Castells Sitges became the ultimate symbol of unity and strength when the international team from Abacum returned to us for another extraordinary corporate event. When hosting global teams in Catalonia, companies often look for activities that go beyond standard icebreakers—they want an experience that leaves a lasting impression, teaches core corporate values, and immerses participants in the local culture.
That is exactly why we decided to surprise Abacum with one of the most powerful, emotionally charged traditions in the world: the building of Castells, the traditional Catalan human towers. Recognised worldwide as a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, it is the ultimate live demonstration of teamwork in existence.
The Ultimate Element of Surprise
Abacum brought their global team to the coast expecting a standard corporate getaway, but at Okteam, we love to twist the script. We took the entire team completely by surprise, introducing them to this historic Catalan tradition in an open, high-energy environment.
For an international group with members flying in from all over the world, being introduced to a cultural phenomenon like Castells creates an instant sense of shared wonder. The initial look of amazement on their faces quickly turned into focus and excitement as they realized they weren’t just going to watch the human towers—they were going to build them.
Why Human Towers are the Perfect Corporate Metaphor
We always say that team building goes far beyond the four walls of an office, but a Castells Sitges event takes that philosophy to a literal new height. Building a human tower requires absolute perfection in three specific areas:
- Flawless Coordination: Every single person must know their exact position and timing. One micro-movement affects the entire structure.
- Open Communication: Clear, synchronized instructions must pass seamlessly from the base to the top.
- Unwavering Trust: You are quite literally supporting the weight of your colleagues and trusting them to support yours.
In a fast-scaling company like Abacum, these exact principles apply to daily operations. The metaphor is perfect: to build something high and impactful, you must first construct a rock-solid, diverse foundation where everyone works toward a singular goal.
Step-by-Step with the Local Experts
Safety, authenticity, and professional guidance are our top priorities. To make this dream a reality, we partnered with a local, trusted colla castellera (traditional human tower association). The professional castellers walked the Abacum team through the structural steps and traditional forms:
- The Faja (The Sash): Everyone was taught how to tightly wrap the traditional black sash around their waist, which provides vital back support and acts as a foothold for climbers.
- The Pinya (The Base): The team learned how to form the dense, compact human ring at the bottom. This is the powerhouse of the tower that sustains the weight and acts as a safety net.
- The Scaling Technique: Participants learned the precise physical mechanics of how to step on shoulders, lock arms, and safely ascend the structure.
An International Triumph of Unity
Watching 120 professionals from completely different cultural backgrounds lock arms, stand shoulder-to-shoulder, and form a unified pinya was an unforgettable sight. The language barriers melted away instantly because Castells are built on collective energy, rhythm, and mutual reliance.
The crowd cheered, laughed, and supported one another through every successful tier. When the final structures stood tall against the coastal backdrop, the feeling of collective triumph was electric. Abacum didn’t just learn about a local tradition; they lived it, breathed it, and conquered it together.
The Essence of Okteam Events
At Okteam, creating these high-impact, deeply authentic cultural experiences for large global groups is our true passion. We are incredibly grateful to Abacum for their continued trust in us to push the boundaries of what corporate team building can achieve. They proved that with the right foundation, clear communication, and absolute trust, any team can reach incredible new heights.
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