Andorra Sax Fest 2025 Draws 185 Musicians from 36 Countries Despite Russian Visa Hurdles

**Andorra Sax Fest 2025 Draws 185 Musicians from 36 Countries Despite Visa Obstacles for Russians**

The 13th Andorra Sax Fest, set for March 28 to April 4 in Andorra la Vella, will host 185 competitors from 36 nationalities, joined by nearly 300 jurors, professors, technicians and staff. Festival artistic director Efrem Roca has battled bureaucratic delays to secure visas for Russian entrants, including 12 participants facing travel issues amid conscription pressures. Spain denied a visa to last year's youth winner Arsenii Budanov for his planned April 1 concert, while Mikhail Kazakov, now 22, escaped Russia just in time two years ago to avoid military service.

Roca called his visa efforts a "personal war against Putin," adding that authorities are replacing saxophones with rifles for young musicians. Culture Minister Mònica Bonell said the event helps "calm" tensions for performers from conflict areas, stressing music's power to unite amid war. Tourism Minister Jordi Torres highlighted the visitors' medium-to-high spending power, projecting over €600,000 in direct economic benefits from shopping, dining and stays, while enhancing Andorra's cultural brand.

Organizers capped entries after receiving over 200 audition videos, ensuring quality for 160 masterclasses with leading professors. Spain tops the list with 38 entrants, followed by China (27), Japan (19), France (17) and Russia (12). Andorra fields four in the youth category.

Key competitions include the 12th Andorra International Solo Saxophone with 129 players competing for €8,000, a Selmer Paris Supreme saxophone, recitals at ClàssicAnd and next year's Sax Fest, and jury duties; and the ninth Solo Youth Sax with 56 entrants on April 3. Additional prizes cover second through sixth places, including cash and performances.

Innovations feature Meta Quest 3 virtual reality headsets for rehearsals in a digital replica of the Auditori del Centre de Congressos, building performers' confidence. Debuting this year are eight to nine "Meet the Pro" sessions—45-minute talks with experts on technique and careers—ahead of wider use in 2026.

Public concerts start March 29 with Japan's Wataru Hirai, last year's winner also slated for ClàssicAnd on June 6 in Sant Coloma. The lineup continues with a professors' ensemble under Vincent David on March 30, Effel Quartet on March 31, Budanov (visa pending) on April 1, Congé Spatial backed by the French embassy on April 2, ONCA led by Àlex Sansó on April 3, the Solo Sax final at 3pm April 4, and Sax Awards at 8pm.

ONCA artistic director Joan Anton Rechi hailed the festival's "soul and rigor," noting it has put Andorra on the map alongside the Caballé competition. Organizers turned away over 70 extra applicants due to demand. Officials noted no expected impact from recent Middle East conflicts, as those regions rarely participate.

ClàssicAnd, under Rechi from May 29 to June 7, links with Sax Fest through shared talents like Elīna Garanča, Nacho Duato and Fanny Ardant. A sold-out launch with Carmen Linares in Manuel de Falla's *El amor brujo* drew crowds. Tickets, €30-40 or €150 passes, go on sale March 16 at www.classicand.com and tourism offices; some events stay free.