PICK OF THE WEEK: Monday, 23rd September – Sunday, 29th September, 2019

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: Monday, 23rd September – Sunday, 29th September, 2019

MUSIC

Friday, 27th September at 21.30h at the Hard Rock Cafe, Andorra la Vella. (Free). Hard Rock Cafe concerts: Wildeers. Who said that Rock has died? This young group from Terrassa shows us the opposite!

Friday, 27th September at 22.30h at el cafè-pub-teatre La Fada Ignorant, Andorra la Vella. Concerts at La Fada: Bruno Sotos is back.

Saturday, 28th September at 12.30h at el cafè-pub-teatre La Fada Ignorant, Andorra la Vella. Vermouth Concert at La Fada with Bruno Sotos.

Saturday, 28th September at 20.30h in the church of Sant Estève, Andorra la Vella. (Tickets 5€) Concert by Les Chanteurs Pyrénéens de Tarbes with the assistance of the Petite Cantors de Principat d’Andorra.

Saturday, 28th September at 20.30h at the Prat del Roure, Escaldes-Engordany. (A charity concert organised by Unicef raising money to combat violence against children. Buy tickets or make a donation Row 0 at www.morabanc.ad/entradas )

Do you like electronic music ? If so don’t miss the concert of the young DJ Nexum, which will be offered on the occasion of the campaign.

Saturday, 28th September at 21.30h at the Sport Hotel Village, Canillo. Shuffle Express in concert. Traditional and contemporary pure blues night in different styles (swing, rock, shuffle, calypso …). Topics of his recent debut album Old Nan Blues (2019) and hit versions of artists such as BB King, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Joe Bonamassa, Susan Tedeschi and Jr. Watson, among others. Musicians:Pablo Villar (voice and guitar); Virginia Yañez (keyboard and vocals); Marc Milian (bass and double bass); Dante Falótico (drums).

NOTE FOR YOUR DIARY. I’ve just spotted there’s a concert by the hugely popular, talented and ‘energetic’ Spanish violinist of Armenian origin, Ara Malikian, on Thursday, 19th October at 21h at the National Auditorium, Ordino. (He’s played classical music with the world’s top orchestras at the world’s top venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Royal Albert Hall.) This concert is different and is said to be Sold Out but no harm in checking at the Ordino Tourist Office to see if there’s a waiting list. Tickets 30€ in advance and 35€ on the night.

SONG-WRITING COMPETITION organised by La Fi of La Fada Ignorant, Andorra la Vella. You are still in time to sign up for the 3rd Author’s Music contest! All languages are welcome. Registrations finishes on September 30th!

DANCE

Saturday, 28th September at 17h in CAEE Art Center, Escaldes-Engordany. (Free) African dance workshop for families and children over 6.

17TH EDITION OF THE MEDIEVAL TOWN OF SANT JULIÀ DE LÒRIA

from Friday, 27th September – Sunday, 29th September For locations look at this fun link with a town map.

FRIDAY: 10h Opening of the Medieval Market in the Av. Verge de Canòlich the main street of Sant Julià. Stalls selling refreshments, crafts, local agricultural products and novelties.

10h – 13h Circuit of Sant Julià de Lòria leaving from the Tourist Office in the Plaça Laurèdia. Guided visit to some of the most emblematic locations of the parish including the Tobacco Museum.

10h – 18.30h Free open Door Days at the Tobacco Museum and the temporary photographic exhibition Robert Capa. Retrospective including not only war photos from the Spanish Civil War, Vietnam and World War II but also portraits of Hemingway, Faulkner, Steinbeck, Picasso and others. (Last visit at 17.30h).

16h – 20h Children’s Mythologic Carrousel (2€) and Dragon Swing (2€) in the Plaça Major. 18h Musical Parade led by the group La Torna leaving from the South Entrance to Av. Verge de Canòlich.

19h Official Inauguration of the Medieval Town at the Plaça de la Germandat with the Parish Authorities and the group La Torna.

19.30h Storytelling for adults by storyteller Ala Tocada at the Pati casa Coto, a street theatre that derives from the tradition of strolling jugglers. 20h Street practice by the human castlers, Castellers d’Andorra in the Plaça de la Germandat.

21h The Market closes.

SATURDAY:

10h – 13h Tour of Sant Julià leaving from the Tourist Office in the Plaça Laurèdia. Guided visit to some of the most emblematic locations of the parish including the Tobacco Museum.

10h – 20h Open Door Days at the Tobacco Museum and the temporary photographic exhibition Robert Capa. Retrospective including not only war photos from the Spanish Civil War, Vietnam and World War II but also portraits of Hemingway, Faulkner, Steinbeck, Picasso and others (last visit at 18.30h).

10.30h – 13h Treasure Hunt Help us to catch the wolf! (for those 6 and over) Starting in the Plaça de la Germandat. Even better if you come dressed as a Lady or a Knight (See below on how to hire costumes.).

11h Market opens. Musical Parade by the group La Torna leaving from the North Entrance to Av. Verge de Canòlich. Storytelling Born to read: Stories in the castle in The Casa Comuna Fireplace room led by Minuscule (from 0 to 3 years.

Pre-booking required: Tel. 744 044 or email [email protected] )

Two troubadours tell us stories and legends of dragons, princesses and princes. Together we will make a sensational journey into the most magical past!

11h – 13.30h Art workshops (30 minute shifts) in the Plaça de la Germandat. Workshop of engraving and ceramics (for ages 5+) given by the Art School.

11h – 14h Children’s Mythological Carousel (Price: 2€) and Dragon Swing (Price: 2€) in the Plaça Major. Workshop of capgrossos (big heads), with La Moixera (5+ years. Limited places) in the Plaça Major. Make an image of your own head to show it next to the Giants of the Colla de Geganters in Sant Julià de Lòria, during the Sunday morning parade. Sonàrium (sound centre) by the Cia. El Pájaro carpintero (0 to 4 years old) in the Placeta de Casa Comuna. Sound is the protagonist of this space of play, discovery and musical experimentation. While playing with music and instruments, the little ones get closer to the language of music.

Medievalia: Giant games in the Plaça de la Germandat. Creative carpentry space in the Parking Reig Patrimonia. Led by the CIA. El Pájaro carpintero (+5 años). Interactive and creative space that’s main theme is as a carpenter’s office. Candle-making workshop (5+ years) in the Parking Reig Patrimonia. Run by the Association of historical recreation Sanguen Honoris. Writing Workshop (30 minute shifts, ages 5+) in the Parking Reig Patrimonia run by the Association of historical recreation Sanguen Honoris. From 11h – 21h A Medieval campsite.

Parking Reig Patrimonia the Association of historical recreation Sanguen Honoris.

11.30h Stories for children, by the storyteller Ala Tocada in the Plaça de l’Església. Street theater that drinks from the tradition of street joggers. Puppets The king’s cook, with Sebastià Vergés company in the Pati casa Coto.

12h Itinerant show, Medieval ambiences. Starting from Plaça de la Germandat organised by the Excalibur company. Two soldiers carry a prisoner tied in a yoke, peddlers, the blind boxer, the girl with ta chastity belt, a witch, comedians who juggle … a series of characters who will walk through the Villa interacting with pedestrians.12.30h Magic show, The torturer’s chair in the Plaça de la Germandat by the illusionist Fèlix Brunet.

A medieval magician walks with his torturer’s chair looking for a volunteer who wants to sit in it… A show full of humor and amazing magic. 12.45h Puppets: The Witch and the Princess by the company Sebastià Vergés in the Pati casa Coto. 13h Family show: The White Lady or the disadvantages of being a famous ghost! in the Plaça de l’Església directed by Elena Santiago. Being a ghost has its disadvantages: extreme palor, having to appear almost every time someone does a ouija, never able to sleep … And to be a famous one even worse! Auvinya’s White Lady cannot find the eternal rest that she craves so much because, after ten centuries, her legend still lives on in the human world. 13h Musical Parade by the group La Torna leaving from the South Entrance to Av. Verge de Canòlich.

From 16h – 18:30h Art workshops (30 minutes lathes) in the Plaça de la Germandat. Workshop of engraving and ceramics (for ages 5+) given by the Art School.

16h – 17h Sonàrium (sound centre) by the Cia. El Pájaro carpintero (0 to 4 years old) in the Placeta de Casa Comuna. Sound is the protagonist of this space of play, discovery and musical experimentation. While playing with music and instruments, the little ones get closer to the language of music. Creative carpentry space in the Parking Reig Patrimonia led by the CIA. El Pájaro carpintero (+5 años). Interactive and creative space that’s main theme is as a carpenter’s office. Ronda Laurediana departing from the tourist office in Plaça Laurèdia.

Guided tour of some of the most emblematic places in the parish, it includes the Tobacco Museum. 16h – 20h Children’s Mythological Carousel (Price: 2€) and Dragon Swing (Price: 2€) in the Plaça Major.

16.30h Puppets: The king’s cook by the company Sebastià Vergés in the Pati casa Coto. 17h Itinerant show with a Medieval ambience starting from the Plaça de la Germandat organised by the Excalibur company. Two soldiers carry a prisoner tied in a yoke, peddlers, the blind boxer, the girl with ta chastity belt, a witch, comedians who juggle … a series of characters who will walk through the Villa interacting with pedestrians. 17h – 20h Workshop of capgrossos (big heads), with La Moixera (5+ years. Limited places) in the Plaça Major.

Make an image of your own head to show it next to the Giants of the Colla de Geganters in Sant Julià de Lòria, during the Sunday morning parade. Medieval and fantasy makeup, by Carol Garrido and Sara Lopes (Price: 2€) in the Plaça Major. Medievalia: Giant games in the Plaça de la Germandat. Creative carpentry space in the Parking Reig Patrimonia. Led by the CIA. El Pájaro carpintero (+5 años). Interactive and creative space that’s main theme is as a carpenter’s office. Candle-making workshop (5+ years) in the Parking Reig Patrimonia. Run by the Association of historical recreation Sanguen Honoris. Writing Workshop (30 minute shifts, ages 5+) in the Parking Reig Patrimonia run by the Association of historical recreation Sanguen Honoris.

17.30h Musical Parade by the group La Torna leaving from the South Entrance to Av. Verge de Canòlich accompanied by the Esbart Laurèdia, with medieval and rustic dances for all after arriving at the Plaça de la Germandat. Stories for children, by the storyteller Ala Tocada in the Plaça de l’Església. Street theater that drinks from the tradition of street joggers.

18.45h Family show: The White Lady or the disadvantages of being a famous ghost! in the Plaça de l’Església directed by Elena Santiago. Being a ghost has its disadvantages: extreme palor, having to appear almost every time someone does a ouija, never able to sleep … And to be a famous one even worse! Auvinya’s White Lady cannot find the eternal rest that she craves so much because, after ten centuries, her legend still lives on in the human world. 19h Magic show, The torturer’s chair in the Plaça de la Germandat by the illusionist Fèlix Brunet. A medieval magician walks with his torturer’s chair looking for a volunteer who wants to sit in it… A show full of humor and amazing magic. Puppets The king’s cook, with Sebastià Vergés company in the Pati casa Coto.

19.30h Itinerant show with a Medieval ambience starting from the Plaça de la Germandat organised by the Excalibur company. Two soldiers carry a prisoner tied in a yoke, peddlers, the blind boxer, the girl with ta chastity belt, a witch, comedians who juggle … a series of characters who will walk through the Villa interacting with pedestrians. 20h Musical Parade by the group La Torna leaving from the South Entrance to Av. Verge de Canòlich • Storytelling for adults by storyteller Ala Tocada at the Pati casa Coto, a street theatre that derives from the tradition of strolling jugglers.

21 h Closure of the Market.

EXHIBITIONS

Until 8th October at the Government exhibition hall, ARTALROC, Escaldes-Engordany. (Free with the inauguration on Tuesday, 24th September at 20h.) BALMASEDA. The migratory route, a landscaping singularity. Arnau Puig, philosopher and art critic wrote, “But within the young artist, that reality has been declining and has become a sculpture: a well-defined and signposted highway in which macadam is the crancs, now felt, experienced as humans without guidance but with a milestone: to arrive where they find a warm welcome, their safety.” Opening hours: Weekdays: 11h – 14h & 15h – 20h. Saturdays: 10h – 14h & 15h – 20h, Sunday 10h – 14h. Monday & Tuesday morning closed.

Tuesday 24th September – Thursday, 10th October at La Llacuna Cultural Center, Andorra la Vella. Exhibition of Mandalas by Eva Arajol. (A mandala is a spiritual and/or ritual geometric configuration of symbols in the Indian religions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.) From the simplicity of a chromatic and graphic game, Eva Arajol presents her mandalas, made as a plastic and playful entertainment, where colour is the greatest protagonist.

TALKS/CONFERENCES (I have decided to include some particularly interesting talks for those who speak or are learning Catalan.)

Wednesday, 25th September at 18.30h at the Communal Library of Pas de la Casa. (Free) From the pioneers of the space conquest to the arrival of man to the Moon” which will be led by Joan Pujol, astronomer and science disseminator. At the talk, which is aimed at a family audience, he will be at at the Vaikonur cosmometer in Siberia at dawn on April 12, 1961. Everything is ready for the takeoff of the Vostok 1 rocket. Yuri Gagarin had been chosen to make the first flight out of the Earth’s atmosphere, lasting 1 hour and 48 minutes. With this conference we will remember the beginnings of the space race. Thanks to these first exploratory flights, years later, two American astronauts stepped on the Moon.

CINEMA

Monday 23rd to Thursday, 26th September at 19.30h at the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. AD ASTRA directed by James Gray, starring Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga. The Story: Astronaut Roy McBride undertakes a mission across an unforgiving solar system to uncover the truth about his missing father and his doomed expedition that now, 30 years later, threatens the universe. (With Spanish subtitles.) (NB Downton Abbey is on in Spanish on the same dates as above and at 17.30h, 20h and 22.30h. Maybe next week it will be in English…)

CHILDREN (All children’s activities are in Catalan unless otherwise stated.)

Saturday, 28th September at 17h in the Teatre Comunal, Andorra la Vella. (For children aged 0 – 6. Tickets: 3€ advance sale and 5€ on the day of the concert. Online sales from www.onca.ad ) ONCA Season: Chromatic by Com Sona. Chromatic is born from colour, light and urban culture. A show located in a corner of a square, which is in a neighbourhood, which is in a city. We find two musicians who play to the limits of their imaginations, as if they were children, without doors, windows, or ceiling. An animal becomes a song, an old stool becomes a car and a baguette turns into a percussion instrument … In Chromatic everything is possible! Duration: 45 minutes

Thursday, 26th September at 18h at the Canillo Library, Canillo. (Free. For children aged 6 and above) My grandma has Alz … or something like that and other stories’. Stories by Caroline Caubet on the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day which was celebrated on 21st September.

Saturday, 28th September at 11h in the Casa Comuna, Sant Julià de Lòria. (Pre-booking required: Tel. 744 044 or email [email protected] ) Session Born to read: Tales in the castle. (See in the Saturday Medieval Programme above.)

SPORT

Sunday, 29th September at 10h starting in the Plaça de Les Fontetes, La Massana. (Registration 12€ at Tel: +376 738 573 or [email protected] or.) 10th edition of the AnyósPark Popular Race – Banco Sabadell d’Andorra. The AnyósPark – Banc Sabadell d’Andorra Race is an urban event that is disputed on the streets and roads of La Massana parish. The race will be held on two different circuits: 10km or 4km and all the route is totally asphalted. The start and finish will be in Plaça de les Fontetes. It is a charity race in which all the family can be involved. Food will be collected for Caritas Andorra. Prizes will be awarded for men, women, over 65s and pushchairs. In addition, there will also be a Children’s Race, in aid of the Andorran Red Cross.

NATURE

Saturday, 28th September at 9h from the Centre d’Interpretació de Comapedrosa, Arisal. (Limited places Registration to [email protected]) The passage of Man through the Natural Park of Comapedrosa. We offer you a trip in time to understand the human activities, constructions and traditions that have been carried out in the Comapedrosa Natural Park. The story of the Cols and Passes. We will go up to the lake of Montmantell from where we can see the Port Dret and the Port d’Arinsal, two historic cols used by travellers of the last century.

STREET MARKET

Saturday, 21st September from 10h – 14h in the Plaça dels Arínsols, Encamp. Encamp Saturday market. The Encamp Entrepreneurs Association (AEE) recommences their traditional market as a showcase for trade in the parish. This initiative, which was launched in 2014 with the collaboration of the Comú d’Encamp, has had numerous auxiliary activities such as botifarrades (sausage barbeques) children’s face painting, magic, musical performances or batucades (drum bands).