Joan Mateu

Photographer

joanmateuparra.visura.co

Catalan Human Towers Contest

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Biography: I am a photojournalist working on both daily news and long term projects. Based in Barcelona, I specialize in the Catalonia conflict and have been photographing the “separatist process” for the past 5 years. For the past year, I have... MORE

Castellers hold ‘&...Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Castellers hold ‘’independence flags or esteladas’’ as start the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of “Jove de X...Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of “Jove de Xiquets de Valls" form their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of “Casteller...Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of “Castellers de Vilafranca’’ fall after complete their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of "Vella de X...Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of "Vella de Xiquets de Valls" form their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of "Vella de Xiquets de Valls" react after fall their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

A member of "Vella de ...Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

A member of "Vella de Xiquets de Valls" looks at his team as they try to form their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of “Castellers de Vilafranca’’ fall as they try to complete their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of “Castellers de Vilafranca’’ form their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of "Vella de Xiquets de Valls" fall as they try to form their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of “Jove de Xiquets de Valls" celebrate after complete their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

A member of “Castelle...Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

A member of “Castellers de Vilafranca’’ celebrates after complete their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of “Castellers de Vilafranca’’ complete their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of “Jove de T...Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of “Jove de Tarragona’’ fall as they try to complete their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

A member of “Castellers de Vilafranca’’ helps to form her team human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of “Jove de Xiquets de Valls" form their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of “Moixigang...Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

Members of “Moixiganguers d’Igualada’’ form their human tower during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

A couple of “Jove de ...Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

A couple of “Jove de Tarragona’’ kisses during the 28th Human Tower Competition in Tarragona, Spain, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra) Barcelona ESP

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Public Story

Catalan Human Towers Contest

Copyright Joan Mateu 2024

Updated Oct 2022

The human towers are called ''castells'', and building them is a centuries-old practice in Catalonia, nation inside Spain with its own lenguage and culture.
According to UNESCO, the tradition is an integral part of the Catalan people cultural identity. The tradition is belived to have originated from human towers built at the end of the 18th century by dance groups.
In the city of Tarragona, 11.000 spectators filled a stadium to watch 41 teams or ''collas''of ''castellers'' compete.
The event is usually held every two years, but this (2022) was the first time it has beel held since 2018, because of the pandemic.
The team from Vilafranca was the winner.

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Joan Mateu

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