Escaldes-Engordany Parish Festival Draws Record Crowds with 1,650 Paella Portions

Escaldes-Engordany's 48th parish festival attracted record crowds over the weekend, with organizers distributing 1,650 portions of mountain paella despite extreme heat that forced the postponement of a historic vehicle's engine demonstration.

The event marked 48 years since the parish's administrative separation from Andorra la Vella, a milestone that Cònsol Major Rosa Gili described as a source of pride, born from years of resident advocacy. Speaking amid the celebrations, Gili noted the high turnout and festive spirit, calling it a joyful chance to honor local identity.

Sunday's highlight unfolded at Parc de la Mola, where long lines formed under trees and tents as people collected their paella rations—far exceeding the initial 1,200 planned. Initial reports had anticipated similar numbers to the previous year, but demand pushed the total higher. Children found respite from the heat at Pouader car park through water games, sprays and splashes that drew laughter from families.

Cultural exchanges enriched the program, with Esbart Santa Anna performing alongside Ibiza's Grup Folklòric Sant Jordi de ses Salines, who shared traditional dances, costumes and music after Andorrans visited the Balearics in April. Sardanes, a coreofitness display and the handover of parish pins to new pubillatge representatives rounded out the daytime activities. The evening featured Els Senyora Big Band and a concert by Coral d'Escaldes-Engordany at Sant Pere Màrtir church.

Saturday opened in Plaça Coprínceps with Castellers d'Andorra, joined by debut groups from Adroc and Mallorca, drawing over 50 spectators despite the warmth. Families sought shade along Avinguda Carlemany or bought ice creams from nearby vendors. Castellers president Juli Peña acknowledged the conditions but praised the shaded spot, saying it made for a good day despite an early pillar collapse involving the enxaneta and punxador—no one was hurt. The groups rebounded with a 4 de 6, a five-high pillar and a 4 de 7 recently achieved in Ordino. Esbart Santa Anna's children's festival followed at Sala Prat del Roure.

The Dodge Fargo, Andorra's oldest preserved vehicle, was on display at Parc de la Mola but did not start its engine due to the heat and lack of a custom radiator still in design. The parish has committed over €40,000 to the restoration as a heritage project, with Gili underscoring its importance from the outset.