Andorra Celebrates Saint George's Day with Book Fairs, Roses and Parish Events

Andorra marked Saint George's Day on Thursday with widespread celebrations across its parishes, blending book fairs, rose sales, children's activities, and literary events amid forecasts of afternoon storms.

In Canillo, the day drew strong crowds to Plaça Carlemany for morning sales of books and roses from 9am to 1pm. Families gathered at 1.45pm in Plaça Prat del Riu for the children's show La llegenda de Sant Jordi. The library hosted the Concurs de Relats XXS awards at 6pm, honouring Erika Font for "El meu refugi", Neus Garcia for "La muntanya", and Carlota Casal for "El poder de la Laia" among 16 entries. Cal Federico featured a book swap, free apitherapy workshops at noon and 7pm, local gifts like rose pins and scented candles, and Saint George bread tastings. The Palau de Gel restaurant offered a special lunch menu with a rose and elderberry mousse dessert. A book donation drive raised €700 for a children's camp fund.

Andorra la Vella revived Plaça del Poble as its main venue after recent changes, hosting around 60 stalls grouped by theme—roses, books, crafts—despite initial doubts from booksellers. Early visitors snapped up local titles like Divendres 13 by Joan Martínez Benazet and Èric Jover on pandemic experiences, alongside international bestsellers such as Freida McFadden's novels. Head of Government Xavier Espot toured the site. Booksellers from Llibre Idees, FNAC, and La Trenca reported brisk morning sales and smooth crowd flow.

Escaldes-Engordany's Plaça Coprínceps featured 17 stalls with books, flowers, crafts, and a communal second-hand book stand benefiting Càritas. Cònsol Major Rosa Gili promoted the first edition on the Caldes project, which has "democratised" free access to thermal waters, boosting upper parish footfall despite early scepticism. Around 300 children joined activities, following 1,200 in a bookmark design contest for next year's poster; 26 local authors signed books.

Sant Julià de Lòria's Plaça Laurèdia hosted seven stalls and 24 authors signing until noon, with steady early purchases. A new literary breakfast gathered writers and publishers. Culture councillor Teresa Areny praised recent launches by locals Pol Bartolomé and Carles Acosta. Children's workshops ran 2.30pm-4.30pm, including castle-building and storytelling at 5.30pm with Miriorames, la rondalla que mai s’acaba; stalls stayed open until 7pm.

Encamp's communal libraries in the town and Pas de la Casa gave surprise books with loan bags. Schoolchildren countrywide sold roses from dawn to fund trips, filling streets despite looming rain around 3pm-4pm. Authorities noted high engagement, with good weather holding into the morning.