After four years at the helm of the Guixanet association, its president will step down once the Festa Major de Maig concludes. During her tenure, the entity experienced a period of intense activity, especially after the pandemic, when re-engaging citizens and popular culture groups was a significant challenge.
The president emphasized the importance of reactivating the entity, which required considerable effort to re-involve participants. Despite initial difficulties, the association has achieved a moment of great dynamism, with notable participation from new groups and initiatives.
“"Guixanet is a very large entity, and the pandemic made that even more evident. Some newly created groups, like La Verreta or the Targalets, were very eager, but others had faded."
One of the most significant successes of this period has been the promotion of youth participation. Thanks to previous work with children's groups and school activities, new 'colles' such as the driving force behind lo Groguet, lo Bategar de Targa, or the Arquets have been consolidated, bringing together over a hundred young people in different age categories.
The association, founded in 2003, has incorporated almost one popular culture figure each year since the creation of the Àliga de Tàrrega in 2007, all of them created by the artist Agnès Pla from Guissona. This diversity of elements requires a large mobilization of people, organized into specific groups for each figure.
The outgoing president highlighted Guixanet's fundamental role in transforming Tàrrega's Festa Major de Maig, making it a larger and more participatory event. Initiatives such as the Eixida, the Eixideta for the youngest, the recovery of the Processó i el Seguici de les Santes Espines, and the creation of the Corretossino and the Bategar have been promoted, always with a philosophy of collaboration and openness.
The Nit del Tararot, one of the most prominent events, is conceived as a large-scale spectacle in the square, narrating a story with the participation of popular culture elements, drawing inspiration from FiraTàrrega's street theater tradition.
This year, the Festa Major revives the nocturnal 'cercavila', commemorating a historical episode of the city from 701 years ago. This edition will feature the participation of over thirty invited 'colles', local groups, and a feminine perspective, with surprises to be revealed next Saturday starting at 10:00 PM in Tàrrega's Plaça Major.
The decision to step down is due to the need for rest after an intense period, and confidence in the generational handover. The new president, who has experience in popular culture, will assume leadership with the support of the outgoing management.
“"Patience. Guixanet is a very large association and also has many different sensitivities."
