La Massana Ignites Summer with Witchcraft Dance Premiere and Falle Burning
La Massana launches summer festivities with a dance on historic witch trials, massive falle procession, bonfire, and extension to Sispony. The event revives dark parish history through art and fire rituals.
Key Points
- Premiere of *Dones de llegenda* explores 15th-17th century witchcraft accusations, including executions of Àngela Borrellona (1621) and Maria Vidala (1472).
- 60 fallaires process from church to school for spinning exhibitions and Ball de Bruixes before bonfire.
- Event extends to Sispony Festa Major with batucada and DJ sets; continues Tuesday with family events.
- Culture councillor hails fusion of tradition, art, and fire symbolism amid growing participation.
La Massana kicks off its summer season tonight with the fifth edition of the falles burning during the Revetlla de Sant Joan, coinciding with Sispony's Festa Major.
The festivities begin at 10pm in Plaça de l'Església with the premiere of Dones de llegenda: l’herència del silenci by Líquid Dansa. The performance draws on documented historical cases of local women accused of witchcraft in the parish between the 15th and 17th centuries, including executions by hanging or burning in public squares. Among them was Àngela Borrellona, sentenced to death by strangulation in 1621 after confessing under duress to dancing with demons and other charges, as detailed in Tribunal de Corts records. Research by historian Pau Castell identifies 16 such women from La Massana, with at least two confirmed executions, including Maria Vidala in 1472.
At 10.30pm, around 60 fallaires de llum and fallaires de foc—up from just 10 participants in the inaugural 2021 edition—will process from the church square to the school parking lot, joined by the grallers and drummers of Castellers d’Andorra. There, they will stage spinning falles exhibitions leading into the Ball de Bruixes performed by Esbart Valls del Nord.
The night concludes with a bonfire lighting and distribution of coca. For the first time, the falles will then proceed to Sispony for its Festa Major, followed by a batucada percussion performance and sets from DJ French Cocotte and DJ Alex Cassany.
Culture councillor Alexia Verdaguer described the event as a fusion of traditional falles with artistic and popular elements tied to the fire night's symbolism. She pointed to the group's consolidation and its strong public draw.
Activities resume on Tuesday with family-oriented events and a concert by Els Senyora.
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