Alt CampAlt EmpordàAlt PenedèsAlt UrgellAlta RibagorçaAnoiaAranBagesBaix CampBaix EbreBaix EmpordàBaix LlobregatBaix PenedèsBarcelonèsBerguedàCerdanyaConca de BarberàGarrafGarriguesGarrotxaGironèsLluçanèsMaresmeMoianèsMontsiàNogueraOsonaPallars JussàPallars SobiràPla d'UrgellPla de l'EstanyPrioratRibera d'EbreRipollèsSegarraSegriàSelvaSolsonèsTarragonèsTerra AltaUrgellVallès OccidentalVallès OrientalAlt CampAlt EmpordàAlt PenedèsAlt UrgellAlta RibagorçaAnoiaAranBagesBaix CampBaix EbreBaix EmpordàBaix LlobregatBaix PenedèsBarcelonèsBerguedàCerdanyaConca de BarberàGarrafGarriguesGarrotxaGironèsLluçanèsMaresmeMoianèsMontsiàNogueraOsonaPallars JussàPallars SobiràPla d'UrgellPla de l'EstanyPrioratRibera d'EbreRipollèsSegarraSegriàSelvaSolsonèsTarragonèsTerra AltaUrgellVallès OccidentalVallès Oriental
CA|ES|EN

Diari de Catalunya

Pallareses Bowling Takes Root in Schools, Doubling Participation in Second Edition

The educational project to preserve this traditional sport from Pallars Sobirà expands its reach to secondary education and will culminate in an event in Esterri d'Àneu.

Image of 'bitlles pallareses' in a natural setting.
IA

Image of 'bitlles pallareses' in a natural setting.

The Recuperem les bitlles pallareses project has taken a significant step forward this academic year, doubling school participation and solidifying the presence of this traditional sport in Pallars Sobirà classrooms, with a final event in Esterri d'Àneu on May 14.

Cultural heritage is not only preserved in museums or books but also kept alive in everyday spaces like town squares and, increasingly, in schools. The Recuperem les bitlles pallareses initiative, which began last year, has successfully completed its second edition, aiming to embed this indigenous sport among the younger generations of Pallars Sobirà.
The presentation of the 2nd Pallareses Bowling Day, scheduled to take place in Esterri d'Àneu on Thursday, May 14, was held at the Diputació de Lleida. The event was attended by key figures such as Agustí Jiménez, vice-president of the Diputació; Sílvia Díaz, coordinator of Educational Services; and the project's promoters, Maria Carme Obiols from CRP Pallars Sobirà, and Lourdes Ravetllat from Escola La Closa d'Esterri d'Àneu.
While the first edition saw around eighty students participate, this year the number has risen to 140. The main novelty is the inclusion of 1st-year ESO students, joining those from 5th grade of Primary School. This expansion will allow the final tournament in Esterri d'Àneu to feature two categories of finalists, ensuring the continuity of the sport as students transition to high school.
The participating educational centers cover almost the entire school community of the region, including Àngel Serafí Casanovas de Sort and La Closa d'Esterri d'Àneu schools, the ZER Alt Pallars Sobirà (with schools in Alins, Llavorsí, Ribera de Cardós, Rialp, and Tírvia), and the high schools INS Morelló d'Esterri d'Àneu and INS Hug Roger III de Sort.
“

"Introducing bowling into classrooms is very beneficial because it allows combining physical activity with the recognition of the territory."

Lourdes Ravetllat · Physical education teacher and project promoter
The project extends beyond competition, integrating into physical education classes to teach the technique and rules of the game, as well as the historical value of this activity that forms part of the Pallaresa identity. Maria Carme Obiols highlighted that the initiative fosters social relations and cohesion among children from different towns in the region, promoting values such as teamwork, solidarity, and effort.
Pallareses bowling is a traditional game where the objective is to knock down 48 pins without exceeding that number. Each turn consists of nine pins arranged in a bottle shape, which must be knocked down with a ball or 'truc'. Each pin is worth one point, and if a team exceeds 48 points, 10 pins are deducted.

Related News