Storm Oriana Disrupts Andorra Carnival with Wind Alerts and Indoor Adaptations

Severe weather from system Oriana continued to disrupt Carnival events across Andorra on Saturday, with an orange alert for strong winds raising doubts over major parades while parishes adapted indoor activities and satirical performances.

Protecció Civil maintained a yellow alert for snow on key roads such as CG-4 from Pal, CG-3 at the Sorteny junction, and CG-2 at Envalira pass, urging drivers to equip vehicles properly and drive carefully in elevated zones. School processions stayed cancelled nationwide on Friday due to rain, wet snow, and low temperatures, with celebrations moved indoors.

In Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany, Friday evening's King Carnival hanging at Avinguda Meritxell 97 proceeded in subdued fashion amid morning snow and afternoon rain. Xtravaganxa performers cleared standing water from the stage, skipped microphones for safety, and offered satire targeting language disputes—influencers faced mockery for insisting on Spanish translations—long border lines, pricey influencer-sold pistachio croissants, and high-rise projects tied to the association agreement. A skit depicted a US investor bemoaning mountain views replaced by "A Tower, B Tower, C Tower." A modest crowd chanted "Visca el Carnestoltes" before the hanging.

Saturday's inter-parish seniors' Carnival at Prat Gran pavilion in Escaldes-Engordany attracted about 600 people, including 125 costumed participants from all parishes. Ordino's godmothers, dressed as L6 buses to protest route alterations, unclear signage, and excessive transfers, took the most original award with lyrics like "Amb l'L6 no saps ni on pujar ni on baixar," "això no és transport, això és un infern amb rodes," and demands for better stops and fewer changes. Additional prizes went to Sant Julià de Lòria for best group, Escaldes-Engordany for most engaging, Canillo for most elegant, Encamp for funniest, La Massana for best choreography, and Andorra la Vella for best costume. Ordino and Canillo also held indoor school events with their own hangings.

Encamp's youth from the fêtes commission staged a satirical "mass" for Sant Carnavalí at midday in Plaça del Consell, defying cold and snow flurries. The lengthy parody mocked local figures including Copríncep Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat, mossèn Álex Vargas, Head of Government Xavier Espot, minister Conxita Marsol, opposition members Carine Montaner and Cerni Escalé, and consuls Laura Mas and Xavier Fernández. Themes covered housing shortages, soaring rents, investors displacing the middle class, rent freezes, abortion rights, and the Andorra Cycling Masters. International populism drew portrayals of Pedro Sánchez, Santiago Abascal, Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump, Javier Milei, Nayib Bukele, and Benjamin Netanyahu. A young resident decried the housing crisis and Gaza conflict, prompting chants against it. The King Carnival figure, its face bearing a Star of David in pointed symbolism, was hanged before a smaller-than-usual crowd. Culture Councillor Joan Sans commended the youth's preparation and turnout despite the weather, stating the event unfolded as planned and people attended as usual.

Encamp shifted its afternoon carriage and group parades to Sunday at 11am, with the smugglers' trial now at 5pm, sausage distribution at 6pm, and children's show at 5:45pm.

The orange wind alert threatens Saturday's 6pm main parade in Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany, from Parc de la Mola via central avenues to Plaça del Poble. Organisers could limit it to the Congress Centre finale with choreography awards if winds intensify. Sant Julià de Lòria's Sunday parade and Tuesday burning proceed as scheduled, with parishes recommending route checks.