The first day of La Pitavola, a mountain market held in the Pyrenees, experienced a remarkable turnout, featuring 22 stalls offering a variety of crafts and food products from both Andorra and various regions of the Catalan and French Pyrenees. The event also included a crafts alley and numerous activities celebrating mountain culture and traditions.
The market was inaugurated with the presentation of a new sculpture by renowned blacksmith Jordi Yllamola. The sculpture, representing the ermine, or 'paniquera' as it is known in Andorra, was highlighted by local artist Amadeu Gelabert. He explained, “I used corten steel and other materials, incorporating details like the black spot on the tail to accurately depict this animal, which will now welcome visitors to the natural park near the river, as this species is linked to aquatic environments.”
The sculptural circuit now features six works displayed throughout Arinsal, including the pitavola, serenalla, isard, trencalòs, tritón, and the ermine. Additionally, a photography competition has been launched, inviting participants to share images of the Comapedrosa sculptures on Instagram, tagging @visitlamassana.
During the opening ceremony, the deputy consul, Rogé Fité, remarked, “La Pitavola is a well-established event, not only due to its six-year history but also because of its popularity among the public. From early on, we have seen many families attending, as children particularly enjoy seeing the livestock up close.” He also emphasised the importance of the event in preserving traditions, such as the ancient craft of charcoal burning, alongside the artistic contributions from the Esbart Valls del Nord dance group.
One of the highlights was a live demonstration of charcoal burning conducted by traditional crafts expert Roger Solé, allowing the audience to witness the entire process leading to the collection of charcoal. A second, unfinished charcoal burner was set up for educational purposes, enabling visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the craft.
The performance by Esbart Valls del Nord received enthusiastic applause, featuring several dances that culminated in the dance titled “La Pitavola del Comapedrosa.” Next weekend, the Contradans festival, celebrating cultural roots in the Valls del Nord, will take place.
All activities on the first day of La Pitavola were well-received, from the planetarium visits to children's workshops. Gastronomy also played a vital role in the market, with a tapas route available at local establishments in Arinsal. La Pitavola del Comapedrosa will continue on Sunday, offering more activities, including the extinguishing of the charcoal burner at noon, allowing visitors to collect the charcoal. Other planned activities include an adult workshop on creating a herbarium and a children’s workshop for making a flying pitavola. The market will close at 5 PM.
