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...

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by explorator

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 shepherd as avatar, and now you have the donkeys... I understand.

Actually, I don't like this tradition. I don't like they use children and these children jump to the most dangerous position in the tower. A little girl died after falling from a human tower, she was only 12 years old. Now they wear a protective helmet, but any of them can break a bone or remain paralytic after having a fall. Furthermore, if children are not allowed to work until they are 16 years old, why a younger child must "work" in this dangerous job?

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Now they wear a protective helmet, but any of them can break a bone or remain paralytic paralyzed after having a fall. Furthermore, if children are not allowed to work until they are 16 years old, why a youngest child must "work" in this dangerous job?

Is there any tradition in Spain which does not involve a serious risk of death?

[poli]

I don't think the tomatina is very dangerous. It it messy.

[JPablo]

I am a bit behind catching up with posts here and there, but given that I glanced through this one, I will say that there is a very highly risky tradition in Spain, that I don't recommend to anyone, specially if you have eaten a lot...

It involves high skill, utmost body control, a perfect sense of synchronization and timing, not only to start and ending it, but also to be able to do some rhythmic hoarse or harsh sounds caused by the vibrating of the soft palate...

People have died performing it, it involves some dramatic things that only in your wildest dreams and worse nightmares could you ever imagine... full of suspenseful moments, exciting for the performer and the viewers... oh, boy, what a tantalizing show!

And it is "Made in Spain" by Juan Jandrez Present!

Yes, you guessed it right, it is called "¡La SIESTA!"

(Besides all my seriousness, I like the Castellers and Castellets... although it is really horrible that little kids may die... I believe the percentage is waaaay lower than the innocent ones that die in traffic accidents or by falling into drug consumption...)

[irmamar]

Yes, la siesta and the food are the best.

[JPablo]

No kidding!

[vita32]

Yes, I like this "la siesta" especially when followed by "merienda". It is the best tradition!!!

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by poli

I don't think the tomatina is very dangerous. It it messy.

[pjt33]

I had to use context to work out what this was about when I read it in El País today because in Valencia a castell is a firework display.

[JPablo]

That's right. Did you watch the video Perikles posted at the beginning of this thread?
(I "love" the "English" /Catalonian accent of the people been interviewed... probably I laugh at them not listening to my own "Southern California twist, with Machego cheese Castilian..." (you know the Biblical saying, right? to the effect of "seeing the mote in one’s neighbor’s eye and not the beam in one’s own"...)