Andorra Parishes Host Expanded Carnival with Parades, Workshops and Charity

Andorra's parishes are hosting an expanded Carnival programme this weekend, featuring traditional dances, parades, family workshops, new children's activities, music performances and a charity event for childhood cancer research.

In Encamp, the traditional "Ball de l’Ossa" takes place at 4.15pm in Prat de l’Areny car park, following a script by Rossend Marsol Sícoris from the 1950s that recreates archetypal scenes from rural Andorran life. The parish also offers a "Pell de Carnestoltes" makeup and reading workshop from 11.30am to 5.30pm at the Pas de la Casa communal library.

Sant Julià de Lòria's Carnival begins at 10.30am with the Xtrem Race obstacle course in Plaça de la Germandat, followed by a 4pm handkerchief-stamping workshop with Taller Tartera, 5pm dancing with Heidi, children's entertainment by Companyia Rikus, a 6.30pm Gran Rua parade, 8.30pm botifarrada barbecue and a costumed ball with Soulstormk Band. A new addition is the 6pm "El Rei Carnestoltes Bocabadat" crafting workshop for children aged 6 and up, led by Crisisart at the Centre Cultural Lauredià library.

Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany share joint events, including the 6pm Gran Rua from Parc de la Mola to Plaça del Poble with Bloco Sambara batucada drums, comparsa contests and choreography competitions. Earlier, Companyia Més Tumàcat stages the children's "Festa Sobre Rodes" from Plaça Coprínceps to Plaça de l’Església in Escaldes-Engordany. At 7.30pm in Plaça Coprínceps, the "Judici i Cremada del Carnestoltes" features Xtravaganxa, Esbart Dansaire d’Andorra la Vella and Esbart Santa Anna d’Escaldes-Engordany.

Escaldes-Engordany workshops include the 10am "Dança Viva. Moviment Expressiu Conscient" with Evangelina Constable of GEC Benestar at Hotel Roc Blanc, and a 5pm family session "Ritual Funerari: Preparant el Més Enllà en Família" at Centre d’Art, led by archaeologist Thaís Torra and Egyptologist Gisele Martínez on ancient Egyptian practices. A 7.30pm talk, "Creure," by Stella of @descodificat explores shaping everyday reality, also at Hotel Roc Blanc.

In Canillo, International Childhood Cancer Day includes the 5.30pm "El Meu Amic Brutus" performance and solidarity hot chocolate sales in Plaça Prat del Riu to support Barcelona's Hospital Sant Joan de Déu. A Tuesday afternoon play session for children, "Carnaval a Canillo" with "A Tota Màquina," starts at 4pm in the same square.

Music highlights are an 8.30pm Estopa tribute dinner-show by Johel Artista at Pizzeria Primavera in Andorra la Vella, and a 9pm Vibrand Music concert of 1970s-1990s hits at Hotel Sant Gothard in La Massana.

Ongoing exhibitions feature "Del Néixer al Renéixer. Vivències a l’Antic Egipte" with Barcelona's Museu Egipci artefacts at Centre d’Art, Escaldes-Engordany (until 21 February); C215's "Figures de l’Emancipació" portraits at Espai Caldes (until 13 March); Roser Casanovas's "Moments Efímers" watercolours and "El Nu i l’Objecte Emocional" at Centre Cultural la Llacuna, Andorra la Vella (until 26 and 27 February); "Ciutats a Escala Humana" Playmobil and mapping display at Bici Lab Andorra (until 28 February); Naiara Escabias's "Respirs de Canillo" at Cal Federico (until 31 March); and "Pioners 1884-1954. L’Andorra dels Primers Fotògrafs" at the government's exhibition hall in Andorra la Vella (until 7 March).