Valls hosted the Nit de Castells 2026 awards ceremony on 1 January, where leading human tower groups, individuals, and a television series were honoured for their achievements in the 2026 season. The event, held at the Centre Cultural de Valls, distributed twelve awards decided by six different juries, alongside two automatic recognitions.
Notable winners included Colla Vella, Colla Joves, Castellers de Vilafranca, Jove de Tarragona, Castellers de Sants, and Nois de la Torre. Individual honours went to Fede Gormaz and Leticia Dolera, director of the series "Pubertat". The ceremony saw approximately 450 attendees, primarily leaders from 91 human tower groups, including some from outside Catalonia. It was broadcast live by 28 local Catalan television stations.
The event was presided over by Culture Minister Sònia Hernández and Valls Mayor Dolors Farré. A wide range of institutional representatives from various municipalities, the Alt Camp Regional Council, Tarragona Provincial Council, the Catalan Government, and the Catalan Parliament were also present.
Celebrating Season Highlights
The "Moment of the Season" award, chosen by human tower chroniclers, went to the Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls for their 2de9 sense manilles (two of nine without top three levels) human tower, which they crowned at Santa Úrsula. This construction was recognised for its extreme difficulty and the heightened anticipation surrounding its execution.
Fede Gormaz, an iconic member of the Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls, received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Advisory Council of Revista Castells. Gormaz, a former leader and long-standing member of the red-shirted group, received a standing ovation from the audience.
Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls was named "Best Group of the Season" by a jury from Revista Castells and TAC 12. The jury cited their extensive number of 'gamma extra' (extra-difficult) human towers, their variety, consistent execution, and regularity in performances.
Special Recognitions and Breakthroughs
The same jury awarded a "Special Award for a Significant Event" to Castellers de Vilafranca for their historic All Saints' Day performance. During this event, they completed a 4de9sf (four of nine without the top three levels), a 3de10fm (three of ten with two supporting levels), a 4de10fm, and a pde8fm (pillar of eight with two supporting levels). The latter three were achieved after a near-completion fall of a 9de9f (nine of nine with one supporting level).
Another "Special Award" recognised university human tower groups for their expanding presence and high performance level. Representatives from the five groups that completed 'folres' (second supporting level) by year-end accepted the award: Arreplegats de la ZU, Pataquers de la URV, Bergants del CT, Ganàpies de la UAB, and Xoriguers de la UdG.
Nois de la Torre received the "Revelation Group" award, decided by 'gamma extra' groups, for successfully completing their first 4de8 (four of eight) and their first 2de7 (two of seven) in 48 years. The jury noted the close vote with finalists Jove de Sitges and Castellers de Sarrià. The "Descarregat" award, chosen by the Coordinator of Catalan Human Tower Groups (CCCC) Board, went to Castellers de Sants for significantly increasing their number of 9-level human towers with only one minor fall of a 7-level construction.
Media and Photography Honours
The "Square of the Season" award, also from Revista Castells and TAC 12, recognised Plaça de la Vila in Vilanova i la Geltrú. The square was honoured for its tradition, the strength, and the quality of its Les Neus festival, which has hosted the year's first 10-level human tower in recent years. Finalists included Plaça de la Vila del Catllar and Plaça de la Vall del Castell de Vilafranca.
The "Ambassador Award" was given to the series "Pubertat", directed by Leticia Dolera and produced by Marc Maymó. The series was recognised for promoting human towers to a wider audience and treating the subject with knowledge and respect. "Pubertat" premiered on HBO last autumn and is scheduled to air on 3Cat next spring.
The Valls City Council's Tourism Department presented the "Pere Català Roca Award" to photographer Carlos Uriarte. He was commended for his profound and personal photographic perspective, which elevates human tower events to an artistic and emotional dimension.
Two award winners were announced before the ceremony. The "Image of the Season" award went to the pilar de 8 amb folre i manilles (pillar of eight with two supporting levels) by Jove de Tarragona at Sant Magí. This was chosen through public voting organised by La Xarxa. The other pre-announced award recognised groups that had added a new level to their human towers. These included Castellers de Castelldefels, Castellers de Sarrià, and Nois de la Torre for 8-level human towers, and Castellers de l’Adroc, Castellers de la Selva, and Castellers de Viladecans for 7-level human towers.
Looking ahead, the Nit de Castells continues to be a key event for the human tower community, celebrating past achievements and inspiring future efforts in this unique Catalan tradition.
