Valls, in Tarragona, has named public media outlets La Xarxa and TAC12 as new ambassadors for the Xiquets de Valls. The honour recognises their work in promoting casteller culture and human towers.
The award has been given jointly since 2011 by the Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls and the Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls. It is presented to people or organisations that have helped spread and support the casteller tradition.
The ceremony took place during the Sant Joan Festival and at the start of the Valls human tower season. La Xarxa and TAC12 were recognised for years of coverage of human towers, especially major events and the activity of the Valls colles.
Núria de José, chief executive of La Xarxa, and Xavier Abelló, director of TAC12, accepted the distinction. Marc París, president of Colla Joves, and Xavi Pons, president of Colla Vella, said the media outlets had helped take human towers beyond town squares and give them national and international reach.
Valls mayor Dolors Farré also praised the work of communication professionals in helping castells reach a wider audience. She said human towers were born in Valls and are now heritage for the whole country, thanks to the castellers and to those who have helped explain the emotion of the aleta and the tension of each tower.
The event ended with the draw for the performance order at the Sant Joan human tower event. For the first time, an exclusive Xiquets de Valls coin made of silver and designed by the Fundació Artística Vilà was used. De José and Abelló made the first official toss, which तय determined that Colla Joves will open the event. The proclamation closed with the traditional raising of pilars by both Valls colles.
