Andorra's New Photo Exhibit Honors Refugees from Spanish Civil War and WWII
University of Andorra launches traveling exhibition *Refugiats.
Key Points
- Sourced from 5,000 photos in national, French, and university archives.
- Andorra sheltered 17,000 from Spanish Civil War and 8,000 from WWII.
- Three thematic sections on campus highlight identity, memory, and humanitarianism.
- Officials praise exhibit for promoting human rights and contemporary relevance.
The University of Andorra's Interdisciplinary Observatory on History, Political Science, International Relations, and the European Union has opened a traveling photographic exhibition, *Refugiats. Andorra, país d’acollida* (Refugees. Andorra, a Welcoming Country), highlighting the Principality's role as a refuge and transit hub for those fleeing the Spanish Civil War and World War II.
The event launched on February 26, 2026, at 6:01 a.m. in the university's main lobby in Sant Julià de Lòria. It will remain on view until April 24—or possibly April 25, according to one report—spread across three thematic sections on different campus floors. The display draws from nearly 5,000 photographs sourced from the National Archive, the Júlia Reig Foundation, French archives, and university collections, exploring war's effects, identity challenges, historical memory, neutrality, and humanitarian principles amid neighboring conflicts.
Rector Juli Minoves described the show as a tribute to individuals who discovered in Andorra an escape route and chance for renewal. He underscored the university's dedication to studying history through scholarly precision and public outreach, pointing out how the vivid depictions of Andorrans' hospitality aid students in understanding democratic principles. "Promoting human rights and a culture of peace is in our DNA," he stated.
General Syndic Carles Ensenyat noted the exhibit's contemporary resonance, pointing to Andorra's capacity to shelter more than four times its population—some 17,000 from the Civil War and 8,000 from World War II, or over 25,000 across both conflicts per separate accounts. He said those choices placed humanity ahead of sovereignty, challenging today's society on its welcoming potential.
Commissioner Xavier Llovera said many photos lack identifications, spurring further research; some families have already spotted relatives. Additional refugee records in France remain unavailable, though recovery efforts persist.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: