ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Andorra - Culture

Until the 1950s, Andorra's population hovered around 6000. Today, only about a quarter of the population - almost two-thirds of whom live in Andorra la Vella and its suburbs - are Andorran nationals. The rest are mainly Spanish, French and Portuguese.

The official language is Catalan (Català), a Romance language most closely related to Provençal but with roots in Castilian and French. Local lore has it that everyone in Andorra speaks Catalan, Spanish and French, but there are plenty of people who can't understand more than 10 words of French. Hardly anyone speaks English.

Andorran cuisine is mainly Catalan, with strong French and Italian influences. Sauces are typically served with meat and fish. Pasta is also common. Local dishes include cunillo (rabbit cooked in tomato sauce), xai (roast lamb), trinxat (bacon, potatoes and cabbage) and escudella (a stew of chicken, sausage and meatballs).

Events

Many Andorran towns and hamlets celebrate their heritage with a 'village festival', when locals gather to enjoy music, dancing, wine and feasts. Nearly all of these fall between July and September. Andorra la Vella's three day festival period begins on the first Saturday in August. Mare de Deu de Meritxell, the national festival of the Virgin Mary, is celebrated on 8 September with a pilgrimage to Meritxell, 7km (4mi) north-east of Andorra la Vella.

Back to Europe

© Copyright 2000 - 2004  Eurotravelling.net  POWERED BY wORLDTRAVELGATE.NET