Esbart Santa Anna Launches Escaldes-Engordany Festa Major with Mosaic de Tradicions

Escaldes-Engordany – The Esbart Santa Anna dance group will kick off the parish's Festa Major this Saturday with its annual festival, Mosaic de Tradicions, at 9:30pm in Sala Prat del Roure. The free event features around 25 dancers performing a programme that journeys through Andorran and Catalan-speaking territories via traditional dances, blending emblematic pieces with new creations.

The show opens with Dia de Santa Anna, a choreography by Rafa Martín first presented last year. It continues with Ais de l'Ànima and Aigües d'Escaldes, both by Ivan Betancourt, followed by Marina by Albert Sans. A highlight is the premiere of Temps Medievals, inspired by the song Sansonette from Do Natural and also choreographed by Martín, evoking Celtic influences with bagpipe-like sounds. The evening closes with Mallorca, another Martín piece described by Esbart president Manel Rodríguez as a spectacular finale.

Rodríguez called the programme "a bit of everything", tracing the history of dance across Catalan lands from north to south, with stops in Mallorca and local Escaldes-Engordany traditions. He praised Ais de l'Ànima as "very sensual" and the overall show as having a "strong finale" that's "really beautiful".

The festival coincides with dancer Justin Ferrer's 20th birthday, marking his debut with the main troupe after rejoining the group. Ferrer started dancing at age five in the youth section, paused at 12 for football, and recently switched back. "I'm thrilled", he said of the rehearsals, where he feels prepared and eager to perform. He described the Esbart as "like a second family", valuing its camaraderie, learning opportunities and role in passing traditions to younger generations.

Rehearsals have intensified this week with daily afternoon sessions, involving youth aged 16 to 18 supporting senior dancers. Culture councillor Valentí Closa noted the event's mix of tradition and innovation, predicting it will "surprise" and delight attendees.

The festival launches nine days of Festa Major celebrations, culminating on 26 July, Santa Anna's day. For the first time, the recently restored parish standard will be on display.