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The youngest castellers debut helmets with face protection in Barcelona
The child castellers of Barcelona and Tarragona will have helmets with extra face protection. The new model will be tested for the first time at the Mercè y Santa Tecla festivities. The change will be gradual.
Can you imagine climbing to the top of a castell and knowing your face is better protected? This year, the child castellers of Barcelona and Tarragona will be the first to try a helmet with a new feature: protection for the forehead, nose, and cheekbones.
The debut of these helmets is set for a special occasion. They will make their first appearance on 24 September, during the festivities of La Mercè in Barcelona and Santa Tecla in Tarragona, two dates that are highlights for the colles castelleres and their fans.
A helmet designed for the youngest
Until now, helmets for child castellers protected the head but left the face exposed to injury in case of a fall. The new design includes a front piece that covers the most vulnerable areas of the face, aiming to reduce the risk of injury.
This measure does not immediately replace the old helmets. For now, both models will be used, and the change will be gradual, according to the organisers. This way, the colles can adapt to the new protection at their own pace.
Tradition updated at the most iconic festivals
Choosing La Mercè and Santa Tecla for the helmet’s debut is no coincidence. These are two of the most iconic settings to see castells live, with thousands of people in the squares and an atmosphere that blends tradition and excitement. This year, alongside the usual human towers, there will be something new in the air: reinforced safety for the youngest participants.
What changes for the castellers?
For now, the main innovation is facial protection for the children who climb to the top. The rest of the structure and the dynamics of the colles remain the same. The old helmet will continue to be used while the transition to the new model is completed.
The introduction of this helmet marks an important step for safety in one of Catalonia’s most cherished traditions. If the trial goes well, it’s likely we’ll soon see more child castellers wearing the new protection in squares across the region. Once again, innovation and tradition go hand in hand in Barcelona.