Half of Catalans believe 'castellers' human towers are dangerous

Those born abroad see the tradition as safer than those born in Catalonia and rest of Spain

Castellers from Sagrada Família, Poble Sec and Barcelona make human towers during La Mercè 2022
Castellers from Sagrada Família, Poble Sec and Barcelona make human towers during La Mercè 2022 / Gemma Sánchez
Catalan News

Catalan News | @catalannews | Barcelona

November 17, 2023 01:34 PM

November 18, 2023 01:07 PM

47% of Catalans consider the 'castellers' human tower tradition to be dangerous, while 52% find it safe, according to a survey by the Center for Opinion Studies (CEO).

44% of survey respondents find it only 'dangerous', while 3% called it 'very dangerous'. 

The disparity of opinions is seen across the territory regardless of place of birth of the respondents.

Foreign-born residents find the tradition most safe, with 56% of those surveyed answering that it is not dangerous, while 54% of Catalan-born respondents said the same. 

A narrow majority, 51%, of those born in other parts of Spain find the practice dangerous.

Regardless of safety, the majority of respondents find casteller events either positive (56%) or very positive (36%). Close to 90% have attended a live performance.

Castellers de Vilafranca make history in Vilafranca on November 1, 2023 and build a never seen nine-tier human tower with nine people in each
Castellers de Vilafranca make history in Vilafranca on November 1, 2023 and build a never seen nine-tier human tower with nine people in each / Jordi Borràs

Only 3% of respondents said they did not know what castellers are, including two out of every ten respondents who were born outside of Spain. 

When asked to name a human towers group, 41% of respondents couldn't.