Castells

Can you hear that happy, tooting music playing in the sunny town square? It comes from a special pipe called a gralla, and it means I am about to be born. A big crowd gathers, cheering and clapping, as hundreds of hands and strong shoulders link together to create my wide, sturdy base. It feels like a giant, warm hug. Then, more people begin to climb, one on top of the other, and I can feel myself growing. Higher and higher I go, a living tower of friends reaching for the bright blue sky. It is the most exciting feeling in the world. I am a Castell.

I am not made of stone or wood like other towers. I am made of people. They are called castellers, and they are part of a team that practices a lot to build me. They wear special white pants, colorful shirts, and a long black sash called a faixa wrapped tight around their waists. This sash helps protect their backs and gives other climbers a good place to hold on. My body has different parts with special names. The big, strong group at the bottom is my pinya. This is my foundation, and it keeps me from wobbling. Above the pinya is my tronc, which is like the trunk of a tree. The castellers carefully climb onto each other’s shoulders, level by level, making me tall and proud. I was first created a very long time ago, over 200 years ago in the late 18th century. I was born in a town called Valls, in a part of Spain called Catalonia, when people wanted to create something amazing together to celebrate special days.

The most thrilling moment is when the enxaneta, who is the smallest and bravest child on the team, begins to climb. They are so light and quick as they scurry all the way up my back to the very top. When the enxaneta reaches the peak, they raise one small hand with four fingers pointing up to the sky. This little wave means that I am complete and the team has succeeded. The castellers have a motto they live by: 'Força, equilibri, valor i seny'. This means Strength, Balance, Courage, and Common Sense. I am proof of what can be achieved when people have all four of those things and trust one another completely. On November 16th, 2010, a group called UNESCO decided I was so special that I should be known as a treasure for the whole world. I am more than just a tower of people; I am a reminder that when we help each other, we can all reach great heights together.