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| Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls | |
|---|---|
| Name | Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls |
| Founded | 1881 |
| City | Valls, Tarragona |
| Region | Catalonia |
| Country | Spain |
| Type | Castellers |
| Stadium | Plaça del Blat |
Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls is one of the oldest and most prominent casteller colles based in Valls, Tarragona, in Catalonia, Spain. Renowned for pioneering and preserving complex human towers called castells, the group participates in major colles festivals such as the Concurs de Castells and annual local diadas in Valls and Tarragona. The colla has deep connections to Catalan cultural institutions, civic traditions, and historic events across late 19th and 20th century Catalan nationalism and Catalan cultural revival movements.
Founded in 1881 in Valls, the colla emerged amid a revival of Catalan popular culture alongside contemporaries like the Castellers de Vilafranca and the Minyons de Terrassa. During the late 19th century and the Renaixença (Catalan cultural movement), the group consolidated practices originally present in rural festivities of Catalonia and urban ritual life in Tarragona province. Through the early 20th century, the colla navigated political and social upheavals including the Spanish Civil War and the Francoist Spain era, periods during which many cultural expressions were suppressed. The democratic transition and the 1979 Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia allowed a renewed public role for castells; the colla participated in symbolic events tied to institutions such as the Generalitat de Catalunya and municipal celebrations in Valls. In the 21st century, the colla has continued to evolve, contributing to the 2010s UNESCO recognition of castells as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and collaborating with festival organizers across Barcelona, Reus, and Lleida.
The colla organizes around a civic association model similar to other colles like Castellers de Barcelona and Castellers de Sants, with elected boards and a technical junta combining roles found historically in organizations such as the Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls. Membership spans age groups from infants—traditionally called enxaneta and anxaneta in broader practice—to veteran pilars. Recruitment and retention involve local institutions such as the Ajuntament de Valls and cultural centers tied to Catalan language advocacy groups. Leadership positions mirror municipal structures seen in Spanish civic clubs and often coordinate with entities like the Consell Comarcal and regional sports federations. Social networks include collaboration with amateur music bands, majorettes, and entities that run the Plaça del Blat, where the colla rehearses and performs.
The colla’s repertoire includes canonical constructions such as the 3 de 10, 4 de 9 amb folre i manilles, and the pilar forms that have been central to competitions like the Concurs de Castells in Valls and Plaça Sant Jaume exhibitions in Barcelona. Technical innovation parallels developments by Castellers de Vilafranca and Minyons de Terrassa, with specialized roles like tronc, folre, and manilles structured to maximize load distribution and balance. The colla employs periodized training methods influenced by sporting science initiatives at Catalan universities and collaborates with physiotherapists and local health services. The use of traditional sashes, or faixa, and chants rooted in festivals such as the Festa Major are integral to execution, while performance protocols align with safety regulations observed by federations and municipal authorities.
Key public milestones include landmark tower assemblies at the Plaça del Blat, high-profile appearances at the Concurs de Castells de Tarragona and exhibitions in Barcelona and Reus, and participation in civic commemorations alongside institutions such as the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Ajuntament de Valls. The colla has logged numerous successful high-level constructions that contributed to Catalonia’s casteller prestige alongside achievements by Castellers de Vilafranca and Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls. The group has been part of media-covered events tied to national celebrations like the Diada Nacional de Catalunya and has represented Valls in cultural exchanges with municipalities such as Sabadell and Terrassa.
As a repository of local identity, the colla is woven into the fabric of Valls’ festivals including the Plaça del Blat gatherings, patron saint feasts, and the local Festa Major. The colla’s rituals intersect with Catalan cultural revival groups, folkloric ensembles, and municipal commemorations that involve institutions like the Institut d’Estudis Catalans and regional cultural centers. Traditional songs, chants, and uniform elements reflect broader Catalan symbols used by entities such as the Orfeó Català and local brass bands. The colla also contributes to intangible heritage narratives recognized internationally, complementing efforts by organizations involved in the UNESCO listing.
Competitive and cooperative dynamics mark relations with other prominent colles: enduring rivalries and mutual respect characterize interactions with Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls, Castellers de Vilafranca, Minyons de Terrassa, Castellers de Barcelona, and Castellers de Tarragona. These relationships manifest during contests such as the Concurs de Castells and joint exhibitions in plazas across Catalonia, while collaboration occurs in safety protocols, youth exchanges, and shared training workshops. Municipal and provincial administrations in Tarragona often mediate logistics and endorse inter-colla initiatives.
Training integrates traditional mentorship with contemporary pedagogy, involving structured sessions in Plaça del Blat, coordination with local schools, and outreach through youth programs similar to initiatives by municipal sports departments. Safety protocols reflect practices adopted widely after discussions at regional casteller assemblies and include medical presence, certified spotters, and progressive load plans informed by physiotherapy and sports medicine clinics in Tarragona and Barcelona. Educational activities engage families and civic groups, promoting continuities found in Catalan community organizations and fostering transmission of skills to successive generations.
Category:Castellers Category:Culture of Valls Category:Tarragona