The Valls Juga Festival, a gaming event in Valls, Tarragona, welcomed 1,800 attendees to its third edition on 21 March at the Kursaal hall. Over 14 hours, visitors enjoyed 160 activities, confirming the festival's place in the city's cultural calendar.
Organisers, including Món Aualé, Moviment Educatiu de l’Alt Camp (MEAC), Rol en família, Llibreria Tram, La Pera Juganera, and the Civic Centre and VallsJove from the Department of Civic Action and Youth, expressed satisfaction with the turnout. This success shows a growing interest in games as a tool for learning, socialisation, and entertainment, a key goal of the festival.
After a year of planning, the organisation achieved its aim of positioning Valls as a leading festival in Catalonia's gaming world. The third edition solidified Valls Juga's reputation among game festivals in the region.
Expanding Play and Community Engagement
The festival introduced new features and a broader programme, with 160 activities spread across four main gaming zones. These zones covered over 3,000 m2, offering options for all ages and interests. Visitor numbers remained steady throughout the day, with high participation in various areas.
Attendees praised the variety of activities, the welcoming atmosphere, the strong organisation, and the chance to discover and share games as a community. The festival's organisers thanked more than 80 companies, entities, services, and administrations for their involvement. They also recognised the Valls Juga volunteer team, La Pinya, and game demonstrators La Pera Juganera and Ludoforta.
Local associations such as Club Escacs Valls, AJRET, ALC Club Diòegenes Tarragona, Associació TGN Juga, Rol i Jocs de Reus, and Tirant lo dau also took part. Additionally, various publishers and around twenty game authors attended, presenting their creations directly to the public.
Connecting the Festival with Local Commerce
This year, Valls Juga collaborated with the Department of Linguistic Policy, the Department of Equality and Feminisms, and the Department of Commerce and Valls Commerce. This partnership boosted the commercial sector through the “Pista en pista” (Clue by Clue) game, which linked the festival with local shops in the city.
Moving forward, the festival plans to build on this success, continuing to expand its offerings and strengthen its ties with the community and local businesses. Future editions will likely see further innovations, aiming to maintain its status as a significant event in Catalonia's gaming scene.
