Pere Aguilar and Xavier Soldevila, two 32-year-old men from Tremp, Lleida, have launched a social media campaign to revitalise the traditional Catalan 'botifarra' card game among younger generations.
The duo, who created the @sombotifarra project on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, aim to preserve the game's cultural and social essence. According to Pere Aguilar, 'botifarra' is currently enjoyed by "few enthusiasts, mainly older people who maintain this tradition by playing in the afternoons to gather with neighbours or friends." He stated, "Our idea is to reach a wider audience by combining informative content, gameplays, tips, and promotion," emphasising that the game "is a form of entertainment with a clear cultural and social essence."
The initiative stemmed from their "passion for playing 'botifarra' and the desire to keep it alive, as it is a deeply rooted tradition in our territory," according to the creators. Both Aguilar and Soldevila have been playing since they were 15 and regularly participate in tournaments across Catalonia. In just one month, the @sombotifarra project has garnered nearly 2,000 followers on Instagram, which Aguilar said "demonstrates the growing interest in the content and its acceptance among the public" of all ages.
Promoting Traditional Play
While online versions of 'botifarra' exist, the project's focus is on "promotional outreach to prevent the game from being lost," Aguilar explained. "The objective is for people of all ages to gather in one place and play 'botifarra' as our parents and grandparents did before," he added. The initiative's founders stress that "'botifarra' is much more than a game, it is a way of sharing moments, culture, and identity." They highlighted that "it seems an entire generation of players has been lost, making it necessary to do something to bring this card game closer to younger people."
The game, typically played by two pairs, became popular during the second half of the 20th century and is known not only in Catalonia but also in northern Valencia and the Balearic Islands. Aguilar and Soldevila have long participated in competitions and "are already recognised at tournaments," they said. "We have never reached the podium, but that does not discourage us because we understand that the most important aspect is the social side of a game that cannot be allowed to disappear."
The creators are confident that their digital presence will "contribute to revitalising the practice, especially among new generations, which guarantees that this game will be maintained as a tradition."
