Andorran Coral Rocafort Defies Heavy Rain for Full 3-Hour Street Caramelles Procession in Sant Julià de Lòria

Despite heavy showers on Sunday, the day after Easter, the Coral Rocafort and Petits Cantaires Lauredians pressed ahead with their full three-hour outdoor caramelles procession in Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra's sole unbroken street version of the 62-year tradition. Performers adapted by shifting to covered spots, including the entrance to the Casa Comuna, the tunnel leading to the tanatori, the passage of the Callissa in the old town, Plaça de l’Avinguda Francesc Cairat in front of the pharmacy, and the Església de Sant Julià i Sant Germà following a packed solemn mass.

The event kicked off at 11am as scheduled, featuring about a dozen children in traditional attire alongside some 20 adults from the Coral Rocafort, under director Brigit Garcia's leadership and backed by two musicians. At each stop, the young singers handed out Andorran flag brooches for voluntary donations—a shift from earlier in-kind offerings like eggs, bread, and sausages. The repertoire spotlighted the havanera *Vestida de nit* by the Cruz family and the sardana *Dansaires Andorrans* by Daniel Areny, founder of Dansaires Andorrans, now established as a permanent fixture. Garcia, who has directed the groups for four years, called it a "passeig cantat" with deep Catalan roots shared across border areas but uniquely preserved here in full street format. "The tradition is the tradition, and we follow it as usual," she said, stressing evolution through youth involvement amid modern distractions like technology and sports.

Public support held firm despite the downpour, with families such as the Plas sisters—former singers Nati and Dolors—trailing the route. Attendees included Areny himself at 85 with his wife Esperança Ivern, and even a 90-year-old participant and another post-cataract surgery. The groups also revived the original 1962 poster by Sergi Mas. Garcia highlighted intergenerational ties, noting many children are offspring of past singers, with "sharing with adults" boosting appeal for the dozen juniors.

Elsewhere, rain drove the Corals Sant Antoni de la Massana and Sant Miquel d'Encamp indoors at Sant Iscle i Santa Victòria church after mass around 1pm. Dozens attended the shorter set of four pieces: the waltz *Si fóssim gavines* by Ortega Monasterio, *A Catalunya tenim* by Tito Corona, *Per tu ploro* by Pep Ventura, and *Vestida de nit*. Singers in barretinas or red neckties lamented the weather after a sunny week, but one participant, Jesús, affirmed traditions' value against "multinational dictates." Crowds were smaller than usual.