The Sant Eloi Gathering, held in the city's large green area, attracted thousands of people, especially families, to enjoy nature and traditional cultural offerings. Parliament President Josep Rull attended as guest of honor and learned firsthand about the work of the Associació dels Amics de l'Arbre (Association of Friends of the Tree) in preserving the park's natural and monumental richness.
Accompanied by Mayoress Rosa Maria Perelló and other authorities, Rull participated in various activities and emphasized the space's value: "Sant Eloi Park is an impressive space that the people of this land have created and should be a source of pride for the people of Tàrrega." He stressed that "here, today, the best civic Catalonia gathers, capable of maintaining its traditions and expressing a sense of belonging," adding that "at the Sant Eloi Gathering, there is an atmosphere of a great nation that is worthwhile and must regain its collective self-esteem."
Mayoress Rosa Maria Perelló highlighted the presence of "many Tàrrega residents from outside the town who take advantage of their visit to FiraTàrrega to reconnect with the city and its people, and they do so at the Sant Eloi Gathering as a meeting point."
Josep Rull also signed the Book of Honor of the Associació d’Amics de l’Arbre, where he learned details of its history linked to the park. He was accompanied by the association's new president, Josep Massons.
As part of the event, a commemorative tile designed by artist Josep Castellana was sold, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Associació Alba. The tile illustrates the Tree of Love, planted by the association in 2015. Representatives of the Associació Alba also participated in the day's events.
The morning's activities, organized by the Associació d'Amics de l'Arbre and the Culture Department, included a mass sung by Ondara Gospel, an exhibition by the Fal·lera Gegantera (a traditional giant figure group), children's games by Fefe i Companyia, and a dog agility exhibition by the Club Agility Tàrrega.
In the upper part of the hill, the 41st National Competition of Sardanista Groups of Terra Ferma was held, coordinated by the Amics de la Sardana de Tàrrega and the Unió de Colles de Catalunya, accompanied by the Cobla Tàrrega. A dozen groups participated, including the new sardanista group from Tàrrega, which debuted by winning in the veterans' category. Josep Rull and the mayoress presented the awards.
The Sant Eloi Gathering is part of Tàrrega's September Festivals, which include cultural events from the associative fabric since last Wednesday. The capital of Urgell thus revives the format of the old September Major Festival, with entities such as La Soll, AGRAT, CAU, and the Associació Guixanet filling the Plaça de les Nacions sense Estat in parallel with FiraTàrrega.
