Andorra University Opens Refugee Photo Exhibition on Civil War and WWII History

The University of Andorra's Interdisciplinary Observatory on History, Political Science, International Relations, and the European Union has inaugurated a traveling photographic exhibition titled *Refugiats. Andorra, país d’acollida* (Refugees. Andorra, a Welcoming Country).

The opening ceremony took place at 6:01 a.m. on February 26, 2026, in the university's main lobby in Sant Julià de Lòria. The display, running until April 24, focuses on refugees from the Spanish Civil War and World War II, showcasing Andorra's role as a welcoming territory and transit point throughout the 20th century.

University rector Juli Minoves, speaking at the launch, said the initiative honors those who found in Andorra "a way of escape and opportunity to start a new life." He emphasized the institution's commitment to exploring the past with academic rigor and public service, noting that the striking images of Andorrans' generosity help students grasp history and democratic values. "Working for human rights and a culture of peace is part of our DNA," Minoves added.

General Syndic Carles Ensenyat highlighted the exhibition's relevance today, recalling that Andorra once hosted more than four times its population—around 17,000 refugees from the Spanish Civil War and 8,000 from World War II. He stressed that "humanity was above sovereignty" in those decisions.

Exhibition commissioner Xavier Llovera explained that curators reviewed nearly 5,000 photographs from the National Archive, the Júlia Reig Foundation, and various French and university archives. Many images lack names, prompting ongoing research to identify individuals, with some families already recognizing relatives. Additional refugee archives remain inaccessible in France, but efforts continue to recover that history.

Structured across three thematic sections on different campus floors, the show examines war's impact, identity issues, historical memory, neutrality, and humanitarian values amid neighboring conflicts.