Sant Sebastià Brotherhood Serves 2,600 Escudella Portions in Snowy Sant Julià

Despite heavy rain turning to intense snowfall on Saturday, the Sant Sebastià Brotherhood in Sant Julià de Lòria distributed between 2,500 and 2,600 portions of escudella to local residents at midday.

Around 50 volunteers began preparations at about 5:30am, using six 150-litre pots to cook 900 litres of stew with roughly 450kg of meat and more than 250kg of vegetables, beans, rice and pasta. The event shifted to the Reig car park across from Plaça de la Germandat due to resumed restoration on the Centre Cultural Lauredià façade.

Long queues snaked around the square and along Avinguda Verge de Canòlich as people endured the downpours and heavy snow to pick up their free meals. Lead escudella maker Pere Obiols highlighted the involvement of around 10 young volunteers. "It's a great satisfaction that young people are getting involved and returning to our traditions," he said, expressing hope the event would continue annually.

Sant Julià's cònsol major, Cerni Cairat, emphasised the tradition's resilience. "Whether it rains, snows or blows, the escudella goes ahead," he noted, adding that it sustains customs across generations, including new members of the brotherhood. "This keeps our traditions alive, which fills us with great joy."

The gathering, now in its third generation—from founders over 80 to their grandchildren—showed strong generational handover. Volunteer Meritxell described it as a "very family-oriented and intergenerational tradition," as younger participants prepare to take over from elders. Brotherhood secretary Bruno Bartolomé praised the volunteers' commitment after their early-morning efforts.

Local figures including consellera general Maria Àngels Aché, conseller general Pol Bartolomé, consellera de Cultura Teresa Areny and Mossèn Pepe Chisvert attended. Chisvert blessed the escudella before serving started.