Spain's Human Towers

[Perikles]

Here is an interesting report on a Spanish tradition that does not involve animals - Catalonia's Human Towers. The BBC report could be quite a useful listening exercise. Spot the interview with the man who says so many people is working and how he pronouces country.

[irmamar]

Well, this is not a Spanish tradition, but a Catalonian tradition.

And yes, we are used to pronounce /'kaʊntri/, maybe influenced by 'country music', commonly pronounced like this here (and because we pronounced the /r/)

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Well, this is not a Spanish tradition, but a Catalonian tradition.

I just knew you would say that.

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by Perikles

I just knew you would say that.

And then, why didn't you wrote the correct sentence?

By the way, pay attention how the presenter says "castell" [ kas 'te λ ]. And the word should be "castellers" instead.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

And then, why didn't you wrote write the correct sentence?

I did it for those who don't know where Catalonia is.

[irmamar]

¡Cómo te aprovechas!

[irmamar]

Those human towers, Castellers, flamenco and Sibila's song (el Cant de la Siblil·la) have been recognised as Intangible Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO.

As flamenco is widely known and you can see the castellers in this thread, I'll give you a link with el Cant de la Sibil·la, a kind of medieval songs which are sung on 24th December in the dialect from Catalonian spoken in Mallorca, Mallorquín:



I've searched a song with subtitles (in Mallorquín), although this one is not played in Mallorca, but in Barcelona. I've tried to translate those subtitles into English (I hope there are many mistakes ). Enjoy with Middle Ages music.

Santa María de Gracia has recover the tradition of playing the Sibila song,
a music play from the Middle Ages based on the words of the classical women prophets
who, following the tradition, announced Jesus' birth.
Council of Trento considered them to be heretic
and tradition got lost.
Their portrait, however,
still can be seen at the Sistine Chapel and at the Cathedral of Siena.

[Song]

The Judgement Day,
for those who did the service,
a king will come, perpetual,
dressed with our mortal flesh.
From the Heavens he will come, really,
to make the judgement of everything.

All of you who listen to
pray to God devoutly
with your heart and with great devotion
which carry you to salvation.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

(I hope there are many mistakes ).

I doubt that. We need to discuss the verb esperar.

I really like the music.

[irmamar]

I wanted to write "there aren't".

[explorator]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Well, this is not a Spanish tradition, but a Catalonian tradition.

And yes, we are used to pronounce /'kaʊntri/, maybe influenced by 'country music', commonly pronounced like this here (and because we pronounced the /r/)

You too Irmamar?

As far as I know, Catalonia is still Spain, so it is a Spanish tradition.
If I were Albert Boadella, I would say some ironic phrase about it like: "Here are some Catalonian persons playing to risk their lifes as if they were Spaniards".

P.S:
You used to have a german shephard as avatar didn't you? Now you have the donkeys...