Mollerussa, in the Lleida region, will celebrate its Sant Isidori Festivities from 7 to 12 April, with acclaimed chef Joel Castanyé Daniel delivering the opening speech. Castanyé, a Mollerussa native and chef at La Boscana restaurant, recently earned a second Michelin Star.
The opening speech will take place on Tuesday, 7 April, at 8:30pm at the L'Amistat Theatre. The event will also feature a performance by the Municipal Music School's Modern Music Ensemble.
Literary Night Highlights Cultural Programme
A key event in the cultural programme is the Literary Night, scheduled for Friday, 10 April, at 8:30pm, also at the L'Amistat Theatre. This gala will host the awards ceremony for the 38th Ciutat de Mollerussa Short Novel Prize and the 10th Saó de Ponent Prize.
The winning novel from the previous edition, Normal era un programa de la rentadora (Normal Was a Washing Machine Programme) by Eva Llobet, will also be presented. The Som Faràndula Theatre Group will host the gala, which will maintain its usual café-theatre format with raised seating. Refreshments and a glass of red wine, courtesy of Castell del Remei winery, will be served during the event.
Popular Culture and Sports Events
This year's programme strongly features popular culture. Notable events include the presentation of activities for the 40th anniversary of the Diables de Mollerussa (Mollerussa Devils) on Saturday, 11 April. The 17th Tarda Bastonera (Stick Dance Afternoon), organised by Casal Popular L'Arreu, will also be held on Saturday, 11 April. The 27th Trobada de Puntaires (Lace Makers' Gathering), organised by the L'Albada Women's Association, is scheduled for Sunday, 12 April. On the same Sunday, the Ciutat de Mollerussa Urban Dance Championship, organised by the Montse Miret Dance Company, will take place.
Sport also plays a part in the festivities. As Mollerussa holds the title of Catalan Basketball City 2026, it will host the final of the Catalan Junior Preferent Men's Basketball Championship over the weekend. Additionally, a popular walk will be held on Thursday, 9 April, coinciding with World Physical Activity Day.
Literary Discussions and Religious Observances
Also on Thursday, 9 April, there will be a presentation of the 'Llegir' (To Read) podcast, which combines literature and humour, featuring Uriol Gilibets and Eduard Gener, with journalist Francesc Canosa as a guest. This event is co-organised by the Jaume Vila Comarcal Library and Produccions Minúscules, forming part of the Festival Minúscul annexes.
On Saturday, 11 April, the 18th edition of the Sol del Pla Awards, organised by the Pla d'Urgell Regional Council, will be presented. The El Rovell association will also organise a popular scavenger hunt with vermouth and a community lunch on the same day; prior registration is required for the lunch.
Religious events include a conference on Wednesday, 8 April, titled 'El drama de la pèrdua de la veritat en la societat de la comunicació' (The Drama of Losing Truth in the Communication Society), given by Monsignor Francesc Conesa, Bishop of Solsona.
On Saturday, 11 April, at 8pm, the traditional 'vot de poble' mass in honour of Sant Isidori will be celebrated at Sant Jaume parish, presided over by Bishop Conesa. The celebration will conclude with the veneration of the saint in the Sant Isidori chapel, announced by the ringing of bells by the Esplai Gojo bell ringers' group.
