Andorra's Castellers Build Towers as Social Glue in Non-Traditional Land

Juli Peña and Pere Baró, leaders of Andorra's Castellers de la Vall del Valira group, describe human tower building as a pretext for social bonding in a country without a deep-rooted tradition in the practice.

Peña, who founded two Catalan fan clubs before moving to Andorra, established the colla here in collaboration with another individual. Baró joined about nine years ago, drawn in by a university friend who participated, despite having no prior experience.

Key milestones include the group's debut performance in April 2015 and a 2017 nomination as the best six-tier colla. Baró highlights the first post-Covid event, when they successfully built a six-tier tower again. The pair emphasize the social dimension: as a small outfit in a non-traditional castell territory, they've attracted members through camaraderie, even helping some find work.

The pandemic disrupted momentum just as the group was gaining traction. Post-hiatus, the first rehearsal drew only 15 people, prompting a virtual refounding. Now, they're in a strong phase, reclaiming pre-Covid achievements like the torre de sis, the 5 de 6, and most recently, unloading a 7 de 6— a structure demanding a robust base pinya. They've now mastered all three standard formations.

The pinnacle of a build comes during unloading, when the final sections dismantle amid collective exhaustion and elation. "The enxaneta can raise her hand atop the tower," Peña notes, "but if it collapses afterward, the triumph feels hollow." Baró agrees, pinpointing the enxaneta's crowning moment as the tensest: with the crowd roaring and no retreat possible, he focuses on projecting calm.

Short- to medium-term goals center on sustaining the positive atmosphere, holding steady with torre builds, and recovering the 3 de 6. Peña stresses consolidating attendance across Andorra's seven parishes. "Building towers is the excuse to get together," Baró adds. "Without that warmth, they wouldn't happen."