Andorran Cultural Icon Sergi Mas Honored at Packed Funeral in Sant Julià de Lòria

The parish church of Sant Julià de Lòria filled to capacity on Sunday morning for the funeral of Sergi Mas, the renowned sculptor, ceramist, painter, engraver, illustrator and writer who died on Tuesday at the age of 95. Family, friends, locals and a wide array of authorities gathered at the 10am service to honour a key figure in Andorran culture across the 20th and 21st centuries.

Sergi Mas, born in Barcelona in 1930 and a resident of Andorra since the late 1950s, left an enduring artistic legacy from his Aixovall workshop. His works adorn public spaces, streets, buildings and religious sites throughout the Principat, including a reproduction of the Mare de Déu de Meritxell after the 1972 fire, furniture designs for the Casa de la Vall, and a Via Crucis in the Sant Julià church. He also created the 1962 poster for the local caramelles festival—recently reused for the April 12 event—and a drawing for the El Cigne pastry shop. In 1983, Mas designed the parish's iconic giants, Rei Moro and Dama Blanca, built by Manel Casserras and unveiled at that year's Fira del Roser; they stood at the church entrance during the ceremony.

Flags flew at half-mast across the parish, but attendees wore colourful clothing at Mas's request, turning the event into a celebration of his life. Parish rector Mossèn Pepe Chisvert described it as "a farewell rooted in love for art," calling Mas one of Andorra's most significant cultural figures. He noted Mas's devotion to the Virgin of Canòlich and his unwavering generosity: "Whenever he was asked for something, the answer was always yes." Chisvert added that Mas's legacy endures in symbolic spaces tied to Andorran identity and joked that "when we reach paradise, we'll find a display case already set up with his works."

Hèctor Mas, the artist's grandson, filmmaker and director of a documentary on his grandfather, delivered a eulogy emphasising the personal and national impact: "Today we lose a father, a grandfather, a brother, an uncle, a friend—but above all, a teacher. His immense body of work defines us as people, as a society, as a country." He recalled Mas's storytelling flair, often inventing anecdotes, ensuring his spirit lives on.

Attendees included Culture and Sports Minister Mònica Bonell, Sant Julià consuls Cerni Cairat and Sofia Cortessao, Canillo's senior consul Jordi Alcobé, territorial general councillors Maria Àngels Aché and Pol Bartolomé, former head of government Albert Pintat, and members of the Colla Gegantera and Colla del Dijous. The coffin exited to a rendition of "Em dones força" from TV3's La Marató. Recently, Mas's mural at the former Aigües d'Arinsal factory survived a fire, seen as a fitting symbol of his lasting influence. He had received the Orde de Carlemany for his contributions.