Ester Nadal Directs 32nd Els Pastorets in Andorra with Youth Mentoring Focus

Ester Nadal will direct the 32nd edition of Els Pastorets de Sant Julià de Lòria at the Auditori Claror, focusing on a professional mentoring model for young Andorran artists alongside a traditional staging infused with local history.

Returning after a two-year break for health and family reasons, the Laurediana director described the project as a return to her roots, where her involvement in Pastorets began. She prioritised three core elements: preserving origins and history, upholding tradition, and transferring expertise to the next generation. The production adapts Josep Maria Folch i Torres's script with Andorran nuances, such as replacing a "masia" with a "borda" in the opening prologue and weaving in documented anecdotes from Pau Chica's Andorra i la Guerra Civil Espanyola. Nadal stressed these touches foster a sense of identity. "These are elements so close to us that we sometimes overlook them, yet they make us feel like a people," she said.

A key innovation replaces traditional casting with open workshops on 25 and 26 September, allowing participants to explore areas like scenic design, performance, sound, and teamwork. Rehearsals begin in early October. The directing team pairs veterans with newcomers: Nadal heads the effort with Maria Solsona (scenography), Lluís Cartes (sound), Joan Codina (lighting), Arnau Gallardo (sound), Marta Pelegrina (performance), and Laia Tarifa (scenics and choirs).

Performances include the usual four shows with an added midday slot: 26 December at 8pm, 27 December at 6pm, 3 January at noon, and 6 January at 6pm. Culture councillor Teresa Areny highlighted the family-friendly timing and the venue's technical advantages. She called the approach unprecedented, offering young performers training alongside experts. "We're presenting a professional direction we've never done before, to give country youth in performing arts a chance to learn beside someone with Ester's experience," Areny said.

Areny noted the production's deep local links, crediting past figures like Frederic Roda, Cristina Pericas, and Núria Montes. Both she and Nadal expressed enthusiasm for their renewed partnership, with Nadal opting against radical changes. "I have no intention of being very original or modern," she said, inviting audiences to follow the ongoing creative process.