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Human Towers and Boules: The Unite! Project Bridging University Cultures
In May, students from UPC Barcelona and Grenoble INP - Esisar participated in a unique cultural exchange project called "Human Towers & Boules Unite!" This student-led initiative was filled with discovery, teamwork, and the sharing of traditions.
Funded by the Unite! Seed Fund, the project gave students the chance to connect across borders through two iconic traditions: Catalan human towers (castells) and French pétanque. On one side, the Bergants del Campus Terrassa (a student group dedicated to castells), and on the other, the Esisar Sports Office, a student club encouraging physical activity for cohesion and well-being. Behind the scenes, the project was coordinated by students from both schools: Joan Toni Castillo and Nil Omedes (UPC), and Lucas Renaud and Nicolas Magne (Grenoble INP - Esisar).
Building castells: the art and spirit
From 21 to 24 May, around 30 students from France headed to Terrassa, Spain. Their travel and accommodation were fully covered, allowing them to focus entirely on the experience. They were warmly welcomed by their Catalan peers, who had prepared workshops and demonstrations to introduce them to the art and spirit of building castells. The exchange went beyond technical skills: it sparked conversations, built friendships, and created unforgettable memories around teamwork, trust, and cultural pride. “For them, human towers are not just a sport or activity. They are a community that brings together people from different backgrounds and generations”, explains Lucas Renaud, 4th year student at Esisar.
“It was rich, varied, and truly impressive”.
French and Spanish students shared meals and laughter, attended training sessions with other castells groups, and even met the mayor of Terrassa. Together, they helped raise towers of all shapes and heights, practiced climbing with their Catalan peers, and watched breathtaking public performances by the official Castells de Terrassa association, reaching up to eight or nine levels high.
Between the thrilling climbs, they explored the streets of Terrassa and the city of Barcelona, all in a festive and high-energy atmosphere.
The power of intercultural student initiatives within the Unite! network
The organizing team now hopes to make this exchange a regular event and to invite more universities from the Unite! alliance to join. Their goal: to build lasting connections and celebrate cultural diversity through meaningful student involvement. "Organizing this event was time-consuming but rewarding. I enjoyed the human towers, and students are still building them weeks later!", exclaims Lucas.
Next up? The Spanish delegation will head to France for the Challenge! “I hope Valence’s little violets are ready to win and bring the energy to impress everyone!” says Lucas.
