Nativity scenes and Little Shepherds

As we know, the Bible says that baby Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem and placed in a manger (pessebre in Catalan), surrounded by animals that kept him warm.

The first known nativity scene was created in Prague in 1562. In Catalonia and Andorra, along with most Christian countries in the Mediterranean region, this tradition is still so ingrained that the preparation and depiction of the nativity scene has become an art form, and the results are often spectacular.

One example is the giant nativity scene in Canillo, which you can admire in the town's streets and squares this year from 5 December 2024 to 12 January 2025.

One of the most popular variants is the live nativity scene. Experts say its origins date back to 1223 in Italy, where St. Francis of Assisi set up the first live nativity scene. Among the Catalan-speaking countries, Andorra has the honour of being the first to embrace this activity thanks to the efforts of Esteve Albert Corp, who created and promoted the live nativity scene in Engordany that was performed for the first time in 1956. In 2014, fifty years after its last performance, Escaldes-Engordany brought the tradition back with a live nativity scene that proved to be hugely popular. The eighth edition of the live nativity scene in Escaldes-Engordany will take place at the Sala Prat del Roure on Saturday 14 December (7:00 pm to 9:00 pm) and Sunday 15 December (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm). Tickets can be purchased at this link.

Another tradition that can still be found in Andorra is Els Pastorets, or "The Little Shepherds". The origins of this tradition date back to the medieval miracle plays known as officium pastorum, or "The Adoration of the Shepherds". Since 1994, they have been performed in Sant Julià de Lòria in accordance with the original play written by Josep M. Folch i Torres. This year’s edition will take place on Thursday 26 and Saturday 28 December, with two performances each day: one at 6:00 pm and another at 8:00 pm. The play will also be performed on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 January 2025, again with two performances each day (6:00 pm and 8:00 pm). All of the performances will take place outside the Casa Comuna. Further information: tel. (+376) 744 044.