12-Year-Old Designs Mini Giants for Andorra Troupe

Twelve-year-old Adrià Sánchez has designed and built two new smaller giants, known as *gegantons*, for the Gresca Gegantera d'Andorra la Vella, enabling children aged 9 and 10 to join the group starting in the 2026 season.

The initiative addresses a gap in the troupe's existing setup: the previous *gegantó*, standing at 2.5 metres, could only be carried by 12-year-olds. Sánchez crafted the figures over three months to resemble the group's main giants, Carlemany and Ermessenda. He used foam-filled styrofoam spheres for the heads, hand-painted masks covered in foam, and custom clothing from the Rosa Fet A Mà shop. The first to carry them will be his sister Jana and Ot, son of the troupe leader.

During the 2026 season presentation, Sánchez explained his motivation: involving younger children in popular traditions. "Before, children were much more involved in traditions. Now that's been lost, so bringing kids into the group means it grows as they get older—it's about generations," he said.

The event drew a crowd to see the 120-130 members—up from just 20 three years ago. Attendees scanned a QR code to vote on names: Carlemany petit or Carlemanyet for the boy, and Ermessenda petita or Ermessendeta for the girl. Results are pending.

Troupe leader Jordi Almeyda praised the young member's effort. "It's a source of pride that someone who grew up with it takes on projects like this and sees them through," he said. The new *gegantons* will debut at Andorra la Vella's main festival and feature in outings across Spain, including La Seu d'Urgell, Vilassar de Dalt, Bertrans near Solsona, Sant Pol de Mar, Ametlla de Merola, Calella, Sant Julià de Lòria, and a major gathering in Torrejón de Ardoz near Madrid.

The season kicked off on 17 February with a performance in Plaça del Consell, blending giants with a rugby haka by VPC Andorra. The group, which parades Carlemany, Ermessenda, Martí, Multa, and Decret, continues to expand through such generational efforts.