Robert Lizarte Steps Down as Velles Cases President After Tripling Membership

Robert Lizarte is stepping down as president of Velles Cases, the Andorran cultural heritage association, after growing its membership nearly threefold during his tenure.

Lizarte, who took office in March 2022, decided last spring not to seek re-election, shortly after completing the group's first Stolpersteine campaign to honour Andorran victims of Nazism. He informed the board immediately to ensure a smooth handover. On Saturday, members will gather at the Complex Encampadà's conference hall to approve the sole candidate slate, led by Francina Pons as the new president.

Under Lizarte's leadership, active members rose from 84 to 229. "We haven't hit our ceiling yet," he said. "We can and must grow further—it's not the same advocating to authorities on behalf of a hundred citizens as half a thousand."

Lizarte inherited an organisation shaped by his predecessor Claude Benet's six-year term, which had rescued it from dissolution, driven generational renewal, and opened it to wider society. While Benet's combative style helped save sites like Fargo and possibly Cal Ribot, Lizarte adopted a more conciliatory approach.

Achievements during his time included expanding the membership base, championing the Stolpersteine plaques, strengthening ties with institutions—particularly the Culture Ministry through an autumn lecture series at Rosaleda and the Consell General—and organising regular history tours, with the latest to the Avellanes monastery, pantheon of the Urgell counts, two weeks ago. The group also advanced restoration of the challenging Fargo site, now nearing completion for the incoming board to inaugurate.

One project shelved was a collection of clippings on Andorra's churches and monuments, intended for school distribution in the style of a 1980s Crèdit Andorra initiative. "Our mission has been to serve society, raise awareness about preserving heritage, in line with our founding goals: safeguarding cultural patrimony, highlighting threats, and urging necessary action," Lizarte said.

The new board, under Pons, includes Pilar Casarramona and Lourdes Martorell as vice-presidents, Anna Zamora as secretary, and Jordi Güell as treasurer. Lizarte and vice-president Quim Valera stay on as members, joined by Imma Garrallà, David Mas, and Domènec Bascompte. Newcomers are Zamora, Garrallà, and Mas.

Lizarte leaves to refocus priorities, including his role as head of culture for Canillo parish. Pons will be the eighth president, following founders Claude van Dicj (1984-1989), Enric Palmitjavila (1989-1997), Josep Marsal (1997-2004), Jaume Ramond (2004-2014), Antonieta Estañol (2014-2016), Benet (2016-2022), and Lizarte.