Snail Fest

If you ask a Catalan which dish best represents them, they are sure to reply: la cargolade!

Team Cargols is a Perpignan-based association created back in 2014.

Their goal: promoting and developing snail cuisine, in particular, the “petits gris” (little greys), at a local, national and European level.

Via their culinary crusade, they also seek to forge social connections and build friendships, raising money and awareness to shape a more humane society.

Well, if snails aren’t bothered by gender, colour, religion, political persuasion or age, why should we be?

The four pillars of the Snail Fest are:

1. The conviviality of the cargolada, gastronomic heritage of Roussillon.
2. The Catalan culture and the richness of the Pyrenees Orientales region.
3. The participation of associations and exhibitors representing the area.
4. A varied programme, free of charge, to stimulate curiosity.

Now into it’s 5th year, the Cargolfest (Snail Fest) is a moment of conviviality and exchange for foodies, with lots of other Catalan specialities alongside the snails.

This year, for the first time, French TV presenter Jean-Pierre Foucault will be sponsoring the event.

Over two days, musical groups, pourou competitions (drinking liquor from a glass jug) and snail races will spice up the tranquil haven that is the Parc Clairfont.

Programme

Saturday 7th

11h00 – Banda els cargols (live music)
11h30 – Prize giving « Amic de PECA »
14h00 – Ramon Gual (Catalan singer)
16h00 – Route 66 (live music)
18h00 – Snail race – cargolade workshop
21h30 –Llamp te frigui, (live music)

Sunday 8th

9h00 à 17h00 – Craft & artisan salon
9h30 – Parade
11h00 – International « Pourou » competition
12h00 – Rumba els Comparets (live music)
14h00 – Tombola
14h30 – Somnis Musicals (live music)
16h00 – Final of the « Pourou » competition & sardanes

So whatever your opinion on the slippery little suckers, this is a great occasion to (re)discover the epitome of Catalonia.