Andorra la VellaThe Seu d’Urgell premieres this weekend one of its main novelties this Christmas: the Living Nativity. In this way, the capital of Alt Urgell joins, with an ambitious approach, the various municipalities from all over Catalonia that organize this tradition for these dates.
According to RadioSeu, the first sessions of the new Pessebre Vivent will take place this Saturday, December 21, and Sunday, the 22nd. It can also be visited next weekend with two more passes: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 December. In all four cases the route will begin at 7 in the evening and at 8 in the evening (two shifts each day) from the courtyard of the Sant Agustà Library. The capacity will be one maximum of 200 spectators at each of the performanceswhich last one hour.
In an interview with RÃ dioSeu the director and promoter of the new assembly, Alex Ribaexplained that the idea had already begun to develop six years ago, in 2018, alongside Salvador Rosas i Joseph Canelles. The aim was to make a Living Nativity that would stand out from others that are made in the rest of the country due to its setting in the heart of the historic center of La Seu d’Urgell, around the whole of the Romanesque Cathedral and, therefore with a marked medieval character.
Since then they have planned the various cadres and trades they wanted to include. The COVID pandemic put the project on hold but last year they reactivated it. In the midst of it all, they took as a reference to follow the nativity scene of Ardèvol (in the Solsonà municipality of Pinós), considered one of the most beautiful and complete in Catalonia. Although what is done at the Headquarters will not have the dimensions of Ardèvol, it is born with good planning and with a vocation of continuity.
To make this possible, the organizers have the support of La Seu Town Hall and several local entities that have been directly involved; among them, the Patronage of the Altarpiece of Sant Ermengol, which gives some of the costumes that will be used, and the Armats. Another important element will be the volunteers who have signed up over the last few weeks, either to act as actors or extras or for various logistical tasks.
The route
The Library courtyard will be the meeting place for attendees. At the Sant Miquel square there will be the first box, the one of the Annunciationand from there it moves towards the Calle dels Canongeswhere several are recreated medieval trades. Al St. Roc street the box is located there the Edict and a musician performs there. The next stop is at Palau courtyardwhere one is represented small market with a blacksmithand in front of the Episcopal Palace there is the painting ofHerod and the Romans.
The journey then proceeds towards the Deanery Squarewhere one is recreated group of poor, lepers and prisonersand a little later some appear shepherds by the fire. Then, at the entrance of Diocesan Museum there is the picture of birth. There begins one of the most unique points of the route because it passes through Cloisters of the Cathedralwhere there is a group of monks. at theChurch of Sant Miquel there will be a representation of Temple of Jesus. And finally, at Cadà Park there will be the Roman Guards and the Demons.
Advance tickets
Tickets are sold in advance and there will be no box office for on-site sales. They can be purchased on the Codetickets website or in person at the office of Tourism Headquartersat Espai Ermengol (C. Major, 8). The price is €9 for over 12 and €5 for children aged 5 to 12. The price includes the guided tour and a sausage sandwich for dinner. For children under 5, entry is free.