Encamp Carnival Trial Satirizes Neighbors and Politics

Encamp's annual Carnival festivities reached a satirical peak on Saturday with the traditional Trial of the Smugglers in Plaça dels Arínsols, drawing a packed crowd that roared with laughter at pointed jabs at neighboring parishes and national politics.

The event, a longstanding highlight of Encamp's Carnival, featured actors portraying carabiniers escorting a group of "smugglers" into the square amid theatrical gunfire. The scripted trial quickly turned its mockery toward Ordino, placing anthropologist, journalist, and former cultural association president Albert Roig in the dock alongside his parish's revived Ossa dance tradition. Prosecutors branded Roig a "persona non grata" in Encamp, mocking the Ossa as so ugly it made even the defense lawyer lose composure. References to Roig's book on the custom—jokingly attributed to ChatGPT—drew cheers, culminating in a mock sentence of 500 years in prison, banishment from the parish, and orders to lock the Ossa in the Llorts mine.

Robert Lizarte, Encamp's outgoing director of culture who recently moved to a similar role in Canillo, faced equal ridicule. Portrayed by a younger actor carrying a puppet with a pig mask from Canillo's Arlequins group, he was accused of betraying local youth traditions and absurdly trying to make Canillo "interesting" beyond its role as a bridge to Pas de la Casa. The crowd lapped up the betrayal narrative, with the character swiftly lumped in among the smugglers.

National politics came under fire too, with barbs at unqualified local councillors, Prime Minister Xavier Espot's perceived inaction, and digs at various policies. Praise, however, went to newcomer priest mossèn Álex, cheered with chants of "For a good beer, call the priest!" amid applause.

The smugglers' leader, "Sis Dits" reimagined as Nicolás Maduro, delivered a sob story that swayed the tribunal. True to tradition, the lawyer reminded all that "on Carnival day, no one is condemned," swapping prison terms for absolution to wild ovations. The acquitted revelers dispersed with bread and botifarra, fueling a night of continued partying into the early hours.