Sant Julià de Lòria's 32nd Els Pastorets Draws 700-800 Despite Freezing Cold

Sant Julià de Lòria concluded its 32nd edition of the traditional Nativity play *Els Pastorets* on Tuesday, 6 January, drawing 700 to 800 spectators across eight outdoor performances at Casa Comuna despite freezing temperatures.

The shows ran on 26 and 28 December, and 4 and 6 January, with 6pm and 8pm slots each capped at around 100 attendees. Afternoon sessions nearly sold out, especially on the first three dates, while evening ones saw lighter turnout as cold intensified. Culture councillor Teresa Areny noted the total attendance exceeded expectations, with all sessions proceeding smoothly—unlike last year's rain halting the 6 January opener. "This year we consolidated the project from last year, refined it further and had more time to prepare," she said, thanks to the returning cast allowing deeper refinements.

Directors Núria Montes and Txell Díaz adapted Josep Maria Folch i Torres's two-hour script to 45 minutes for the outdoor venue, focusing on the story's essence amid harsh weather. "Shortening it took us to the heart of *Els Pastorets*—nothing essential is missing," Díaz said, praising the actors' brisk pace. Enhanced Chinese shadow projections on Casa Comuna's doors and windows emerged as a standout feature, benefiting from extra rehearsal time and venue familiarity. Montes described the plaza as the editions' strength: "What we did here couldn't be repeated in the theatre."

The 6 January finale featured Melchior, Gaspar and Baltasar appearing post-closing song to honour the infant Jesus, amusing crowds wrapped in blankets and huddled by heaters. Gusty winds even "froze" infernal scenes, adding unintended drama as heaven prevailed.

Forced outdoors for a second year after a November 2022 fire closed Auditori Claror at Centre Cultural Lauredià, organisers view the setup positively. Areny anticipates a spring reopening but urges caution, as it's outside parish control. Cultural programming aims to link with Andorra la Vella's joint theatre season in the first half of the year. The experience has highlighted Casa Comuna's potential for future events, though plans require review. "It opened our eyes to possibilities," Areny said.

The parish has staged *Els Pastorets* since 1994, overcoming hurdles like a 2022 move to Escaldes-Engordany and last year's audiovisual summary. Areny emphasised strong community backing for such traditions.