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: 4th – 10th September
SEPTEMBER 8TH, ANDORRA’s NATIONAL DAY.
THE DAY OF OUR LADY OF MERITXELL: Patroness of Andorra. Nearly everything will be closed for the celebration. All the events will be held at the Sanctuary Basilica of Meritxell, Canillo
EVE OF MERITXELL DAY: THURSDAY, 7th September:
21h Torchlight procession followed by Mass presided over by Archpriest Mn. Ramon Sàrris of the Valleys.
22.15 Friendly snack and get together in the large cloister, offered by the consuls and communal authorities of Canillo.
22.30 Night time dance accompanied by the group, TRIO BUGATI.
MERITXELL DAY FRIDAY: FRIDAY, 8th September starting at
7h Opening of the church of the Sanctuary Basilica.
7.30 Dawn Mass. 9h Youth Mass assisted by children and young people from AINA’s colonies and summer camps. 11h Solemn Sung Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Urgell, Co-Prince of Andorra S.E. Mons. Joan-Enric Vives i Sicilia, sung by the Choir of the Petits Cantors d’Andorra and celebrated by all the parish priests of the Valleys.
12h Sardana dancing accompanied by the traditional Catalan band, Principal Cobla of Berga, with coca sweet cake and moscatel offered by the Government of Andorra to all attendees.
18h A Concert by the Cor dels Petits Cantors del Principat d’Andorra under the direction of Catherine Metayer.
19h Evening Mass. Midnight Closing of the Sanctuary doors.
MUSIC
MANUEL CARRASCO presents BAILAR LA VIENTO on Wednesday, 6th September at 22h in the Polisportiu, Andorra la Vella. (11€ from La Llacuna: Monday – Friday from 8h – 15.30, or from the Tourist Office at the Plaça de la Rotonda.) Manuel Carrasco is a highly popular Spanish singer-songwriter from Huelva. Aged 21, he came second in the TV talent show, Operación Triunfo (the Spanish version of Star Academy). A month later his first album sold 200,000 copies. He went on to record four more albums with most of the songs written by himself. His most recent album, Habla, (Speak) reached number one in the Spanish Album charts and was awarded a Platinum Record Certification for selling over 1 million copies.
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FUN@PAL, a day of outdoor fun for all the family at the Pal ski station. (You can either drive up or take the cable car from La Massana.)
SUNDAY 10th September from 11h – 15h. ROLL UP! ROLL UP! (A Charity event in support of Andorra’s Special Olympics swimming team.) As well as all the usual Pal summer ski station activities: bouncy castle, zip line, karts etc at 11h The Games and Events arena opens (Entrance ticket 2€). Here there’ll be Races: sack, egg and spoon, hoops, three-legged. Activities: Hook the duck, chuck the chicken, splat the rat (definitely challenging!) And then there are games of chance: 50:50 Raffle (where the winning ticket gets half the money received and the charity the other half. Last year that meant 350€ each) plus the Tombola and of course there’s also Face Painting.
11:30 1st heat of the Tug of War.
12h The amazing and delicious Cakes, Bakes & Jam stall opens.
12:30 Finals of the Tug of War.
12:45 Tug of War Cup Presentation (by the Consol-Major, the honourable Sr. David Baró.)
13h LUNCH STALLS open: Bratwurst & Coleslaw and Mountain Rice.
13.30h Dog show starts (2€) (prizes for best dog in show, best junior handler (under 12), handsomest dog, prettiest bitch, waggiest tail – you get the picture!
14h Dog agility demonstration
14.30 50:50 Raffle draw.
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CINEMA
American made From Monday 4th – Thursday 7th September at 18.10 at the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. American Made Directed by Doug Liman, Starring: Tom Cruise, Sarah Wright, Domhnall Gleeson. THE STORY: Based on a true story: Barry Seal, a TWA pilot, is recruited by the CIA to provide reconnaissance on the burgeoning communist threat in Central America and soon finds himself in charge of one of the biggest covert CIA operations in the history of the United States. The operation spawns the birth of the Medellin cartel and almost brings down the Reagan White House.
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
