Castellers de Vilafranca

The Castellers de Vilafranca is a cultural and sporting association whose main objective is to build "castells" (human towers). It has the status of a public-interest association.

The group was founded in 1948 in response to the increased interest in human tower building in Vilafranca del Penedès, a Catalan tradition that has evolved since the 18th Century "Ball de Valencians", a dance from Valencia.

Nowadays, the Castellers de Vilafranca have about 400 active human tower building members of all ages, with no discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, sex or social status. They share the common goal of building human towers, democratic values, cooperation and team work, a constant desire to surpass themselves, and a will to maintain a lead over a select and competitive group of rival human tower associations. The group’s headquarters is Cal Figarot, Casa Via Raventós, a house located in downtown Vilafranca del Penedès and specially adapted for human tower building activity (for example, high, indoor ceilings for winter use and an open-air courtyard for spring, summer and fall).

The group is one of the most important organizations in Vilafranca del Penedès and has represented Catalan culture abroad numerous times. The association has more than five hundred official supporters, and has the support of several public and private institutions. In addition to hosting and participating in human tower exhibitions, it also organizes other cultural activities, such as small-scale concerts, a poetry contest, a massive bicycle event, a dominoes tournament, food events and a human tower school for kids.

The Castellers de Vilafranca’s efforts to preserve and promote popular Catalan culture have been recognized by the town of Vilafranca del Penedès, which awarded the group with the Medalla de la Vila (the town medal), and by the Generalitat de Catalunya (the Catalan Government) with the Creu de Sant Jordi (Cross of Saint George).

Glossary of terms

Human tower building has its own nomenclature. To better understand this information, here are some of the most common expressions or words that cannot be translated, but can be explained.

Name of the human tower

The name of each tower is based on two numbers: The first one describes the number of people in each level, while the second gives the number of levels in the tower.
* e.g.: "Tres de Vuit (3 de 8)": three people per level and eight levels high

Typology of human tower

The kind of towers considering the number of people per level are basically:

* "Pilar de…": one person per level.
* "Torre de…": two people per level.
* "Tres de…": three people per level.
* "Quatre de…": four people per level.
* "Cinc de…": five people per level.
* "Quatre de… amb l’agulla": four people per level with a pilar several levels high enclosed within the main tower.

The number of levels in the most commonly built human towers are:

* "Sis": six levels high.
* "Set": seven levels high.
* "Vuit": eight levels high.
* "Nou": nine levels high.
* "Deu": ten levels high.

When the towers are very, very high and/or have a small number of people on each level, they normally need extra support from the base or bottom levels. Frequently, the names of the bases are also included in the name of the tower. The three bases typically used in human tower constructions are:

* "Pinya": normal ground-level base, often composed of several hundred people. All towers have this, and it is never mentioned in the name.
* "Folre": a second base built on top of the first one (Pinya). It is always mentioned, when used.
* "Manilles": a third base built on top of the second one (Folre). It is always mentioned, when used.

Achievement of a human tower

Towers can be totally or partially completed. The successful building and dismantling of a tower is indicated using the following terms:

* "Descarregat": the tower has reached the top and has been successfully dismantled.
* "Carregat: the tower has reached the top but it has collapsed during dismantling.
* "Intent": failed attempt.

Examples

* [http://www.castellersdevilafranca.cat/index.asp?web=destacats_veure&carpeta=historia&id=21&m=2 "Pilar de sis"] : one person per level in a six-level tower. If nothing else is mentioned, it is understood that the tower has the first base (pinya) (always) and it has been successfully dismantled (descarregat).
* [http://www.castellersdevilafranca.cat/index.asp?web=destacats_veure&carpeta=historia&id=2&m=2 "Torre de set"] : two people per level in a seven-level tower.
* [http://www.castellersdevilafranca.cat/index.asp?web=destacats_veure&carpeta=historia&id=18&m=2 "Cinc de nou amb folre"] : five people per level in a nine-level tower with a second base (folre) built on top of the first base (pinya).
* [http://www.castellersdevilafranca.cat/index.asp?web=destacats_veure&carpeta=historia&id=12&m=2 "Quatre de vuit amb l’agulla"] : four people per level in an eight-level tower with a six-level pillar inside (agulla).
* [http://www.castellersdevilafranca.cat/index.asp?web=destacats_veure&carpeta=historia&id=11&m=2 "Tres de deu amb folre i manilles"] : three people per level in a ten-level tower with a second base (folre) and a third one (manilles).

There are other names used for every specific position within the towers, but these are not shown or used in this article. The information provided here gives a comprehensive overview of the most common terminology and creates a framework for a better understanding of human towers and related activities.

History

The Castellers de Vilafranca cultural association was founded in September 1948 by Oriol Rossell, who became the first "cap de colla" (Leader/Technical Manager of the group). The group successfully started with seven-level towers, and also forged close relationships with "casteller" groups in other towns. The first "caps de colla" were Oriol Rossell (1948-1952) and Ramon Sala (1953-1955). The group originally wore rose-coloured shirts, and subsequently, red ones. In 1956, the group became almost inactive due to internal disagreements and disputes. In 1957, it reorganized and elected to wear green shirts, which is still the distinctive colour used by the group today. From 1957 to 1968, seven-level towers were the norm, and the "cinc de set" was the highest tower achieved. From 1969 to 1974, the group improved considerably, building the first towers in the eight-level category: the "torre de Set", "quatre de vuit", "tres de vuit", "pilar de sis", and the "torre de vuit amb folre". In 1972, the group won the "Concurs de castells de Tarragona", the Human Towers Competition held biennially in Tarragona city in the south of Catalonia. During those years, the "caps de colla" were Josep Pedrol (1957-1959), Carles Domènech (1960-1961), Joan Bolet (1962-1963), Gabi Martínez (1964-1969), Lluís Giménez (1970-1973) and Gabi Martínez, again (1974).

In 1975, the group went through major internal restructuring, shifting from the very personal and almost-exclusive leadership of the "cap de colla" to management of the technical side of tower-building by a consensual team. 1981 brought with it more internal changes, and it was decided that team members would no longer be individually paid. This provoked a division in the group. From 1975 to 1982, eight-level towers were performed frequently but with difficulties. In 1983 and 1984, the group regained its strength in this category and, in 1985, it built the first "cinc de vuit". This landmark achievement proved merely to be a milestone on the way to even more impressive nine-level towers. In 1987, the first "tres" and "quatre de nou amb folre" ("carregat") arrived, and in 1989 the first completely successful "tres de nou amb folre" ("descarregat") was achieved. Similar success came in 1990 with the first "quatre de nou amb folre" ("descarregat"). The "cap de colla" between 1975 and 1994 was Carles Domènech.

Between 1995 and 2004, the group enjoyed its most successful years to date. During this period, the highest and most difficult towers were achieved: descarregats (completely and successfully dismantled) the "torre de nou amb folre i manilles", "pilar de set amb folre", "pilar de vuit amb folre i manilles" (the first one in the 20th Century), "quatre de vuit amb l’agulla" (the first one in the 20th Century), "quatre de nou amb folre i l’agulla" (the first one in human tower history), "cinc de nou amb folre", and "tres and quatre de nou amb folre built simultaneously" (the first - and only - time in human tower history). There were other successes, too. As for towers that were “only” carregats (reached the top but collapsed afterwards): the "torre de vuit" (the first one in 20th Century); "quatre de nou", and the "tres de deu amb folre i manilles" (the first one in human towers history). The group also won the Tarragona Human Towers Competition in 1996, 1998, 2002, 2004 and 2006. In 2005 Castellers de Vilafranca achieved the "torre de nou amb folre", which is considered the most difficult tower ever done by any group to date.

Francesc Moreno "Melilla" was the "cap de colla" between 1995 and 2003, and Lluís Esclassans from 2004 to 2007. David Miret was elected the new "cap de colla" in December 2007.

Human towers achieved

Throughout its history, the Castellers de Vilafranca have built most of the different possible types of human tower which have ever been constructed. The following table shows a list of the towers built by the group and the date that they were achieved (carregat or descarregat) for the first time.

Organization

According to the general organization of the group, management is divided into two main bodies - a technical one (Technical Committee or simply called "la Tècnica"), and an administrative one (Board Committee).

The Technical Committee is in charge of all aspects of human tower construction. The "cap de colla" has the most responsibility as he is the head of the tower-building side of the association. He is advised, supported and helped by a team composed of the "sotscap de colla" (vice-cap de colla) and two technical advisors. Three other teams depend on this core: the "canalla" team (responsible for the kids that crown the towers), the "pinyes, folres and manilles team" (responsible for the first, second and third bases), and the medical team. Each of them is also responsible for logistics, technical information and physical training, respectively.

The Board Committee is in charge of the administration of the group. While it oversees and manages the group’s assets, the committee members' primary responsibility is to represent the group externally to the community, the media and other organizations. Within the board, the president has the most responsibility. The secretary and the five vice-presidents are answerable to him, and each of them is responsible for a specific area: social activities, treasurer, liaising with the public authorities, maintenance of Cal Figarot and marketing and media. The group also has three advisory councils: international relations, legal service and a council of elders.

Organization chart

= [http://www.castellersdevilafranca.cat/index.asp?carpeta=presentacio&web=tecnica&tipus=htm&m=1 Technical Committee] =

* "Cap de colla": David Miret i Rovira
* Vice "Cap de colla": Toni Bach i Lleal
* Technical Assistants: Jordi Colomera i Salla, Joan Badell i Roses

= [http://www.castellersdevilafranca.cat/index.asp?carpeta=presentacio&web=junta&tipus=htm&m=1 Board Committee] =

* President: Miquel Ferret i Miralles
* Secretary: Joan Vendrell i Olivella
* Social Activities Vice President: Àlex Sánchez-Granados
* Treasury Vice President: Miquel Ropero i Ventosa
* Public Authorities Relations Vice President: Xavier Escribà i Vivó
* Maintenance of Cal Figarot Vice President: Joan Mestres i Arnan
* Marketing and Media Vice President: Francesc Bou i Pijoan

= [http://www.castellersdevilafranca.cat/index.asp?carpeta=presentacio&web=consells&tipus=htm&m=1 Advisory Councils ] =

* International Relations
* Legal Adviser Team
* Council of Elders

"Cal Figarot", the group headquarters

Cal Figarot is the group's headquarters. The neogothic-style building, built by August Font de Carreres at the end of the 19th Century, was acquired in 1983. An adjacent warehouse was bought in 1998, and both buildings were renovated to better suit the group's needs. The warehouse has an interior open space of 600 m2. The neogothic building boasts an elegant style replete with decorative details from the beginning of the 20th Century. The group has different rooms, such as a gymnasium, a secretary's office, multi-functional open spaces and a cafeteria/restaurant. The most important and nicest space is the courtyard, the main meeting area of the group, where the training sessions in spring, summer and fall take place.

Castellers de Vilafranca in the world

The Castellers de Vilafranca have been one most international human tower group. They have performed in:

* in France, during the festival of the newspaper ‘L'Humanité’, Paris (1973).
* in Switzerland, during the Quinzena Catalana (Catalan forthnight) in Geneva (1978).
* on the Italian island of Sardinia (1978), with performances in Alghero and Sassari.
* in Portugal (1982), with performances in Lisbon, Sintra, Estoril, Coimbra and Porto.
* in Italy (1984), where the group performed in Pisa, Siena, Rome, the Vatican City and Florence.
* in Beziers, France (1987).
* in Italy (1988), during the celebration of the thousandth anniversary of Catalonia, performing in Pisa, Vatican City and Roma.
* in the Basque Country (1990), where the group performed in Bergara, Antzuola, Zumarraga and Urretxo.
* in Italy (1990), in the north: Feltre (palio), Niccia and Melere (in the municipality of Trichiana) and Venice.
* again in France (1991), with performances in Toulouse, during the Sardana International Festival, and Carcassonne.
* in Luxemburg and Germany (1991), performing in Luxemburg (capital), Moers, Wolfenbütel, Hannover, Berlin and Frankfurt.
* in the Universal Exposition Seville'92 (1992), during the Catalonia day.
* in Santiago de Compostella (1993), in the framework of the Xacobeo'93.
* in the same year, the group did a tour of five countries: France (Marseille), Italy (Lecco, Melzo and Bergamo), Slovenia (Ljubljana, Postojna, Otocêc, Novo Mesto and Crnomêlj), Austria (Klagenfurt) and Monaco.
* again in Paris and in Poix de Picardie, France (1993).
* in Italy for the fifth time, with performances in Venice (Carnival) and Mestre, and France (Villeurbanne and Lyon) in 1994.
* in Netherlands and Belgium (1994), performing in Amsterdam, Enschede, Aalten, Almelo, Emmen and Brussels.
* in Navarra (1995), performing in Tudela.
* in Denmark(1996), in Copenhagen and Holte.
* the same year in France (Metz), Netherlands (Maastricht) and Belgium (Bree).
* in Sobradiel (1999), Aragon.
* in Bühl, twin city of Vilafranca del Penedès (2002).
* in Salamanca (2002).
* again in France (2004), where they performed in Dunkirk.
* in the Basque Country (2005), with performances in Donostia and Elorrio.
* in France (2006), where they performed in Steenvoorde.
* again in Aragón (2006), in the festival of Binèfar.
* in 2007 they performed in Germany, during the Frankfurt Book Fair.
* in January 2008 they performed in Chile, which was the first performance of a Catalan human tower group in the southern hemisphere.

* The Castellers de Vilafranca also performed in the opening ceremony of the XXV Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992, which has been undoubtedly the most watched human tower performance worldwide.

* The group also performed during the world presentation of the last novel of Noah Gordon "The bodega" held in Vilafranca del Penedès (2007).

The Castellers de Vilafranca have also spread the human tower tradition in the Països Catalans (territories in which the varieties of Catalan are traditionally spoken):

* Performances in Northern Catalonia: six times in Perpignan (1970, 1977, 1982 [in the festival of the Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais, USAP] , 1989 [Mules Festival] , 1997 and 1998), in Toluges (1970), during the Peace Festival, in Collioure (1984), in Banyuls de la Marenda (1986), three times in Vilafranca de Conflent (1985, 1988 i 1989), in the Saint Michel de Cuxa monastery (1985), Prada de Conflent [in the Catalan Summer University and the town] (1988) and in Baó, in the framework of the First meeting of the "catalanitat" in North Catalonia (2002).
* Four times in Andorra: in Encamp (1971), Andorra la Vella and Sant Julià de Lòria (1976) [during the Catalan Culture Congress] , in Escaldes and again in Andorra la Vella (1983) and Escaldes (1985).
* Two tours in the Valencia Region: the first one in Ribera del Xúquer (1979), with performances in Carcaixent, the Aigües Vives monastery, Sueca, Cullera, Algemesí and a pilar de cinc in front of the house of Raimon (one of the most well-known veteran artists in the Catalan language), in Xàtiva; the second one (1981) the group performed in Alcoi, Benidorm and Alicante. Subsequently they performed in Carcaixent (1985), Algemesí (1993 and 2000), Castellón (2000) [13a "Festa de la Llengua"] , Olleria and Benicarló (in the Valencian Region Day).
* One tour in Palma, Majorca (1980) and Manacor, Menorca (2001)"'.
* One tour, already mentioned, in Alghero (1978).

Participation in the Tarragona Human Tower Competition

The group won the following Tarragona Human Tower Competition (the Human Towers Competition held biennially in Tarragona city in the south of Catalonia):

* VII Tarragona Human Tower Competition, 1972
* XVI Tarragona Human Tower Competition, 1996
* XVII Tarragona Human Tower Competition, 1998
* XIX Tarragona Human Tower Competition, 2002
* XX Tarragona Human Tower Competition, 2004
* XXI Tarragona Human Tower Competition, 2006
* XXII Tarragona Human Tower Competition, 2008

Related links

* [http://www.castellersdevilafranca.cat Castellers de Vilafranca]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/CastellersVilafranca Canal Castellers de Vilafranca in YouTube]

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