The festival of Salardú, held from Friday 29 April to Tuesday May 3 in honor of the Holy Cross, opens the season of festivals in the Val d’Aran.
It has become one of the most popular events, which gathers Arenese of around the valley with other visitors and followers of our traditions. Over five days, they take place several activities aimed at audiences of all ages, including dances and performances, competitions, cutting logs, output cycling and popular dinner.
The main event takes place on Tuesday, May 3, the feast of the Holy Cross. The ceremony begins with the meeting of the crosses of the term of Naut Aran at the entrance of the town. Crosses of Salardú, Gessa, Arties, Garòs, Bagergue, Tredòs, Unha, Baqueira and Montgarri start a procession to the church of Sant Andreu de Salardú where a solemn mass is officiated in honour of the Holy Cross.
After the religious ceremony, it takes place a performance of Aranese dances performed by the Gripets deth Naut Aran. These include the traditional dance “Eth Balhano” a dance recovered by the municipality in 1996, formerly played inside the church. Eventually he 
stopped being a dance ceremony to become a popular event where any couple could participate.
Then the present people accompany in procession the priests of Naut Aran and the carriers of the crosses of all populations, to the square dera Pica, where they proceed to the blessing of the inhabitants and the municipality, in order to protect and ensure a good harvest.
Source: Hesta Salardú