Summer solstice weekend sees 2023 'castells' season kick off

Sant Joan is an important date in the Catalan cultural calendar for many reasons - as well as the fireworks, bonfires, and 'coques' desserts, it's also the traditional opening day of the 'castellers' human towers season.

June 24 is generally considered to be the first important date for the 'món casteller,' human tower enthusiasts. 

The competition held on Saturday in the southern city of Valls saw teams create human towers up to nine-tiers high. 

The day saw two local teams take part, La Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls, and Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls. 

In the upcoming months, 'castells' will be seen in towns and cities across Catalonia during the traditional 'festes majors' celebrations.

What are 'castells'?

'Castells’ have been a popular activity for more than 200 years and they are always associated with traditional celebrations. 

Catalonia's human towers were declared an intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO in 2010.

Large ‘colles’ form tiers of differing numbers of people standing on the shoulders of those below them. 

Built to the sound of ‘gralla’ flutes and drums, human towers are only complete once a helmet-donning child called the ‘enxaneta’ ascends to the very top of the structure and raises their arm.

According to Ignasi Escamilla of the Catalan human tower groups association, ‘castells’ are more than just a thing of beauty: “They are a good example of an ideal society. It's the achievement of common goals obtained thanks to the cooperation of different team members.”