Andorra Opens Photographic Exhibition Marking 50 Years of Santuari de Meritxell

The Andorran government inaugurated the photographic exhibition *Meritxell reneix. 50 anys sota la mirada d'un poble* on Thursday in the cloister of the Santuari de Meritxell, launching a year-long programme for the sanctuary's 50th anniversary. The display, open to the public until the end of the year, features 50 images mainly from the National Archive, the government's photographic collection, and Aina, highlighting the site's evolution from its 1974 foundation to a hub of community life and cultural tourism.

Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Mònica Bonell presided over the opening, describing the sanctuary as part of the "sentimental biography" of the country and many residents. She emphasised how such spaces extend beyond their initial role to embody shared memories and experiences. The photographs document key moments, including the first stone laid on 8 September 1974—two years after the 1972 fire that razed the original Santa Maria de Meritxell church—early crypt masses, liturgical events, popular festivals, institutional gatherings, and personal occasions like souvenir sales and a cake adorned with Andorra's coat of arms.

Curated by Itziar Bádenas, the exhibition employs light, shapes, and symbolism to showcase Ricard Bofill's brutalist architecture, opened unfinished on 8 September 1976—Andorra's patron saint day—as a dynamic venue merging faith, rituals, and everyday activities. It also traces the site's shift toward cultural uses amid growing secularisation. Interactive features encourage participation: voice recordings in the guestbook, poses with a Virgin of Meritxell photo booth, and uploads to museus.ad for virtual display.

Canillo cònsol major Jordi Alcobé, who attended alongside mossèn Ramon de Canillo and other institutional and ecclesiastical figures, said the initiative seeks to boost the area while safeguarding a major visitor draw. He plans to perform on the organ during anniversary masses on 7 and 8 September.

The Culture Ministry's anniversary events include architecture talks, dance and performing arts premieres, and activities under Canya als museus and Nits d’Estiu schemes for varied audiences. The sanctuary stands on foundations of faith, identity, and culture, woven into its natural setting, with the main image a reproduction of the Romanesque Virgin by Sergi Mas, crafted from historical photos.