Andorran Cultural Icon Sergi Mas Laid to Rest in Packed Sant Julià de Lòria Church

The parish church in Sant Julià de Lòria reached full capacity on Sunday morning for the funeral of Sergi Mas, the acclaimed sculptor, ceramist, painter, engraver, illustrator and writer who passed away on Tuesday aged 95. Family members, friends, locals and officials from communal and national levels attended the 10am service to pay tribute to a cornerstone of Andorran culture through the 20th and 21st centuries.

Born in Barcelona in 1930, Mas settled in Andorra in the late 1950s and produced much of his work from his Aixovall studio. His creations feature in public areas, streets, buildings and religious venues across the Principat, such as a post-1972 fire replica of the Mare de Déu de Meritxell, furniture for the Casa de la Vall, the parish's Via Crucis, and a 2023 print marking 800 years since the discovery of the Virgin of Canòlich. He also designed the 1962 poster for the local caramelles festival—repurposed for the April 12 edition—a drawing for El Cigne pastry shop, and the parish's giants Rei Moro and Dama Blanca in 1983, built by Manel Casserras in Solsona and unveiled at that year's Fira del Roser. The giants stood guard at the church entrance, having been restored in 2024 after damage from a 2022 fire at the cultural centre. Flags flew at half-mast parish-wide, yet Mas had asked for bright clothing, transforming the gathering into a lively tribute. His mural at the former Aigües d'Arinsal factory recently survived a blaze, underscoring his enduring mark. Mas received the Orde de Carlemany for his contributions.

Parish rector Mossèn Pepe Chisvert called it a farewell steeped in passion for art, labelling Mas an "enamoured" creator and one of Andorra's most vital cultural voices. He highlighted Mas's devotion to the Virgin of Canòlich, his constant generosity—"whenever asked for anything, the answer was always yes"—and works like the Via Crucis under which parishioners pray on Good Friday. Chisvert evoked Easter's resurrection theme, insisting no words could ease the pain of loss but urging faith that life triumphs over death: "What better day to give glory to God for his life, his work and his art!" He quipped that paradise would already feature a display of Mas's pieces.

Hèctor Mas, the artist's grandson, filmmaker and director of a documentary on him, gave a eulogy on his roles as father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and above all teacher: "His immense body of work defines us as people, as a society, as a country." He urged passing traditions to younger generations through shared stories.

Lluís Babi, speaking for the Colla del Dijous that Mas joined, said: "Sergi, many of us love you and are with you today," adding his art would "music the beyond," echoing a cartoon by Jordi Planellas.

Among those present were Culture and Sports Minister Mònica Bonell, Sant Julià consuls Cerni Cairat and Sofia Cortessao, Canillo's senior consul Jordi Alcobé, territorial 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 left to "Em dones força" from TV3's La Marató.