castellers

‘Castells’ or the traditional human towers originally from Southern Catalonia and generally built during town festivals were included in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO last year. An exhibition at the Palau Robert in Barcelona will celebrate this first anniversary. It reflects on the tradition’s cultural and social value, and its role as one of Catalonia’s best known symbols.

The Castellers de Vilfranca, a group of Catalan tower-makers, will go to Mumbai to show-off their human towers that have earned them an international reputation. In addition, they will also get a first hand experience from a similar Indian tradition and discover new techniques. Catalan human towers have been declared a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Valls experienced one of the most spectacular and unique Catalan events. Over 57 groups came together to build traditional human towers

The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage declared the Catalan tradition of human castle building, or ‘castells’, as an element of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition was also awarded to the Mallorcan ‘Sibil·la’ chant, the traditional dance Flamenco and the Mediterranean Diet.

Human towers are one of the most unique traditions in Catalonia. This week at the UNESCO meeting in Nairobi (Kenya), "castells" may join the prestigious list of world heritage cultural assets.

This Monday, the Catalan town of Vilafranca del Penedès hosted the Sant Fèlix festivity, the human tower day of excellence. Various human castle groups surrounding towns wowed the crowd with their towering formations.