Culture of Andorra
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'''Andorran Culture''' is [[Catalonia|Catalan]] in essence{{Fact|date=February 2008}}, since the native-born population of [[Andorra]] is Catalan. However, it has given a significant and easily identifiable contribution to the conglomerate of [[Catalan culture]].{{Fact|date=February 2008}}
== Literature ==
Two writers renowned in [[Catalonia]] and the region, [[Michèle Gazier]] and [[Ramon Villeró]], both come from Andorra. In addition, [[Ricard Fiter]], a renowned writer, not only comes from Andorra, but also serves as the Principality's [[ombudsman]]. Yet the tradition of writing in Andorra dates farther back than the 20th century; [[Antoni Fiter i Rossell]], from the parish of Ordino, wrote a history book of his lands called ''Digest manual de las valls neutras de Andorra'' in 1748, describing the feudal historical and legal setting of Andorra.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}
== Music ==
{{Main|Music of Andorra}}
Given the fondness of the Catalans for music{{Fact|date=February 2008}}, it may not be surprising to hear that Andorra has a Chamber Orchestra directed by the [[violin]]ist [[Gérard Claret]]; and that it also stages a famous international singing contest supported by the Spanish singer [[Montserrat Caballé]]. [[Eurovision Song Contest 2004|In 2004]], Andorra participated in the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] for the first time. This attracted media attention from [[Catalonia]], since it was the first<ref name="Lalala">[[1968 Eurovision Song Contest|In 1968]], [[Joan Manuel Serrat]] renounced to sing [[La La La]] for Spain when the Franco government forbid the Catalan lyrics. [[Massiel]] sung it in Spanish winning the contest.</ref> song to be sung in [[Catalan language|Catalan]]. The song was eliminated in the semi-finals, and the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2005|2005]] and [[Eurovision Song Contest 2006|2006 entries]] also met the same fate. {{Fact|date=February 2008}}
The single most important event in Andorran cultural life is the [[Escaldes-Engordany]] international [[jazz]] festival, where international stars such as [[Miles Davis]], [[Fats Domino]] and [[B.B. King]] have taken part.
== Dance ==
Typical dances, such as the ''[[marratxa]]'' and the ''contrapàs'', are especially popular at feasts. Among famous feasts are the one honoring [[Sant Jordi]], when books and roses are given as presents; the ''[[St. John's Eve|People's feast]]'', celebrating [[John the Apostle|Saint John]] and the summer [[solstice]], and the feast of [[Saint Stephen]] (Sant Esteve), [[patron saint]] of [[Andorra la Vella]]. Andorrans tend to celebrate their feasts gladly and loudly.
== Media ==
Andorra's [[constitution]] provides for full freedom of the media. There are two daily newspapers published in the principality, ''[[Diari D'Andorra]]'' and ''[[El Periòdic]]''. Television services are broadcast by the public [[ATV]], and apart from the public ''[[Radio nacional d'Andorra]]'' there is also the commercial radio station called ''[[Radio Valira]]''.
==See also==
* [[Sport in Andorra]]
* [[Architecture of Andorra]]
{{Culture of Europe}}
==Notes and references==
<References/>
[[Category:Andorran culture| ]]
[[es:Cultura de Andorra]]