Encamp Hosts 31st Sardana Dance Contest with 10 Catalan Groups

Encamp hosted the 31st Concurs de Colles Sardanistes on Saturday in Plaça dels Arinsols, drawing groups from Catalonia and Andorra despite intense summer heat that sent dancers seeking shade between performances.

The gathering formed part of the 37th Aplec de la Sardana, which opened at 5pm with a display by the Castellers d’Andorra, who successfully raised a pilar and a castell to honour the Diada de les Set Parròquies. The sardana competition followed from 6pm, with 10 ensembles from towns including Lleida, Ponts, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Terrassa, Valls, Vilanova de Bellpuig and Bellvís taking part. Accompanied by cobla La Flama de Farners, they performed routines of lluïment, revessa, free points and germanor.

Despite the blazing sun, participants warmed up in the coolest corners of the square before stepping into the light for their turns. Perfectly synchronised steps briefly eclipsed the heat, though circles broke up between dances for water breaks and rest. In the veteran category, Enèrgica claimed victory ahead of Fonts de Valldans and Continuïtat. Amunt i Crits tied for first in the large groups section, with La Guineu Saltirona winning the youth division.

Prizes went to the winners from Xavier Fernàndez, the conseller menor; culture councillor Joan Sans; Núria Escudé of the Federació Unió de Colles Sardanistes de Catalunya; and Albert Masagué, president of the Agrupació de Colles Sardanistes de les Terres de Lleida.

Fernàndez thanked organisers, dancers and attendees for joining the event in Encamp. Sans reinforced the parish’s status as Andorra’s sardana capital, citing its 37-year run and unique format unmatched elsewhere locally. He praised the initiative’s success in drawing visitors who boost hotels and restaurants, while fostering bonds between Andorran and Catalan communities.

Sans highlighted the Agrupació Sardanista d’Andorra la Vella’s strong training activity and noted how such aplecs build networks among groups. From September, Encamp will offer weekly Wednesday sardana classes at the sports complex, open to all ages in partnership with the Agrupació Sardanista d’Andorra, to pass the tradition to younger generations and those new to the dance.