Illa Carlemany drew large crowds for Andorra’s inaugural Christmas lights switch-on, with band Els Catarres
building anticipation before the display was illuminated.
Key Points
- Andorra’s first Christmas lighting ceremony took place at Illa Carlemany.
- Els Catarres performed to warm up the crowd before the lights were switched on.
- The centre and surrounding streets were packed; many people struggled for a clear view.
- Decor included a giant present, tall tree and hanging bulbs that lit up the centre.
Illa Carlemany hosted the country’s first Christmas lighting ceremony, drawing a large crowd to see the display.
It is tempting to ask how many lights are switched on at Christmas — not worldwide, but in Andorra — but the exact number is impossible to determine. Whether thousands, millions or more, the important thing was that they were lit, and today the lights at the commercial centre were switched on.
The moment was not simply flipping a switch. The band Els Catarres warmed up the crowd in near darkness, building anticipation for the long-awaited instant that finally illuminated Illa Carlemany.
The centre and surrounding streets were packed: all floors of the building filled with people of all ages. Many attendees were unable to secure a good vantage point and struggled to see even the simplest details of the performance.
A giant present prop and a tall Christmas tree further obstructed views, but rows of bulbs hanging from the ceiling were visible to everyone, like small sparkling stalactites.
Then the lights came on, and the centre lit up, marking the start of the season and bringing a festive atmosphere to Illa Carlemany.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: