Intensive morning lessons and afternoon explorations of Andorra's heritage, landscapes, and festivals help

25th University Catalan Language Campus Opens in Sant Julià de Lòria

Around 30 students from 12 countries attend week-long programme blending language classes with cultural discovery

Around 30 university students from 12 countries are taking part this week in the 25th edition of the University Catalan Language Campus, hosted in Sant Julià de Lòria. The event combines intensive Catalan lessons with activities exploring Andorra's social, cultural and historical heritage.

Participants, aged between 18 and 52, arrived in Andorra after spending a week in Girona attending classes there. They come from Canada, Japan, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Russia, the Netherlands and Slovakia. Morning sessions focus on Catalan at A2 and B1 levels, followed by afternoon outings including visits to heritage sites, lectures on local culture and excursions across the parish.

The students received an official welcome this morning at the Sant Julià de Lòria town hall from Health Minister Helena Mas, First Consul Cerni Cairat and Second Consul Sofia Cortesao. Mas described the campus as a key tool for promoting Catalan internationally and fostering cultural exchanges that strengthen ties with Andorra.

Cairat expressed hopes that the initial contact with the parish would highlight its heritage and welcoming character. He encouraged attendees to immerse themselves in Andorran and local culture, including the parish's major festivals and a programme of Catalan music.

Eva Royo, head of the Catalan Language Area in the Department of Language Policy, outlined the structure during the event. She noted that Catalan serves as the common language among participants, many of whom do not share other tongues like Spanish or French. "We live 100% in Catalan here these weeks," she said.

Students shared varied motivations for joining. One from the University of Warsaw recounted starting Catalan after an Erasmus stay in Barcelona two years ago. A Czech participant cited learning the language to communicate with a friend from Menorca, met during a summer school in England.

Launched in 2002 with support from the Andorran and Balearic governments, the campus has been co-organised since 2003 by the Ramon Llull Institute and the Andorran government, in collaboration with Catalan authorities.