Andorra Parishes Celebrate Sant Antoni Feast with 10,000 Stew Portions Despite Rain

Andorra's parishes celebrated the feast of Sant Antoni this weekend with thousands queuing for traditional escudella stew and vianda dishes, shrugging off persistent rain in most areas.

In Andorra la Vella, the 57th edition at Plaça Guillemó drew hundreds despite downpours. The Confraria d’Escudellaires fired up cauldrons at 5am, preparing 1,500 litres for around 4,000 portions using ham bones, beef, chicken, sausages, vegetables, chickpeas and pasta. Minor Consul Olalla Losada praised the event's deep roots, noting residents took meals home rather than dining communally. New member Eduard Tarrés received his smock and beret, while veterans earned gold pins. Tortells were also distributed.

La Massana's gathering at Plaça de l’Església was hailed as the most professional and participatory yet, serving nearly 2,800 portions from seven cauldrons—including 300 vegetarian and intolerance-friendly options—using pre-degreased broths. The Confraria de Sant Antoni, with 54 members led by Josep Maria Troguet, started preparations Friday. Officials like Síndic Carles Ensenyat and ministers Raül Ferré and Ester Molné donned aprons to serve. A charity auction inside Sant Iscle i Santa Victòria church raised funds for Càritas, led by Marc Martos. Esbart Valls del Nord danced in the rain, and dining shifted to a covered school patio. Vidreres Mayor Jordi Camps attended, reinforcing twin ties.

Escaldes-Engordany's Plaça dels Dos Valires saw queues stretching to Caldea under umbrellas. Amics del Pont dels Escalls, backed by Unió Pro-Turisme and 20-plus volunteers, limited servings to two per cauldron to ensure fairness, distributing about 2,700 portions from 230kg meat and 250kg vegetables including pork ear and pilota dumplings. Culture Councillor Valentí Closa called it a cohesion booster, crediting the group's near-disbandment avoidance. Officials tasted the stew post-blessing by Mossèn Toni Elvira.

Encamp followed Sunday at Plaça Sant Miquel, auctioning 18 lots for 1,910 euros to Càritas—topped by a 250-euro coca, cava and liquor bundle—led by Trini Casadevall and Pere Marsenyach. Some 2,500 escudella portions, cooked from 3am in five 150-litre tin cauldrons bought in 1998, cost 2 euros each in special containers, a system Culture Councillor Joan Sans said improved logistics. High-profile bidders included Síndic General Carles Ensenyat and Tourism Minister Jordi Torres.

Canillo's Sunday Plaça del Telecabina event featured 900 vianda portions—32 gluten-free—from early-morning fires, declared national intangible heritage since 1979. Solidary Encants aided local causes, animal blessings followed, and Canillo’s Band Tocant provided music. Consul Major Jordi Alcobé thanked padrins for passing on the legacy. It launched vianda gastronomy days through January 25 at parish restaurants like La Volaille and Borda Patxeta.

Across sites, nearly 10,000 portions underscored the ritual's vitality, with rain merely adding to the communal warmth.