Over 2,200 Visit Andorra's Parliament for Constitution Anniversary Open Doors
Record turnout at General Council and Casa de la Vall during March 13-15 event, with locals and expats enjoying workshops, dances, and historic.
Key Points
- 2,200+ visitors, high Andorran turnout vs. usual English speakers, no queues.
- Activities: kids' workshops, human towers, sardanes dances (indoors due to wind), photo ops in hemicycle.
- New expats praise cultural immersion; families uphold tradition; returning visitors note brighter renovations.
- Criticism of businesses open on March 14 holiday; defender of 1993 Constitution urges local focus.
Over 2,200 people visited the General Council building and Casa de la Vall during the three-day open doors event marking the 33rd anniversary of Andorra's Constitution on March 13-15.
The free event drew locals and expats alike to explore the historic sites and join activities organised by the General Council, including children's workshops, human tower displays in the square, and sardanes dances in the lobby—moved indoors due to strong winds. Visitors could sit anywhere in the hemicycle chamber and pose for photos on the syndics' podium, complete with ceremonial capes and bicorn hats.
Guides noted an unusually high turnout of Andorrans compared to typical visits dominated by English speakers. Families like Esther, Laia, and Jordi brought their young daughter Maiana for the annual tradition. "We're here by tradition," they said, praising the brighter, renovated interior of Casa de la Vall. Maiana enjoyed taking the syndics' chair.
New residents Maite and Jeroen, who moved from the Netherlands six months ago, described the experience as essential for understanding Andorran culture. They marvelled at the preserved history, particularly Casa de la Vall's authentic kitchen adjacent to the Sessions Room, and found the General Council impressively modern and organised. "This helps people feel more connected to the institution," they said, appreciating the lack of queues despite the crowds. They plan to compare it with Catalonia's Parliament soon.
Returning visitors Teo and Amable highlighted the brighter, simpler layout of Casa de la Vall post-renovation, though upper floors and the Penal Court remain closed to the public. They criticised some businesses staying open on Constitution Day, March 14, arguing it undermines the national holiday and disadvantages compliant shops.
Sandra, who opposed the 1993 Constitution at the time—feeling it was drafted externally—now credits it with shaping Andorra's unique society. "We should look inward more," she said, defending local laws against external criticism.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: