On Friday, October 31st, the town of Verges received the institutional visit of the Minister of Culture of the Government of Catalonia, Sònia Hernández Almodóvar, accompanied by the Director General of Popular Culture and Cultural Associations, Carol Duran, and the Territorial Director of the Department of Culture in Girona, Isabel Bernal.
During the meeting, the Association La Processó de Verges formally presented the candidacy dossier and an internal explanatory video —documents carefully prepared over the last two years to highlight the uniqueness, historical trajectory, cultural values, and deep-rooted community involvement of our Procession and the integrated Dance of Death.
The Government of Catalonia, as the competent administration for handling such candidacies, expressed its willingness to study and support the proposal. However, it was made clear that the current international context is highly restrictive, as UNESCO is limiting candidacies from countries such as Spain, Italy, or China, making the road to a possible declaration complex and long-term.
In this regard, Minister Hernández highly praised the project, stating that “you have it very well structured and presented. It holds all the values to one day become UNESCO intangible heritage. I don’t see this elsewhere, but I do see it here. If the Dance of Death isn’t worthy, then I don’t know what is.” She also emphasized: “if we have patience, it may eventually happen.”
She added that the Government of Catalonia will stand by the project and that, while international recognition has not yet come, it is essential to continue working with a long-term vision. It was agreed that the Department of Culture will explore ways to offer more solid and stable financial support for the project, moving beyond the limited, one-time assistance provided so far.
The day also included an institutional visit to Can Puntón, the ancestral home of the Albert family, a heritage site that is partially unused, though its ground floor has already been restored. There is a clear intent for the building to become a new cultural center open to the region, aiming to promote the legacy and work of Caterina Albert (Víctor Català), as well as the musical heritage of Lluís Llach and our beloved Procession.
We greatly value this visit and the institutional support received, and we will continue to work with determination and rigor so that our Procession, a symbol of Catalan popular culture, can be internationally recognized as it deserves.
