Hèsta d'Aran 2016, 25th anniversary of the restoration of Aranese government

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hesta-daran_dances-1024x683On Friday June 17 is celebrated the Hèsta d’Aran, local festival of the Val d’Aran, where is commemorated the restoration of the current Consèlh Generau d’Aran, an event which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.

During the day, it is tradition to hold a reception at the headquarters of the Consèlh Generau d’Aran, after which a procession with the standards of the constituencies or terçons that form the Aranese territory today (Pujòlo, Arties and Garòs, Castiero, Marcatosa , Lairissa and Quate Locs) parade to the Sanctuary of Nostra Senhòra de Mijaran. There takes place the religious ceremony followed by the official ceremony and a performance of Aranese dances.

The Plenum of the Consèlh Generau d’Aran, in an extraordinary session on 30 May in Arròs approved an institutional declaration of the 25th anniversary of the Conselh Generau d’Aran restoration. Among the scheduled events, yesterday was held a memorial at the Catalan Parliament.

An historic landmark

hesta-daran_1-1024x683The Catalan Parliament approved on June 28 of 1990 the first Special Law of the Val d’Aran. This was a momentous event in the history of this territory, which over time has repeatedly expressed loyalty to its institutions and willingness to exercise self-government and management of public affairs.

This will was evidenced by its inhabitants, when on June 26, 1979, all members of the Aran corporations elected in the first democratic elections, created in the church of Cap d’Aran the Intermunicipal Management Committee for Reinstatement of Aran Institutions to establish areas of collaboration with the Catalan institutions. This led to the establishment of the provisional Consèlh Generau d’Aran, on September the 2nd of the same year.

The Estatut d’Autonomia, approved in the Catalan Parliament in 1979, determined a first recognition of the historical and linguistic rights of Aran, with the first additional provision, which stated that in the framework of the Spanish Constitution and the Estatut, shall be recognized and updated the historical peculiarities of the internal administrative organization of the Val d’Aran.

Hèsta d’Aran program

tarja-hesta-2016-25-aniversari-702x102411: 00h Reception of the síndic d’Aran, Carlos Barrera, to the authorities and guests at the headquarters of the Consèlh Generau d’Aran (Vielha). The event will have the presence of the Catalan government president, Carles Puigdemont.

11: 30h Parade of standards carried by the representatives of each Terçon to the sanctuary de Nostra Senhòra de Mijaran.

12: 00h Mass in the sanctuary de Nostra Senhòra de Mijaran.

13: 00h Institutional act of the Hèsta d’Aran in the ruins of the ancient sanctuary of Mijaran.

– Flag-raising

– Parliaments of authorities

– Aranese dances

20:00 Alisé Sans, Aranese singer in concert in the plaça dera Església (Vielha).

Festivals and traditions this weekend in the Val d'Aran

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We’ll have another happy weekend in the Val d’Aran where, after the white winter, villages are waking up wanting colour and outdoor activities. Araneses and visitors can choose from festivals, fairs, competitions and traditions, all combined with the many other proposals to enjoy the valley in the spring.

Shasclada deth haro in Les et tallada del taro in Arties

Festes del focAs tradition, the second weekend in May the village of Les celebrates the first of the great acts of his Hèsta deth huec (fire festival), the Shasclada deth haro, which will take place on Saturday 14th.

In this edition, on the occasion of its declaration as Intangible Heritage of Unesco, at noon an exhibition dedicated to the failures of the Pyrenees will be open and you can visit it until 22 May at the Escola d’Ostalaria. (Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9 to 17 h and Saturday morning.)

At 15:30 will begin the baishada deth tronc (down the trunk). The men of the village will lower the haro from the forest, a wooden trunk between 10 and 12 meters and took it into the town square, just named the Plaça deth Haro. On their way through the bridge of the Garonne River, the procession made a stop at Pont, where there will be performance of 13178857_1825360331018197_495438816675009912_ntypical Aranese dances by Es Corbilhuèrs. In addition, some establishments on the way will offer a sip of sweet wine and typical Aranese cakes.

By midafternoon the haro make its entry to the Shasclada in the square of Les, to strip its bark so it could dry well and be burned during the night of San Juan, on June 24. The festival will end with a popular dinner and DJ in the square from 21h.

On Sunday will take place too the Tallada del taro in Arties.

Spring Festival in Vielha

Another spring tradition, although in this case coming from afar, will take place in Vielha. Holi, the festival of the Hindu spring, also known as the feast of love, will inundate of colour the Plaza de la Iglesia of the Aranese capital on Sunday morning, with a Bollywood dance (11h) and roll colours (12h). The exhibition will performed by the students of the Tchaikovsky School of Vielha directed by the dancer Shahida Ahmed from the Sheri Masala Club Barcelona. Moreover, those who want to initiate in this discipline can attend the master class of Bollywood dance that will take place on Saturday.

Aranese sheep fair in Vielha

And we do not let Vielha because the same Sunday al 10 am will be opened the Aranese sheep fair in the parking lot of the military in the town, where will take place an exhibition, the X morphological contest of Aranese race, an exhibition of selected male and a sheared sheep contest. In the afternoon a demonstration of cut logs will be held in various forms. Throughout the day various activities such as playgrounds, popular breakfast, a drawing of wooden figures and awards contests will happen.

The sheep of the Val d’Aran, considered of special protection because it’s facing risk of extinction, it is appreciated for its great meat potential and the quality of its wool, highly prized among artisans.

The festival of the Santa Creu de Salardú begins

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The festival of Salardú, held from Friday 29 April to Tuesday May 3 in honor of the Holy Cross, opens the season of festivals in the Val d’Aran.

festa_santa_creu_-_salard_It has become one of the most popular events, which gathers Arenese of around the valley with other visitors and followers of our traditions. Over five days, they take place several activities aimed at audiences of all ages, including dances and performances, competitions, cutting logs, output cycling and popular dinner.

The main event takes place on Tuesday, May 3, the feast of the Holy Cross. The ceremony begins with the meeting of the crosses of the term of Naut Aran at the entrance of the town. Crosses of Salardú, Gessa, Arties, Garòs, Bagergue, Tredòs, Unha, Baqueira and Montgarri start a procession to the church of Sant Andreu de Salardú where a solemn mass is officiated in honour of the Holy Cross.

After the religious ceremony, it takes place a performance of Aranese dances performed by the Gripets deth Naut Aran. These include the traditional dance “Eth Balhano” a dance recovered by the municipality in 1996, formerly played inside the church. Eventually he 10277930_640798589332174_5116709486347734221_nstopped being a dance ceremony to become a popular event where any couple could participate.

Then the present people accompany in procession the priests of Naut Aran and the carriers of the crosses of all populations, to the square dera Pica, where they proceed to the blessing of the inhabitants and the municipality, in order to protect and ensure a good harvest.

Source: Hesta Salardú