Just days before the official start of the 45th edition of the 'Aplec del Caragol', the participation of groups from outside Lleida city continues to rise. This year, after a period on the waiting list, Caragolats, a new association from Arbeca comprising around 80 people, will make their debut. According to their president, Dani Sala, the initiative stems from the desire of local residents to form their own group after having experienced the 'Aplec' previously.
Joining this new addition are other established associations such as Lifara Alcarrassina (from Alcarràs), celebrating its second edition, Ullà (originally from Juneda since 1984), Seguem Cadenes (with members from Alcoletge), Caragoli (from les Borges Blanques), Reginetes de Secà (from Almatret), Barranc dels Rucs (from Balaguer), and Fem-la Grossa (from Torregrossa). Currently, six more associations are on the waiting list for future editions.
In parallel, the 'Aplec' Cultural Week has included pre-event activities such as the show "Currídicum Vitae" at the auditorium of the Maristes Montserrat school, performed by the company Tandor & Paxton featuring Ferran Aixalà and Jordi Huete. Today, activities continue at the Raimat wineries with a popular barbecue accompanied by a performance from monologist David Sas.
“"Last year we were 135 and now we are 180 members. We are all from the town or have strong ties to Alcarràs. Last year, the festival exceeded our expectations and people were very happy."
The Lifara Alcarrassina group, from Alcarràs, will experience its second 'Aplec' this weekend. In just one year, its membership has grown from 135 to 180, with a waiting list of 75 people. The group leader highlights the positive reception from the previous year and the effective internal organization to manage the group's needs.
“"We had been on the waiting list for over a year and a half to join as a group. We thought the best idea was to gather all the town's residents who wanted to participate in one group, and we did it through a survey. We have managed to bring together about eighty people between 20 and 45 years old. In Arbeca, we used to get together to eat snails. This is a very important cultural and gastronomic tradition."
The Caragolats from Arbeca, debuting this year, have waited over a year and a half to join the 'Aplec'. Their group leader, Dani Sala, explains that they have gathered eighty people aged between 20 and 45, driven by the cultural and gastronomic tradition of eating snails in their town.
