The Espai MerCAT of Tàrrega hosted this Saturday the first cultural day of Senegal, an initiative organized by the association Les Lingueres de Tàrrega, integrated by Senegalese women settled in the city and open to all citizens.
The event gathered musical exhibitions, gastronomic tastings of typical dishes from Senegal, an exhibition of traditional instruments from Senegal and Mali, and the screening of a video about the African country. Music played a central role throughout the day, especially with the rhythm of the Sabar.
Fashion, music and shared traditions in the Espai MerCAT
One of the most outstanding moments was the fashion show with traditional African dresses, in a staging marked by color and symbolism. In that pass, creations from the Senecatalan brand Touki Yere, by designer Akon Thiam, could be seen.
The day also incorporated elements of connection between local and African traditions. La Fal·lera Gegantera participated in the event and its gegants and capgrossos danced to the rhythm of the Sabar, in one of the most representative images of the day.
An entity born in 2024 and formed by more than 40 women
Les Lingueres de Tàrrega became known after its creation in September 2024 and this first edition of the festival was promoted after the good response obtained in the Mostra d"Entitats de Tàrrega.
The secretary of the entity, Aichatou Anne, explained that the association is currently formed by more than 40 Senegalese women and that it was born with the will to make its culture known, favor its integration in Tàrrega, defend the rights of Senegalese women and support their towns of origin, especially in areas such as access to basic services like electricity and water and healthcare with the purchase of ambulances.
The president of the entity, Mame Fatou Fall Ep Niang, emphasized "the affection and respect" that they have found since their arrival and remarked that the association works in the defense of women's rights, with special attention to Senegalese women, and fights against sexist violence from a feminist perspective. She also valued the "excellent reception of the party".
Institutional presence and a city with 74 nationalities
Attending the event were the mayor of Tàrrega, Rosa Maria Perelló, and the councilwoman of Feminisms, Marta Torre. During the day, the mayor highlighted the profound meaning of the Senegalese concept teranga, which she defined as a sincere generosity towards the stranger to make him feel like a brother, and emphasized the community's ability to keep its traditions alive and share them.
"It goes beyond hospitality and is understood as a sincere generosity towards the stranger to make him feel like a brother" - Rosa Maria Perelló, mayor of Tàrrega
At the beginning of 2026, Tàrrega reached 19,614 inhabitants of 74 nationalities. In that context, the Senegalese community is the seventh most numerous in the municipality, with 165 residents. The event held at Espai MerCAT is framed within that diverse reality and left an image of coexistence through culture, music, and the exchange of traditions.