Els Castellers de Vilafranca unload the first pilar of 9 with folre, manilles and puntals in history

Vilafranca del PenedèsThere are festivals that are remembered. There are those that are told for years. And then there are days like today, when the Plaça de la Vila in Vilafranca seems to want to widen so that everything that happens there fits. Sant Fèlix has been a barbarity. A Sant Fèlix of the highest, of permanent extra gamma, of castles that for a long time had not been seen together and of a castle-building tension taken to the limit. One of those days when the castle-building world looks at the square and understands that it is witnessing something extraordinary. And a festival where for the first time in history the 9-story pillar with lining, handles, and props has been unloaded.

La Vella makes easy what seems impossible

La Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls has opened the square. They did it with the 4d9sf. It was no ordinary castle. In this square, the pink ones had already unloaded it in 2018 and loaded it in 2019 and 2024. Today they returned, without concessions and with the determination of a group that has turned what is exceptional for any other into an achievable goal. It was the fifth unloaded of the season and the first extra-gamma of the day. The difficult, the Vella makes it easy.

The unloading also had a special meaning: it is the eleventh consecutive 4d9sf unloaded by the Vella since last year's Sant Fèlix.

And then the great challenge arrived. In the second round, the Vella bet on the 4d10fm, the first of their season. The rehearsals gave them arguments, but in the square the construction did not start comfortably. The first foot had to be dismantled because the group did not feel well. On the second attempt, however, everything fit. The castle rose with immense tension. The manilles began to work very early, the four was shaken and the sense of danger grew floor by floor. There was a strong blow that the group managed to save. It seemed that the worst had already passed. But when the children were already out, the castle finally gave way and jumped through the fourth floor. Nevertheless, it was a huge step forward.

And there was still a third round. Without thinking too much about it, they put all their eggs in the basket again with the 4d9fp. They had already done it this season and knew they had it. It was the fourth of the year. Worked, especially at the quint level, but dominated until the end. A pd8fm full of epic served to put the cherry on top.

La Jove signs the best day of its history

La Jove de Tarragona has made history. The lilacs opened with their signature castel: the 5d9f. It was the third of the season, after recovering it for Sant Magí and making it the opening castel in El Catllar. Today it was once again the primary objective. And it wasn't just any choice: it was the 38th 5d9f in the history of La Jove, the castel that identifies the group and that today was to serve to make it clear that their return to major constructions is not a fleeting moment. The first foot had to be dismantled. But then, everything went like silk. Quick children, impeccable appearance, good measurements, and a sense of confidence that La Jove had been pursuing for a long time. The five climbed with the authority that castels the group feels are theirs. The definitive confirmation that they have recovered it.

And then came the moment the square was waiting for. The 3d10fm. La Jove hadn't unloaded it since the 2024 Contest. Last year, for Sant Fèlix, they loaded it. Today they returned with everything. With the conviction that this group has been chosen to be at Sant Fèlix for a reason. With the desire to make history and, above all, to continue giving ample reason to be one of the great names of the day. And they have done it. The third unloaded 3d10fm in the history of La Jove. It was a construction of extraordinary speed. The folre and manilles were a rock. The children crowned and La Jove completed the castel with spectacular authority. When the three was unloaded, the square went wild. The lilac tide was greater than ever. A postcard image. A group working, suffering, pushing, but unloading a castel that is now part of La Jove's great history. And the third castel was still missing. La Jove discarded the 4d9fa and opted for their castel par excellence of the last two seasons: the 2d9fm. They've done so many that they almost know it by heart. And that was noticeable. Perfect. Without any complication. With tranquility. The pd8fm, the second of the season, was still missing. La Jove thus ended up signing the best diada of its history. A performance that no longer needs adjectives.

The Castellers de Vilafranca make history with the pd9fmp

The Castellers de Vilafranca have taken on the role of hosts with their usual maximum commitment. They opened with the 3d10fm, the third of the season after those completed in l'Arboç and Vilanova. It is a tower that has already become a regular for the Verds: the last eight Sant Fèlix have precisely opened with this tower. Today was no exception. The tower went up and was completed. Well managed, without losing control and with the serenity typical of a group accustomed to living under this pressure.

But in the second round came the great challenge: the 4d10fm. And here the square experienced one of the most tense moments of the day. The four began to struggle very early. The nerves grew and the construction became more complicated until it finally collapsed. A fall that leaves a thorn in the side for the Verds, especially after all the work accumulated in rehearsals.

But a great team is also measured by its ability to react. And Vilafranca has finished with the 3d9fa, the third of the season. A castle they hadn't attempted for Sant Fèlix since 2019 and which they have now recovered with absolute solvency. Without problems. With the castle mastered. And with a pillar that has been a rock.

But the best was yet to come. The pd9fmp. Only loaded once in the history of castells and never unloaded. Today was the day. On the first attempt, they threw it up. And this time, yes, they broke the ceiling of the castells again. It was a gift. For a few moments, the square fell silent. And then it erupted.

La Joves once again plants the 4d9sf

The Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls have also started with a top-level bet: the 4d9sf, the third of the season. The first foot had to be dismantled because the measurements did not quite fit. But today they did. On the second attempt, the castle rose perfectly. Picture-perfect. The clean four was once again within reach of the reds, who have unloaded a construction of enormous difficulty with a very fine execution.

In the second round they went for the 2d9fm, the fifth of the season. It's a castle that is already part of the Joves' competitive routine this year. They are used to it. The usual tremor was there, but without excessive effort they were able to complete it.

And in the third round they went for the 2d8sf. It went up well. It seemed that the castle could reach a good port, but it ended up breaking at the quarter level. A great shame because the construction looked very good until that moment. But the 2d8sf is that: a fragile castle, of extreme precision, which does not forgive the slightest misalignment. The reds, however, still had time to add a high-level cherry on top of their performance with the pd8fm, which they completed. A construction that confirms the Joves' dominance over this castle and allows them to close a top-level festival. Sant Fèlix was beastly. A festival of highs. A festival that will not be forgotten.