Andorra Hosts First Eixivern Gathering to Boost Catalan Online Content

Andorra hosted the inaugural Eixivern gathering on Saturday, bringing together about 20 content creators from Andorra, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Country to bolster the Catalan language's presence online. Organised by the Department of Language Policy to coincide with International Mother Language Day, the event addressed key digital challenges facing creators.

The morning session featured workshops where participants, predominantly Andorrans, discussed fears of online criticism, financial barriers, networking, and promotion strategies. They created videos on managing backlash and fostering communities. Facilitators included Wiz Problema (Mohamed Lamine), TV3 APM reporter Nerea San Félix, and Laura Zurriaga (Croquetadexocolata). Emerging creator Gerard described his initial reluctance to use Catalan due to expected backlash, while Lamin encouraged viewing critics as fuel: "The fears we have are often completely unfounded, perhaps absurd. We feel them intensely and they worry us, but when you analyse them, they make no sense." San Félix added that creators speaking Catalan 90% of the day should logically extend it online, urging participants to set aside fears and build networks. Lamin affirmed his stance: "It's my language, period."

Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Mònica Bonell addressed the group, highlighting Catalan's 1,000-year history and 10 million speakers. She called for efforts to secure its digital future, adding: "At the Principat, we speak Catalan and we also create content in Catalan."

The afternoon session opened to the public at Unsquare Studio in Andorra la Vella, attracting around 50 attendees for debates and presentations of empowerment messages. Creators stressed normalising Catalan online to dispel notions it restricts reach or opportunities.

Bonell expressed satisfaction with the turnout, noting it aligned with the National Language Plan's goals for supporting creators. She left open the possibility of annual editions to nurture a stable network and indicated the government would assess outcomes, including potential economic incentives: "We are not ruling out economic support; it will form part of evaluating everything from this gathering."

Sponsors included Andorra Telecom, which provided eSIMs for non-residents, alongside Canillo parish, Caldea, Grandvalira, and Naturland, offering attraction passes to encourage visits. The initiative aims to drive Catalan content creation and exchanges across its linguistic areas.