Special Weekend Honours Founding Figure and Late President
This weekend, the Castellers de Terrassa mark their XXXII Diada Emili Miró, an annual celebration dedicated to Emili Miró i Fons, the founding figure of the blue-and-turquoise casteller group and a respected name across Catalonia’s human tower movement. In a tribute that adds deeper significance this year, the festivities will also honour Mario Pena, who passed away in December 2025. Pena served as president of the Castellers de Terrassa from 2011 to 2013 and played a key role in linking Catalan cultural traditions through his work with the Coordinadora de Grups de Cultura Popular i Tradicional Catalana de Terrassa and the Coordinadora de Colles Castelleres de Catalunya.
Pyrenean 'Fallas' Come to Terrassa
On Saturday, 12 September, a special recreation of the Pyrenean 'baixada de falles', the traditional descent of bonfires during festival nights, will take place in central Terrassa. This rare urban adaptation is being co-organised by the Castellers de Terrassa and the Fallaires del Pont de Suert, bringing a UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage practice from the mountains to the city. The day begins with a morning casteller demonstration at Llar Sant Llàtzer, aimed at bringing the tradition to residents who may not attend public squares. At 19:30, a mural by local artist Edmundo García will be unveiled in Plaça Didó. The artwork symbolically unites the imagery of falling flames and rising human towers, serving as a tribute to Pena’s role in bridging the two traditions.
The collaboration reflects the strength of Terrassa’s popular culture and the deep personal connections forged by figures like Mario Pena.
At 21:15, the Faro (festival beacon) will be lit at the churches of Sant Pere. A procession will then carry the flame down through the streets to Plaça Vella, where the falles will be officially received at 22:00.
Joint Celebration on Sunday
The events culminate on Sunday morning with a parade from the Castellers’ headquarters to Raval de Montserrat. There, the Diada Emili Miró will be celebrated with performances by visiting groups: the Castellers de Castelldefels, Castellers de Berga, and Colla Castellera Jove de Barcelona. This joint celebration underscores how local traditions continue to evolve through cross-community collaboration, rooted in both historical respect and personal legacy.
Reported by monterrassa.cat, diarideterrassa.com, arxiumunicipal.terrassa.cat, castellersdeterrassa.cat, Publicat per internacional el 15 d'agost de 2026 15 d'agost de 2026, terrassadigital.cat, MónTerrassa.
