"I was born among sheep and the sheep give me freedom". This is how Marina Vilalta, from Ripoll, summarized the spirit that had led her to be the longest-active shepherdess in Catalonia. Born into a very humble family in Solanguit (Ogassa), at the foot of the Taga, almost a century ago, in 1927, she passed away this Sunday night into Monday at 99 years old, as confirmed by her family. Until her final days, she continued to lead her flock of Guirra sheep in the village of Bruguera (Ribes de Freser), on the other side of the Taga, in sun, rain, or snow. In 2022, ARA interviewed her on a rainy autumn day while she was grazing, shortly after she received the Creu de Sant Jordi for being an "example of the importance of work in the rural world, and of the resilience of the people who dedicate themselves to it".

"Wow, how beautiful." The comment is from one of the members ofPremium ClubThe ARA newspaper reporter, upon seeing the majestic portal of the Santa Maria de Ripoll monastery, was captivated by one of the jewels of Romanesque art. The large group of subscribers (all places were sold out) were awestruck by this masterpiece. Their fascination with the image conveyed by this great sculpted stone—an open bible divided into heaven, earth, and hell—contrasted sharply with the reaction of the ARA journalist accompanying them. A Ripoll native, he was accustomed to this portal, which time has transformed into a routine entrance for baptisms and masses for the locals. Surely, all Ripoll residents should take this guided tour at least once a year.