The intangible heritage of the ‘aplecs’ of the Catalan Pyrenees

The purpose of this project, supported by the Alt Pirineu Natural Park, and developed between 2012-13, was to study, publicize and value the Intangible heritage linked to the ‘alecs’ (social and religious gatherings) of the Park and its area of socioeconomic influence, and improve the capacity of the key agents to promote the conservation of all the dimensions of this heritage and promote its positive effects on the conservation of natural heritage.

To achieve this, the following objectives were set out, structured in three lines of action: a. To raise public awareness of the cultural and spiritual values ​​associated with the gatherings. b. To train the technical staff of the Park with respect to the identification, knowledge and management of the cultural and spiritual values ​​of the gatherings, emphasizing the links between gatherings and the relationship with nature. c. Divulge the intangible heritage associated with gatherings among local residents as visitors, with differentiated strategies. Among the various activities organized, it is worth mentioning a working session with the park management team of the natural park, and the organization of the II Jornades d’Art, Natura i Espiritualitat at the Center of Art and Nature of Farrera, work and support of the Alt Pirineu Natural Park and the Farrera Art and Nature Center. The seminars included the immaterial dimensions: historical, landscape, identity, musical, craft, religious, spiritual of the high mountain ‘aplecs’.

The round table debated and proposed various ideas and initiatives to revitalize, disseminate and value the ‘aplecs’, as well as the rich natural, cultural and spiritual heritage that is linked to it, with interventions by Agustí López, president of the Board of Governors of the Natural Park; Josep Maria Casals, Councilor of the Town Council of Llavorsí; Marc Garriga, manager of the Natural Park; and Montserrat Solà, manager of the Montsant Natural Park. In the evening, an audiovisual with contemporary and historical images of the apses of the valleys of the Alt Pirineu, prepared by the Silene Association, was displayed, followed by a recital by the traditional Tornaveus singing group, centered on the old Pyrenean polyphonies, at the romanesque church of Santa Eulàlia d’Alendo.