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Andorra's Saint George's Day Draws Crowds with Books, Roses Despite Storm Warnings

Large crowds filled Andorra's parish squares for Saint George's Day, enjoying expanded book fairs, author signings, charity sales, and kids' workshops despite looming storms.

Key Points

  • Andorra la Vella hosted 60 themed book stalls in Plaça del Poble, up from 40, with strong early sales and young buyers.
  • Escaldes-Engordany featured 17 stalls, 26 authors, youth activities for 300 kids, and 1,200 in bookmark contest.
  • Sant Julià de Lòria offered author signings, children's workshops, and literary breakfast; Canillo had book swaps, contests, and 700-euro fundraiser.
  • Students led rose sales nationwide amid brief showers before predicted afternoon rain.

Andorra's Saint George's Day celebrations drew large crowds across parishes on Thursday, with book stalls, rose sales, and author signings filling main squares despite forecasts of afternoon storms.

In Andorra la Vella, the Plaça del Poble returned as the central venue after previous years' shifts to the Plaça de la Rotonda due to weather issues. Booksellers reported strong early turnout, easing initial concerns about the change. Olga from Llibre Idees noted buyers arrived by 8:30am while stalls were still being set up, exceeding expectations. Staff praised the new layout, with a central aisle aiding visitor flow despite tighter spacing. FNAC welcomed the "iconic" location and highlighted young buyers, while La Trenca called it a reliable spot. Stalls increased from around 40 to 60, organised by themes to encourage browsing.

Popular local titles included *Divendres 13* by Joan Martínez Benazet and Èric Jover, recounting pandemic experiences, and *La meva Andorra*, memoirs of an Escaldes girl. International standouts featured the Planeta Prize winner *Vera, una història d'Amor* and Freida McFadden's thrillers. Charities and NGOs like UNICEF, AMARE, Fundació Tutelar, and Infants del Món sold books, roses, crafts, and bookmarks to raise funds, reporting positive sales amid brief showers.

Escaldes-Engordany's Plaça Coprínceps hosted 17 stalls for books, flowers, and crafts, plus 26 signing authors. Cònsol Major Rosa Gili visited with officials, emphasising youth involvement: about 300 children in activities and 1,200 in a bookmark contest for next year's poster. A second-hand book stall benefited Càritas, featuring the first edition on the Caldes project.

Sant Julià de Lòria's Plaça Laurèdia featured seven stalls and 24 authors signing until noon. Culture councillor Teresa Areny highlighted recent launches by locals Pol Bartolomé and Carles Acosta, plus a new literary breakfast for writers and publishers to network. Afternoon events included children's workshops from 14:30 to 16:30—building legend castles, foam crafts, and creative sessions—and storytelling at 17:30.

Canillo's Plaça Carlemany saw bustling book and rose sales, with activities at Cal Federico (book swaps, apitherapy workshops, themed gifts) and Palau de Gel (special menu). Highlights included an infant show at Prat del Riu and prizes for the XXS short story contest at the library, where Erika Font, Neus Garcia, and Carlota Casal won. A book donation raised 700 euros for a children's camp project in Aina. Cònsol Major Jordi Alcobé and Cònsol Menor Marc Casal noted the event's appeal to all ages.

Students led early rose sales countrywide for school trips, creating a festive spring atmosphere as organisers raced ahead of predicted 3-4pm rain.

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