Vila Parish Celebrates Sant Romà Day with Mass, Aperitif, and Sardana Dancing

Vila parish in Encamp marked its annual Sant Romà day on Pentecost Monday with a solemn mass, popular aperitif and sardana dancing at the namesake chapel, drawing around 40 locals in a lively atmosphere of reunion and tradition.

The gathering, one of the parish's most cherished fixtures each second Easter Monday, began at 11am. Limited space and parking at the small chapel meant it filled rapidly, with some participants following the service from outside via loudspeakers in the shade. Culture, Youth and Childhood councillor Joan Sans welcomed the turnout, which exceeded last year's. "There's plenty of people here, more than last year for sure," he said, calling it "a moment to come together for the second Easter."

The mass was followed by a convivial aperitif offering coeliac-friendly choices, then sardana dancing under traditional music led by the Andorra la Vella sardanista group. Some attendees joined in while others chatted over refreshments. Sans highlighted the event's adherence to time-honoured customs, including the post-mass gathering and shared dances that strengthen community bonds in the mountain parish.

Sans also announced the resumption of sardana workshops starting the first week of June, in collaboration with the Federació Sardanista. Last year's eight sessions at Plaça Sant Miquel drew about 20 participants across all ages and received strong feedback. "The workshops worked very well with people of all ages," he noted. The Comú d'Encamp has yet to confirm this year's venue but aims to keep the intergenerational custom alive through active participation.

Parish cònsol major Laura Mas and cònsol menor Xavier Fernández joined the celebration, organised by the Comú d'Encamp to promote popular culture and social ties.