The Andorra Shopping Festival Is Established As a Tourist Draw

elENGLISH Periòdic EDITION NewsT U E 1 9

BALANCE SHEET OF THE SEVENTH EDITION The Andorra Shopping Festival is established as a tourist draw Traders point out that the influx of people in Visitors make the first Christmas purchases but the streets does not translate into sales ask for more discounts at stores

VISIT ANDORRA EL PERIÒDIC ESCALDES-ENGORDANY @PeriodicAND he Andorra Shopping Fes- tival maintains a strong power of attraction for tou- T rists. In the hopes that an official balance sheet is made public about the number of sales and oc- cupation, the feeling of merchants and hoteliers is that many people have made the festival an unmissa- ble annual event. This is the case of Almudena and her family from Tar- ragona, who came last year with her family and decided to return this year. «We saw the ads on TV and we were encouraged to come back to do some shopping and go to the ‘Amis- tosos Peligrosas’ concert,» she explained as they made their way to their hotel, bag in hand. Asked for their opinion, some re- tailers on the Shopping Mile clai- med they had noticed an increase in the number of people entering shops and strolling through the streets, but not in the number of sales. Meri, in charge of a perfumery located on Avenida Meritxell, indicated that «over the festival we have wrapped some packages for the Christmas holidays, but very few», and emphasized that «the music in the street and the performances make for a good atmosphere , I noticed that people seem happy; as if the De- One of the performances of the seventh edition of the Andorra Shopping Festival. cember holidays were already upon 33 us» Unlike other years, the seventh had come over these days had asked ar, attracting a more family-orien- MORE DISCOUNTS Although some visi- anything. His friend, however, added edition of the Andorra Shopping for suggestions about excursions ted audience. Some of the couples tors had come to/ the country without that «although it is true that we didn’t Festival was not designated for the in the mountains to compliment a who had come with children said: knowing that the Shopping Festival see many discounts, at least there is al- ‘Tots Sants’ (All Saints) bank holi- day of shopping, and highlighted «We have spent the weekend here was going on, such as a group of bi- ways a difference because you can sa- day, given that it is already a date «the number of calls we received we- and have looked in the shops, but kers who came from Barcelona to have on the VAT.» when tourists visit the Principality. eks before, asking details about the above all, we came because there are ve lunch and stroll through Escaldes, The seventh edition of the Andorra The Andorra La Vella tourist office planned activities and concerts”. workshops and street performan- most visitors were here for the event. Shopping Festival, which had a bud- confirmed that the change of date The music was once again one of the ces that we can enjoy with the kids; Many agreed on the need to ask for get of 600,000 euros, closes with the had not affected the number of visi- main attractions of the Shopping in addition, we have enjoyed very more discounts at stores. “It would be forecast of a rise in the number of vi- tors, even though the first weekend Festival this year, with such promi- good weather». As well as activities worthwhile if you made rebates or of- sits, especially from the French mar- of the festival coincided with the nent names as ‘Los Secrets’, ‘Ella Bai- for the little ones and free concerts, fers with a 30 or 50% discount. In that ket. The number of tourists that ha- Spanish general elections. The two la Sola’ or ‘Amistades Peligrosas’. this year an exhibition of nine great case, I would have bought more thi- ve come to the country for this event people who were working at the of- The children’s activities have also sculptures of Minnie Mouse adorn ngs” a young man confessed to us that has continued to grow over the last th- fice yesterday said that people who been established, and grow every ye- the commercial area. Sunday afternoon he had not bought ree years. H 16 www.elperiodic.ad TUESDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2019 el Periòdic News

ANDORRA LA VELLA INFRASTRUCTURE Marsol - last talks regarding tender for the reconstruction of Serradells The consul hopes to reach an economic agreement with the insurers to reopen the pool for the Games of the Small States

COMÚ D’ANDORRA LA VELLA / TONY LARA EL PERIÒDIC ANDORRA LA VELLA @PeriodicAND o hurry but without de- lays. This is the message transmitted by the Comú Nd’Andorra la Vella regarding the reopening of the Serradells pool. After a long period in which «every expert and a thousand tests have been carried out to verify that the structure is not damaged for the purpose of seeing compensation», the mayor of Andorra la Vella, Con- xita Marsol hopes to be able to announce over the next few days, the announcement of public tender for the reconstruction of the infrastructure. Regarding this, the team from the Comú is finalizing negotiations with the insurers to reach an economic agreement that allows them to finish the basis for the tender. «We have the project on the table and I am sure that next week there will be news,» said Marsol, who apologized for the delay in the deadlines due to «to redoing the deconstruction and reconstruction project.» Although there are still some loose ends to tie up, the mayor estimates that the cost of the repair will not reach four million euros. The timescale with which the board is working to re-inaugurate the Serradells pool is with a view to the Small States Games that will be hosted here in the country in the sum- mer of 2021. However, the processes of execution of the work will depend to a large extent also on the terms by which the tender can be awarded and, consequently, the period of time that elapses until its convocati- on. Precisely for this reason, the idea of the board is that, as soon as an The Serradells’ indoor pool very damaged after the fire. agreement with the insurers can be 33 reached, the tender can be taken so as not to delay the start of the works. «I will be honest, if it can be ready for the Games of the Small States, The comú maintains an open perfect and we will work with this objective, but that will not make us do anything badly. It is quite impor- position on a multi-purpose venue tant for the Serradells project to do things with the time needed,» said Marsol offers four locations vate individuals and Andorra la In any case, the mayor hig- Marsol, who emphasized that the Vella has enough land to be able hlighted «the necessity» of ma- reconstruction process will be car- in the parish with a variety of to locate this multi-purpose ve- king this multi-purpose venue ried out «with all the guarantees be- possibilities nue,» said the mayor. Among the a reality in order to host events Conxita Marsol cause it is a long and important job. spaces that the Comú has availa- such as the Cirque du Soleil. «We MAYOR OF ANDORRA LA VELLA First, you have to remove everythi- EL PERIÒDIC ble is that of land in Santa Colo- have to add to trade and tourism. «If it can be ready for ng and then reconstruct it. And it ANDORRA LA VELLA ma (in the Margineda area), one Nowadays tourism is influenced goes from the roof to the facades, The mayor of Andorra la Ve- in Jovial, another in Prat de la more by experiences and there- the Games of the the base of the pool and the stands. lla, Conxita Marsol, was confi- Cruz in front of the Government fore we have to step up and offer I mean, there is a lot of work, « she dent that the capital will even- and another in Fener. alternatives,» said Ms. Marsol. Small States, perfect added. tually be able to host the mul- «We want it to be in Andorra la On the other hand, it must be and we will work with With the goal of having the fa- ti-purpose venue, «one of the Vella and regarding this, we ha- remembered that in the draft cilities at full capacity for the Ga- great projects of this term», as ve to look at the possibilities of it budget for 2020 there is a plan- this objective, but that mes of the Small States, Marsol re- recalled by the head of govern- being in a place that has existing ned € 10.5 million for the mul- will not make us do ferred to the inauguration of the ment, Xavier Espot. For this re- parking or where you can build a ti-purpose venue. This would be pool in 1991, which also coincided ason, he evaluated the range of parking lot. Also, a place that is distributed between 2020 and anything badly» with the first time Andorra hosted availabilities offered by the pa- very central as it could be a spa- 2024, with an initial investment the competition. «Now we will have rish as a location for the venue ce that helps to revitalize and ur- of 40,000 to develop studies of the opportunity to re-inaugurate it and showed a «fairly open» po- banize an area of the parish. The- the project that would not be- on the at the Games. I am convinced sition regarding the preferen- refore, we have all the options», gin to build until 2022 and that that we will achieve this. However, ces of the board. «Thanks to the remarked Marsol about the cri- would be completed in 2024 we must be careful, ordered and or- work of these four years, the Co- teria of the location of the mul- when the most important invest- ganized, «Marsol said. mú has obtained land from pri- ti-purpose venue. ments would be reached. H H www.elperiodic.ad TUESDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2019 el Periòdicel Periòdic d’Andorra News 1717

OVERVIEW OF THE START OF THE SEASON

Long queues Arcalís receives more than 3,500 to buy the day people on the first weekend of skiing pass The anticipation for the 33beginning of the ski season Station opens around 40% of the slopes and will continue to be conditioned during the week caused brought a lot of peo-

ORDINO ARCALÍS ple to Ordino Arcalís as it was the first opening day and the only station that was open in the Principality. In fact, there were quite a few skiers and snowboarders who came at right on the opening time at the station to be the first on the slopes and make the first descents of the season. As the morning went on, however, the continuous flow of people caused long queues to buy the ski pass for the day or the multi-day pass, which at its peak, meant an hour of waiting time.

res, while the snowfall at night ga- ve way to a Sunday with only some sun and a little snowfall early in the morning, a situation that normali- zed as the day went on. The forecast for the next days, which is not expec- ted to be too unstable, will be decisi- ve for the progress of the conditio- ning work on the slopes.

GRANDVALIRA CLIENTS As highlighted by the station, «this/ is a special season because Ordino Arcalís has regained the exclusive season pass for its station and, for the first time, all Grandvalira skiers have may inclu- de the option of skiing at the Ordino Skiers and snowboarders descend along the slopes of Ordino Arcalís, yesterday. station.” In fact, last minute clients 33 were very satisfied with this possibi- EL PERIÒDIC good early opening, «an atypical fact wing to open the slope of the Canale- lity and many of them already took ESCALDES-ENGORDANY for the Principality «. Many Grandvalira ta yesterday and add another slope advantage of this weekend to start @PeriodicAND clients took to the base of Arcalís. In any case, as off the season with the Grandvali- rdino Arcalís registered The station offered about 40% of already indicated from the station, ra pass despite the clues in the neig- more than 3,500 peo- the skiable area throughout the we- advantage of this during the week, work will be carri- hboring valley do not open until No- ple in its first season weekend although most of the slopes weekend to start the ed out to condition more slopes and vember 30. In the case of Arcalís, the O ekend, 1,500 yesterday were concentrated in La Coma area season facilities, such as the ski school, the intention is to reach 170 open days, and 2,000 on the opening day . As , which could connect with the ba- slope for kids, and the restaurants. therefore, the forecast is to keep it explained from the station through se of the Hortell. Although Saturday operational until May 3. a statement, the overview of the we- opened with ten slopes, the snowfall GOOD WEATHER The weather helped H ekend is «positive» and attributed that was registered during that sa- out during much/ of the weekend; the good opening weekend to the me night, with between ten to fif- Saturday was mostly sunny, alt- fact that skiers were able to have a teen centimeters more snow, allo- hough with very low temperatu-

ANA / M. F. SAAS OBJECTIVES EVENTS Prats has set as a priority to Arrested for having 2.56 g / l improve traumatology after being in an accident The new healthcare director professionals that would be set to The N-145 was blocked off athalyzer test to the driver, work on different areas, such as which registered positive of is improving the organization hand, shoulder, back, etc. . Nowa- for about an hour from an 2.56 g / l, which is why he was of this department days, professionals are looking to accident inside the tunnel arrested. finish completing the workforce EL PERIÒDIC and when the department is re- EL PERIÒDIC Alternative route to the ESCALDES-ENGORDANY organized, the official announce- ESCALDES-ENGORDANY N-145 / On the other hand, The new director of the SAAS, Mar- ment of the news will be made, de- The police arrested a 24-year- yesterday morning there was cel Prats, has set as one of his pri- clared Prats. old man on Saturday morning another traffic accident on orities to improve the traumato- At the same time, he is also wor- as he registered positive for al- the N-145 going to Andor- logy department of the hospital king on chronic care within the cohol after being in a traffic ra involving one Spanish ve- with new organization in which framework of the cross-border pro- accident. According to the sta- hicle. The accident occurred Marcel Prats. they are working on. In fact, new ject Aptitude, which seeks to detect tement issued by the Police, around nine in the morning 33 professionals are being incorpora- the elderly at risk to influence the- the accident occurred at 4:56 between kilometer 3 and 4, ted and a «new way of organizing, ir care, and in ambulatory surgery. date the hospital and other areas a.m. at Pont de la Tosca Ave- just inside the tunnel, which by units,» is being assessed, a new And he wants to explore other are- such as the primary care, mental nue, number 10, in Escaldes- went on incoming traffic as system that could be operational as such as home hospitalization. health or El Cedre. In addition, it is Engordany. The only vehicle he lost control of the vehi- by the end of this year or early next In any case, the healthcare direc- necessary to take into account how involved was a Mercedes-Benz cle which lead to the tunnel year. tor of the SAAS stated that he wants it all will fit within the healthcare 220D with a Spanish licence, being blocked off until the What is sought, according to to follow what his predecessor, Jo- reform and how they will have to and Spanish resident. The pa- area was cleared out. The cut Prats at declarations to the ANA, an Martínez Benazet, begun, and «dialogue» between the different trol that moved to the place lasted about an hour causing is to enhance the expertise of the in doing so, it will be able to coor- health sectors. of events administered a bre- some traffic. H H 18 www.elperiodic.ad TUESDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2019 el Periòdic News

FOOTBALL SECOND DIVISION B The3 three points are back FC Andorra breaks the long streak of draws in a very good first half against a frozen Ebro

@FCANDORRA / NATÀLIA FERRÉ FC ANDORRA 2 League updates CD EBRO 1 Second Division B - Group 3 13th day FC Andorra CD Ebro Ratti Loscos Villa-real CF B-UE Olot 1-1 Adrià Vilanova Barreda SD Ejea-Badalona CF 2-0 Martos Abel Moreno FC Andorra-CD Ebro 2-1 Riverola Espín UE Llagostera-Lleida Esportiu TCF 1-0 Forgas Aguza At. Llevant-CF La Nucía 3-1 Loureiro Gran García AE Prat-RCD Espanyol B 0-2 Gaffoor Álvaro González Pinga Rubio OriolaCF-CD Castelló 2-2 Jilmar Juampa CE Sabadell-Nàstic Tarragona 2-0 Bover Víctor Andrés FC Barcelona B-UE Cornellà 3-3 Mussa Jr Ayad Hèrcules CF- València Mestalla 1-1

Trainer Trainer Classification J G E P Pt Gabri García Manuel Real Jiménez 1. CD Castelló 13 7 6 0 27 Changes: Changes: 2. Lleida Esportiu TCF 13 7 4 2 25 Jilmar per Bessone (m. Andrés per Á. González 3. CE Sabadell 13 7 4 2 25 68), Pinga per Pachón (m. 46), Garrido per Ayad 4. FC Andorra 13 6 6 1 24 (m. 73) i Bessone per Dot (m. 46) i Juampa per 5. FC Barcelona B 13 5 6 2 21 (m. 76). Emana (m. 80). 6. UE Llagostera 13 6 3 4 21 7. CF La Nucía 13 5 4 4 19 Goals: 1-0 14’ Forgas 2-0 27’ Sidibé 2-1 69’ Espín 8. Vila-real CF B 13 5 4 4 19 3Referee: Borja Martínez 9. RCD Espanyol B 13 4 6 3 18 3Cards: Jilmar, minut 59 (FC Andorra), Abel Moreno, 10. UE Olot 13 4 6 3 18 3minut 83 (CD Ebro) i Gabri García, minut 89 (FC 11. SD Ejea 13 4 5 4 17 Andorra). Field: Prada de Moles. 12. UE Cornellà 13 4 5 4 17 3Assistance: 400 spectators. 13. València Mestalla 13 3 6 4 15 3 14. At. Llevant 13 4 3 6 15 EL PERIÒDIC 15. CD Ebro 13 3 5 5 14 ENCAMP 16. Hèrcules CF 13 3 3 5 12 17. Nàstic de Tarragona 13 2 5 6 11 @PeriodicAND 18. Badalona CF 13 2 3 8 9 FC Andorra regai- 19. AE Prat 13 1 5 7 8 Adrià Villanova controls the ball against Adrián Portero. 20. Oriola CF 13 1 5 7 8 ned yesterday with 33 the three points in the Prada de Mo- was taken by the Ebro, with a shot les and won 2 to 1 the dressing room by Garrido. Those from the Principa- at the CD Ebro, that lity were in the first minutes of the El Leganés, rival to faltered against second half to a much more challen- the tricolor, despite having regained ging opponent in the game, who we- strength during the second half. re looking for the comeback after ha- the first round of the The match began with the domi- ving made a couple of changes in or- nion of the Andorrans and with Pin- der to find the desired goal. ga at the start of the eleventh as a gre- The great opportunity came at mi- Copa del Rey at change, making approaches to the nute 65, after a corner, after Espín fi- goal of Loscos and generating danger nished off by nudging the left post. The Andorrans will receive the me Nogués, «for us, being in this pre- at all times. Building from behind Jesús Rubio tried it all but Mussa ans- First Division team from the liminary round is a prize because wered and almost scored later. It was it is aFirst Division team.» «We will and following the planned script, GABRI GARCÍA 17th to the 19th of December Forgas scored the first at minute 13, Loscos who did not allow it. With a compete and fight, why not, in the TRAINER OF THE FC ANDORRA from the front of the area, placing it radically changed rival, the first goal end, dreaming doesn’t cost anythi- to the right post of the visiting goal- of the visitors came in identical way M. L-E. ng and what we have to do is com- «We should not have ESCALDES-ENGORDANY keeper . Shortly after he tried again, to the previous move and this time plete and who knows if we might get but this time he found himself in the struggled so much» Espín did manage to overtake Ratti. FC Andorra found out yesterday a surprise,’’ he stressed and remem- hands of the Aragonese after a pass Bad luck came a little later, since six who will be their opponent in the bered that the Leganés «has a com- by Bover. The coach, Gabri Garcia, explained minutes later to enter the field, Bes- first round of the Copa del Rey. An- plicated situation in the league and But it was a warning. From 1 to 0 that «we have to be happy becau- sone was replaced and Dot entered. dorrans will receive on December perhaps the Copa is not a priority.“ to 2 to 0. Said and done. It was easy se we have won again at home». Soon before, Loureiro had focused on 17, 18 or 19 at the CD Leganés, the te- «In December, it will be cold, we ho- for Andorra and they played with ea- «We always talk about adding th- the penalty spot but nobody could am of the First Division, a rival that pe they do not come with the team,’’ se. Quarter of an hour after the first ree by three at home, we are happy get there. The Aragoneses looked for has added three draws and a victory he wished and emphasized that «we goal, it was Jilmar who led the ball for that but if you look at the first the goal of the tie and they tried in all in the domestic league and has suf- will try to play Prada de Moles, where to the front of the area and after a part and what we did at the second possible ways, but those of the Prin- fered a coaching change, as the club we are comfortable, although it do- shot that Abel Moreno rejected bad- one, you will feel disappointed be- cipality were still strong in the back, decided to sign Javier Aguirre in the es not depend on us but on the RFEF, ly, as it bounced behind Espin’s back cause we should not have struggled although without the opportunities post of the dismissed Mauricio Pelle- who are the ones that decide this». , Mussa grabbed it and sent it to the so much,» he commented and emp- before and a little out of breath. Rat- grino. In addition, the Lega seems, a Adri Vilanova, on the other hand, bottom left of Loscos’s goal, which hasized that «many players have th- ti had to intervene more than once priori, a more affordable opponent commented that «playing against a could do nothing to stop the power- ree games in seven days.” «Circum- and in fact, at 83, Rubio almost burst as far as possible, because it is focu- First makes us happy». ful shot of the tricolor. Although the stances are not an excuse,» he ad- the net from the small area, but the sed on saving the category. Now, one In this regard, Gabri Garcia said Aragoneses made some timid appro- ded. He also emphasized that «we hands of the tricolor came back to of the doubts is to know where FC that «we want to put things very diffi- aches, they did not manage to gene- have to work to have more persona- intervene. The Ebro ran and made it Andorra will play the game, as they cult for the Lega to enjoy a competiti- rate much danger before a solid de- lity in difficult times, to be able to ma- hard for those of the Principality. want to play at the Prada de Moles on that will be very good.’’ «We have fense and of Ratti. In spite of this, the ke it to minute 80 or 85 minutes se- When five minutes left at the end, but for a lighting issue it could play to do what we do in each game. I have Andorrans did not have enough and riously and not lose at any moment Forgas was alone in front of the go- as a local at the National Stadium, been a player and I have had surpri- they wanted a third goal to end up the concentration as has happened alkeeper after a Pachón pass, but he and with the new lawn, could me- ses like this, we have the ability to thi- condemning the duel. But the goal in this game.» «We have had two cle- was not able to define it. It was the et all the requirements of the Royal nk we can do it, we will climb a very did not arrive. ar occasions to finish off strong the last occasion. Finally, the result was Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). high peak, with the excitement of After the break, with a 2 to 0 on match but finished by losing power,» 2 to 1 after suffering in the last mo- In this way, as explained by the doing so. We want to get there with the scoreboard, the first opportunity he said. ments of the duel. general director and sports club, Jau- this mentality,” he said. H H