Andorra Kicks Off Beard Week with Bubbling Stews for Sant Antoni

This Saturday morning, visitors to the Passeig de la Seu will find large cauldrons bubbling in Plaça Patalín, marking the start of Andorra's Setmana dels Baruts (Beard Week). The event celebrates the feast day of Sant Antoni Abat, traditionally considered one of the coldest weeks of the year.

Organizers have prepared hearty stews, or *calderades*, in the kettles—far removed from the infernal brews of folklore or the magical potion crafted by the druid Panoramix in the Asterix stories. That fictional elixir, known for granting near-invincibility to the Gauls (with Obelix's effects made permanent after falling in as a child), remains a secret recipe, much like certain commercial soft drinks guarded for marketing reasons. Modern food safety regulations, reinforced by lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic about bat viruses jumping to humans, ensure only approved ingredients make it to market.

The column draws playful parallels to bearded icons, noting Panoramix's long white beard as ideal for the festivities. It also mentions the kings from Spain's popular *baralla* card deck and contrasts them with the unbearded Three Wise Men, who have their own Epiphany celebration—locally featuring a Santa Claus figure rather than the saintly original.

Historical nods include British historian Mary Beard, whose aptly named book *SPQR* details how Emperor Hadrian broke a century of clean-shaven Roman rulers in 117 AD by growing a beard. His successors followed suit for the next hundred years, ushering in an era of bearded emperors.

The lighthearted piece invites locals to enjoy the stews while embracing the bearded theme, blending Andorran tradition with cultural whimsy.