the End of the Earth: Essays’, Jonathan Franzen
- The Well of Grief, poem by David Whyte
- David Abram, writer, philosopher, ecologist https://www.davidabram.org/
- ‘Gallo Rojo, Gallo Negro’ song by Chicho Sánchez Ferlosio (1963), a versión of which features at the end of the Goya award-winning film ‘El 47’, directed by Marcel Barrena (2024)
- ‘Tras el Velo de Tanit: historia mágica de Ibiza y Formentera’ by Jorge Montojo, published by Montolongo, 2006
- ‘Ibiza: A World Forgotten’, writings by Rolph Blakstad, originally published by White Ibiza magazine (year unknown)
- La Paloma restaurant, San Lorenzo, Ibiza.  https://palomaibiza.com/
- ‘Feminism and Religion’, blog by Carol P. Christ https://feminismandreligion.com/
- Up Where We Belong, song by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes (lyrics quoted), 1982
- Broken Wings, song by Mister Mister (lyrics quoted), 1985.

Written, presented and edited by Joanna Hruby, artist, puppeteer, performance-maker, writer and founder of Theatre of the Ancients         (www.theatreoftheancients.com)
Theme music: 'De Jo Et Vas Despediguent' by Uc (released by Produccions Blau, Mallorca)

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