* The author is part of the community of readers of La Vanguardia
The Gegants de Sallent groups are a Catalan tradition that consists of the creation of giant figures made of papier-mâché, wood, and other materials, which are carried by a group of people at festivals and popular celebrations.
In Sallent, a town in the Bages region, there are several groups of gegants and nans (dwarves), which are very active and participate in various festivals in the region.
The most outstanding group in Sallent is that of the Giant Kings of Sallent, created in 1981, which represents the Magi of the East. These giants are one of the main attractions of the city and only come out for extraordinary celebrations, sponsorships and trips.
Another important group is the Gegants Fillols de Sallent, which are the young representation of the Old Giants built in 1978 by residents of the city to recover the giant tradition. These giants are responsible for representing the municipality in various giant demonstrations and gatherings in the country.
To create a group of giants, you need a group of people who are responsible for designing, building and carrying the figures.
The construction of these figures is painstaking work and requires artistic and carpentry skills. In general, materials such as papier-mâché, wood and cloth are used for their construction, and they are given mobility through a system of pulleys and rods.
Additionally, each figure has their own clothing and personality, and they are often assigned a name.
To carry the giants, a good physical condition is required, since the figures can weigh up to 50 kilos. The number of carriers varies depending on the size of the figure, and in general, a minimum of four people is needed per figure.
The carriers must coordinate their movements in order to make the giants walk smoothly and avoid accidents.
Regarding the participation in festivals and celebrations, each group has its own calendar and is in charge of scheduling their participation in the different events.
Some groups also organize their own events, such as workshops to build figures or parades of giants through the streets of the city.
In general, participation in a group of gegants is a highly demanded activity in Sallent, especially among young people.
