Andorran Cultural Icon Sergi Mas Dies at 95

Sergi Mas, the Barcelona-born sculptor and polymath who became a cornerstone of Andorran culture, has died at 95 after a prolonged period of fragile health.

The artist passed away early Tuesday in Sant Julià de Lòria, where he had run his workshop at Casa Duró in Aixovall since settling in the Principat in 1957. His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from political leaders, cultural figures, and personal friends, who hailed his extraordinary versatility across sculpture, painting, engraving, ceramics, wood carving, illustration, poster design, ex-libris, ethnology, and literature. Over seven decades, his creations—deeply rooted in Andorran traditions, landscapes, and popular culture—turned public spaces into an open-air museum and preserved the nation's heritage through books and collections.

Head of Government Xavier Espot shared on social media that Mas's life embodied "love for the country, art, craft, and things well done," placing him among those who "see beauty where others see only cracks, imagine, invent, and create." Culture Minister Mònica Bonell expressed condolences to his family and the cultural sector, describing him as an "immense and beloved artist" whose works adorn every parish and anchor collective memory. She highlighted his emotional November tribute at Centre Cultural Lauredià, where Espot awarded him the Orde de Carlemany, and said a posthumous homage remains under consideration.

Sant Julià de Lòria's cònsol menor Sofia Cortesao called the loss a national one, noting Mas's pieces in hundreds of public sites and private homes. She praised his irreplaceable range and said the parish plans a day of mourning once details are set, alongside a joint obituary from all comús. Projects advancing include a permanent Cerqueda family piece at Centre Cultural Lauredià and a Marratxa-inspired sculpture at Solà roundabout, drawn from his 20-year-old sketch featuring dancers, parish lettering, and twin-city monoliths.

Born in 1930 to artisans, Mas trained at Barcelona's Escola d'Arts i Oficis de la Llotja before moving to Andorra amid Spain's post-war difficulties to work with Bonaventura Naudí on the Sant Cristòfol carving in La Rabassa. Standout contributions include the post-1972 Meritxell Virgin, dancers in Andorra la Vella's placeta Sant Esteve, furniture for Casa de la Vall's Consell General and Tribunal de Corts, stamp designs, and ethnological efforts. His writings earned a narrative prize for *Cassigalls*, with later titles like *El moble a Andorra*, *Les valls desitjades*, and his final *Tafetans de justícia*—a collection of bailiff anecdotes from his early Andorran days—launched last week at Centre Cultural Lauredià, which he could not attend. France honoured him as Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2008.

The Escola d’Art de Sant Julià de Lòria presents the Sergi Mas Prize, and Sala Sergi Mas opened at Casa Comuna in 2021. Grandson Hèctor Mas directed a 2017 documentary for Societat Andorrana de Ciències.

Former Culture Ministers Susanna Vela and Sílvia Riva joined the tributes, recalling his mentorship, advocacy for greater cultural funding, and role in professionalizing Andorra's art scene. Vela noted his "simplicity and honesty" and willingness to speak out, while Riva pointed to his 90th birthday events amid the pandemic and updates to the Sergi Mas awards. Sant Julià Culture Councillor Teresa Areny described him as an "external gaze" that elevated local traditions, confirming the Solà project and a Cerqueda wood piece depicting Casa de la Vall's kitchen for Lauredià's auditorium foyer by June 25. The comú emphasized his enduring national imprint.

Friends like Daniel Areny, Eva Arasa, and Txema Díaz-Torrent shared memories of his generosity as a teacher, his humour, and his role shaping Andorran identity, urging preservation of his ethnographic collection in a dedicated space.