Canillo's 31 January Crema de Gener Signals Prolonged Cold Winter
Around 200 gathered for the annual tree-burning ritual where a slow, faint fire foretold lingering winter chill, upholding parish traditions.
Key Points
- 200 people attended Canillo's Crema de Gener at Camp del Som.
- Weakened tree burned slowly and faintly, predicting long cold winter.
- Senior consul Jordi Alcobé lit the fire, emphasizing cultural heritage.
- Performances by local groups created inclusive, multi-generational event.
Around 200 people gathered in Canillo on Saturday for the annual 31 January Crema de Gener ceremony at Camp del Som, where the selected tree burned very slowly and with minimal intensity—a traditional indicator of a long, cold winter persisting in the weeks ahead.
The ritual involves choosing a diseased or weakened tree to symbolise renewal through fire. This year's tree ignited faintly and smouldered briefly, matching local customs that interpret such subdued burning as a sign the season's chill will linger.
Canillo's senior consul, Jordi Alcobé, lit the fire and highlighted its significance "as an identifying element of the parish, which year after year brings together residents and visitors around the fire and our popular cultural heritage."
Performances preceded the main event, with Animal Escola de Teatre and Esbart Valls del Nord, supported by Punt Jove, providing entertainment. Canillo’s Band Tocant offered musical accompaniment, fostering a lively, inclusive atmosphere across generations. The parish council expressed thanks to Cal Som for aiding the event's success.
One report mentioned Mossèn Ramon of Canillo in connection with the lighting, though further details were not specified. The gathering underscores Canillo's commitment to longstanding customs that merge symbolism, communal participation, and cultural continuity in winter.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources:
- Diari d'Andorra•
Un hivern encara llarg i viu
- El Periòdic•
L’arbre de la Crema de Gener de Canillo pronostica un hivern encara viu, llarg i que mantindrà el fred durant setmanes
- Altaveu•
La crema de gener de Canillo pronostica un hivern encara viu i llarg
- Diari d'Andorra•
L’Arbre de la Crema de Gener de Canillo s’encén en un acte que preveu un hivern llarg i fred