The environment of a bustling, supportive crowd is essential to the performance, and I think it’s amazing how deeply the whole community participates.
While Castells aren’t tied to natural geography like mountains or the sea, they are rooted in Catalonia’s cultural landscape. They celebrate the region’s values: courage, strength and community spirit -- qualities that help shape the children growing up here.
I haven’t had the chance to see a castell in person yet. The season runs from June to November, and one of the biggest performances takes place during La Mercè, the weeklong festival I mentioned in earlier passages. Thousands gather to watch; and, this year, the crowds were simply too overwhelming for me to attend. Still, I admire this tradition wholeheartedly. One day, when I return to Barcelona, seeing a castell will be at the very top of my list.
