Here it is again, the beautiful winter, whistling, blowing its fluffy flakes and dressing in white the passes and pretty valleys of the Pyrenees massif. Nestled in the hollow of the powerful mountains between France and Spain, the Principality of Andorra is ready, as it does every year, to welcome lovers of wide open spaces and outdoor activities, but also gourmets, who love the gastronomic preparations typical of the region. While there are many ways to explore the 300 kilometres of slopes in the surrounding area - skiing, snowboarding, feet firmly attached to snowshoes, sitting on a snowmobile - the blessed and magical Christmas season is a great time of celebration and celebration, especially for the youngest, and Andorra is not lacking in imagination when it comes to festivities ! Authentic secular traditions - such as the Rooster Mass or the Christmas Fair of Saint Lucia, or the Tió Mass and the Festival of the Magi, which will fascinate the young people - in concerts and activities for children, visitors who come with friends, couples or families will have something to enjoy. And if you haven't made your wish list to Santa Claus yet, no problem: the abundance of Christmas markets and fairs will certainly give you inspiration
The Christmas Village of Andorra la Vella
Throughout December, markets and Christmas fairs will be held throughout Andorra, such as the great fair of Saint Lucia, whose first traces date back to 1789 in Barcelona, traditionally held on 13 December. Over time, customs have evolved and markets have multiplied while beginning to be held in early December. The king of kings is in the capital of the country in Andorra la Vella (Andorra la Vella) and the third edition of the Christmas Village is being celebrated in 2018! Dreams and legends of the Nativity mingle and become reality on Meritxell Avenue, the city's main and commercial artery, and you can take part in some twenty activities, such as the magic tunnel in Piazza della Rotonda, which offers visitors a very successful sensory experience, nourished by sounds and lights. In Piazza Guillemó, it is with enthusiasm that we enter the corridors of the labyrinth of lights, while Piazza del Poble, many creative and interactive workshops are offered to the youngest, leaving plenty of time for parents to enjoy music concerts. It is on this same square, in the heart of the historic centre of the city, that we find the wooden houses housing the shops of the merchants, full of high quality handicrafts, allowing to shop a few times. We will then accompany the children to the magic post office so that they can deliver their letters of greetings to the Menairons, Andorran elves, who will transmit them themselves, in their own hands, to Santa Claus! The popular and friendly atmosphere of the Christmas Village in Andorra la Vella has something magical that will delight everyone!
Santa Claus and Tió are here for the happiness of the children!
Santa Claus, his red suit and white beard are now an integral part of Andorran folklore. Whether he travels through the Principality on his famous sled, on horseback or - due to the 21st century - firmly installed on a snowmobile, it is always with the same passion that he will visit the children of all the parishes and listen to their wishes. However, it is the custom of Tió, a rite deeply rooted in Andorran and Catalan culture, which receives the most favours from the inhabitants. In close connection with the notions of nature and fertility, this pagan tradition comes to us from the countryside and is associated with the winter solstice. For centuries, on December 6, each family has been in the habit of laying a carefully chosen log of wood in their home, usually under the Christmas tree, before covering it with a small protective coat. The children then feed him daily until the long-awaited Christmas day, when, after reciting a Christmas song in a corner of the house, away from the Tió, they repeat the occasional refrain "Caga Tió" while beating the log, so that the log literally "craps" presents! Visitors and their children who are unfamiliar with this ancient and surprising tradition will have the opportunity to discover it thanks to the gigantic Tió that can be found in the squares of the Andorran villages. In 2018, the main places where you will get to know the famous Christmas log are Ordino, La Massana, Andorra la Vella and Sant Julià de Lòria. The midnight mass is also celebrated in Andorra, and at the end of this nocturnal and festive commemoration, also called the Rooster Mass (the first animal in the stable to have announced the birth of Jesus with its crow), participants will be able to warm up with chocolate and mulled wine that is offered to take it out of the church.
Like the Magi....
A land of Catholic tradition, the Principality of Andorra, like Catalonia and Spain as a whole, attaches great importance to the celebration of the Magi. If we know that these three characters came from the East to Bethlehem to place a profusion of offerings at the feet of the newly born divine child, the debate remains open as to their origin and means of transport. This biblical episode is nevertheless strongly celebrated, and on January 6 of each year, the day of the Epiphany and the blessed visit of Gaspard, Melchior and Balthazar, the tanks joyfully invade all the towns and villages of each Andorran parish. The great parade of the Magi, travelling by coach, will take place on the night of January 5. This year, they will be a little early and will distribute gifts and treats to all the good kids starting Christmas! Merry Christmas!
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