PICK OF THE WEEK: Andorra (Pyrenees)
Main places:
Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, San Julia de Loria, La Massana, Ordino, Encamp, Canillo, Pas de la Casa
PICK OF THE WEEK: 23rd – 29th April 2018
MUSIC
Javier Camarena Tuesday, 24th April at 20h at the Centre de Congressos, Andorra la Vella. The 24th Season of Music and Dance. (25€, 30€, 35€ from La Llacuna and Tourist Office Andorra la Vella).
Javier Camarena has become the rage of the opera world. The Mexican tenor is only the third singer in the last seventy years to be asked for an encore at the Metropolitan Opera House. He repeated this feat months later at the Teatro Real in Madrid. After his debut in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2007, Javier Camarena has been admired for the beauty of his performances in a repertoire of great virtuosity, alternating with the most important figures in world opera, and performing leading roles under the baton of maestros such as Claudio Abbado and Zubin Mehta.
2018 Season at the National Auditorium: Lluís Cartes Thursday, 26th April at 21.30 at the National Auditorium, Ordino. (10€). Lluís Cartes needed four years to create his fourth solo album. And today he presents it at home, in the National Auditorium. Five years after the release of his third album, Carenant l’absurd, finally comes El país dels nans cabuts (The country of the dwarves), a record in which, for the first time, Lluís Cartes ventures to fly solo. He has written, produced, performed and recorded all the instruments. With this fourth album Lluís Cartes, has veered from his previous musical and stylistic direction. He embraces new patterns, new rhythms and new instrumentation.
DANCE
International Day of Dance Sunday, 29th April from 11h – 19h in the Plaça Guillemó. Workshops and demonstrations. Throughout the day, various schools and entities related to dance will be offering performances, exhibitions, classes, participatory workshops and above all lots of movement. Everyone is invited to join in. Entities taking part: Associació de Dansa Espanyola, Alendoy Flamenc, Associació We Swing Seu, Escola Soul Dance, Escola Líquid Dansa, Laboratori de les Arts, Aula de Teatre i Dansa del Comú d’Andorra la Vella.
EXHIBITIONS
The art of Jordi Bernet Until Saturday 2nd June at the Museum of Comics, La Massana (In connection with the La Massana Comic Fair – see below.) A small sample of the work of Jordi Bernet: illustrations, sketches and drawings about the characters, themes and environments that he has created graphically during his long professional career. Jordi Bernet’s art is simply unique. He has collaborated on all the mythical comic magazines like Cimoc, 1984, Metropol, Totem or Creepy. In 1982, with Torpedo 1936, he created one of the most famous comic book series, with scriptwriter Enrique Sánchez Abulí. Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 15h – 18h & Saturdays from 15h – 19h.
Acció Primavera’ Wednesday, 25th April at 12h at La Peixera, Escaldes-Engordany. La Xarranca invites you to the Inauguration of the installation ‘Acció Primavera’ (Action Spring)
The 22nd edition of LA MASSANA COMIC FAIR 2018
Friday 27th – Sunday, 29th April. In various venues in La Massana.
In 2016, Japan’s Manga comic book business was worth $3.89 billion (sic). And here in Europe comic books are a multimillion euro business with a large following of both adults and children. From the 27th to the 29th of April, the LA MASSANA COMIC FAIR will be the meeting point in the Pyrenees for lovers of comics and illustration. The show will feature first-class illustrators such as Carlos Puerta, Jan, Alfonso Font, Álvaro Ortiz, Rubén Pellejero, Josep Maria Beroy, Tito and Jordi Bernet. This year will also feature the Andorran illustrator, Marc Huguet. The Sunday programme will include a cartoon drawing competition and the Cosplayer National Contest for those dressing up according to their favourite cartoon character. Throughout the weekend different board games will be on offer with everyone welcome to have a try. Visitors can enjoy both exhibits of original art work and direct contact with the illustrious guest list. Event locations: Hall A of La Closeta, Comú de La Massana is the Exhibition room displaying originals by the invited authors. Hall B of La Closeta will host the following activities: conferences, presentations, signings by guest authors, sale of comics and merchandise, activities and Cosplay Competition. Starting on Monday, April 23, La Massana Public Library will host an exhibition of their important collection of comics. Theirs is one of Andorran libraries’ most important thematic sections in this genre. Museu La Massana Comic – Exhibition L’Art de Jordi Bernet Located in Plaça de les Fontetes. (See above)
CINEMA
A Quiet Place Monday 23rd to Thursday, 26th April at 19.45h at the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. (Age over 16). Directed by John Krasinski Starring: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds The Story: A family is forced to live in silence while hiding from creatures that hunt by sound. (Budget $17– 21m. Box office so far $167m!)
120 battements par minute. (120BPM [Beats per minute] In French) Thursday, 26th April at 20.15 at the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany.) Directed by Robin Campillo. Starring: Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, Arnaud Valois, Adèle Haenel
The Story: Early 1990s. With AIDS having already claimed countless lives over the past ten years, Act up-Paris activists demand action by the government and pharmaceutical companies to combat the epidemic as the group multiply actions to fight general indifference. Winner of the 2017 Grand Prix du festival de Cannes, and 2018 César Award for Best Film plus other awards.
OTHER
A Medieval Market organised by the Canillo Schools Thursday, 26th April from 19h – 22h in the Telecabina Building, Canillo.
International Folklore Show Saturday, 28th April at 21.30h at the Sports Complex, Encamp. (Free). In recognition of their 22nd anniversary, the Grup de Folklore Casa de Portugal invites everyone to come to a folklore gathering with groups from Andorra, France, and Portugal. At the end of the show there will be an end-of-party dance led by the Grup Euphoria.
COMMUNITY
St. George’s English-speaking church in Andorra. Sunday, 29th April at 11h in the Sala de Joventut, on the 2nd floor above Santa Maria del Fener Church, Andorra la Vella. Holy Communion led by the Revd. Deborah Chapman. All are welcome. As always there will be a chance to chat together after the service with drinks and snacks then lunch at restaurant La Taverna d’en Mallol.
Culturally yours,
Clare.
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Look for about the author of the blog Clare Allcard
See also Andorra travel guide
See also Pyrenees travel guide
See also France travel guide
See also Spain travel guide