Valls Juga Festival expands with over 60 activities and night session

The second Valls Juga Festival, a gaming event for all ages, will take place in Valls, Tarragona, on 8 March, featuring over 60 activities. Organisers plan to introduce new games and host various board, role-playing, card, mancala, and war games, according to the coordinating team.

The festival will run from 10am until midnight, extending its hours from the previous edition to include a 'Nit de completes' (night session). This change allows for longer, more complex games, such as certain role-playing and board games, to be played. A games library will be available during the night session, from 9pm to midnight, offering a wide selection of board games.

Organised by Món Aualé, Moviment Educatiu de l’Alt Camp (MEAC), Rol en Família, Llibreria Tram, Associació Lúdica i Cultural La Pera Juganera, the Valls Civic Centre, and VallsJove from the Department of Civic Action and Youth, the festival aims to make games accessible to everyone. Organisers hope to repeat the success of the first edition, which attracted 1,600 participants.

Diverse Gaming Zones and Activities

Attendees will find four distinct gaming zones, three indoors and one outdoors, covering over 3,000 square metres. The outdoor area, 'Fem plaça' (Let's make a square), will host traditional games, target and skill games, giant games, and board games, presented by Nou Tocajoc, Cia. de jocs l’Anònima, and the Valls-based company 'Los desenchufables'.

Additionally, the outdoor space will feature 'Jugger' exhibitions by the Tarragona association AJRET, combining sport and fun. There will also be an archery and softcombat area with Valhalla Experiència Vikinga. Inside the Kursaal (Zone 2), families can find a dedicated children's area with early childhood games by Tell Fusta, Lego activities, Kapla construction games, and a giant Catalan Scrabble.

Publishers, Authors, and Local Collaborations

The Kursaal's central area (Zone 1) will be the main hub for gaming, with demonstrations of more than 70 board games. This section involves various publishers and authors who will present their creations. Participating publishers include Enpeudejoc Edicions, Tradicions en Joc, Sugaar Editorial, Tranjis Games, Brawlstorming Games, Pons Vergooh Games, Iràs i no Tornaràs, and Dues Tasses-Joan Marc Clofent.

Authors such as Marc Aliaga (with the game Valls 1809), Joan Marc Clofent (No puc! Tinc assaig), Enric Alegre (Nyam!), Roman Aixendri (Successió), Andreu Monfà and Patrícia Ortin (Llengut), and Anna Lucini and Pau Moré (authors of Boule Rouge) will also be present, some introducing their latest publications. The organisation values the presence of authors, noting it adds a personal touch for players.

Other publishers lending games for demonstrations, managed by volunteers from La Pera Juganera and students from 'Ludoforta' at Institut Torreforta in Tarragona, include GDM Games, Zacatrus, Brain Picnic, Magic Box Games, Zombi Paella, Cacahuete Games, Toy Games, Bumble3ee, Combo Games, Draco Ideas + Eclipse Editorial, Devir, Maldito Games, Cayro, Julibert Games, and Mel Negra.

Local and regional entities like La Pera Juganera, Ludoforta, TGN Juga, Associació de Jugadors de rol i estratègia de Tarragona, Associació Lúdico Cultural Club Diògenes Tarragona, Hobby Miniatures, Magic Event, Gremi Lúdic Desperta Ferro, Associació Rol & Jocs, Tirant lo Dau, Grup del Teatre Principal (GTP), and Asociación Ludo will also participate. These groups will run activities and demonstrate games, including board games, war games, and miniature painting workshops. Organisers highlight the positive impact of these collaborations, stating that all participants share a common passion for games.

New Features and Future Plans

New additions to this year's festival include a Cosplay contest, an 'assassin game', and 'purple tables'. The Cosplay contest, open to individuals and groups, will take place on the festival stage at 12pm, with a free theme related to the world of games. Pre-registration is available online, or on the day if spaces remain.

The 'purple tables' are dedicated to feminist-themed games where women are the main characters, aiming to promote female narratives in gaming. The festival will also feature an area for game prototype demonstrations, sales points for related merchandise, and a free-play zone called 'Tercera ronda' (Third round) where attendees can try out their own games. The 'Toc de vermut' (Vermouth time) food zone will offer two food trucks, New York Food and Creperia Plaer, with gluten-free options.

Three tournaments for the games Pixies, Dioses!, and Faraway are planned, alongside raffles for board games donated by collaborating publishers. To enter the raffle, participants can complete 'ludic crosswords' based on Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística's 'Vocabulari dels jocs de taula' and 'Vocabulari dels jocs de rol', available at the Kursaal. Role-playing games and tournaments will have a dedicated, quieter space (Zone 3).

An innovative activity, 'Els crims de Valls' (The crimes of Valls), an interactive investigation game, will also be introduced by the GTP. This second edition of Valls Juga aims to solidify Valls' position as a significant location for gaming festivals in Catalonia, building on its growing popularity and diverse offerings.