Andorra's Castellers Erect Pillar Towers in All Seven Parishes on Diada

Andorra's Castellers have successfully erected pillar towers in all seven parishes during Saturday's Diada de les Set Parròquies, marking a key event in their strong season.

The group visited Escaldes-Engordany first, followed by Andorra la Vella, Sant Julià de Lòria, La Massana, Ordino—where they paused for lunch—Canillo, and Encamp. In Encamp, the pillar served as a prelude to a local sardanistes contest. Emms Arcelin, board member and event organizer, described the diada as a unique initiative they created to ensure no parish misses out on castells. "As an international group, we can manage it," Arcelin said.

The event underscores the Castellers' current peak form, with solid membership and energy for new challenges. They achieved a four-de-7 tower for the first time this season and aim to consolidate it, while eyeing attempts at a three-de-7 or four-de-7 with pin. Arcelin highlighted two upcoming highlights: a performance in Mallorca on September 5, and especially the international Concurs de Castells in Tarragona on October 3. "It's the big end-of-season diada," she said, noting a Saturday morning slot reserved for international teams amid top Spanish colles.

President Juli Penya had previously told El Periòdic that the team, now at its strongest, targeted multiple seven-level towers this season to cement their status. The diada originated from early years when not all parishes hosted them, evolving with council support to spread castells culture nationwide, including to Ordino and La Massana.

Around 60 members will join the Mallorca trip for Castellers de Mallorca's 30th anniversary, alongside Al·lots de Llevant. Penya emphasized the global castells community's welcoming nature.

Tarragona remains a season pinnacle, with the Andorrans nearly fielding their full 153-member squad there in 2016. In 2027, Andorra hosts the VI Diada Castellera Internacional on May 15, anticipating 16 visiting teams and 1,000 participants after Berlin's 2025 edition drew 10 groups and 600 castellers.