The “Hojarasca” folk group from Oliva de la Frontera (Badajoz) was founded in 2002, thanks to the initiative of a group of people who shared the same goal: to promote and share the folklore of Extremadura. Thus began the journey of the adult group, under the direction of Ana Gil Ollero, a former member of the group Los Jateros. Hojarasca takes its name from the fallen leaves of the holm oak and cork oak, trees typical of the Extremadura dehesa, our natural environment, which the elders of our town call “la jorasca.”
A year later, Hojarasca, in collaboration with the parents’ association at the Maestro Pedro Vera School, launched a workshop on Extremaduran folklore, which marked the beginnings of the children’s group. This workshop continues to this day as part of the school’s Complementary Educational Activities programme. The group also has a youth section, thus continuing to fulfil the original aim of promoting folklore in our local community.
The group comprises three sections: children, young people and adults, with a total of 130 members.
Over the years, the group has taken part in various festivals, both national and international, in neighbouring Portugal, due to its proximity. They have also toured various parts of Spain, including Asturias, Murcia, Albacete, Vitoria, Andalusia, Toledo, the Canary Islands, Valencia and most of Extremadura.
Hojarasca is a full member of the Extremadura Folklore Federation and thus receives all the necessary support.
