Address by the Speaker of the General Council on the occasion of Meritxell Day

Meritxell Day is much more than a date marked on the calendar; it is the shared heartbeat of the entire Andorran people, our National Day.

Beyond individual beliefs, this celebration brings together a people who recognise themselves in their history, renew their identity and celebrate the values of peace, hospitality and harmony that have defined our valleys for centuries.

This year, the celebration takes on a particularly profound significance as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the new Sanctuary.

Fifty years have passed since Andorra, with courage and a vision for the future, rose from the ashes of the tragedy of 1972 to bring to life the work of architects Anna and Ricard Bofill. That collective reconstruction effort remains an enduring symbol of our society’s ability to overcome hardship, turn pain into hope and look ahead without ever abandoning its own essence.

At the inauguration of the new place of worship on 8 September 1976, Speaker Reig emphasised in his address that, although in 1972 “a chapel cherished in the memories and experiences of all Andorrans burned down”. 

The new Sanctuary would become “a home for everyone, so that the Andorran spirit may endure and find new forms of expression in the future to ensure its survival”. Half a century later, we can affirm that this aspiration has become a reality.

At Meritxell, the dialogue between past and present becomes tangible in the coexistence of the old church and the new basilica. The old church, restored and standing alongside the new one, reminds us of the modesty and perseverance of the generations who came before us.

The coexistence of these two spaces perfectly captures the soul of Andorra: the ability to preserve the cultural and historical heritage that keeps us rooted in our land, while fearlessly embracing modernity and contemporary creativity.

This year, the Sanctuary is offering activities beyond the traditional Meritxell Day celebrations. A fiftieth anniversary does not come around every day, and those wishing to discover the history of the Basilica of Our Lady of Meritxell can do so through the photographic exhibition covering the building’s first half-century.

The programme also includes talks, themed tours, a range of music and dance performances, and educational activities for young children and their families.

It will be an opportunity to pay tribute to everyone who made the restoration and reconstruction of Meritxell possible and to introduce younger generations to a pivotal episode in our collective memory.

This spirit of resilience and unity is the very same spirit we need to keep alive today. We are living through a time of global change and rapid transformation, in which Andorra faces complex social, economic and institutional challenges.

The future is not a matter of chance, but a path we build day by day through our collective determination, shared responsibility and willingness to reach an understanding. If we can preserve the cohesion and solidarity that have defined us over the centuries, there is no challenge we cannot successfully overcome.

May this Meritxell Day and the events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the new Sanctuary strengthen our pride in belonging and renew our firm commitment to continuing to make Andorra a prosperous, inclusive and forward-looking country.

A very happy Meritxell Day to everyone!

Carles Ensenyat Reig

Speaker of the General Council