Esbart Santa Anna Launches Escaldes Festa Major with Mosaic de Tradicions

Escaldes-Engordany – The Esbart Santa Anna dance group will launch the parish's Festa Major this Saturday at 9:30pm with its annual Mosaic de Tradicions performance in Sala Prat del Roure. The free event features around 25 dancers, including 16- to 18-year-olds assisting the main troupe, in a programme tracing traditional dances across Catalan-speaking territories from north to south, east to west, including Mallorca and local Escaldes customs.

The show opens with Dia de Santa Anna, choreographed by Rafa Martín and premiered last year, followed by Ais de l'Ànima and Aigües d'Escaldes, both by Ivan Betancourt, then Marina by Albert Sans. A highlight is the debut of Temps Medievals, Martín's choreography set to Do Natural's Sansonette with Celtic bagpipe influences. It closes with Mallorca, also by Martín.

Esbart president Manel Rodríguez called the selection "a bit of everything," mixing heritage and innovation to journey through dance history in the Països Catalans. He described Ais de l'Ànima as "very sensual," Temps Medievals as evoking Celtic bagpipe airs, and Mallorca as a "spectacular finale" with a powerful close.

The performance coincides with dancer Justin Ferrer's debut in the main group on his 20th birthday. Ferrer started at age five in the youth section, paused at 12 for football, and recently switched back to dancing full-time. Rehearsals this week run daily from afternoon to evening, with a Wednesday rest from the usual twice-weekly schedule. "I'm really excited," he said. "I've felt great in rehearsals and I'm approaching the show with good vibes." He sees the Esbart as "like a second family" for its unique camaraderie, the joy of mastering choreography, and its role in transmitting traditions to younger generations.

Culture councillor Valentí Closa praised the blend of tradition and novelty, noting the group always delivers "a surprise" that will delight audiences.

The event kicks off nine days of festivities through 26 July, Santa Anna's day, when the recently restored parish standard will appear publicly for the first time.