Description
1926-2006. ELS CASTELLERS DE TARRAGONA
Book Summary
This work offers an exhaustive analysis of the transformation of castells, from a local tradition linked to the rural sphere to becoming a central symbol of the collective identity of Tarragona and Catalonia as a whole. Through the testimony of various generations of castellers and a wide selection of graphic documents, the book structures this process into four key periods, explaining how the castell activity has expanded from its original core in the Camp de Tarragona-Penedès region. It is a rigorous study that combines social and cultural history to understand the evolution of one of the most emblematic expressions of Catalan popular culture.
What is it about?
The book addresses the evolution of the casteller phenomenon in Tarragona over eight decades, from 1926 to 2006. The work is structured into four major periods that mark the transformation of this practice: its origin as a local custom practiced by "celler" (winery) workers, its consolidation, its expansion, and its conversion into a fundamental identity element. Based on interviews and testimonies from different generations of castellers, the group's historical memory is reconstructed, while extensive graphic material, much of it previously unpublished, visually illustrates each stage. The book does not only document the milestones and technical feats, but also analyzes the social and cultural context that allowed the castells to go from being a tradition confined to a specific geographical area to becoming a recognized symbol throughout Catalonia.
Main themes
- Social and cultural history of the castells in Tarragona (1926-2006).
- Transformation of a local tradition into a collective identity symbol.
- Geographical expansion of the castell activity from the Camp de Tarragona-Penedès to the whole of Catalonia.
- Oral history and testimony from several generations of castellers.
- Previously unpublished graphic documentation as a historical source.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at historians, sociologists, and scholars of Catalan popular culture, as well as castellers and fans of the casteller world who wish to know in depth the roots and evolution of this tradition in Tarragona. It is also of interest to general readers interested in the social history of Catalonia and the processes of constructing collective identities through popular traditions.
What this book offers
- A detailed analysis of the historical evolution of the castells in Tarragona over eighty years.
- Direct testimonies from different generations of castellers that offer an experiential view of the phenomenon.
- A collection of previously unpublished photographs that visually document the four key periods of the process.
- A deep understanding of how a local practice became a cultural emblem of national scope.
Technical specifications
- Author: Lluis Balart, Àngel Conesa, Carme Oriol
- Publisher: Eumo Editorial SAU
- Language: Catalan
- Subject: History: specific events and topics, Social and cultural history, Popular culture
- Collection: Fora de Col·lecció
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publication date: April 2008
- Number of pages: 368
- Weight: 1463 g
Editorial assessment
This is a reference work for the study of the casteller phenomenon in Tarragona, which combines historical rigor with a testimonial and graphic approach of great documentary value. Its focus on the social and cultural transformation of the castells, along with the contribution of previously unpublished photographic material, makes it an essential publication for specialists and enthusiasts of Catalan popular culture. The structure in four periods facilitates the understanding of the evolutionary process, and the inclusion of voices from different generations enriches the historical perspective with a human and intimate dimension.