Castellers Go Universal

19 November 2010
This week, the Castellers, or human towers, that are so infamous in the Catalonia region of Spain, have been deemed a UNESCO item of cultural value.  As of late, there are only 60 Casteller groups, and about 700 members in the traditions 200 year history.  A large majority of this history and these participants and groups exist in Catalonia.  As a result, the Castellers organization will receive financial aid, benefits, and protection from such organization that will attempt to spread to the joy of human towers throughout more parts of the globe.  These castles are a true tradition that is passed down from generation to generation in Catalonia.  “Continuity, social cohesion, and solidarity” in Catalonia are results of this community-building activity that should be shared with the world.  Eduard Paris, who runs on group of Castellers, shared his joy with the decision and excitement that with more involvement, the towers can grow to even bigger than ever before.  It would be interesting to follow up on this UNESCO decision over the next months and years to see now only how these Catalonian groups are using the publicity and the money, but if the phenomenon of human towers that is so popular here in Spain truly does spread to other parts of the world.